Troops enlisted to cheer Obama spendulus plan?
Did you notice the applauding troops placed strategically behind President Obama during his Generational Theft Act rally in Elkhart this afternoon?
(You can watch the whole thing here.)
So did many readers. Cory D. e-mails:
Why are there soldiers in uniforms cheering on Obama at his rally in IN?!?
Cory D.
OIF I and III veteran
Steve Gill asks: “Isn’t it inappropriate to use them in uniform for a political purpose?”
Only if you’re a Republican.
And remember: Crusading for a trillion-dollar pork plan isn’t “political.”
It’s patriotic.
As for me…
See what others have said
Note from Michelle: This section is for comments from michellemalkin.com's community of registered readers. Please don't assume that I agree with or endorse any particular comment just because I let it stand. A reminder: Anyone who fails to comply with my terms of use may lose his or her posting privilege.
Trackbacks
- Obama Trolling For Sob Stories « Jane Q. Republican
- The Snooper Report
- Troops enlisted to cheer Obama spendulus plan? — But As For Me
- Michelle Malkin » Stop the Stimulus protest in Ft. Myers, FL tomorrow
- Stop the Stimulus protest in Ft. Myers, FL tomorrow « Conservative Thoughts and Profundity
Comments
You must be logged in to post a comment.
Categories: Double standards, fiscal stimulus
AmSpecBlog
» The 39 Democrats Who Voted "No"
Right Pundits
» Joe Lieberman: Fort Hood Shooter Is ‘Home-Grown Terrorist’Legal Insurrection
» Bruni de la Motte for Health Care CzarLegal Insurrection
» In The End: No Public Option, No Abortions, No Pelosi, No ReidThe Powers That Be
» Obama: ‘Don’t Jump to Conclusions’ About Ft. Hood; Immediately Jumps to ConclusionsLegal Insurrection
» NY Times Names NamesThe Powers That Be
» A Picture is Worth a Trillion Dollars and Lots of Lost FreedomAmerican Thinker
» The true cost of ObamaCare
At least we’ll know on which side they’ll be fighting should things get to that point.
They’re there becuase he’s their boss.
Often, when away from bases and you see soldiers, they are reservists, national guard members or recruiters. (The ACUs rule out ROTC Cadets).
All it takes is a few soldiers showing up, a handler offers them a seat “up front” and you’ve got a prop — intended or not.
Applauding POTUS….I guess they were probably told to applaud or get RIF’ed.
A lotta B***S on this trip!!! Anyone know what ELKHART IN is famous for??? How about RV capital of the US… They now have the highest unemployment rate in the US… What party has done the most to KILL RV sales in the US??? How about the DEMS… I’ll bet these BOZOs voted DEM in the last election… Just a guess…
When women wanted the right to fly combat aircraft (but, conveniently, not the responsibility to sign up for the draft) they were allowed by the Clinton Adminstration to go to Capitol Hill and lobby in their uniforms.
Wearing one’s uniform to any political event, be it lobbying, a political rally, or a rally supporting the Commander in Chief’s (CIC) political agenda is strictly forbidden.
It is OK to appear at a speech given by the CIC while wearing a uniform, but that would be an official military function, NOT a political one.
Whoever the commander of these soldiers is needs to counsel and punish them accordingly. At the same time, that same commander needs some counseling and a little “Captain’s Mast” (i.e., punishment) as well.
Just heard Rush say what I wanted to say: The Dems are the ones who are against SUVs (Indiana the capital of the SUV manufacturers), the Dems are against gas guzzling cars. How ironic! He’s got them both ways: “We’ve helped America see how sinful the SUV is and now we will help you become dependent upon government largesse.”
Using the uniform for political gain is hitting below the belt. – I dislike this Marxist more each day.
From AR 600–20 (18 March 2008), Para. 5-3:
Well, if you rent an apartment now but, buy an RV; That should qualify for the $15000 tax credit on primary residence, right ?
