Choi Has Obama Subpoenaed in His “civil disobedience” trial. Yeah, he’ll show for that

In yet another move designed to accomplish nothing more than generating headlines, Lt. Dan Choi and Jim Pietrangelo have decided that President Obama’s testimony at their criminal trial is vital to their defense.  So, they subpoenaed him:

From Politico:

The gay soldiers arrested outside the White House protesting “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” will announce today that they’re demanding that President Obama testify in their trial on minor civil disobedience charges.

Their novel argument: Obama himself called on gay rights advocates to pressure him, so they were just following orders.

“Don’t Ask” has energized gay rights activists frustrated with the White House’s deliberate pace, even as Democratic leaders are frustrated with continued protests, as repeal is on track for next year.

Oh, for God’s sake.  Really?  Is it EVER going to end with this sensationalistic headline-grabbing crap?  Here’s what the lawyers had to say:

The subpoena seeks to compel the testimony of President Barack Obama who has, on several occasions as President and Commander in Chief (and previously as a Senator and Presidential Candidate) called on the LGBT community to “pressure” him to change the DADT law and policy, thus allowing gay service members to serve their country openly and honorably.

The subpoena of the President is necessary for the defense to prove that Defendants were following and obeying lawful orders or directives by their President and Commander in Chief, and were therefore under an obligation and authority to act as they did in order to pressure him – in a non-violent, visible way – on this important public issue. In addition, these statements support the contention that Defendants were acting out of necessity, in order to prevent discrimination and greater harm to gay service members now serving.

I wouldn’t exactly be sitting at the defense table waiting for him to show up to this circus.  A first year law student could explain why he wasn’t going to show and this justification of “we’re only following orders” is so amazingly transparent it’s laughable.  I have a flash for you, Dan:  one of you isn’t in the service anymore and the other isn’t on active duty.  Your defense of “following orders” is where I call bullshit.  Look around: you’re not in a military setting, nor are you in battle.

It’s official: Lt. Choi’s quest for DADT repeal just became more about him and less about DADT.  Maybe when he realizes that Obama will in NO way show up he can try another hunger strike.  It worked so well the last time.

Related posts:

1. Stories from the Frontline: Letters to President Obama 4/30/10 This is the fifth in a series of letters written...
2. Lt. Dan Choi Begins His Hunger Strike in Protest of DADT At 10:30pm Thursday night, at a private home in Northwest...
3. Pelosi Calls for Obama to Stop Discharging Gay Servicemembers Immediately I know I said that I was unplugging for the...
4. Stories from the Frontline: Letters to President Obama for 7May2010 his is number ten in a series of letters written...
5. Stories from the Frontline: Letters to President Obama for 6May2010 My name is Anthony Moll and I am a bisexual...