Subscribe to Common Dreams News Updates
Most Popular This Week
Popular content
Today's Top News
Why Did Obama Fire Dan Choi?
“As we mark the end of America’s combat mission in Iraq,” President Barack Obama said this week, “a grateful America must pay tribute to all who served there.” He should have added “unless you’re gay,” because, despite his rhetoric, weeks earlier the commander in chief fired one of those Iraq vets: Lt. Dan Choi.
Choi was an Iraq War veteran, a graduate of West Point and a trained Arabic linguist. I ran into Choi the day after he received his official discharge. We were at the Netroots Nation conference in Las Vegas, a gathering of thousands of bloggers, activists and journalists.
Though Choi had known the discharge was coming, he was still shaken to the core. He took out his phone and showed me the letter he was e-mailed.
Choi announced he was gay on national television in March of 2009. He knew the stakes. I asked why he did it. “I came back from Iraq,” he told me, “and I decided that it’s not worth it—I could have died at any moment in the area that I was, in the ‘Triangle of Death.’ Why should I be afraid of the truth of who I am?”
He went on: “I’ve wanted to go back to Iraq and to Afghanistan, but then I thought, ‘If I die in Afghanistan or Iraq, then would my boyfriend be notified? Or would he have to hear about it through “Democracy Now!” or CNN—who would be the one telling him?’ And the fact of the matter is ‘Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell’ forces our families into the closet and into nonexistence, and that is no way to support our troops or the families that allow them to continue to serve.”
Obama promised during his presidential campaign to repeal the law that allows soldiers like Choi to be fired for being openly gay, the so-called Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell policy. The brainchild of the Clinton administration, it has led to the firing of close to 14,000 members of the military.
Obama has instructed Defense Secretary Robert Gates to conduct a survey among members of the military and their families about the potential impact of repealing “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell.” Sounds reasonable? Not according to Choi.
“I think it’s absolutely insulting that we are having a survey right now, in this day and age. That the commander in chief [was] the first racial minority to achieve that rank and that position was a signifying moment for all of us, whether we’re racial minorities, whether we’re sexual minorities, whether we’re American citizens or not even yet American citizens, it was an absolute moment of vindication for a lot of people.” Choi, also a proud Korean-American, continued, “Nobody ever polls the soldiers on whether we should go to war or not. Nobody ever says, ‘What do you think about your commander in chief being African-American?’ ”
It’s difficult to think of Dan Choi as lucky, since the West Point graduate wanted to make the military his career, but being honorably discharged, he gets to keep his benefits. He says that’s not true of many of his peers. “A lot of people have given up quite a hefty sum of benefits, including your medical benefits, your right to go to a VA hospital without paying, if your disability rating is like mine—I’m something like 50 percent disabled from my time in service—I stood to lose all of that as well as scholarship moneys, GI bill and a home loan through the VA programs.”
At the Netroots Nation conference, Democratic leaders tried to convince their progressive base that the Democratic Party truly did represent change. When Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid took the stage, the moderator handed him Lt. Choi’s West Point ring and said Choi wanted him to keep it. Choi then joined Reid on the stage. Holding the ring, Reid asked Choi, speaking of the repeal of “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell,” “When we get it passed, you’ll take it back, right?” Choi responded, “I sure will, but I’m going to hold you accountable.”
Denis Moynihan contributed research to this column.
- Posted in
51 Comments so far
Show AllWe cannot allow morally degenerate homosexuals to kill morally degenerate brown-skinned people, that would be morally degenerate!!
i understand eunuchs are the best killers of all...hmmmmm, i wonder....
The question and the conclusion.
Why did he receive an "honorable" discharge?
He should not have been discharged at all if his job performance was how he was judged, but he did not adequately deceive the monster and according to the rules of beastliness, that is unacceptable. Only the monstrosity is allowed to indifferently deceive.
So, his deception was considered an emulation of the inherent degenerateness of the war-monster and that is seen as honorable.
Blatant hypocrisy is the highest god. Thus speaks Obama and anyone else in power.
As soon as gays and everyone else learn that hypocrisy is the most highly valued behavior in this degenerate nation, they will be treated as "equals".
Dan Choi made the weak mistake of wanting to have integrity. This cannot be tolerated in the PR nation, but, for the most part, he was a good member of "the team".
ps.
