An Article about Dan Choi is quite Interesting

We haven't heard from Dan Choi in a while. After his public breakdown, Dan has been in the dark. But an article from The American Prospect, Gabriel Arana let us know that Dan is, well, you tell me:

Now, Dan wakes up most days with nothing to do. After the sun rouses him from his spot on the couch, where he sleeps under his “affirmation quilt”—fan letters are printed on each square—he takes two capsules of Hydroxycut, a diet pill loaded with caffeine, and Wellbutrin, an antidepressant used to treat bipolar disorder. Sometimes he goes for a long bike ride or works out at the gym in his building. He attends fundraisers and art openings, occasionally in uniform. Now and then, he drives to Fire Island, a gay vacation destination off Long Island. He earns a living by giving speeches at $10,000 a pop, which the Gotham Artists agency arranges for him. He smokes pot—a lot of it, he admits. “I can’t tell the difference,” he says, “between being high and not.”

Dan says he has no friends, which isn’t quite true. From time to time, someone from his past will show up—an Army buddy, a high-school pal. He’s gotten acquainted with the other gay guys in the building and invites them over for grilling parties. He knows a bunch of activists in D.C., though they are better at changing history than keeping in touch. He still talks to his younger sister, Grace, and to his cousin Sandra. But he no longer speaks to his dad or mom, Southern Baptists who don’t approve of his sexual identity. After his breakdown in March, he had a falling out with his older brother Isaac, who accused Dan of embarrassing the family. He has drifted from most of his fellow cadets at West Point and keeps his distance from Knights Out, a group of openly gay and lesbian West Pointers.

Again, it's interesting.

Dan Choi found Guilty, Avoids Prison

Dan Choi was in court yesterday over his 2010 protest at the White House. He was found guilty, and fined $100. However, what's making news is his behavior in court.

The Washington Post reports:

But in court on Thursday, Choi’s erratic demeanor swung from emotional outbursts at the lectern to belligerent confrontations with a U.S. Park Police officer and the federal prosecutor. Dressed in a military uniform, Choi paced the courtroom, serving as his own lawyer. 

“All I want at the end of this day is to return to the U.S. military,” Choi said through tears. 

Choi, who is not trained as an attorney, alternated between whispered apologies for his teary breakdowns and loud rebukes of Assistant U.S. Attorney Angela George for failing to refer to him as a lieutenant. 

“Please remember where you are,” Magistrate Judge John M. Facciola cautioned after Choi used vulgar slang. “That may be appropriate in the barracks. It’s not appropriate here.”

This is not surprise to some of us who remembers Dan's behavior a couple of years ago. With this incident added to his erratic history, I wonder if we should be concerned about his mental health.

A Setback for Dan Choi - Judge Rules Against Choi's Selective/Vindictive Claim

The case between Dan Choi and District of Columbia doesn't look so good.

Judge Royce Lamberth ruled that Choi can't claim he was targeted for “selective” or “vindictive” prosecution from his White House/DADT arrest.

Washington Blade reports:

In a 17-page decision, Chief Judge Royce Lamberth of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia overturned an earlier ruling by Magistrate Judge John Facciola that allowed Choi’s lawyers to pursue allegations of selective or vindictive prosecution in the trial, which began Aug. 29.

Lamberth’s decision, among other things, granted a petition by prosecutors for a Writ of Mandamus, a formal and unusual request challenging a ruling of a trial judge by appealing to a higher court or to another judge with greater authority.

Under Lamberth’s decision, Facciola is prohibited from “considering selective or vindictive prosecution as a defense to the merits of the prosecution,” prohibited from “allowing evidence as to either claim” and barred from entertaining any motion filed by Choi to dismiss the case based on selective or vindictive prosecution.

Facciola is presiding over a non-jury trial in which Choi is being prosecuted for a misdemeanor charge of disobeying a lawful police order to disperse from the White House fence. Although the prohibition against Choi’s use of a defense based on selective or vindictive prosecution is a blow to the defense, one of his attorneys, Norman Kent, said Sunday that the defense will move forward on other grounds and that Choi’s defense team remains confident that Choi will be found not guilty.

Choi was the only one of a group of protesters arrested during the November 2010 protest that did not agree to plead guilty to the charge in exchange for having the case dismissed if they weren’t arrested again at the White House within a four-month period.

Through his attorneys, Choi has argued that he had a constitutional right to handcuff himself to the White House fence.

I'm confused. He broke the law and he was the only one who claimed 'not guilty' . It feels like this case would move forward in this manner. I don't think the White House have time to personally attack Choi. However, Choi should have realized the stakes for playing this type of hand.

Judge Halts Dan Choi's Trial

Dan Choi is on trial this week for his 'protest' from last November. However, the judge halted the trial for 10 days to investigate if the federal government is guilty of malicious prosecution. 

