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Kerry shunned by Marines at a Wendy's

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  • Kerry shunned by Marines at a Wendy's



    Earlier, their bus convoy pulled over at a Wendy's fast food restaurant for a photo opportunity lunch that provided an awkward moment.

    Spotting a group of US Marines, Kerry, who has made his Vietnam War service a cornerstone of his campaign, went over to chat. The Marines, who all turned out to be staunch Bush reporters(sic), were not impressed.

    "He imposed on us and I disagree with him coming over here shaking our hands," one of them told reporters afterwards. "I'm 100 percent against" Kerry, he said. "We support our commander-in-chief 100 percent."
    They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.
    --Benjamin Franklin

    There is danger from all men. The only maxim of a free government ought to be to trust no man living with power to endanger the public liberty.--John Adams

  • #2
    Kerry was lucky he didn't start pissing Napalm.

    Comment


    • #3
      It feels good to have such warriors on my side, if only every current and former service member alive supported Bush then the election would be a huge defeat for Kerry.

      Comment


      • #4
        Originally posted by phalanx


        Earlier, their bus convoy pulled over at a Wendy's fast food restaurant for a photo opportunity lunch that provided an awkward moment.

        Spotting a group of US Marines, Kerry, who has made his Vietnam War service a cornerstone of his campaign, went over to chat. The Marines, who all turned out to be staunch Bush reporters(sic), were not impressed.

        "He imposed on us and I disagree with him coming over here shaking our hands," one of them told reporters afterwards. "I'm 100 percent against" Kerry, he said. "We support our commander-in-chief 100 percent."
        Oh man. Kerry's violating the arm length rule, and is very close to poking that Marine in the chest. It looks a lot like he's trying to pick a fight, and I doubt he is entitled to having secret service agents watching his back either. Plus that group of Marines could misconstrue his gesture as threatening to shoot the one standing.

        Comment


        • #5
          Good Marine. Despite his personal feelings there he is at attention. Gotta love well disciplined troops. :)

          Is there a link for this story?

          ALL STORIES POSTED SHOULD HAVE LINKS IF AT ALL POSSIBLE.

          Woulda been better if the Marine punched him though, lol.

          Comment


          • #6
            Originally posted by M21Sniper
            Woulda been better if the Marine punched him though, lol.
            I second that :) He does look a bit agressive towards that marine.

            Comment


            • #7
              http://www.blogsforbush.com/mt/archives/001598.html

              I heard a bit about it on Fox News this morning but this is where i found it on the net.
              They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.
              --Benjamin Franklin

              There is danger from all men. The only maxim of a free government ought to be to trust no man living with power to endanger the public liberty.--John Adams

              Comment


              • #8
                First the United States Military supports 100 percent whomever is President at the time.... end of Discussion.

                Second it sounds to me like that Member of the United States Marine Corps broke United States Federal Law and should be charged..... and if found guilty at the very least Discharged from the United States Military

                Department of Defense Directive


                DIRECTIVE

                NUMBER 1344.10

                June 15, 1990

                Certified Current as of December 1, 2003

                Incorporating Through Change 2, February 17, 2000

                ASD(FMP)

                SUBJECT: Political Activities by Members of the Armed
                Forces on Active Duty

                References: (a) DoD Directive 1344.10, "Political
                Activities by Members of the Armed Forces," September
                25, 1986 (hereby canceled)

                (b) Title 10, United States Code

                (c) DoD Directive 5200.2, "DoD Personnel Security Program,"
                April 9, 1999

                (d) DoD Directive 1325.6, "Guidelines for Handling
                Dissident and Protest Activities Among Members of the
                Armed Forces," October 1, 1996

                (e) through (h), see enclosure 1

                1. REISSUANCE AND PURPOSE

                This Directive:

                1.1. Reissues reference (a) to update DoD policies
                on political activities of members of the Armed Forces
                on active duty (AD).

                1.2. Implements Section 973(b) of reference (b).

                2. APPLICABILITY

                This Directive applies to the Office of the Secretary
                of Defense, the Military Departments (including the
                Coast Guard when it is not operating as a Military Service
                in the Department of the Navy by agreement with the
                Department of Transportation), the Office of the Chairman
                of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Combatant Commands,
                the Office of the Inspector General of the Department
                of Defense, the Defense Agencies, the DoD Field Activities,
                and all other organizational entities within the Department
                of Defense (hereafter referred to collectively as "the
                DoD Components").

                3. DEFINITIONS

                The terms used in this Directive are defined in enclosure
                2.

                4. POLICY

                It is DoD policy that a member of the Armed Forces (hereafter
                referred to as "member") is encouraged to carry out
                the obligations of a citizen. While on AD, however,
                members are prohibited from engaging in certain political
                activities. Subject to the guidelines in enclosure
                3, the following DoD policy shall apply:

                4.1. General

                4.1.1. A member on AD may:

                4.1.1.1. Register, vote, and express his or her personal
                opinion on political candidates and issues, but not
                as a representative of the Armed Forces.

