KATHY GRIFFIN and the HRC were upstaged by a serious Lt. DAN CHOI yesterday in our nation's capitol. GRIFFIN had planned a rally at Freedom Plaza opposing the government's "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy in the military, a policy currently under review by the Defense Department and the Obama administration. HUMAN RIGHTS CAMPAIGN supported the rally, which will be an episode of the comedienne's "MY Life on the D List" cable show, with it's president JOE SOLONESE as one of the speakers.

DAN CHOI was not one of the sceduled speakers, but forcefully requested to speak, and did eventually take the microphone, telling GRIFFIN that she was funny, but the DADT policy was no joke. He railed against OBAMA for his reticence to rescind the policy, and after his remarks, implored the crowd, including SOLONESE and GRIFFIN to join him in a march to the White House, though they stayed behind.

Once there he and fellow serviceman, Capt. JIM PIETRANGELO, both facing discharge under the outdated policy of firing gay and lesbian service members, handcuffed themselves to the gates of the White House, in their uniforms. Later the two were arrested, along with activist ROBIN McGEHEE, who reportedly assisted the men in handcuffing themselves to the iron fencing. McGEHEE just last October led a group of protestors on the mall of the Capitol, in the March on Washington, a peacful event that attracted hundreds of thousands of supporters in a day of marching and speeches on the steps of the Capitol Building.

The act of civil disobedience was a bold step on a day that saw protestors sitting in at the office of House Speaker NANCY PELOSI in an attempt to get her to schedule gay civil rights legislation, including repreal of DADT, as well aslegislation banning employment and housing discimination against gays and lesbians.

On a day when the temperatures felt like spring, freedom, and the cries therefore, was busting out all over the capitol. Change is still coming...and the cherry blossoms aren't even here yet.

Who among us hasn't tickled someone until they couldn't breath, or mussed an employee's hair at a wedding reception as part of a sexual come on? We all know what it's like to share a townhouse with 4 staffers, and have "pile on the old guy" fun. And of course, we all have our photo album, with glossy momentos of naval cadets frolicking at sea in an "over the line" party with orgy scenes of naked sailors in various stages of wrestling that would make Caligula proud. For recently resigned Democratic congressman ERIC MASSA, the good life has come to an end.

This one time Republican Congressman from upstate New York, who converted to the Democratic party as a result of the war in Iraq, has hit a bad patch for sure. A week ago he announced he was resigning after being diagnosed with a recurrence of lung cancer. The next day, word leaked out that there might be an ethics investigation, for which MASSA admitted he may have used "salty language" amongst his staffers. Over the weekend MASSA's story morphed into the White House forcing him out because of his opposition to the health care proposal. In a bizarre rant on a radio show, the congressman told of an encounter in the showers at the House gymnasium, where RAHM EMANUEL confronted him, in the raw, poking him in the chest, threatening him over his "no" vote. "Do you know how awkward it is to have a political argument with a naked man?" MASSA queried on WKPQ. I imagine it would be nothing too difficult for someone who is adept at wrestling nude on a moving vessel crossing the equator, all the while snapping photos, but what do I know?

MASSA went on to describe in detail how EMANUEL "hated" him, painting the White House Chief of Staff as a ruthless vote getter, claiming he would "sell his mother" for a vote, or "strap his kids to a speeding locomotive" in trade for a "yes" vote. He described EMANUEL as "the son of the devil's spawn." Pretty graphic stuff. Thing is, none of it rang true, especially after a week of multiple choice excuses from the now disgraced legislator.

When it rains, it really pours. Come Monday, news leaks out that the ethics investigation involves sexual harassment, groping and fondling, not just "salty" talk, with multiple members of MASSA's staff, dating back more than a year. Well no wonder ERIC quit so soon. His sudden departure from the House means the investigation goes away. All gone. How convenient!

Yesterday MASSA made the rounds on the talk show circuit, spending a full hour with GLENN BECK, and then sitting down with LARRY KING.

If you saw it, you saw a man unraveling before your eyes. He may have duped BECK, who thought he had a guest that was going to sing like a bird about the abuses and diabolical tactics of President OABAMA and his Chief EMANUEL. Not even 7 minutes in, MASSA defused that bombshell, taking full responsibility for his fall, and apologizing to EMANUEL. BECK was humiliated. But so was MASSA. He admitted to groping the staffer, and then revealed that the groping occurred at a townhouse that he shared with 4 of his staffers. Hello. Did he think this was exonerating information?

MASSA then went on LARRY KING LIVE where LARRY asked him point blank, "Are you gay?". Drum roll...."I'm not going to answer that."

Are you kidding me? MASSA then went on to explain how the question itself, in 2010, was insulting to gay people. Wow. There's a logic going on here that is revolutionary, but it's completely beyond me. What's also beyond me is what happened to this man to precipitate his complete fall from grace.

Congressman ERIC MASSA was a co-sponsor of a bill in the House to repeal "Don't Ask, Don't Tell." He seemed completely cogent and committed to doing the people's business, and promoting a sane approach to gays in the military, as well as a hate crimes bill which included "sexual orientation" when we interviewed him in September 2009. He spoke about gays in the 3rd person to be sure, but he sure wasn't crazy. You be the judge.

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The fact is, there are more closeted gays and lesbians in government. Some Democrats. Some Republicans. And it is a sad waste of a life of public service, not to mention the fraud and hypocrisy perpetrated on the public trust. There is no happy ending for these guys.

Case in point, California State ROY ASHBURN. He was arrested in Sacramento a week ago, allegedly after leaving a gay bar. ASHBURN's website claims senator ASHBURN "is a true reformer and a champion of openness, accountability and bi-partisanship" in the "tradition of RONALD REAGEN." On Monday ASHBURN admitted to being gay. After 14 years in the state legislature, and repeated votes against gay and lesbian issues, his issues, senator ASHBURN, shamed and disgraced, will not be seeking another term.

Maybe he and ERIC MASSA, and LARRY CRAIG among others could launch a DC consulting firm for closeted hypocritical bigots on Capitol Hill. No doubt there are still clients to be had. And on their lunch hours they could host tickle parties and muss fests. Sweet.