UPDATE: Dan's representative just called the DC Central Cellblock, where Dan and James are being held. I'm told it's a nasty place. They report that they're not giving Dan a phone call. So he doesn't get bail. He's reportedly going to see a judge tomorrow. Something is going on.
http://gay.americablog.com/...
Although some commentors below claimed it was right and proper that Choi be dragged away by the military police, Choi has been (thankfully) found, in a civil jail, but still denied bail and phone call.
And apparently, his representative thinks something fishy is still going on.
Lt. Dan Choi got arrested today at the White House along with Capt. James Pietrangelo. Both men handcuffed themselves to the White House gates in protest of the President's "ambivalence" over repealing Don't Ask Don't Tell. The odd thing is that Dan appears to be missing.
http://gay.americablog.com/...
How odd, indeed. But possibly telling. Lt. Choi protests at the White House, because according to most sources, that's where the repeal of DADT appears to be stalled.
And now Lt. Choi is missing, in action, so to speak.And apparently being denied the basic right of a phone call, and the usual option of bail:
This is increasingly disturbing...The Park Police say that Dan is not being released on bail. Dan also has not made his phone call to the person designed to pay his bail - the person's phone number is written on Dan's arm, so there's no chance he doesn't have it. That means that Dan apparently is not being permitted a phone call, and thus not being permitted to have anyone pay his bail. Why not? We have just learned that Dan is in fact being charged with "failure to obey a lawful order," yet that charge usually means you get processed, you pay bail, and you leave. Then why are they not letting Dan Choi leave, but instead are holding him to be arraigned? Why are they apparently not permitting Dan his phone call?
And, Choi, for his courageous act of Civil Disobedience, may have been "disappeared"
Kerry Eleved at the Advocate reported that the Park Police said Dan was being held in Anacostia. A friend called the MPD station in Anacostia, and they told him that they weren't holding anyone. The Park Police also reported that Dan was being held overnight, which, according to an MPD source, is unusual if in fact Dan is being charged with "failure to obey a lawful order," as it's being reported, usually you'd be released on bail immediately. So why are Dan and James being held overnight? And why can't anyone even find out where they're being held?
http://gay.americablog.com/...
Yes, President Obama, it may well be embarrassing to be held to your campaign promises -- especially one with overwhelming support of both the general public and the military -- but is this another example of the Obama administration following through on the police state tactics of the Bush administration?
It's shameful enough to deny the men and women who serve in our military their basic civil right to a private life, but if this is retaliation for Lt. Choi's courageous protest, the Obama administration has created yet another embarresment to drive away an energized base.
And I say that as a life-long Democrat, from four generations of Democrats.
(And now, bring on the Obamabot and Kossack gay-baiting trolls with their traditional chants of "If You Would Just Wait Until Your Cause is Covenient for Us" and "Women and Gay Issues are Bad for the Democratic Party.")