Serve your country at home by being in the moment… I’m asking you to put down your laptop, put down your smart phone and take a moment to think about the court martial trial of Lt. Dan Choi and attend it on March 28, 2013.
Lt. Choi proudly served in our U.S. Army in Iraq during the years the shameful “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell” regulation was in place. Upon his return from his tour of duty, he continued to show courage and bravery by coming out publicly as a gay soldier on The Rachel Maddow Show. He has been a tireless crusader at home and abroad for LGBT rights and other progressive causes working to hold lawmakers accountable for activities and policies that are destructive to Americans ever since that fateful 2009 interview.
You may ask “Why is the government still prosecuting Lt. Choi under ‘Don’t Ask Don’t Tell,’ when the law has been repealed?” Good question. But it says to me that we still have miles to go in achieving equal rights for LGBT Americans. In my eyes, Lt. Choi’s prosecution seems like a way for the Army to try and turn back time and live in the past. I suggest if they are so intent on doing so, that they have the fine folks at NASA work on a time machine so we can ALL go back to 2001 while they are at it, and skip the Iraq war. AND thwart 9/11. But Dan Choi stood up at attention and chose to serve our country and I do not comprehend what part of “volunteer army” our military does not understand?
You may say “I’m not part of the LGBT community, so why should I lend my support?” The LGBT community pays taxes just like every American. They pay for roads, education, and infrastructure just like you and I do and are happy to do it - because we are proud citizens. Yet they are not guaranteed the same civil rights as heterosexual Americans. It’s bad enough that we are becoming a country of the haves and have nots due to the fiscally bumbling gridlocked Congress. Now we are picking and choosing which fellow Americans to exclude from the pursuit of happiness?
Because I am so confident you will join me at Lt. Choi’s trial to show your support, patriotism and pride here are some travel tips:
You can purchase Metro tickets (an all-day pass is the way to go) at the stations or on line at: http://www.wmata.com/fares/purchase/store/ You can take the Red line to Judiciary Square or the Green Line to the Naval Archives. Walk east to the U.S Courthouse, which is adjacent to John Marshall Park. Police are helpful for directions. If you get to Louisiana Ave., you’ve walked too far.
The weather in DC can be unpredictable in spring. You may be chilly in the morning and it could suddenly be very warm in the afternoon, so dress accordingly. Wear your best walking shoes. Bring bottled water and something to eat like an energy bar. There is pretty much NOWHERE to eat in that neighborhood. A $3 ice cream sandwich is about all you will find! If you do want to eat you might check out restaurants here: http://www.urbanspoon.com/npr/7/609/1/DC/Capitol-Hill/Cheap-Eats.html
There are some decent places behind the Capitol building on Pennsylvania Ave., S.E. as well. If you do want an alcoholic drink – BRING PLENTY OF CASH!
Come on. We can do this! Leave the social media behind and get down to DC to become a proud part of our history by supporting a true American hero. Please check out Lt. Choi’s Facebook Page for further details.
https://www.facebook.com/ltdanchoi?ref=ts&fref=ts
See you there!
Rally in Support of Lt. Dan Choi
Thursday, March 28th - 9 a.m.
E. Barrett Prettyman Courthouse
2nd Floor
333 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington D.C.
Sincerely,
L.B. Brown
Equality for All Americans
P.S. Tell him “Baltimore Laurie” sent you! (Please?)
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| Lt. Choi with Kathy Griffin. Freedom Plaza, March 2010. |
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