Frank Chow: Asian- American Political Pundit

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...

It seems that Obama was serious when he stated in his SOTU that he would repeal "Don't Ask Don't Tell." Today top defense officials called for an end to the despicable policy implemented 16 years ago. Sullivan has a wrap up of their statements: Gates' statement had all the usual Gates touches: a commitment to objective, calm, and professional review. And it has a plea to outsiders not to overly politicize this by using soldiers and their families as pawns in the debate. The bottom line is a 45 day review to make sure that the current policy is being applied fairly and a year-long review to examine every aspect of this proposed change. But Mullen's statement was a stunner. He did more than endorse this long process of inquiry and debate and to ensure that the current policy is implemented more fairly - so that anyone with a grievance against a gay servicemember can out him or her and end his or her career. The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff stated befo...

John Aravosis of AMERICAblog: DADT hearing, supposed to happen this week, is now 'not scheduled' Joe just called the Senate Armed Services Committee to find out when the Don't Ask Don't Tell hearing is going to be, the one that we were promised would happen this week. They told him the hearing hasn't been scheduled. We predicted this a good seven months ago. Let me quote my article in Salon last June: When, Mr. President, will be a good time to set my people free? When will the leader of the free world get a breather, a presidential timeout as it were? (And I thought this was the administration that could walk and chew gum at the same time.) Are we really to believe that 2010, a congressional election year, will be any more timely than today? Or 2011, the beginning of the presidential primaries? Or 2012, with a congressional and presidential election? There is quite literally no time like the present. Sigh, such a tiring narrative. The president doesn't have an...

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...

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 FRIDAY BITCHESSS!!! This weekend is fitting to be ridonkulous, tonight is the National Conference for Drinking Liberally leaders at Sheffield's. Stop on by if you can! Saturday, the lady and I will be going to Champagne,IL for some tail gaiting for the homecoming of the Illini. Can't wait! In other news, the terrorist sympathizer, wussy Prez Barack Hussein Obama was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize , how awesome is that? Well it is quite a surprise, but it does show how the world actually enjoys foreign diplomacy and an shift in attitude by the United States. I already love the wingnut outrage over this and as we know the Nobel Peace Prize has a well known liberal bias . With all that... you know talk of peace, negotiations and anti-torture rhetoric it is DIABOLICAL! Hitler! Socialism! New World Order! I am not sure what Obama will have to do in his years to come to get any applause from the Right, but I think the first step is not being liked by the international communit...

Hello Friday! Where did this week go? Well all the talk in Chicago is of course the Olympics . The Obamas both went and made pitches as well as the Queen of Chicago Oprah , it is all the buzz that we are the clear choice. I would chalk that up to good ole America fugg yeah optimism, but we will see in two hours. I for one am still not sold the Daleympics will be clean and uncorrupted, but my biggest concern it more gentrification proposed in the plan . Daley has this wonderful way of just pushing real and local issues farther South and just pretending it is not there. If Chicago does get the bid, then let's hope it has memories like Los Angeles and have the feel of how the Olympics should be...and we fix the unprecedented violence that we have today. Here are your highlights: Will 2010 be another 1994? No matter what the Right says, the Jews think Obama is all right You stay classy Sen. John Ensign , more damaging evidence of his illegal actions Man I remember when challenging t...

Here is former President Bill Clinton in action handling a heckler about Don't Ask Don't Tell. He hits on the historical differences that he faced as President and how sometimes you have to ward off the insane Right to further a progressive agenda. It is amazing how well he answers the questions and recalls what he fought for, but my favorite moment is when he recalls the Gulf War, how many soldiers were kicked out after they served? I had this discussion Tuesday that in order for Obama and his Administration to really push for LGBT rights whether in the military or in marriage, the change must be permanent. The Right will blast it and try to smear out of the community, Congress and the President for poisoning America, but the truth is inequality poisons America, that is a lesson that should have long been learned. The Administration needs to find away to keep the claws away and forever change this stain in American history. And it is my hope this is what they are working on.....

Last night was a highly successful and fun time at Laughing Liberally. I must say all the comics brought it, the skits were on point by the Accountants of Homeland Security and it was packed with liberal, commie scum and I am glad I had a shower afterward. Yuck....yeah I used yuck. Well this weekend is good times all around as Maria Bamford is in town at the Lakeshore Theater which should be a blast. She is honestly one of the funniest people in the world and with any luck you all should get to see her. So this weekend will be busy, but hopefully me and teh lady will get some qt. It is important to know under this rough ninja exterior is a ninja heart. Emo... Here are your highlights: Pitchfork has officially become so indie I don't even know a single band they review anymore Rep. Mike Quiqley gives DADT hell The mob as they are calling themselves are nothing new , they cry and whine and shout and scream and contribute nothing to the actual discussion, tea bag away you tea baggin...

Rep. Mike Quigley had some choice words for "Don't Ask Don't Tell" in a recent Windy City Times interview calling the act "morally repugnant." It is nice to have a politician from Illinois *cough take note WH, fighting for equal rights for the LGBT community. Quigley kind of snuck into Congress replacing the vacant seat of Rahm Emanuel, but since then he was pushed issues that effect his constituents. He has gone after "Don't Ask Don't Tell" and the White House took note of his request to have same sex unions counted in the census . It is important to note since this weekend Chicago will be holding its annual Gay Pride Parade and it is most likely to be the biggest yet. New local community organizations are participating and even an elementary school is marching in the parade. Quigley is doing what is right here, supporting a part of the community that does many great things locally. He also feels it is only a matter of time till the r...

As we remember those who have fought brilliantly for our freedom and those we have lost who have honored our flag. Also remember that a man's or woman's sexuality means more than their ability and willingness to defend our Nation . Repeal Don't Ask Don't Tell Contact your Congressmen . Contact the White House . I am Frank Chow and I approved this message

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...