Charges dropped against gay veteran protester

[sabra]

Source: AP

WASHINGTON — Prosecutors have dropped all charges against an openly gay Iraq War veteran who twice chained himself to a White House fence to protest the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy.

Lt. Dan Choi and James Pietrangelo, a gay army captain honorably discharged for disclosing his sexual orientation, were in court Wednesday on charges of failure to obey police orders during the March and April protests. All charges were dropped against them.

Choi and his attorney had subpoenaed President Barack Obama to appear, but an attorney for the prosecution said the subpoena wasn't served.

Prosecutor Christine Chang declined to comment on why the government dropped the case.

Read more: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5g7Gvrw1NMvRISEsTdRBLo1Ozgg1QD9GUT9300

[davidinalameda]

1. Obama is ducking subpoenas?

[annabanana]

2. THAT'S what you take away from this?. . . n/t

[davidinalameda]

15. and they say conservatives have no sense of humor

:shrug:

[uppityperson]

13. Reading comprehension issue? "an attorney for the prosecution said the subpoena wasn't served."

an attorney for the prosecution said the subpoena wasn't served.

[Soylent Brice]

3. AWESOME!!

K&R

http://www.couragecampaign.org/

[kpete]

4. Charges dropped against gay veteran protester(s) (Lt. Dan Choi and James Pietrangelo)

Source: Associated Press

Charges dropped against gay veteran protester

(AP) – 1 hour ago

WASHINGTON — Prosecutors have dropped all charges against an openly gay Iraq War veteran who twice chained himself to a White House fence to protest the military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy.

Lt. Dan Choi and James Pietrangelo, a gay army captain honorably discharged for disclosing his sexual orientation, were in court Wednesday on charges of failure to obey police orders during the March and April protests. All charges were dropped against them.

Choi and his attorney had subpoenaed President Barack Obama to appear, but an attorney for the prosecution said the subpoena wasn't served.

Prosecutor Christine Chang declined to comment on why the government dropped the case.

Choi said he believes Obama administration officials didn't want to draw attention to the policy.



Read more: http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5g7Gvrw1NMvRISEsTdRBLo1Ozgg1QD9GUT9300

---

http://twitter.com/Clarknt67

It's clear that they were embarrassed that we were going to expose the fiction that repeal is finished or imminent. They were embarrassed that we subpoenaed the President and were going to use his words. It's clear that civil disobedience was the winner today.
http://gay.americablog.com/2010/07/breaking-charges-against-choi-and.html

http://gay.americablog.com/2010/07/breaking-charges-against-choi-and.html

>>>>>>>>>>>>>

UPDATE:
And, thanks to Scott Wooledge, a.k.a. Clarknt67, here's a photo of Dan and Jim outside of the court house with their attorneys, Ann Wilcox and Mark Goldstone
http://twitter.com/Clarknt67/status/18523322816
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_ndAyv4BjPbk/TD3LOg73ybI/AAAAAAAABJo/UVCLQI-3jBM/s400/Screen+shot+2010-07-14+at+10.35.10+AM.png

[SkyDaddy7]

5. Excellent!

[Loudmxr]

6. It devistates me to refer to Andrew Napalitano but....

In his recent interview with Ralph Nader he was saying how people should file suit and subpoena and raise all sorts of ruckus until we win justice in this country.

Really I am still recovering from his call for Bush/Cheney to be indicted.:crazy:

BTW Whoopeee!!!!

[David Zephyr]

7. K&R.

:)

[1776Forever]

8. Great news! They have been through more then any prison could have done to them - They are heroes!

I pray they will get their rights! Blessings to them both and to all who are in the fight for their freedom!

[bluevoter4life]

9. Correct me if I am wrong, as I am no military vet or scholar

But didn't they both protest while wearing full military uniform? If so, isn't this a flagrant violation of the UCMJ? Don't get me wrong, I'm glad charges were dropped and understand that desperate times call for desperate measures, but if they broke the rules of the military, shouldn't they have been punished? Just playing a little Devils Advocate this afternoon.

[Zenlitened]

11. Small rules must sometimes be broken to overturn great injustices.

[Laughing Mirror]

12. Well what did you expect them to wear?

A smart business suit and tie? Thongs and shorts?

[EFerrari]

14. The Pentagon should be punished for violating the human rights

of so many brave Americans.

[Zenlitened]

10. "It's clear that civil disobedience was the winner today."

:applause: