Lt. Choi speaks up for Danny Chen & Bradley Manning
The outrageous treatment of Pfc. Bradley Manning, and the tragic murder of Pvt. Danny Chen remind our entire nation: we’ve ignored the leadership crisis afflicting our military. When leaders ignore foundational values, and sweep crimes under the rug, we betray America and spit on our soldier’s sacrifice.
I stand with all soldiers unjustly treated. These times are a wake-up call for every American.
Pvt. Danny Chen
When we ignore racism and pretend that our country has matured beyond our hateful and shameful history, we are responsible for murder. Pvt. Danny Chen, a fellow Asian American soldier, must serve as a reminder to all Americans, particularly our minority communities, that we have much more work to do.
When gay Americans celebrate the repeal of Don’t Ask Don’t Tell as a political victory, but ignore the homophobia still rampant in the ranks, we are responsible for our continued second class citizenship. When Asian Americans and other racial minorities celebrate President Barack Obama without addressing the race crisis still haunting us, we are responsible for the racism that persists.
Throughout my time in the army, I ignored or even laughed about my status as a minority. It is often easy for minorities to go with the flow and endure the stress, thinking it is the more righteous path. But silence in the face of such crises solves nothing. We must demand better from our leaders, and from ourselves.
PFC Bradley Manning
This weekend, I attended the show-trial of Bradley Manning, a patriot who fulfilled his ethical obligation to reject war crimes in Iraq. Many activists of many causes have supported him, but as a combat veteran and former infantry officer I salute him for one reason: his commitment to the Army Values.
Loyalty to the Constitution. Fulfilling his ethical Duty. Selfless Service. Honor. Integrity. Personal Courage. Among all the soldiers in his chain of command, Manning was the only one who lived these values.
In war, integrity and truth are not mere suggestions. The Creed of the Non-Commissioned Officer makes it plain: "I will never compromise my integrity or moral courage." The Soldier’s Creed declares: "I am an American fighting in the forces which guard my country and our way of life. I am prepared to give my life in their defense."
For 18 months now, Manning languishes in prison, for months he was stripped naked and humiliated every night, pre-judged by our president without a trial or even a charge. The constitution he protected would somehow not apply to him.
In war, the prevention of war crimes depends on all soldiers committed to the laws of warfare. We must prioritize justice over comfort, rank, privilege or status. The reputation of America depends on the courage Manning showed in combat and continues to show us today. Reporting crimes never endangers our soldiers, but lying about them does.
Pfc. Manning is also a gay American soldier. The gay community is the only community that bases its membership on truth telling, and integrity. These virtues are not only important to gay Americans but all people, and for that Bradley Manning is my hero. I urge all Americans, gay or straight, to end their silence on this moral issue.
Because Manning stands on the truth, he is freest among all of us. For these reasons, Pfc. Manning is not on trial; America is on trial.
As we end the Iraq War, we must realize that our country has a black-eye from the atrocities committed there. Hiding the truth will not help, for our enemies already know what we’ve done. The Iraqi people know what we’ve done. The American soldiers know what we’ve done. It’s time the American people learn too, for all the American people are responsible for all the actions taken by our military in all our nation’s wars.
Only with truth can we build a lasting peace. For without truth, there can be no justice; without justice there can be no peace.
Sincerely,
- Lt. Dan Choi
Lt Dan Choi Thrown Out Of Bradley Manning Courtroom In Handcuffs & Injured By Military Police
Rally at Ft. Meade Saturday December 17
