Tuesday, May 12, 2009

Lieutenant Dan Choi comes out, gets fired under "Don't Ask Don't Tell," and what President Obama said about his commitment to end the policy

Rachel Maddow interviews Lieutenant Dan Choi about his recent coming-out and dismissal under "Don't Ask. Don't Tell." She also speaks with the highest ranking former military officer in the US Congress, Representative Joe Sestak, (Dem. PA)

Rachel starts off the segment by sharing a hand-written note President Obama sent a female officer, Lieutenant Sandy Xou [phonetic spelling of her last name] who wrote the President after she was also recently discharged from the military for coming out as gay.

It's essential viewing:



Lieutenant Choi's final words in the interview,
"We Want To Serve"

still ring in my ears!

For more info, you can check out the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network

All right, President Obama. We're waiting for you to come through on this!

3 comments:

ReadWriteGo said...

This issue just burns me - particularly Dan Choi. I was a linguist for the Army, I know how hard it is to train competent linguists, and to just toss them aside for an issue that doesn't impact their performance on the job is just mind-blowing to me. I knew it would happen, coming out on national TV and all, but it still makes me angry. I hope Obama keeps his promise, because the current policy only impacts military readiness. It's hurting the military, not saving it.

Anonymous said...

Keep waiting. Obama is all talk, no walk on LGBT issues. The "community" eagerly bought an- expensive- bill of goods on that guy.

Anonymous said...

Talk about cutting off your nose to spite your face. Sigh. Our military needs the best of the best. Many of the best are GLBTQ.