Fuller added to what I posted earlier. Perhaps these soldiers were innocent “targets of opportunity” used by the CIC as “props.”
He and his staff should know better, and somebody likely does, they are just trying to show broad-based support for their programs.
I can bet there will quickly be a message from the five-sided puzzle palace about wearing your uniform to such an event.
This topic has been discussed before, links to USMCJ have been provided, and we are here again.
If those soldiers did not know the rules, then the Obama advance people should know the rules.
Bad form.
Elkhart, Indiana? My Motor Coach was made there. With Obama’s and the Gorites war on RVs I do imagine that Elkhart is hurting.Bill Clinton’s Luxury Tax almost killed the Motor Coach and leisure boat market throwing thousands of honest Americans out of work.
Liberals may have a heart–but it is hard towards their own base. Some troll jump in here and tell me how I can run that motor coach and boat on solar/wind power. I would have a hard time getting it through a 20′ tunnel with a sixty foot windmill/sail.
But Presidents do enjoy Troop backgrounds on non military issues–makes them look patriotic I suppose.
Hmmm. if the primary residence credit applies then, the tax credit for purchasing a vehicle applies too. Bonus.
There is no depth that the left will not stoop to in order to sell their crap sandwiches. It’s that simple.
Hold on….oh, no I am mistaken. For a second there when BO was speaking I could’ve sworn the audience was waving little red books and singning “Barak Obama gonna save ‘da world…”.
sarcoff/
Those soldiers are not out of order… PBHO is their (and my) Commander in Chief, and their presence violates no regulation (and may well have been ordered, or at least encouraged, to attend).
They obviously missed the memo regarding massive DOD spending cuts, though.
Not a valid excuse. These personnel were out of line.
They can attend political events, but only in civilian clothes, not their military uniforms.
This president should absolutely ashamed. Something that seems to not be present in the liberals I know. This is the guy that campaigned with white people in the background and the black people in the loft seats. It has to be a liberal thing. Remember 1st lady hilebeast used a uniformed aid to circulate with snack trays. Cause he didn’t have anything else to do.
CantCureStupid: Don’t get Stuck on Stupid! Uniforms at a political event are NOT allowed.
Either the soldiers haven’t been informed (they most certainly will now) and/or the Administration coaxed them up there.
In either case, it should NOT happen. Ref. post #8…
See above.
On February 9th, 2009 at 1:50 pm, PBoilermaker said:
If those soldiers did not know the rules
Not a valid excuse. These personnel were out of line.
They can attend political events, but only in civilian clothes, not their military uniforms.
————————————–
Makes sense to me. Having uniformed military there smacks too much of “agree with what is being said, or else”. Also, there is too much implication that those individuals speak for their branch of the military because they happen to belong to it.
Exactly why the regulation was written. 10-1 nothing happens to these troops.
nail49…. he’s their boss, and I’ll bet that they were at least encouraged to attend. If you want to have a go at PBHO, be my guest. If those soldiers were not there on their own time and for their own purposes, then they are NOT WRONG.
Hey, Barry…Kentucky isn’t too far from Elkhart, IN. Lots of folks have died there during the aftermath of that ice storm, property has been damaged…but you haven’t been to KY to visit those people, yet. I guess the people of KY don’t matter…they’re not the right color to warrant your Presidential attention. Who cares if a bunch of white “rednecks” suffer? They probably didn’t vote for you, anyway, and it doesn’t make for good photo ops with the LSM.
Heckuva job, Barry!
This display of patriotism brings a tear to my eye. lgm and omu have probably stopped spitting on GI’s for an entire hour!
I think pretty much every GI in the country who voted for Obama is behind him on the stage.
I watched that entire travesty and my flu got worse. Since when is the rape of America “patriotic”? Oh. Wait. Stalin would be proud. My bad.
Heckuva job, there Barry! Seriously though, I think the people of Kentucky have the great good sense to want the Feds to stay far away. With the help of volunteer crews from as far away as Texas, they’re digging their own way out, without the strings of gummint aid.
Can’t curestupid
you are sooooo wrong, a Commander can’t order a trooper to disobey directives. You never, ever wear your uniform to a political function unless it was one where your unit, en masse, is being the focus of a ceremony. What about this don’t you see as opportunistic… you can’t even wear a VFW uniform to same. Those who do are in violation.
No one is saying they are wrong for being there, the question is if they are wrong for being there IN UNIFORM.
For a hint, see post #8.
On February 9th, 2009 at 1:58 pm, sonofdy said:
Makes sense to me. Having uniformed military there smacks too much of “agree with what is being said, or else”. Also, there is too much implication that those individuals speak for their branch of the military because they happen to belong to it.
Exactly why the regulation was written. 10-1 nothing happens to these troops.
————————————–
Don’t know how severe their punishment for something like this would be anyway, but I’m afraid you’re right. Too much fear of complaints that the military guys’ “rights” were being violated, even though they would have not been in any trouble for attending this in their civilian clothes.
Don’t forget, Obama has 98% of Hollywood on his side. Finding actors to portray any variety of roles is one of the easiest thing that our Spender-in-Chief can do. Yes he can!
As for these soldiers, I mock only their support of a leader who doesn’t believe in their purpose, not in their service.
txvet2 said:
I agree, txvet2. I was just sarcastically pointing out the hypocrisy of the Left/LSM/Duh!1 when it comes to the suffering of anyone who isn’t a “minority.”
The people of Kentucky are wonderful folks. I lived in Louisville for seven years, until I was forced to relocate to the People’s Republic of Mexifornia. Beautiful state, Kentucky.
P.S. Cory D. Rocks! Thank you for your double-duty service!!!
Did you hear about the web site where you can report to the whitehouse on waste in the bill and how it will tell you how many jobs it has created in your area???
You can stop talking about what the rules are! When have our political masters ever cared about the rules or the U.S. Constitution? The answer is they don’t unless it can be used to keep the peons in line. On top of that they could care less what we think. They pass these MOAB packages and try to ram immigration non-reform up our a$$ even when we email, petition, and phone them in overwhelming numbers. Our voices no longer count.
Article 15. No way this would go to an artilce 32.
CantCureStupid: Although not to the same extent, this argument holds as much water as common Japanese and Germans soldiers in WWII. They stated they were following the orders of their superiors. But, their superiors were giving illegitimate orders.
If the Commander in Chief tells you to stand behind him while wearing your uniform at a political rally, you should 1) be ashamed for being there in the first place while in uniform and 2) politely decline while getting the heck out of there!
Granted, there may be no more promotions in your future, but you would be doing the right thing.
Oh, I forgot, the Dems are never about doing the right thing, just what is right for them.
No sarc to turn off…
Well, perhaps I’m confused by the difference between actively campaigning for a political candidate in uniform and attending an event at which your Commander in Chief is speaking in uniform. I could be mistaken.
On February 9th, 2009 at 2:23 pm, CantCureStupid said:
Well, perhaps I’m confused by the difference between actively campaigning for a political candidate in uniform and attending an event at which your Commander in Chief is speaking in uniform. I could be mistaken.
————————————-
I think the point is, they are apparently violating military regulation (see Snodfy’s posts, etc.) by attending a political event in uniform. Whether you agree or not, there is a rule against that.
Maybe they needed some color behind him, kindah like they needed some white behind him during the primaries.
Its a grey area legaly, which is why they shouldn’t be there unless ordered to by the cinc. In which case it is a legal order.
My husband is active duty Air Force and I know that has told me in the past that they are not allowed to wear their uniform to political functions (like supporting a candidate). They can get in a lot of trouble for doing so. I know he’s the commander in chief, but this isn’t like he’s addressing just members of the service, he’s selling a bill (of goods!), so it seems inappropriate if nothing else.
No. What’s the punchline?
http://74.125.47.132/search?q=cache:jgRosTFEQOEJ:www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/134410p.pdf+Department+of+Defense+Directive+1344.10+(DoDD+1344.10)&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=us
We always understood we were not to go to any kind of political event in our uniform. I even took it so far as to not talk about the Commander in Chief while I was home on leave and in civvies.
Not because I liked the scumbag, but because people knew I was a Marine. That was enough for me to not want to present a negative image of my Corps as an organization filled with malcontents.
When you put on the uniform, it is with certain understandings. Foremost among those is that while you serve a “democracy”, you give up certain rights. One of those is the right to come and go as you see fit, dressed as you see fit.
In addition, you have an obligation to present yourself in a manner that will not besmirch your chosen branch of service, or the military in general. Wearing your uniform to a politcal rally when you are not a member of the color guard certainly qualifies.
Speaking of, I understand they are Army, but the new practice of wearing cammies everywhere you go annoys me. The only time we were allowed to wear cammies in public was for short trips. In and out of a gas station, atm, etc. If we were going to be in public for anything beyond that, we were in-minimum-our service “Charlies”.
Hmm, after looking at it, that link may not work, sorry.
The short of it is, if you want to read what the DoD has to say about it, do a google search on DoD directive 1344.10.
Our troops pay for America’s political freedom everyday and all you people can do is complain about that – if any of you had souls you would feel shame.
If Preisdent Obama really wanted to help the people of Elkhart who are unemployed, he would allow drilling for oil in Alaska and other major oil fields around the country.
Just announcing a policy that we will begin using our country’s own natural resources would immediately lower the price for oil and other energy which would make the RV’s that had previously been made in Elkhart more affordable.
The reason that the RV companies closed is that gas prices were too high for people to be able to afford to use an RV.
On February 9th, 2009 at 3:12 pm, Ilovemycountry said:
Our troops pay for America’s political freedom everyday and all you people can do is complain about that – if any of you had souls you would feel shame.
———————————–
“If any of us had souls”?
I know dramatics are what people with your political views specialize in, but please, spare me.
It apparently escaped you that it is a violation of military policy to attend political events in uniform. Surely you, of all people, do not believe our military is “above the law”, be it our country’s law or their own rules.
Military personnel are not allowed to attend partisan political rallies in uniform – regardless whether the POTUS is there or not.
someone else posted the reference earlier, but someone said this was OK since Obama is the CiC.
Wrong.
had this beena rally at a military base where the Presiednt was visiting them, then no foul.
But the sole purpose of this “townhall” was for Obama to push his economics – his partisan economics. The waer of military uniforms to such a rally is a no go!
Speaking of, I understand they are Army, but the new practice of wearing cammies everywhere you go annoys me. The only time we were allowed to wear cammies in public was for short trips. In and out of a gas station, atm, etc. If we were going to be in public for anything beyond that, we were in-minimum-our service “Charlies”.
Dittos.
Unless you are on base/post, if you are attending a rally/event you are supposed to wear your service (blue shirt uniform for AF) uniform, not your ABU/DCU/BDU.
I’d gladly take an Article 15 than to be used as an Obama TOOL for propaganda purposes!
Yawn!!! Are you ever going to add anything intelligent to a conversation?
and
I agree! No uniforms at a political speech. Unless the CINC is addressing you on board your base/post.
Sempre Fi!
On February 9th, 2009 at 3:32 pm, twofoot said:
On February 9th, 2009 at 3:12 pm, Ilovemycountry said:
Our troops pay for America’s political freedom everyday and all you people can do is complain about that – if any of you had souls you would feel shame.
Yawn!!! Are you ever going to add anything intelligent to a conversation?
————————————–
ILMC is the ultimate “swoop and poop” artist. I think from now on I’ll just wipe it off and move on – no point in trying to have a logical discussion.
Ughhhh. And to think I rooted for the Kent State National Guard and that I used to be one of those ‘jack-booted thugs’…..