Iraq was attacked partly because it failed to maintain the image of beastliness to an acceptable level. We could see that it really could not defend itself. The United Nations made that clear. The question now is whether Iran will fall for the same reasons.
Obama fired Choi because a lot of men in the military are uncomfortable with having gay men around them. Also, being gay is likely percieved as "weak"- a strike against them on the "battlefield."
Are you suggesting this is an acceptable reason?
And you believe that Choi is the only gay man that ever served in the military, right? Well, one thing we can take comfort in - at least they won't let women serve in the military, right? Because a lot of men in the military would be uncomfortable and women are perceived as "weak".
Thats absurd. The bravest man in my (and at 6'4" the strongest) sweeper platoon was a flaming homosexual. Most soldiers don't give a damn about someones preference as long as they don't make a big deal about it, demanding this or that because they prefer to sleep with someone thats equipped the sdame way.
Well, that "bravest man" ought to have been outed, court-martialed, and punished to the full extent of Military Law.
Oh, don't get me wrong-- personally, I love him like a brother. And I realize that it's actually the corrupt system that's to blame.
I may hate the Illegality, but never the Illegal.
But the Fact is that he WAS an Illegal, and by tolerating such Illegals you're only perpetuating the vile conscription and exploitation of Illegals.
Sounds harsh, maybe... but The Law Is The Law. Case closed.
Why are you an Obediant Servant?
Mindless obedience to discriminatory or bad law is mindless obedience.
Civil Rights would get nowhere, or Bill of Rights would never be found with your "The Law is the Law Case closed".
Well said.
JIM: It's called irony. OS is mocking Mighty Mite's position on the "illegal" aliens. Mighty took a very letter of the law stance with respect to that issue, so OS is "holding up the mirror" and allowing Mighty to consider how his own rigid adherence to the absolute letter of the law is being undermined by his tolerance in this instance. Generally, inconsistent behaviors/beliefs fall under the heading of hypocrisy.
Thanks, SR! ♥
I could've added a winky or otherwise confirmed it as satire, but I expected astute regulars to pick up on this and thought giving it away would diminish the message.
Astute regulars? No wonder progressives are closed losers. With your way, a civil rights movement would never have been built.
Boy, that's gonna leave a mark!
But seriously, a winner like you shouldn't waste time on the likes of me. Thanks for stooping to conquer, though.
Alright, you're not a loser but when you said "I expected astute regulars to pick up on this and thought giving it away would diminish the message", you reminded me of college professors in my physics classes who would insult students by saying shit like "if you did not take physics in high school, then you will have no idea as to what I am talking about". Do you know what that is called? It's called SELF DEFEATISM. I didn't have to conquer you and I had no intention of doing that. You conquered yourself.
I like progressive ideas but anybody calling themselves progressive and never encouraging others to join? WTF? Remember the war between Linux and Microsoft? Guess who won? "Progressives" here are like UNIX geeks. They know everything but hiss and piss at newcomers. How do you expect to make progress like that or do you like failure so you can gloat about it? Giving away the details of your post doesn't diminish your message. Just something for you to think about if you are a progressive that is.
Edit: You can keep the prize. Sorry I misjudged you.
"At the Netroots Nation conference, Democratic leaders tried to convince their progressive base that the Democratic Party truly did represent change."
Let's hope, for all our sakes, they failed .....
America is the political and moral backwater of the western world where born again morons have tremendous influence and anti-women and anti-gay policies are considered moderate positions and where the military academies have been subverted by evangelical missionaries in preparation for the coming theocracy.
Go East if you want to see real moral backwaters, stone age thinking and the perversion of decency. You want some REAL anti-women and Anti-Gay thinking? Go East.
Attacking the west on this is a loser of an argument. By the way, there are far more moral backwaters in the West than America. Take a quick trip to the Balkans sometime. Check the reality in Germany.
What's the reality in Germany?
THALIDOMIDE: Tom Wolfe would probably appreciate your post! A new version of "The Electric Kool-aid Acid Test," and then some. You said a lot in few words.
That's the Oilbomber way...say one thing, do the opposite. I've come to expect it from the Liar-in-Chief.
What a timid excuse for a President we have. This man's whole career consists of the old suckup/kickdown philosophy. When he reaches the top, the only people left to suck up to are capitalist pig overlords, Lt. Dan is the inevitable kick down victim. Mrs. Clinton has far more balls than this guy.
