Just uploaded this video of Lt. Dan Choi speaking at Lafayete Park, calling on the President to lead. He'd rather be a "bugle for justice than a mouthpiece for the broken promises of a politician."
Who's he talking about? I wonder?
There's a rally in Lafayete Park, Washington DC today. I'm going. In the spirit of Servicemember's Legal Defense Network's "Letters to the President" program, I penned my own. I invite you to read it.
May 2, 2010
President Barack H. Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue Northwest
Washington, DC 20500
Dear Mr. President,
We've had a rocky relationship. I was wary of you in the primaries, it was the McClurken thing. It deeply concerned me.
But by the time you secured the nomination, I was on-board. I decided to chalk the South Carolina mess up to political naivete, a campaign misstep. So, I forgave and forgot. I did what was best for the party, for our country, I soldiered on in your behalf.
I wanted you to win, badly. I gave money to you. And to 527s on your behalf. I talked you up to friends.
I worked for you. I live in Brooklyn, New York, and I was sure you were a lock for our electoral votes. So on weekends I'd board a bus, with whatever friend I could corral and canvas Pennsylvania on your behalf.
I even convinced my mother to work for you, who convinced her sister. Mom's retired and she volunteered for three months as a office manager at one of your Sarasota offices. In the two weeks leading up to the election, I took some time and flew down to Florida to help get out the vote operations there. I'll be honest, it was fun experience. You even came to Sarasota during the time I was there. I got to volunteer with the office and see you speak up-close and live. I was there at the local Democratic Club's election night party when you won, and we were elated.
But election night was bittersweet for LGBT Americans, which seems to have become the template for the year that followed. We were glad to see the Republicans lose the White House and so many seats. But we, as a community, lost big. We lost our right to marry in California. It may be unprecedented that a group acquires a right, and then gets to watch it removed by popular vote. We also lost ballot battles in Arizona, Florida and Arkansas.
And then, Rick Warren happened. I was floored, to be honest. I couldn't imagine how you could have selected to honor a person who worked to pass Prop 8. To kick our community in the teeth like that, when we were already so devastated. I just was shocked. And furious. And hurt.
I had a half dozen Obama t-shirts. I retired them all on that day, I shoved them to the back of the closet. I told myself, I'd bring them out again when you gave me reason to. And I've recognized and thanked you for some of the favors you've done our community. But I watched you closely and none of your campaign promises to our community started with, "I will write a memo..."
You need to step it up. And the time is right now.
Today, I'm again wearing one of your t-shirts for the first time since January, 2009. I have taken my MoveOn t-shirt and added in big red letters: LEAD.
Because that's what we'll be asking of you today. We don't want you to wait for a study or (your subordinate) Robert Gates, we want you to get ahead of this issue and LEAD.
I want to make clear, this isn't personal anymore. It was when I was crushed by the Rick Warren choice. But my emotions have settled. I am not invested in you being a savior, I am not invested in you liking me. And I don't really know or care if I like you or not. (For the record, you're awesome on foreign trips, I really like seeing you representing America like such a Presidential rock star. Keep that up.)
But I am invested in you as a leader of our country. And I disagree with the path you're taking on "Don't ask, Don't tell" repeal strategy. There is a relatively easy, and simple path that will ensure success: attach it to the Military Spending Budget this month. May. Now.
The other possibilities are fraught with much higher risks, much greater chance of failure, even the possibility that repeal could be tabled for years. I want you to lead the way to the path of least resistance. You're playing a high-stakes game of chance with what could be a major milestone victory for our community. And not only for our community, for our American ideals, which this law offends. It's low-hanging fruit, but you're letting it rot on the vine. And I can't see why. I just want you to succeed on your promise to end "Don't ask, don't tell."
I never served but I feel for these men and women. Something compels me on this issue. Perhaps I feel a responsibility to speak on behalf of the troops. The law compels the troops be complicit with silence. Lt. Dan Choi's journey began when he dared to speak three little words: "I am gay." I want to live in a world when anyone can utter those words with fear and reprisal.
I was in the offices of the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network on Friday. There was a handsome, fine, polite young man who worked there, I asked him if he served. He said he was in the Air Force. I asked, "Oh, did you fly?" His face darkened for a moment, he paused. "I was supposed to," he said. There was a moment of silence and my heart ached for the future he'd lost. And I was kicking myself for rubbing salt in his wound.
I told him the mission he was on now was so important, too. He's dedicated himself stopping a policy that prematurely crushes the dreams of other young men like himself, and just to accommodate the feelings of bigots. And there are so many like him, hundreds each year. It's gone on far too long. It needs to stop, sooner, not later. Nancy Pelosi gets that, but I don't think you do.
We need you to do more for those men and women.
I'll be there today. Not because I dislike you, but because I disagree with you. I hope you're able to hear us.
Respectfully,
Scott Wooledge (aka Clarknt67)
Brooklyn, NY
To raise awareness to the need for Presidential leadership, DADT repeal activists have launched "Stories from the Frontlines: Letters to President Barack Obama."The new media campaign launched in partnership with Servicemember's Legal Defense Network,is intended to underscore the urgent need for congressional action and presidential leadership at this critical point in the fight to repeal "Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell" (DADT).
Every weekday morning as we approach the markup of the Defense Authorization bill in the Senate and House Armed Services Committees, SLDN and a coalition of voices supporting repeal, will share an open letter to the President from a person impacted by this discriminatory law. We are urging the President to include repeal in the Administration’s defense budget recommendations, but also to voice his support as we work to muster the 15 critical votes needed on the Senate Armed Services Committee to include repeal. The Defense Authorization bill represents the best legislative vehicle to bring repeal to the president’s desk. It also was the same vehicle used to pass DADT in 1993. By working together, we can help build momentum to get the votes! We ask that you forward and post these personal stories.
Participating blogs: 365 Gay, The Advocate, AfterElton, AmericaBlog , Ameriqueer, AKAWilliam, The Bilerico Project, BoxTurtleBulletin, BrandFabulousness, The Daily Kos, David In Manhattan, David Mixner, Fired Up Missouri, GoodAsYou, HRCBackStory, Kenneth In The 212, Lez Get Real, LGBTPOV, Michael in Norfolk, Mike Gets Real, Mile High Gay Guy, Open Left, Page One Q, Pam's House Blend, RepealNow, SayenCroWolf, Seattle PI Stepforward, Signorile's The Gist, The New Civil Rights Movement, The Queer Times, Towleroad, We Give A Damn.
I'll try to post updates and pictures from the event if I can. If cops don't run, or haul, me off.
Here's some pics. I have a powerful video of Dan Choi speaking, which I'll post when I can.
Howard Dean stop by. He said Carl Levin is on the right track, repeal language should be attached to the current military budget. He was brief, but his usual rock star self.
Alex Nicholson of Servicemembers United points to the void in leadership.
Lt. Dan Choi delivered an powerful and unapologetic call to action. You can attach it to the military budget this month. "Yes, you can! Yes, you can!"
Six civilians were arrested for cuffing themselves to the White House fence More information shortly.