Sunday, July 26, 2009

Help Kill "Don't Ask - Don't Tell"

First published on JULY 7, 2009 5:41PM


danchoiHel

I am involved in a California based effort for progressive change called the Courage Campaign. While it is a "California" organization it includes people like me from all over the country who are attracted to particular issues that are national in scope.

Nothing is more national in scope than concern for the overturn of the rediculous "Don't Ask - Don't Tell" policy of the military. Part of the Courage Campaign is to support Lt. Dan Choi in his efforts to get this policy changed. Choi is about to be discharged from the Army after loyal and hazzardous service in Iraq.

The appeal below is not written by me, but by the Courage Campaign. But my heart and soul are behind it.

I have signed prior appeals to the Army and to the President. This is the latest strategy to get the attention of leaders in Washington. Please read the appeal, click on the link, and, if you agree, sign the letter to the Speaker of the House.


Last Tuesday, a military board told Lt. Dan Choi -- an Iraq War veteran and Arabic linguist -- that it was recommending his discharge from the Army for "moral and professional dereliction" under the military's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy.

Despite this setback, Lt. Choi is not giving up. Bolstered by nearly 100,000 signatures to a letter calling for the repeal of DADT -- collected by the Courage Campaign, Knights Out, and the Servicemembers Legal Defense Network -- Dan is now taking his fight to Congress.

I just signed a letter that Lt. Choi is planning to personally deliver to Speaker Nancy Pelosi. It's important that he bring as many signatures as possible to the Speaker. If we can get 150,000 people like you to sign this letter before July 11, we will be able to increase the pressure on Congress to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell."

A few weeks ago, 141,262 people signed Lt. Choi's letter to President Obama. And then 162,741 people signed Lt. Choi's letter to the Army. Combined, more than 300,000 signatures have been collected on Lt. Choi's behalf.

Now we need to take this cause to Congress and ask Speaker Pelosi to stand up and take leadership. Will you join me in signing the letter below and urge your friends to do the same before July 11? Just click on the link below to add your name -- and help Lt. Choi bring 150,000 signatures to the Speaker:

http://www.couragecampaign.org/RepealDADT

Thanks!

Monte