Its not going to be pretty if I have to go all Francis Marion or Red Dawn one day. Im getting too old for this ##$@$%@#^#&#$&#$%!@%#@$^%#%@^&#$%
Funny, I have had the unexplainable urge to watch Red Dawn again next time I am home.
On February 9th, 2009 at 3:49 pm, twofoot said:
Its not going to be pretty if I have to go all Francis Marion or Red Dawn one day. Im getting too old for this ##$@$%@#^#&#$&#$%!@%#@$^%#%@^&#$%
Funny, I have had the unexplainable urge to watch Red Dawn again next time I am home.
————————————–
Also known as The Movie Patrick Swayze and Jennifer Grey Were In Together Before Dirty Dancing.
WOLVERINES!
Yes, well, the assumption when looking at the tape is that these are “real” military personnel …. vs ACORN plants.
hmmm, show me your dd214 and I’ll show you mine. lol
I think a lot of us on her have earned the right to say what we want above and beyond the basic constitutional rights.
As the saying goes, a bitching soldier is a happy soldier. (you dont have to worry unless the bitching stops… and then you had better hope you have the pin in your hand so you can get it back in place in about two seconds)
Unless you are busy North Koreanizing the US…
You people must be really old to remember America as a nation of laws…
Just for the record – were you ever one of “Our troops”? Many here were, yet here you are lecturing them…
’scuse me, but…
ANYBODY, ANYWHERE can buy military fatigues EVERYWHERE!!!
Like…
HERE…
HERE…
HERE…
…and a gazillion other places open to the general public!
PresB0 makes me sick to my stomach. He is a liar and an master manipulator of the First Order.
Excuse me while I throw up in my mouth. He had a couple of low grade enlisted people that probably got a day off for showing up at his rally. This guy makes a $3.00 bill look authentic.
I’ve been teaching my daughter the amendments to the constitution in laymans terms. (so in brief…)
The 1st amendment…. you have the right to say whatever you want, whenever you want.
The 5th amendment…. then again, you also have the right to shut the f@!# up
So we joke ‘Please fully utilize your right to the 5th amendment – before I need enforce it for you. And it would be best if I dont have to lay the 2nd amendment out on the table’
Ill show you my dd214 if you show me yours(ILMC) …
Uh oh.
Looks like my comment got whacked…
Is there a new rule forbidding calling an elected official a liar (the worst part of my comment)?
The rest of my comment showed multiple places where military fatigues can be purchased by virtually ANYBODY! Surely there’s nothing wrong with that! Right?
I hate to point this out to you, but he’s the CinC, whether we (or they) like it or not. They’d be up there in clown suits if they were so ordered.
Couldn’t agree more. Looks sloppy and unprofessional.
I’d tend to believe that almost every commenter on this thread has military experience, most of them with warzone time. I’d also tend to believe that the closest you’ve been to a uniform is shoving past a female GI to beat her to a seat on the subway.
it may have been a ‘blip’. I lost a comment too, which is going to look funny with my other entries, if my original comment shows back up later
On February 9th, 2009 at 4:18 pm, txvet2 said:
I hate to point this out to you, but he’s the CinC, whether we (or they) like it or not. They’d be up there in clown suits if they were so ordered.
————————————–
So, if it is against military policy to attend a political event in uniform, but they are directly ordered by the President (whoever that may be) to do so, the order trumps the military policy?
Just trying to make sure I’m clear on what the rules are.
Let me add, I wonder about any President who orders military in uniform to attend a speech. What does he need it for, security? He has his own Secret Service detail.
Fixed that for you
txvet: Note my earlier posting (#38). If a commander (Commander in Chief or not) gives an illegal order, you are duty bound NOT to comply.
BTW, the only clown on stage was the one at the microphone…
frostrt: It isn’t policy, it is regulations. The President is the Commander in Chief, but that doesn’t allow him/her to override the regulations.
