Lt Dan Choi: "The Boots That Marched In Iraq Will Be Marching For Equality" (VIDEO)

Lieutenant Dan Choi, an Arabic-speaking linguist who was dismissed from the Army National Guard under the "don't ask, don't tell" policy, despite having skills critical to fighting the war on terror, appeared this afternoon on MSNBC and vowed to continue fighting on behalf of "silent soldiers...forced to lie and to hide in order to serve their country." Choi said that his goal was to "fight back" in the hopes that future soldiers won't have to worry about "being discriminated against" in the military.

MSNBC's David Shuster asked Choi about what he thought of President Barack Obama's seeming reticence to make a change to "don't ask don't tell." Choi replied:

I'm a soldier and all I know is my timeline looks like this: on June 9th, I'm going have my board and they might kick me out, they might fire me. But I'm going be marching. The same boots that marched in Iraq will be marching for equality. I'll be out in Fresno, Meet In The Middle [For Equality] on Saturday afternoon. I'm going to continue speaking out for all those soldiers that feel that they're alone, that feel that they're ashamed because of who they are. I say no, you are not alone. You're honorable, you're serving our country. And my message, my timeline is that when the repeal of this discriminatory law happens, I'll be first one in that recruiting station raising my right hand one more time saying I will serve my country.

Shuster then set up the next segment, about Patty Blagojevich joining the cast of I'm A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here. Why do I point that out? No reason. Contrast, I guess. If you get it, you get it.

[WATCH.]

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Comments

[Lee Andrew]

Dear Lt Choi,

You knew the rules prior to enlistment and as an officer you swore to uphold the laws. Just because you "broke the laws" coming out does not warrant every member of the LGBT communities sympathy. Certainly not those of this former military and US federal officer.

It is very troubling to me the manner which you and others "demand" attention. It is not pragmatic nor reasonable. There are more pressing issues of survival for "Americans" as a whole than the repeal of DADT and California's Prop 8.

Absolutely DADT is wrong however you knew this prior to raising your hand taking the oath. In my opinion you should have worked to change it before enlisting. Irregardless of your "skills" or any others coming out publicly is in defiance of the USMCJ.

Explaining the fraternity of the corps to civilians is impossible therefore I direct this comment to you ; you don't change the rules during the middle of engagement. If you believe that one should or could than your oath as an officer is as meaningless and your advocacy looses creditability.

In conclusion, where was this outrage during the Clinton and Bush administration? Just like I thought. I hate to inform my LGBT peers of this but attempts at intimidating this president will not work nor will I support them.

Lee Andrew

US ARMY 173rd ARM RECON CAV 1984-1989 (Cpt.)
DAV

[HHarvey]

I can't believe they would throw out a soldier who specializes in arabic speaking because he's gay! Sounds like he has many skills the army could use, unbelievable.

[jmpurser]

We're throwing guys with this much training, critical skills, guts, and sense of civic responsibility OUT of the Army? Lord we're a nation of cowards and fools.

[JennieB]

Why is Dan Choi protesting in California? What do California state laws (Prop 8) have to do with DADT? Absolutely nothing.

And what does President Obama have to do with Prop 8, California state laws or California State Supreme Court rulings? Absolutely nothing.

These issues have only one thing in common -- gay Americans -- but they are governed and overseen by different entities; each having nothing to do with the other. Federal and state governments are separate, and listening to the gay community TRY and blame the President for not speaking out about a state law in California just makes them look ill-informed.

So why aren't they blaming Gov. Schwartzenager for DADT? Because that would be stupid, that's why.

[EmeraldWorld]

Excellent argument.

[fireshedares]

To answer your question, Dan was born and raised in southern California and that is where he currently resides, so obviously he is concerned both with the passing of Proposition 8 AND DADT. And no one is blaming the President for not speaking out about Prop8 in California, he's blaming him for not repealing DADT, two totally separate issues as you stated.

[Mattylock]

Seems to me like Mr. Choi took the actions he did so that he can be in the spotlight. He seems to be throughly enjoying it. I've never understood the purpose of telling everybody at work about my personal inclinations. But, to each his own.

[fireshedares]

I personally know Dan Choi and he is not in this for the spotlight. Everyone in his platoon was aware that he was gay even before he came out. It's the fact that gays in the military are having to hide who they are and deliberately lie about their identities on an everyday basis.

[sippewissett]

If ever anti-gay bigotry looked illogical and inhumane, here's the case. Choi has already served in the military with honors and we need his translator skills badly, but the out-of-date policy on gays in the military is prohibiting him from serving his country. How does this make ANY sense?

[imusintheevening]

Hey Lt. Choi, why not just go and get a contractors job as a military translator at 3X the salary. Let the discriminators pay the price.

[bsc]

Go Dan Choi!

[hart444]

Yes, every American, regardless of sexual orientation, should have the right to kill for the Pentagon's paychecks. God bless America and her social progress.

[EmeraldWorld]

Ouch, interesting point!

[SD Indy]

I still say we need to organize a "Military Coming Out Day" where ALL of our gay and lesbian service members come out. And if their units are in support of them as a soldier or they support LGBT rights, they stand up for them. Could you imagine the number of discharges that would be taking place? The paperwork alone would force Congress and the President to act on DADT.

[Lee Andrew]

Don't hold your breath on that....

[hollybork]

Let's see how this shakes out:

A healthy young guy was educated at Westpoint.
He is fluent in Arabic.
He is a career soldier.
We are at war in countries where people speak arabic, and don't have enough translators.
The soldier wants to serve.

What can possibly explain this man's dismissal but irrational bigotry which hurts both this soldier and our country? Insane. Could the federal courts uphold the legality of this situation? On what basis?

[Awake-and-Sing]

Lt. Choi is a star. He's a great public speaker. I heard him speak live at both Tuesday's and Wednesday's demonstrations.

He's going to be a major leader for the gay community no matter what happens with him and the military.

Do the right thing, Mr. President. Until Congress repeals DADT, stop loss gay soldiers who are being discharged.

[Lee Andrew]

Hate to inform you but since he was kicked-out as an officer that "broke" a law - He won't be returning as an officer.

[sheilaofmiami]

Lt Choi, you make me proud to be an American.

I stand with you that your private life has no bearing on your ability to help our country in a way I cannot.

If I can help let me know.

[thromulese]

Obama cannot change the policy of “don’t ask don’t tell”. But he could-if he wanted to-suspend the ejection of gay personnel from the military till congress can act.

My question is why hasn’t congress said or done anything yet. And why hasn’t the president pushed them more publicly to act on it.

I’m guessing that Obama is acting a little spineless on this. Like his backing of the clean needle exchange, which he backed as a campaigner, but has since done nothing and says (again) that congress must act.

Obama is just passing the buck and is already looking towards his next campaign.

The dems are all acting very cowardly now that they are in power.

[Citizen-Jane]

Co Sign.

[lovable]

ALL of the gays and others who say obama has come thruogh yet..
shut the hell up and wait!!!!!! he has only been in office for a few months. and i want to see all who want obama to move quick to understand the politics of what he can do. i want to see more of u one fox!!!!!!!! not on friendley msnbc. challedge fox to have u on and when they wont do it for a fair debate expose them on msnbc!!!!!!!hanniy said that waterboarding was not torture and when his college and friend mancow was waterboarded he said it was torture and the media refused to report it .. all of the people shoud have exposed fox for that!!!not reporting. but no the debate has dissapeared all of a sudden.

[sheilaofmiami]

If people whose jobs may save lives are being fired because they are gay, then we do not have time to wait. Lives are in danger without Choi there to translate. Our country needs HIM, and if he cannot serve, then something needs to be changed sooner than later.

I will not press Obama to end prohibition now, he is too busy for that, let the states take it up for now, but on this matter, as full as his plate, is, this needs to be stopped. People are dying for lack of good translators, and Choi is a translator. We need him and he is willing. That should be enough.