Saturday, May 5, 2012

Free speech or respect for the uniform?

A WWII veteran wrote the following letter to the newspaper this week:

"Greetings. In the article entitled "Marines discharge sergeant for Facebook posts about Obama" (April 25), it tells about a Marine who made a statement that was critical of President Obama. I am not familiar with the article itself, but hey, free speech... Isn't that what so many of my generation died for in World War II? After all, the president isn't a perfect person. Who is?

As a WWII veteran having served in combat in Italy and Germany, I found it greatly disturbing that this situation occurred at all. If you want to read about something disturbing, please print about the life of "Obama" in his Chicago years. Go ahead, or are you prohibited from doing so? I notice that in years gone by some of this was covered on the TV but nothing recently. Do you suppose it has been censored?

Paul J. Burlingame

Clinton"

Sorry, this soldier earned his discharge. When you wear the uniform, you give up some rights and one of them is the right to publicly trash your chain of command. Period. Criticizing the President in a public manner is no different than doing the same for a general or captain if you wear the uniform. I was in the military back in the 90's and trust me, many soldiers did not like Bill Clinton one damn bit. Didn't matter. Our officers, who were pretty conservative, made it real clear that talking about the commander-in-chief would have consequences that were not pleasant. Make no mistake, griping by soldiers is a time-honored tradition. We're not happy unless we are griping. I don't plan on voting to re-elect Mr. Obama. However, griping to each other as soldiers is not the same thing as doing it over the airwaves or in public forums. The Marine will be able to criticize the President as much as he desires- as a civilian. That my friends, is the bottom line.

Posted by Kingfish at 1:51 PM

3 comments:

Paul Mitchell said...

You are correct.

May 5, 2012 at 5:00 PM
Anonymous said...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DaVfHntwVc4

...Burlingame, pay attention, this is how you gripe...


JB

May 5, 2012 at 7:49 PM
Anonymous said...

That it was a Marine is particularly shocking.
He knew exactly what would happen to him.

And, that he would embarrass the Corps that way is worse than violating respect for the chain of command.

He violated the code of Semper Fi.

May 6, 2012 at 9:13 AM

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In the spirit of helping those who are less fortunate, Trollfest '09 adopts a cause for which a portion of the proceeds and donations will be donated: Keeping Frank Melton in his home. The “Keep Frank Melton From Being Homeless” booth will sell chances for five dollars to pin the tail on the jackass. John Reeves has graciously volunteered to be the jackass for this honorable excursion into saving Frank's ass. What's an ass between two friends after all? If Mr. Reeves is unable to um, perform, Speaker Billy McCoy has also volunteered as when the word “jackass” was mentioned he immediately ran as fast as he could to sign up.

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Relax at the Fox News Tent. Since there are only three blonde reporters in Jackson (being blonde is a requirement for working at Fox News), Megan and Kathryn from WAPT and Wendy from WLBT will be on loan to Fox. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both and a torn-up Obama yard sign will entitle you to free drinks served by Megan, Wendy, and Kathryn. Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required. Just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '09 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

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Jackson Jambalaya is the home of Trollfest '07. Catch this great event which promises to leave NE Jackson & Fondren in flames. Sonjay Poontang and his band headline the night with a special steel cage, no time limit "loser must leave town" bout between Alan Lange and "Big Cat"Donna Ladd following afterwards. Kamikaze will perform his new song F*** Bush, he's still a _____. Did I mention there was no referee? Dr. Heddy Matthias and Lori Gregory will face off in the undercard dueling with dangling participles and other um, devices. Robbie Bell will perform Her two latest songs: My Best Friends are in the Media and Mama's, Don't Let Your Babies Grow up to be George Bell. Sid Salter of The Clarion-Ledger will host "Pin the Tail on the Trial Lawyer", sponsored by State Farm.

There will be a hugging booth where in exchange for your young son, Frank Melton will give you a loooong hug. Trollfest will have a dunking booth where Muhammed the terrorist will curse you to Allah as you try to hit a target that will drop him into a vat of pig grease. However, in the true spirit of Separate But Equal, Don Imus and someone from NE Jackson will also sit in the dunking booth for an equal amount of time. Tom Head will give a reading for two hours on why he can't figure out who the hell he is. Cliff Cargill will give lessons with his .80 caliber desert eagle, using Frank Melton photos as targets. Tackleberry will be on hand for an autograph session. KIM Waaaaaade will be passing out free titles and deeds to crackhouses formerly owned by The Wood Street Players.

If you get tired come relax at the Fox News Tent. To gain admittance to the VIP section, bring either your Republican Party ID card or a Rebel Flag. Bringing both will entitle you to free drinks.Get your tickets now. Since this is an event for trolls, no ID is required, just bring the hate. Bring the family, Trollfest '07 is for EVERYONE!!!

This is definitely a Beaver production.

Note: Security provided by INS.