Posted on 08/03/2007 11:06:41 AM PDT by bnelson44
Via Barnett, this comes from one of the left’s own, Ezra Klein:
AN ODD CLOSE. As the Military and Progressives panel came to an end, a young man in uniform stood up to argue that the surge was working, and cutting down on Iraqi casualties. The moderator largely freaked out. When other members of the panel tried to answer his question, he demanded they “stand down.” He demanded the questioner give his name, the name of his commander, and the name of his unit. And then he closed the panel, no answer offered or allowed, and stalked off the stage,
Wes Clark took the mic and tried to explain what had just occurred: The argument appears to be that you’re not allowed to participate in politics while wearing a uniform, or at least that you shouldn’t, and that the questioner was engaging in a sort of moral blackmail, not to mention a violation of the rules, by doing so. Knowing fairly little about the army, I can’t speak to any of that. But it was an uncomfortable few moments, and seemed fairly contrary to the spirit of the panel to roar down the member of the military who tried to speak with a contrary voice.
The yKos program lists the panelists but doesn’t say who the moderator was. I’m going to see if I can find the rules about political speech for soldiers while in uniform; Paul Hackett, of all people, criticized Ehren Watada last year for calling Bush a liar while wearing military dress but that had more to do with insubordination towards a superior officer in violation of the UCMJ than simple political speech.
Needless to say, though, that the left in general and Wes Clark in particular would balk at someone using their Absolute Moral Authority to advance a political agenda is an irony too enormous to be absorbed in one take.
E3.3. EXAMPLES OF PROHIBITED POLITICAL ACTIVITIES In accordance with the statutory restrictions in 10 U.S.C. 973(b) (reference (b)) and references (g) and (h), and the policies established in section 4., above, of this Directive, a member on active duty shall not:
E3.3.1. Use official authority or influence to: interfere with an election, affect the course or outcome of an election, solicit votes for a particular candidate or issue, or require or solicit political contributions from others.
E3.3.2. Be a candidate for civil office in Federal, State, or local government, except as authorized in paragraph 4.2., above, of this Directive, or engage in public or organized soliciting of others to become partisan candidates for nomination or election to civil office.
E3.3.3. Participate in partisan political management, campaigns, or conventions (except as a spectator when not in uniform), or make public speeches in the course thereof.
E3.3.4. Make a contribution to another member of the Armed Forces or a civilian officer or employee of the United States for the purpose of promoting a political objective or cause, including a political campaign.
E3.3.5. Solicit or receive a contribution from another member of the Armed Forces or a civilian officer or employee of the United States for the purpose of promoting a political objective or cause, including a political campaign.
E3.3.6. Allow or cause to be published partisan political articles signed or written by the member that solicits votes for or against a partisan political party, candidate, or cause.
E3.3.7. Serve in any official capacity or be listed as a sponsor of a partisan political club.
E3.3.8. Speak before a partisan political gathering, including any gathering that promotes a partisan political party, candidate, or cause.
E3.3.9. Participate in any radio, television, or other program or group discussion as an advocate for or against of a partisan political party, candidate, or cause.
E3.3.10. Conduct a political opinion survey under the auspices of a partisan political group or distribute partisan political literature.
E3.3.11. Use contemptuous words against the officeholders described in 10 U.S.C. 888 (reference (b)), or participate in activities proscribed by references (c) and (d).
E3.3.12. Perform clerical or other duties for a partisan political committee during a campaign or on an election day.
E3.3.13. Solicit or otherwise engage in fundraising activities in Federal offices or facilities, including military reservations, for a partisan political cause or candidate.
E3.3.14. March or ride in a partisan political parade.
E3.3.15. Display a large political sign, banner, or poster (as distinguished from a bumper sticker) on the top or side of a private vehicle.
E3.3.16. Participate in any organized effort to provide voters with transportation to the polls if the effort is organized by, or associated with, a partisan political party or candidate.
E3.3.17. Sell tickets for, or otherwise actively promote, political dinners and similar fundraising events.
E3.3.18. Attend partisan political events as an official representative of the Armed Forces.
It’s just that the tolerant, open-tent liberals simply cannot tolerate anyone that has an opinion differing from their own. Combine this with their natural cowardice and you get this kind of reaction.
I’ve always hoped that Jack Bauer will one day strap a leftist into his chair and “break him” by forcing him to listen to Fox News.
THEIR discomfort and embarrassment, and then trying to intimidate him, and then when he didn’t shrink in the face of overwhelming opposition, THEY JUST WALKED OFF THE STAGE...................
DoD Directive 1325.6 and DoD Directive 7050.6 (pdf).
Needless to say, the Democrats should not have cut the soldier off. They are not MPs and are not briefed on the UCMJ.
Don't they have to have souls first?
You’re not dealing with a reality based discussion group here. They’re all about political power wielding.
You would think the Gen. Weasel, being a “man of honor” would have rushed to his defense... Fat chance, and once again I’ll say, F him.
I think this is what really unhinged them: "... young man in uniform stood up to argue that the surge was working, and cutting down on Iraqi casualties."
How is saying the “surge was working, and cutting down on Iraqi casualties” political speech?
Was this particular panel at the Yearly Kos described by the organizers as a Dem event or as an informational/educational/conscious-raising etc. event? Would that make a difference?
“Wes Clark took the mic and tried to explain what had just occurred: The argument appears to be that you’re not allowed to participate in politics while wearing a uniform”
So when Kerry was protesting the Vietnam war in fatigues and uniform, that was just a made-up costume?
Oh the irony!
I doubt it would make a difference. But I also wonder who in his chain of command would go down on him for it (after taking him out for a beer first)?
sounds like that to me, too.
He did not endorse any candidate, only a point of view.
He did not endorse any candidate, only a point of view.
But is what he said actually political speech? He said the surge is working. I don't see that as political speech at all. He is just reporting actual ground conditions in Iraq.
That’s the soldier’s problem, not that of the Daily Kos moderator.
And, it’s a “rule” that I see senior military officers frequently violate.
Bottom line — the soldier had a right to express his views and the moderator was a narrow-minded coward for not hearing him out.
Ding, Ding, Ding. Folks we have a winner.
Why do we always allow the left set the rules?
Yes, the guy was probably not following the regs to the letter, but I'd be willing to bet they would have applauded this soldier, had he said the bush was Hitler!
Great point - let's hammer the hypocrites!
(D@mn - you got me fired up! 8^)
These are liberals, they don't know what courage is.
Never mind. I just read the rules that were posted regarding the wearing of a uniform. It seems he is not allowed to even attend a political convention in uniform.
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