Today Judge Walker will rule on the California prop 8__marriage for one man one woman only state law. Already the prop 8 backers are preparing for their loss. I think it's because they know that they are in violation of Amendment 14 of our Constitution. Eventually, and I hope sooner rather than later, DADT will also have to face the scrutiny of Amendment 14. Dan Choi and other Gay and Lesbian service people ARE citizens of our country. DOMA is and will be facing the same scrutiny of Amendment 14.
The greater issue here is not Dan Choi's sexual orientation (because who really gives a shit), but rather splitting hairs over sexual orientation when murder, slaughter, and occupation remain the true goals of the Empire and their minions on the ground. It's like worrying about a hangnail when you have terminal cancer.
Goodman's interview with Choi at Netroots had Choi waxing on about his Jesus-freak parents and how he compared himself to his Lord & Savior when it came to oppression and civil disobedience but nary a word about unloading his machine gun into Iraqi neighborhoods.
Dan, you work (or, er worked) for the largest terrorist organization on the planet - how can I get all worked up about "Don't Ask Don't Tell" when the Empire and its minions continue to kill at will? Your issue is a non-issue because the military itself is a corrupt and vile organization. Am I surprised they have issues with gay and lesbian soldiers? Of course not - they have no regard for human life. Why should you be special?
You don't become a made man in the Cosa Nostra when you have an aversion to murder and mayhem as a collection tool.
Bingo. And I repeat, Bingo.
Double-bingo.
If Mr. Choi really wants to defend the country he can join Cindy Sheehan protesting virtually alone against endless constitutional crimes.
No peace advocate will ever ask or care who you shag in bed. It's a non-issue.
The question Mr. Choi should be asked is: Do you support empire and U.S. hegemony if they accept openly gay soldiers?
If his answer is YES then he's of no interest to me.
Spot on, snap!, and double Bingo.
Well stated.
Wow! Ditto agree.obama is such an fing hypocrit. MLK would be disgusted by this corporate war mongering, Peace Prize recipient.
Oh Snap on that comment, berniewentboom!
BERNIE: You raise key issues in your post.
So long as the image of the MALE hero is culturally celebrated as the guy who knows how to use a gun (or weaponry), some from the gay community will find this icon worthy of emulating. The pressure on young men to compare themselves to the icon of the male action hero should not be under-estimated. Be hard! Be firm! Be unbending! Don't dare show signs of feeling! That would make you a wimp or pussy, etc. The subtext to all this is deeply misogynistic, but few connect the dots that far.
Suppose they gave a war and no homosexuals came.
Suppose the DA,DT matter was moot and replaced with the following, scientific hypothetical.
Upon joining the armed forces, each person would state his or her sexual orientation for the record - and it would be encoded upon dog tags, next to race and religion. Troops would be issued with "intelligent ordnance" for their field weapons. They would function as follows in actual battle. Bullets emerging from a firearm, aimed at The Enemy would only kill troops of the same sexual orientation. Gay and straight U.S. warriors could only kill enemy troops of the same sexual orientation. For outstanding battlefield performance there would be separate but equal Congressional Medals of Honor.
This concept occurred to me some 40 years ago. If gay persons in war could ONLY kill other gay persons, would there be the same priapism to enlist and run hands over metal phallic symbols? [See ink sketch artistry of Californian David Settino.]
What on God's green earth goes into making a Dan Choi?
TRYON: I appreciate your out-of-the box considerations. They're generally an improvement over "reality as is." Thanks for this post. Unique!
You had a great interview with him on today's Democracy Now. I was struck by the acute loneliness he expressed at being denied the right to love and to be loved by another in his life.
This morning, when it looked like Amy was going to spend a major part of the hour on the gays-in-the-military issue, I turned the radio off.
The "right" for gays to be storm-trooper for US economic interests overseas is not an aspect of gay rights that I am terribly interested in.
And, as a person who was beaten nearly to death by Indonesian storm-troopers serving US interests, Amy shouldn't be either.
I'm wondering what supposed criteria are used to determine whether a Don't Ask Don't Tell discharge is honorable or dishonorable.
Masturbation.
Lol... his or theirs?
Each time a U.S. President masturbates an angel gets its wings.
That's really sick.. I like it!
LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Today, as each time in the past when Dan Choi was guest, Amy Goodman lost her usual ability to ask sharp and probing questions around central issues of the endless wars of empire: torture, drone bombings, civilian slaughters, militarism gone mad and eating up the heart and soul of the nation as it tries to control most of the planet by military force, real or threatened. After all Dan Choi is not some high school grad just out of basic training, but a graduate of West Point who was in Iraq and thus presumably has some knowledge and understanding of the US military empire with over 1,000 bases in 132 countries and a $Trillion annual budget. So off with the kid gloves, Amy. Next time ask Choi what his thoughts are on the destruction of the Bill of Rights and Constitution by the Patriot Act, endless surviellance and spying, torture, mercenary soldiers from Dyncorp and XE (Blackwater). These and a dozen others are the real moral issues of the US military, not DADT and whether GLBT people can serve the monstrosity of US militarism and empire openly.
As I commented at the Robert Naiman review of Andrew Bacevich's new book, I classify Choi with career military dissenters like Scott Ritter and Matthew Hoh, the former Marine Corps captain who resigned from his State Department appointment in Afghanistan in protest of the strategy being used in the War.
The latter two emerged as "anti-war" dissenters and belated "conscientious objectors" in a broad sense, but they were not life-long opponents of militarization and imperialism; their break with the political/military establishment arose from the MANNER in which the US government and military executes its exceptionalist and imperialist agenda.
Choi has certainly raged against the machine with many courageous acts of civil disobedience, but remains pro-military.
But all of these men are essentially conservative thinkers steeped in military life, tradition and values.
Of course, I mean "conservative" in its pre-Through the Looking Glass political and cultural sense, not in the hopped-up full-mooner neocon or teabagger sense.
In various ways, they all became appropriately disillusioned and made what was for them a radical break from the hive of triumphalist, reactionary warrior culture.
I agree that they don't deserve unconditional positive regard, but I think they're entitled to respect and support commensurate with their evolving perspective. Surely it takes time to evolve to a point where one can examine and critique deep assumptions and beliefs.
It hasn't been that long since the blindfold, or "scales", fell from their eyes. IMO, they need to be taken with a grain of salt; but it's premature to reject or denounce them altogether until it's clear that their squinting and blinking is a permanent and incurable condition.
That was a nice analysis. I take back my harsh criticism of you. I thought you were one of them know it alls. I must have been away for too long. You win.
Thanks, Michael.
But don't feel too bad-- I think I'm one of those know-it-alls too. ;)
I have more to feel bad about than just that. I was reminded of my ex-girlfriend and my last job interviewer of last week. My ex-girlfriend who dumped me last year sounded like most everyone here. We were getting along fine but one day, I just asked her to go out and take a break from the boredom and then a simple quarrel blew up into an ideological war. I was a recovering conservative who voted Obama for once while she was a staunch progressive. She would call Obama a Republican mole but never explain it. Maybe he is and there's plenty of comments here to prove it. I felt like Choi too and didn't want to tell her that I used to be a Republican. I'm only 26 and she's probably younger but don't know her age. I don't know man. It's a rough world and it's hard to find a good job. Even people with good education and experience are being left out. I lost my last job last week because the temporary job time period was up and there was funding to extend it. I'm sorry I showed my anger on a few brilliant minds this today even with constructive criticism because I felt bad about a couple of individuals being treated as inferiors. I'll try to get over my flashback of my ex and my last crummy interview with one of the recruiters who made a big deal about the need to have 12 years of experience to qualify even for that entry level position. Sorry to get hard about everything.
Why would President Obama fire anyone? off the top of my head, I would say they must have been too progressive and/or too left wing.
He is conciliatory to the right wing and confrontational to the left wing.
Why hasn't he fired Salazar who failed to oversee the Deepwater rig that killed the Gulf of Mexico.
Good luck in the USA Mr. Choi, One day soon it will enter the 21st century.
I don't think we got the whole story Amy
While I seldom agree with Ms Palin, it does seem that Sarah got it right, Barack needs to develop a set of cojones.
I totally get what Dan Choi is doing and I fully support gay rights and their efforts to attain equality. What I don't get is the fact that Choi is still fighting to stay in the military, whining over being fired and pledging unconditional allegiance to the corporate killing machine. What in the world is up with that? Is he really so screwed up that he can't tell one apart from the other and think that for as long as his homosexuality is accepted, it's then okay and commendable for him to continue killing innocent women and children for their oil? WTF?