"Dan Choi, a West Point graduate and officer in the Army National Guard who is fluent in Arabic and who returned recently from Iraq, received notice today that the military is about to fire him. Why? Because he came out of the closet as a gay man on national television."
Dear Lord. What does it say about our country that we institutionalize discrimination to the point that we are willing to turn away ready, willing, enthusiastic, and amazing men and women from serving our country in uniform. And because of what? Because of who they love? Because of who they sleep with? ...that's some solid reasoning, right there.
After coming out on Rachel Maddow's cable news show on March 19, 2009 Lt. Dan Choi explained why Don't Ask Don't Tell is a bad idea, bad policy, and just generally negative. During the segment Maddow asks Lt. Choi if he could lose his job for coming on television and saying this. He admits that he could but stands firm that his position is both morally and legally correct.
Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy
As of May 5, 2009 he was notified that
"sufficient basis exists to initiate action for withdrawal of Federal Recognition in the Army National Guard for moral or professional dereliction... Specifically, [he] admitted publicly that [he] is a homosexual, which constitutes homosexual conduct. [His] actions negatively affected the good order and discipline of the New York Army National Guard."
Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News, World News, and News about the Economy
How is this fair? If he refuses to resign and essentially admit that being gay is wrong then he will be given a dishonorable discharge. WTF?!?! He's an Iraq vet and a Westpoint Graduate!!!! I'm so angry that our government has discrimination as public policy. I'm so mad that they are wasting money kicking good people out of the military, people who want to serve.
How is this right?
How is it right to make hate part of government sanctioned policy and therefore validate homophobia?
If you think about it, no one would have known about this story if it hadn't been picked up on the blogs. I'm still pissed but I'm glad that we're able to spread the word so much quicker.
Posts
I will have to say that I completely agree with you on this one. I like many others do not understand why individuals that are "gay or lesbian" are unable to serve in the miltary. I'm sure I'm going to hear all kinds of flack for this, but it's absolutely ridiculous. We expect people to serve our country, but they can never really fully disclose who they are, because if they do they will be thrown out. Lt. Dan Choi is a Iraqi Vet and yet because he admitted he was gay, now he is somehow not the same person and is no longer "fit" to serve in the armed forces. This world is a crazy place and idiotic reasoning such as this are only making it worse!
ReplyDelete