                4.1.1.2. Make monetary contributions to a political
                organization.

                4.1.1.3. Attend partisan and nonpartisan political
                meetings or rallies as a spectator when not in uniform.

                4.1.2. A member on AD shall not:

                4.1.2.1. Use his or her official authority or influence
                for interfering with an election; affecting the course
                or outcome of an election; soliciting votes for a particular
                candidate or issue; or requiring or soliciting political
                contributions from others.

                4.1.2.2. Be a candidate for, or hold, civil office
                except as authorized in paragraphs 4.2. and 4.3., below.

                4.1.2.3. Participate in partisan political management,
                campaigns, or conventions.

                4.1.2.4. Make campaign contributions to another member
                of the Armed Forces or an employee of the Federal Government.

                4.1.3. To assist in applying subparagraphs 4.1.1. and
                4.1.2., above, to particular situations, enclosure 3
                provides guidelines and examples of permissible and
                prohibited political activities. The guidelines in
                enclosure 3 do not supersede other specific requirements
                and policies, such as those established in DoD Directives
                5200.2 and 1325.6 (references (c) and (d)).

                4.1.4. Enclosure 4 provides a summary of Federal statutes
                restricting certain types of political activities by
                members of the Armed Forces.

                4.2. Candidacy for Elective Office. A member on AD
                may not:

                4.2.1. Campaign as a nominee, or as a candidate for
                nomination, for civil office, except as authorized in
                subparagraph 4.3.3., below. When circumstances warrant,
                the Secretary concerned or the Secretary's designee
                may permit a member to file such evidence of nomination
                or candidacy for nomination, as may be required by law.
                Such permission shall not authorize activity while
                on AD that is otherwise prohibited in subparagraph 4.1.2.,
                above, or enclosure 3 or 4.

                4.2.2. Become a candidate for any civil office while
                serving an initial tour of extended active duty (EAD)
                or a tour of EAD that the member agreed to perform as
                a condition of receiving schooling or other training
                wholly or partly at U.S. Government expense.

                4.3. Election or Appointment to Civil Office

                4.3.1. Except as authorized by subparagraph 4.3.3.,
                below, or otherwise provided for by law, no member on
                AD may hold or exercise the functions of civil office:

                4.3.1.1. In the U.S. Government that:

                4.3.1.1.1. Is an elective office.

                4.3.1.1.2. Requires an appointment by the President
                by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.

                4.3.1.1.3. Is a position on the executive schedule
                under sections 5312 through 5317 of reference (e).

                4.3.1.2. In the government of a State; the District
                of Columbia; a territory, possession, or commonwealth
                of the United States; or in any political subdivision
                thereof.

                4.3.2. A member may hold or exercise the functions
                of a civil office in the U.S. Government that is not
                described in subparagraph 4.3.1.1., above, when assigned
                or detailed to such office or to perform such functions.

                4.3.3. As long as they are not serving on EAD, enlisted
                members and Reserve officers may hold partisan or nonpartisan
                civil office if such office is held in a private capacity
                and does not interfere with the performance of military
                duties. Additionally, enlisted members on EAD may
                seek and hold nonpartisan civil office as a notary public
                or member of a school board, neighborhood planning commission,
                or similar local agency, as long as such office is held
                in a private capacity and does not interfere with the
                performance of military duties. Officers on active
                duty may seek and hold nonpartisan civil office on an
                independent school board that is located exclusively
                on a military reservation.

                4.3.4. Unless prohibited by Service regulations, a
                member on AD may serve as a regular or reserve civilian
                law enforcement officer or as a member of a civilian
                fire or rescue squad. Such service shall be in a private
                capacity, shall not involve the exercise of military
                authority, and shall not interfere with the performance
                of military duties.

                4.3.5. A member elected or appointed to a prohibited
                civil office may request retirement and shall be retired
                if eligible for retirement. If such member does not
                request or is not eligible for retirement, the member
                shall be discharged or released from AD, as determined
                by the Secretary concerned.

                4.3.6. The separation and retirement requirements of
                subparagraph 4.3.5., above, do not apply if the member
                declines to serve in the prohibited office; if the Secretary
                concerned determines that the member should not be released
                from active duty based on the needs of the Service;
                or if the member is:

                4.3.6.1. Obligated to fulfill an AD service commitment.

                4.3.6.2. Serving or has been issued orders to serve
                afloat or in an area that is overseas, remote, a combat
                zone, or a hostile fire pay area.

                4.3.6.3. Ordered to remain on AD while the subject
                of an investigation or inquiry.

                4.3.6.4. Accused of an offense under the Uniform Code
                of Military Justice (UCMJ), 10 U.S.C. chapter 47 (reference
                (b)), or serving a sentence or punishment for such offense.

                4.3.6.5. Pending administrative separation action or
                proceedings.

                4.3.6.6. Indebted to the United States.

                4.3.6.7. On AD during a period of declared war, a national
                emergency, or other period when a unit of the Reserves
                or National Guard has been called to AD.

                4.3.6.8. In violation of an order or regulation prohibiting
                such member from assuming or exercising the functions
                of civil office.

