Frank Chow: Asian- American Political Pundit

Greg Sargent : Will there be enough time to vote on repeal before the end of the lame duck session? As a matter of fact, there is a simple way that Reid can make the time necessary to ensure this gets done, aides involved in the discussions tell me. Reid needs to schedule a debate and vote on DADT repeal beginning as soon as this weekend, once the issue over government funding is resolved. Reid can do this before New START is resolved, or at least while it's getting resolved. On MSNBC just now, Joe Lieberman called on Reid to fast-track DADT repeal in this fashion. "I believe instead of going back to the START treaty, we should go to the independent stand-alone repeal of don't ask don't tell Saturday night," Lieberman said. "We can get it done by Monday, maybe Tuesday at the latest, and then go back to the START treaty." Get.It.Done. I am Frank Chow and I approved this message

Weighed by growing heartache and his persistent desire to repeal Don't Ask Don't Tell. Andrew Sullivan from Dan Choi : I wanted you to know because you are important to me and I think you can explain my situation best to those in our community who may be still interested. I was involuntarily committed to the Brockton MA Veterans Hospital Physchiatric Ward on Friday Morning after experiencing a breakdown and anxiety attack. ... 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 composi...

I have no desire to do anything today. It is Monday and Monday's have become such a dreadful experience at work lately, that I have considered taking vacation days each Monday of every month. This, of course, would backfire as I do not have enough vacation days and it would just lend itself to more chaos on Tuesdays. Aye there is the rub. This weekend was a success! The lady and me dredged through copious amounts of suburbanites and survived. We also purchased some much needed items (cologne and such) and a gift for Lil Sis Frank. We enjoyed the Frozen Sangria mixed with Frozen Margarita at the Avenue Ale House in Oak Park while treating ourselves to some decadent fried veggies, a shrimp salad and a BISON BURGER. Our stomachs have certainly shrunk, so we had plenty of leftovers. Today we start INSANITY MAX . It looks to be just as difficult as it sounds. Here are your highlights: Lt. Dan Choi gives Harry Reid his West Point ring . Asks for action and less talk on DADT. We need mor...

Advocate : Gay military rights advocate Lt. Dan Choi has been reportedly called back into active duty. Photographer Jeff Sheng, who recently turned his lens on active gay and lesbian service members, confirmed the news in a blog posting on Bilerico.com. Choi was to appear at the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force's Creating Change conference, but could not attend due to his being called to serve. Sheng wrote on Bilerico.com that despite Choi facing an Army committee recommending he be discharged under "don't ask, don't tell," his commanding officer was highly supportive of the Arabic translator and West Point graduate. I want to add that throughout this entire process Choi has been a class act and continues to be. The reason why he came out wasn't for celebrity or just to raise a fuss, his purpose was to make a stand against a terrible policy detrimental to our armed forces. Above all he has remained dedicated to his country and his oath , those posturing for...

the Hill : The leading House Democrat on military policy said Friday that he opposes repealing the law that bans openly gay people from serving in the military. Seventeen years ago, Rep. Ike Skelton (D-Mo.) played a major role in crafting the controversial law known as "Don't ask, don't tell." When President Bill Clinton wanted to lift the ban preventing gay people from joining the military, Skelton opposed the move. The end result was a compromise under which gay service members would conceal their sexual orientation. Now, after President Barack Obama pledged during his campaign and first year in office to repeal the law, Skelton finds himself on the opposite side once again. "I am personally not for changing the law," he said during a C-SPAN "Newsmakers" interview that will air Sunday. Because the military is engaged in two major conflicts, in Afghanistan and Iraq, changing the law would create "disruption" that can cause some "ser...

This is dreadful and will ruin the fibers of America (heavy on the sarcasm): Congressional negotiators and White House officials are moving forward with plans to add the repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell to the upcoming defense authorization bill, Democratic sources tell the Huffington Post. In Congress, members are being whipped to ensure that the votes will be there for passage, should the legislation be placed in the bill. At this juncture, aides say, the prospects look good. Meanwhile, a source close to the White House says the president has instructed the Defense Department that he believes the repeal of DADT should be placed in the authorization bill. However, disagreements could emerge when it comes to crafting the actual legislative language, over which Defense Secretary Robert Gates will wield his influence. And at this juncture, few of the offices working on the issue said they were willing to take passage as a fait accompli. "People have said publicly and privatel...

Steven Benen : This year, Democrats were able to expand hate-crimes protections by adding an amendment to the Defense spending bill. Next year, the strategy is to do the same with DADT repeal. A repeal of "Don't ask, don't tell" will be included in 2010's Defense Department authorization bill, Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.) said. "Military issues are always done as part of the overall authorization bill," Frank told The Advocate in an article published today. "'Don't ask, don't tell' was always going to be part of the military authorization." Such a vote is expected to be held as early as Spring 2010. This wasn't, by the way, idle speculation. Frank said he's been working directly with the White House and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's office on this. Frank also defended the administration from criticism from gay-rights supporters, who've voiced frustrations about delays. The Massachusetts Democrat said the White Ho...

It is Wednesday! Yes. Last day before an awesome weekend on a boat and relaxing. Frank needs some time to chill and recharge the batteries......but there is LAUGHING LIBERALLY tonight! So before he does said chillin' and rechargin' he must move through the shadows to watch his fellow liberals crack people up! If you are in the Chicago area there are going to be some kick ass comics, variety acts and cartoon humor . It will be at the socialist, communist, federalist, conservative, liberal, rockstar, french toast eating joint called the No Exit Cafe in Rogers Park . SO CHECK IT OUT, and watch your back, I gots ninja stars for non-laughers. Here are your highlights: The point is to push the administration farther left, Krugman I cheer you on The Puzzle of Illinois Budget falls apart Farah Fawcett remembered Those "dickweed" bloggers happen to be educated individuals tired of your lying crap, douchebag Dennis Kneale Lt. Daniel Choi update , keep up the SUPPORT ! Forget t...

Visit msnbc.com for Breaking News , World News , and News about the Economy Via Think Progress , Rachel Maddow and many others. In support of the LGBT community and a fellow member of the Asian-American community, it is time for action. Lt. Daniel Choi is doing the right thing, he is bringing the matter to the public, having the President keep his word and making a simple argument. We shouldn't alienate anyone for serving our country based on differences, it is those differences they so honorably defend. The letter is worth the read. Excerpt from the Letter Lt. Choi sent to President Obama: The Department of the Army sent a letter discharging me on April 23rd. I will not lie to you; the letter is a slap in the face. It is a slap in the face to me. It is a slap in the face to my soldiers, peers and leaders who have demonstrated that an infantry unit can be professional enough to accept diversity, to accept capable leaders, to accept skilled soldiers. My subordinates know I’m gay...