Michelle Malkin » Meltdown at the YearlyKos? Update: Reid, Pelosi, and Emanuel cancel YKos appearances Update: Dems apologize for House debacle

Meltdown at the YearlyKos? Update: Reid, Pelosi, and Emanuel cancel YKos appearances Update: Dems apologize for House debacle

By Michelle Malkin • August 3, 2007 02:21 PM

Update 8/4: PJM has an exclusive interview with the censored soldier. Allah points out the hypocrisy of the moonbat vet who tried to squelch dissent at Ykos.

Update 10:15pm Eastern. Hell freezes over. Democrats apologize for the debacle in the House last night.

Yep, no wonder the Dem leaders don’t want to show up at YKos.

Update: For what it’s worth, Reid, Pelosi, and Emanuel have canceled their appearances at the YearlyKos conference because of weekend vote scheduling.

Question the timing?

Update: LGF has the video.

Update: Readers send a reminder of Kos community double standards when it comes to anti-war troops protesting in uniform.

***

Who is surprised? Anyone? Anyone?

A left-wing blogger at The American Prospect witnesses the crushing of dissent at the YearlyKos:

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.

I’m sure there’s video of this somewhere out there.

Hey, all ye Democrat presidential candidates: What’s your reaction to this?

Allah: “[T]hat 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.”

Charles at LGF: “I’m not familiar with the exact regulations on this, but for the sake of argument let’s say that it was against the rules for a uniformed soldier to ask a question. When did it become the duty of a YearlyKos panel moderator to enforce Army regulations? I wonder how they would have treated Scott Beauchamp if he had shown up in uniform?”

Posted in: Kos, Scott Thomas Beauchamp

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#112740

On August 4th, 2007 at 4:02 pm, 29Victor said:

@Myra Langerhas

Excellent points. Thanks for the quote.
#112743

On August 4th, 2007 at 4:12 pm, 29Victor said:

Jon Soltz in uniform, pushing an political opinion. Hypocrisy, thy name is Soltz. Soltz, I’m witholding the names I want to call you because I don’t want Michelle to ban me.

BTW, he’s a vet, meaning that he had no authority to command the sergeant further meaning that he was just another leftie wanker yelling at a soldier.
#112756

On August 4th, 2007 at 5:37 pm, gunslingerpatriot said:

The sad thing about this whole episode is that the left claims that they support the troops, that they have served the military with distinction (aka 3 ph, and out of Nam in 90 days), and that people are supposed to be in awe of them.
Fortunately the conservative vets know that their service is respected by most of the country without a backhanded slap coming from the left. Sadly most of the left isn’t worthy enough to shine the boots of a vet, muchless understand the pain we have gone through.
My only fear is not that we are going to lose Iraq, but that this group of vets will be denied their rightful place in history and be denied the honor due them because of the left, and the msm.
Sadly it took over 20 years for Vietnam vets to even begin to get their honor back after it was destroyed by the likes of Kerry, Clark, and Cronkite.

“Dhimitude or Freedom-Your Choice!”
#112770

On August 4th, 2007 at 8:08 pm, Vatar said:

If the soldier was wrong for participating in political activities in uniform, then VoteVets is equally wrong for doing the same thing as a 501(c)(4) organization.
#112775

On August 4th, 2007 at 8:44 pm, ArmywifeArmymom said:

The thanks goes both ways Sergeant Tim. Thank you too for your service!

Once again, good point. I am sure that the clip of this incident is making the rounds and being viewed by those who need to see it.
#112961

On August 5th, 2007 at 4:25 pm, Kevlaur said:

Hi all,

Have you seen the pajamas media story on the soldier? It is here:

Here is AR 670-1:
j. Wearing Army uniforms is prohibited in the following situations:
(1) In connection with the furtherance of any political or commercial interests, or when engaged in off-duty civilian
employment.
(2) When participating in public speeches, interviews, picket lines, marches, rallies, or public demonstrations, except
as authorized by competent authority.
(3) When attending any meeting or event that is a function of, or is sponsored by, an extremist organization.
(4) When wearing the uniform would bring discredit upon the Army.
(5) When specifically prohibited by Army regulations.
#112962

On August 5th, 2007 at 4:26 pm, Kevlaur said:

Ah… ooops. I made the AR the link.

Kevlaur
#113057

On August 5th, 2007 at 11:41 pm, Vatar said:

AR 670-1 Chapter 30-2
Army National Guard and USAR personnel are authorized to wear the Army uniform on the following occasions.
… (4) When attending social functions or informal gatherings of a military character.

Wouldn’t a panel called “The Military and Progressives: Are They That Different?” be considered a social function of a military character?