Posted on 03/18/2006 2:19:31 PM PST by BellStar
By Rowan Scarborough
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
March 18, 2006
Senate Democrats have mapped a political battle plan for the March congressional recess that calls on lawmakers to stage press events with active duty military personnel, veterans and emergency responders to bash President Bush on virtually every one of his national security policies.
(Excerpt) Read more at insider.washingtontimes.com ...
Thanks SIDENET! I was posting as you were sending. Nice to have the UCMJ Article number.
A double thank you to you for your service during that difficult time in America's history. ('93-'00)
According to the Uniform Code of Military Justice, Article 88—Contempt toward officials:
Text.
“Any commissioned officer who uses contemptuous words against the President, the Vice President, Congress, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of a military department, the Secretary of Transportation, or the Governor or legislature of any State, Territory, Commonwealth, or possession in which he is on duty or present shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.”
Elements.
(1) That the accused was a commissioned officer of the United States armed forces;
(2) That the accused used certain words against an official or legislature named in the article;
(3) That by an act of the accused these words came to the knowledge of a person other than the accused; and
(4) That the words used were contemptuous, either in themselves or by virtue of the circumstances under which they were used.
Lesser included offense.
Article 80—attempts
Maximum punishment.
Dismissal, forfeiture of all pay and allowances, and confinement for 1 year.
Note: While only commissioned officers can be charged under this article, DOD Directive 1344.10- POLITICAL ACTIVITIES BY MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES ON ACTIVE DUTY, extend these same requirements to all individuals on active duty. Enlisted members and warrant officers who violate these provisions can be charged under Article 92, of the UCMJ, Failure to Obey an Order or Regulation.
http://usmilitary.about.com/od/punitivearticles/a/mcm88.htm
THEY CAN'T HOLD THESE RALLIES. Pentagon policy forbids campaign rallies and rallies of this sort at mil bases.
THEY CAN'T HOLD THESE RALLIES. Pentagon policy forbids campaign rallies and rallies of this sort at mil bases.
THEY CAN'T HOLD THESE RALLIES. Pentagon policy forbids campaign rallies and rallies of this sort at mil bases.
DEMOCRAPS ARE PLAYING POLITICS WITH THE WAR!!!!!!!!
Quite frankly, no one is fooled by this nonsense. They tried that with Kerry in 2004 and still lost big because they are fooling no one.
WOW-thanks!
Thanks for posting that, I had an idea that enlisted personnel could get themselves in trouble, and that confirms it.
It just opens the door for the dummies to use fakes, though, or those no longer serving who would be willing to step up to the plate.
Thank You. At least it was mitigated by the fact that I got to enter the military Under Ronaldus Magnus (Sep-81) and retire under Dubya (Feb 05) -- Counting Bush 41 I was able to serve 15 1/2 of my 23 1/2 under Republican Presidents :-).
***"Millions for politics, but not one cent for the national interest."***
I like that. Just make it, "national defense," and people will be copying it all over FR.
(In fact....see my tagline)
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(I'll take it off as my tagline if you want.)
That's what makes this so disgusting. Members of Congress do (and, IMO, should) visit with troops. There should be at least some level of trust in these visits. But this scam takes that all away. How are the troops to know when they are being saluted, and when they are being used?
I guess we can only hope that the commanding officers are vigilant. But it's a shame that they have to spend time and effort on keeping politics out of the military. That should be a given.
Checking to make certain that headline is correct before I use it ....... mahalo m
I may be mistaken, but, if military members are in uniform, isn't it illegal to use such for political events.
Great to know it wasn't all bad for you! To bad about that little blip. ;*) Thanks again!
No question at all, which is why this upsets me so.
the troop may believe that the Congress person's request legitimizes his or her participation.
That is a very good point.
And that is the issue I use when writing to my Sen/Reps.
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