Besides, this could be another “slippery slope” which would allow any President to order the troops to fall out and rally for his cause.
Kinda like they do in North Korea, Iran, and other “worker’s paradises” that have departed from the world stage.
On February 9th, 2009 at 4:40 pm, nail49 said:
the order trumps the military policy?
frostrt: It isn’t policy, it is regulations. The President is the Commander in Chief, but that doesn’t allow him/her to override the regulations.
Besides, this could be another “slippery slope” which would allow any President to order the troops to fall out and rally for his cause.
Kinda like they do in North Korea, Iran, and other “worker’s paradises” that have departed from the world stage.
————————————–
Thanks. That’s pretty much what I thought, but Txvet2 seemed to think they would’ve had to be there in uniform if ordered by President Obama to be there in uniform.
I said @#65:
#69 RabbidSquirrel said:
OK. So I’ll try again…
A few links where ANYbody can buy military fatigues/camo:
Here…
Here…
Here…
…and many more here!
+1
Happened again…!
Are we not supposed to post URLs any more, or what?
Ilovemycountry said: SSG SONOFDY SAYS DROP AND GIVE ME 50 FOUR COUNT PUSHUPS!!!!!!
IN CADENCE!!!!
1,2,3 – 1
1,2,3 – 1
1,2,3 – 1
1,2,3 – 1
1,2,3 – 1
1,2,3 – 1
1,2,3 – 1
YOU BETTER GET IT RIGHT!!!
Gad, I’m old. When Ronald Reagan visited our AF base a lot of years ago, there were so many people who wanted to meet him, many were turned away for space and security reasons. No need to coerce anyone to show up–we loved him and he sincerely loved the troops.
The CINC can order troops to attend any meeting he wants. He just can’t order them to like it. My guess is these troops came on thier own and now need to be carefull of some sort of legal action against them.
FirstSkirt said: (#80)
Well, not only did he love the troops, but had been an Army officer in WWII. (Okay, mostly making training movies, but he was rather nearsighted, so he couldn’t have fought anyway.)
And I miss him terribly.
To the uniform question: I understand that servicemen are NOT to attend anything of a partisan political nature in uniform, with the probable exception of a color guard. We are also supposed to refuse illegal orders.
I also wish that the Army wore their office uniforms (Class As and Bs) more. The ACUs are supposed to be a field uniform.
Wow.
Whacked comment now here (#63). All following re-numbered.
Re-post gone (as it should be, since first showed up)…
Thanks, Michelle!
To some extant I agree, but if they are in a travel status, wearing the BDU is the right way to go.
If I see a military member anywhere in their uniform, I go out of my way to pay for their meal, help them in any way if they need it, or just shake their hand and thank them for keeping my family safe.
It’s the least I can do for them, particularly given the crap they have had thrown at them for the past 8 years.
I was in the Army. Did you ever serve commie-boy?
They broke the rules, plain and simple. Even someone as dumb as you should be able to understand the UCMJ.
Do you not remember Clinton retaking the White House lawn when he was proclaiming victory in Somalia and pulling soldiers out of there?
It happened before Blackhawk Down. It was the most disgusting misuse of soldiers I have ever seen.
Bubba was playing politics saying the effort in Somalia was stabilizing, and he was bringing soldiers home.
He had about 8-10 soldiers in DCU’s lined up behind him, and they all marched forward to the podium where Bubba made his speech.
I never saw anything like that before or since.
Shortly after, Blackhawk Down happens, likely because Bubba had already pulled most if not all of the armor out of Somalia.
Edited to add:
It was quite some time after Blackhawk Down that I read Mark Bowden’s news articles about the incident. It was the first I had heard our soldiers had been in such a lengthy firefight there. The media covered it as if it was a 10 minute fight.
It was even more shocking to read Bowden’s account when his book came out.
And if you had any street smarts you would leave the room, and leave the discussion of serious issues to the adults. Stoned, stupid and being a full time troll is no way to go through life.