On Wednesday, the judge presiding over the current case said he believes Choi has shown, at least preliminarily, that he is being treated differently because of the subject of his protests: "don't ask, don't tell." President Barack Obama put an end to the policy in July. As of Sept. 20, gay service members will be able to acknowledge their sexual orientation openly.


Magistrate Judge John M. Facciola said the testimony presented at trial suggested that "the nature of his speech or what he said," meant Choi was prosecuted differently, according to a transcript of the proceedings.


As a result of Facciola's statements, an attorney for the government, Angela George, said she planned to have the judge's actions reviewed by higher authorities, and Facciola put the trial on hold for 10 days. In papers filed with the court, George says Choi was treated no differently than other similar protesters.


One of Choi's attorneys, Robert Feldman, said he believed that the judge's comments Wednesday mean his client has "effectively won the case" and that the charges against him will ultimately be dismissed.

We will see how this goes, but I hope this doesn't turn into "Obama wanted Dan to suffer" type of drama.

source

VIDEO: Dan Choi... Oh Hell, You know he's never Happy about Anything

I really don't get him. I do feel like we created a monster

VIDEO: Dan Choi continues his Unhinged Ranting about President Obama

This is getting old Dan. Keep this up and you will be the old man in corner, babbling over foolishness.

Someone help him

WATCH: Lawrence O'Donnell talks to Dan Choi & Adam Green (Progressive Change Campaign Committee) about Obama and the Progressive Movement

WATCH: Dan Choi Rips an Obama for America Flyer and throws it in the Volunteer's Face

This is Dan Choi being Dan Choi

Think Progress has the transcript

NICK TSCHIDA (Obama volunteer): I can’t say I’m for marriage equality, but as a bisexual man, I would take a bullet for both of you.


CHOI: You say you’re not for marriage equality?


TSCHIDA: I can’t, no as a….


[RIPPING SOUND]


CHOI: Did you not understand? Here! I believe that I’m an equal citizen.


TSCHIDA: I understand that, but Obama hasn’t gone officially on record for it…


CHOI: Then, don’t tell me that I’m a bad person, go tell him that he should believe in my full equality and then report back.


TSCHIDA: Civil unions?

OOOkay, it was unnecessary and foolish for Dan to do that. In fact, several folks were talking about how rude he was on Twitter. I actually missed this one, but we knew when we saw Dan this morning, he was going to do or say something to draw attention to himself.

Later, Dan had this to say to Washington Blade

“Sometimes love comes in harsh forms. I love my detractors enough to let them know when they are misguided and I only regret that we are both suffering under a second-class citizenship imposed by politicians who smile pleasantly while denying our fight for justice. The harshest treatment would be our acquiescence to the view that we do not deserve equality.”

Good Grief

Dan Choi Arrested and Beaten at a Gay Pride event in Moscow

Dan Choi and 19 other activists were beaten and arrested during a gay pride parade in Moscow by police and a group of Neo-Nazis?

Yes, this is a true story, in fact, check out some videos of the attack.




Go here for a rundown of the entire incident

WTF? Dan Choi palling around with Tony Perkins?

On Twitter last night, Dan Choi tweeted this

So I looked at the link and saw this

So is he Kool-Aiding around with Tony FRAKING Perkins? Okay, maybe this means nothing, but Dan has been hanging out with some questionable people as of late. And this tweet from Tony, just didn't sit well with me.

Hopefully, there's an explanation.

Yesterday at CPAC...

Crazy things when down at CPAC. Here's a glimpse of the Hot Mess Conference

Bishop Harry Jackson running his mouth


Dan Choi & Dan Savage cruising CPAC (So Tacky)


Dick Cheney Heckled


Donald Trump?

So, Why is Dan Choi going to CPAC?

Through out the week, I've posted tweets from Dan Choi about CPAC and how he's been palling with the 'enemy', Christopher Barron.

Well, Michelangelo Signorile interviewed Dan about attending this event, and you can hear it here.

However, I think it's interesting that Dan spat in the faces of the folks who were on his side, but causally chills with the people who thinks his rights should be delayed or denied.

More Tweets from Dan Choi and his buddy Christopher Barron

from JMG

Who, What? Dan Choi's going to CPAC?

New friends? I'm confused!

from JMG

As promised, Sen. Harry Reid gives Dan Choi his West Point ring back

This happened 5 months ago

And now Reid gives it back

Question of the Day: Dan Choi/DADT Edition

 This is the last comment Dan Choi made recently...

"I did not initially want to publicize this but I now realize it is critical for our community to know several things: veterans gay or straight carry human burdens, Activists share similar burdens, no activist should be portrayed as super human, and the failures of government and national lobbying carry consequences far beyond the careers and reputations of corporate leaders, elected officials, High powered lobbyists, or political elites. They ruin lives.

"My breakdown was a result of a cumulative array of stressors but there is no doubt that the composite betrayals felt on Thursday, by elected leaders and gay organizations as well as many who have exploited my name for their marketing purposes have added to the result. I am certain my experience is not an isolated incident within the gay veteran community."

