Soldier Censored at Kos Convention

[Logan13]

There is a video at the website below.
Soldier Censored at Kos Convention
http://pajamasmedia.com/2007/08/sold...kos_conven.php

Fireworks broke out at a Friday morning session of the second day of the YearlyKos Convention titled “The Military and Progressives: Are They Really That Different?”. An as yet unidentified uniformed soldier attempted to address the panel on the subject of the “Surge”. He was unceremoniously escorted out by panelist Jon Soltz.
The soldier’s words were either suppressed or inaudible on the convention’s own video. They can be heard hear on this exclusive PJM Video by Andrew Marcus, who also interviews the soldier and tries to interview Soltz.

[Red Ketchup]

I think it's reprehensible that they muzzle him like that... I believe everyone is entitled to voice their opinions.

But on the other hand they did learn from the best... or has everyone already forgotten the last campaign when the current presidents people had protesters and folks voicing/displaying different opinions forcibly removed from the rallies by the SS and local police? In some cases they were moved to the "protesters area" halfway across town, in others they were detained and later released without charges...

Limiting free speech is a slippery slippery slope... and its always reprehensible...

Red

[Tock]

Here are the Navy regulations that preclude military folks from appearing at such events in uniform (I'm sure the other branches have similar regulations):

(about 3/4 down the page)
http://buperscd.technology.navy.mil/.../chapter_1.htm


(1) Members of the Armed Forces (including retired members and members of reserve components). Wearing of uniforms is prohibited under any of the following circumstances:

(a) Any meeting or demonstration which is a function of, or sponsored by an organization, association, movement, group, or combination of persons which the Attorney General of the United States has designated, pursuant to Executive Order 10450 as amended, as totalitarian, fascist, communist, or subversive, or as having adopted a policy of advocating or approving the commission of acts of force or violence to deny others their rights under the Constitution of the United States by unconstitutional means.

(b) During or in connection with political activities, private employment or commercial interest, that imply official sponsorship of the activity or interest.

(c) When participating in activities such as public speeches, interviews, picket lines, marches, rallies or any public demonstration which implies the service supports the principles of the demonstration or activity. This rule may be waived by the service.

(d) When wearing of the uniform would discredit Armed Forces.

(e) When specifically prohibited by regulations of the department concerned.

----------------------------

If the fellow wanted to make his point while out of uniform, I'm sure there would not have been any problem.

[Logan13]

Here are the Navy regulations that preclude military folks from appearing at such events in uniform (I'm sure the other branches have similar regulations):

(about 3/4 down the page)
http://buperscd.technology.navy.mil/.../chapter_1.htm


(1) Members of the Armed Forces (including retired members and members of reserve components). Wearing of uniforms is prohibited under any of the following circumstances:

(a) Any meeting or demonstration which is a function of, or sponsored by an organization, association, movement, group, or combination of persons which the Attorney General of the United States has designated, pursuant to Executive Order 10450 as amended, as totalitarian, fascist, communist, or subversive, or as having adopted a policy of advocating or approving the commission of acts of force or violence to deny others their rights under the Constitution of the United States by unconstitutional means.

(b) During or in connection with political activities, private employment or commercial interest, that imply official sponsorship of the activity or interest.

(c) When participating in activities such as public speeches, interviews, picket lines, marches, rallies or any public demonstration which implies the service supports the principles of the demonstration or activity. This rule may be waived by the service.

(d) When wearing of the uniform would discredit Armed Forces.

(e) When specifically prohibited by regulations of the department concerned.

----------------------------

If the fellow wanted to make his point while out of uniform, I'm sure there would not have been any problem.

So you agree that the DAILYKOS is anti-military?

[Tock]

So you agree that the DAILYKOS is anti-military?

I have no idea what DAILYKOS is.

However, I do know that the military discourages both officers and enlisted folks from speaking on issues in uniform. If they had a public forum, and if that military guy was about to speak on an issue, then if they shushed him up, they did him a big favor. And they did the American people a favor, because of the problems that arise when military people attempt to use their uniforms to give their public opinions extra weight. It's a practice that really needs to be discouraged -- I'd say the official military policy on this issue is 100% spot-on.

Whoever those Pajamas-blog people are, all they did was use this event to bash liberals, when the liberals were doing nothing but acting in the best interest of the nation, and in the best interest of the soldier.

[RA]

I have no idea what DAILYKOS is.

However, I do know that the military discourages both officers and enlisted folks from speaking on issues in uniform. If they had a public forum, and if that military guy was about to speak on an issue, then if they shushed him up, they did him a big favor. And they did the American people a favor, because of the problems that arise when military people attempt to use their uniforms to give their public opinions extra weight. It's a practice that really needs to be discouraged -- I'd say the official military policy on this issue is 100% spot-on.

Whoever those Pajamas-blog people are, all they did was use this event to bash liberals, when the liberals were doing nothing but acting in the best interest of the nation, and in the best interest of the soldier.

Liberals only act in the best interest of themselves.

Having said that I agree that he shouldnt be doing public speaking if hes still active.

[Logan13]

I have no idea what DAILYKOS is.

Whoever those Pajamas-blog people are, all they did was use this event to bash liberals, when the liberals were doing nothing but acting in the best interest of the nation, and in the best interest of the soldier.

You definitely must not know what dailykos is........

[Tock]

You definitely must not know what dailykos is........

Regardless, I'm sure that you'll agree that if that soldier was in his military uniform, that he shouldn't have been offering his opinion about the war, yes?
And you'll agree that the people you cited in the first post of this thread are barking about nothing of any consequence, yes?

[RA]

It would be great for Republicans because the vast majority of the armed forces are Reps. But I still dont think its a good idea. Policy is set by the President and Congress, not the military. They are there to take orders.