Responses to “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” – My Favorite by Lt. Dan Choi

Although Obama’s State of the Union address did not have much substance for gay rights, the swift response to the proclamation to repeal “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” has been reassuring.  Senate held a hearing this week to consider the ramifications of repeal and it has been in the news ever since.

Admiral Mike Mullen has spoken and written with conviction.  Colin Powell, who was one of the reasons we even have DADT, now thinks the law should be repealed.  John McCain, who in 2006 said he would defer to the military leaders advice on the issue, is now ignoring it— Stephen Colbert had a field day with this flip-flop.

My favorite response this week has to be Lt. Dan Choi’s article, “When our Honor Code becomes a Jilted Lover, it wants revenge,” posted on The Bilerico Project.  As a prestigious West Point graduate, armed with a skill set in linguistics that few in the world possess and a commitment to this country, his pending discharge under DADT is reprehensible.

He writes candidly on the conflict between DADT, which promotes hiding, lying, and deception, and the honesty, integrity, and courage taught at West Point and throughout the military ranks: “The reason why Don’t Ask Don’t Tell is repugnant is clear: it enforces lying, hiding, and closeted paranoia.”

He also points out that countries around the world have reason to laugh at us for our unsubstantiated stance: “Our allies laugh at us with patronizing glare that is earned by our cowardice to follow our own doctrines and values. Our doctrine must begin with our perennial goal: Win the War. Our values must begin with cold hard truth telling. Kicking out Arabic, Farsi, Pashto and Urdu linguists who tell the truth about their orientation and love relationships validates neither our doctrines nor our values.”

Choi closes by quoting directly from the West Point honor code: “A cadet will not lie… nor tolerate those who do.” Choi then writes, “Until I am allowed to follow West Point’s Honor Code, I am not satisfied.”

Bravo.  He is the type of courageous and loyal soldier that this country has always loved.  He is a hero in my book, and I’m sure the history books will say the same when this silly debate is behind us.

If you want to read more responses to the DADT hearing, David Mixner has compiled a list of some excellent ones.

Colin Powell, DADT, David Mixner, Don’t Ask Don’t Tell, Gay Rights, John McCain, Lt. Dan Choi, President Obama, The Bilerico Project