I want to know what you think about his breakdown?

Dan Choi has been Hospitalized

This is sad to hear, but some saw this coming. Dan has been hospitalized and seeking help at the Veterans Administration. Derek Washington of the Stonewall Democratic Club of Southern Nevada sent this e-mail to the Village Voice

Many of us have been quite concerned lately that Lt. Dan Choi has not been heard from recently during the battle to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell". My concern stems from the fact that for the last two years I've watched Dan do his best to help move the Equality movement forward while not taking care of his own personal needs. In my opinion, Dan has had the movement weighing far too heavily on his mind and spirit. It's a role he took on as much by circumstance as choice, and he's served honorably, but he is only human and needs to take care of himself in order to help others. Dan called me today to let me know that it had all gotten a little too much for him lately. 

After last week's DADT vote, Dan, for lack of a better term, "lost it" and decided to seek professional help through the Veterans Administration. He is currently resting and receiving the help of professionals who understand what Dan is going through much better than any of us could. It's easy to forget that Dan was a combat veteran because he always puts on a brave front for the cause, but Dan is also a human who has seen much worse than most of us in his lifetime. Dan asked me to get the word out about him because he wants people to know that thousands upon thousands of men, young and old, are in the same boat as him. 

We welcome our Vets home, but we then just expect them to jump right back into life as if War was just a video game somewhere else. Hopefully when Dan is better, he'll be able to draw attention to the issues that all Combat Veterans face and, hopefully, take his present situation and turn it into a way to help him and others. As a journalist, it is strange to watch such a critical stage in the fight for equality in the military without the person who'd become that issue's face. Regardless of what happens in this congress, Choi will always be the person that pushed publicly harder on repealing Don't Ask than anyone else at this point in time.

I hope he gets the rest and help he needs. Rest, Dan.

Why I think Dan Choi needs to take a Break from the LGBT Civil Rights Battle

After reading Dan Choi's tweets yesterday, it is clear to me that he needs to take a break from this activism thing.

I understand that he's upset and he lost his job and all, but still, that is not an excuse to come off disillusioned, half-cocked and a bit silly. At this stage in the LGBT rights game, we need our leaders to be stronger than ever. We need to feel that our leadership can weather the storm at all cost. We need the comfort of knowing when it gets tough, somebody is still holding it down. But when they start going off and not making sense, it ain't cute.

Some folks will say that it's good he is expressing his anger this way, I say Nay. It's not completely good, especially when you can't answer simple questions or you are using empty talking points(see the Chris Matthew's post). A good activist has to know all sides of the situation. You can't be just "mad as Hell", you have to be strategic, logical and forthright. Having a level head in the game gets you far and blocks out burn out.

Dan should not let his anger cloud his logic. He should understand what's really going on with the policies and how the law really works. He said that he doesn't need to know, well I'm telling him that he does. He needs to know. And he needs to stop tweeting some of his nonsensical thoughts. He appears unbalanced, unhinged and somewhat drunk to some people. I know Obama is not the fierce advocate we hoped he would be, but he is certainly not the worst LGBT President. Dan should know that and he should know better.

Now please don't get me wrong; I like Dan. I respect his service and his bravery, but his anger is misguided and polarizing. His message will get lost if he continues acting this way. I think he should take some time off, maybe a month or two just to get his mind right. Basically, he needs to check himself, before he wreck himself. Because if he isn't careful, he will be ignored and labeled negatively in history of the LGBT civil rights movement.

Foolish Tweet of the Day: Dan Choi

This is why I can't get with this guy. His anger is clouding his logic and he's sounding like the old man yelling at the kids for talking too loud.

Dan, get a Frakking grip!

***pic from JMG

WATCH Chris Matthews challenge Dan Choi on Hardball

Wow! I have to say this interview was really interesting. Funny how folks were calling Chris an asshole on other blogs. I guess these folks never watch Chris before. It's no secret, Chris is an asshole, that's why the show is called Hardball.

What he did is what every journalist should do, challenge and question. I appreciated how Chris handled this interview, because it feels like Dan and others are very comfortable using a lot of these bullet point answers and talking points. It was good for Dan to be challenged and it was good that Chris pushed for concrete answers.

For example, the statement about Obama calling basketball players vs congress on the day of the DADT vote, was overblown. For some reason, that particular incident was given a lot power, when in reality, it wouldn't have made a difference. I was glad that Chris asked Dan about calling the Repubs, because we know it wouldn't have changed their minds.

And while I feel Dan's and Alex's pain, I was disappointed they didn't really answer Chris' questions. It felt like Chris was giving them the answers they should have known. I'm sorry, but in this type of battle, you need to know your sh*t. You can't think you know, you NEED to know.

So I hope Dan and Alex watch this clip and come back stronger. Angela Davis, Bayard Rustin and others like them always came correct. Dan, I feel you, I respect you... But you got to do the same thing.