                4.3.7. A member who refuses to decline to serve in
                a prohibited civil office after being denied separation
                or retirement in accordance with subparagraph 4.3.6.,
                above, may be subject to disciplinary or adverse administrative
                action under Service regulations.

                4.3.8. No actions undertaken by a member in carrying
                out assigned military duties shall be invalidated solely
                by virtue of such member having assumed or exercised
                the functions of a civil office in violation of paragraph
                4.3., above.

                5. RESPONSIBILITIES

                5.1. The Assistant Secretary of Defense (Force Management
                Policy) (ASD(FMP)) shall be responsible for the administration
                of this Directive.

                5.2. The Secretaries of the Military Departments shall
                be responsible for issuance of appropriate implementing
                documents for their respective Departments.

                6. PROCEDURES

                All members of the Armed Forces on AD engaging in political
                activities shall follow the guidelines in enclosure
                3.

                7. EFFECTIVE DATE

                This Directive is effective immediately.

                Enclosures - 4

                E1. References, continued

                E2. Definitions

                E3. Guidelines on Political Activities

                E4. Statutory Restrictions Pertaining to Political
                Activities by Members of the Armed Forces

                E1. ENCLOSURE 1

                REFERENCES, continued

                (e) Title 5, United States Code

                (f) DoD Directive 1334.1, "Wearing of the Uniform,"
                August 11, 1969

                (g) Sections 441a, 441f, and 441g of title 2, United
                States Code

                (h) Sections 592 through 594, 596, 602 through 603,
                606 through 607, and 609 of title 18, United States
                Code

                E2. ENCLOSURE 2

                DEFINITIONS

                E2.1.1. Active Duty (AD). Full-time duty in the active
                Military Service of the United States without regard
                to duration or purpose, including:

                E2.1.1.1. Full-time training duty;

                E2.1.1.2. Annual training duty;

                E2.1.1.3. Attendance, while in the active Military
                Service, at a school designated as a Service school
                by law or by the Secretary of the Military Department
                concerned; and

                E2.1.1.4. National Guard duty, as defined in 10 U.S.C.
                101(42) (reference (b)).

                E2.1.2. Armed Forces. The U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force,
                Marine Corps, and Coast Guard, including the Reserve
                components and the National Guard, as defined in 10
                U.S.C. 101(9), 101(10), and 101(12) (reference (b)).

                E2.1.3. Civil Office. A non-military office involving
                the exercise of the powers or authority of civil government,
                to include elective and appointive office in the U.S.
                Government, a U.S. territory or possession, State, county,
                municipality, or official subdivision thereof.

                E2.1.4. Extended Active Duty (EAD). AD under a call
                or order for a period in excess of 270 days.

                E2.1.5. Nonpartisan Political Activity. Activity
                supporting or relating to candidates not representing,
                or issues not specifically identified with, national
                or State political parties and associated or ancillary
                organizations. Issues relating to constitutional amendments,
                referendums, approval of municipal ordinances, and others
                of similar character are not considered under this Directive
                as specifically being identified with national or State
                political parties.

                E2.1.6. Partisan Political Activity. Activity supporting
                or relating to candidates representing, or issues specifically
                identified with, national or State political parties
                and associated or ancillary organizations.

                E2.1.7. Secretary Concerned. Defined in 10 U.S.C.
                101(9) (reference (b)).

                E3. ENCLOSURE 3

                GUIDELINES ON POLITICAL ACTIVITIES

                E3.1. PURPOSE

                This enclosure provides guidance for implementing this
                Directive.

                E3.2. EXAMPLES OF PERMISSIBLE POLITICAL ACTIVITIES


                A member on AD may:

                E3.2.1. Register, vote, and express a personal opinion
                on political candidates and issues, but not as a representative
                of the Armed Forces.

                E3.2.2. Promote and encourage other military members
                to exercise their voting franchise, if such promotion
                does not constitute an attempt to influence or interfere
                with the outcome of an election.

                E3.2.3. Join a political club and attend its meetings
                when not in uniform. See DoD Directive 1334.1 (reference
                (f)).

                E3.2.4. Serve as an election official, if such service
                is not as a representative of a partisan political party,
                does not interfere with military duties, is performed
                while out of uniform, and has the prior approval of
                the Secretary concerned or the Secretary's designee.

                E3.2.5. Sign a petition for specific legislative action
                or a petition to place a candidate's name on an official
                election ballot, if the signing does not obligate the
                member to engage in partisan political activity and
                is done as a private citizen and not as a representative
                of the Armed Forces.

                E3.2.6. Write a letter to the editor of a newspaper
                expressing the member's personal views on public issues
                or political candidates, if such action is not part
                of an organized letter-writing campaign or concerted
                solicitation of votes for or against a political party
                or partisan political cause or candidate.

                E3.2.7. Make monetary contributions to a political
                organization, party, or committee favoring a particular
                candidate or slate of candidates, subject to the limitations
                under 2 U.S.C. 441a and 18 U.S.C. 607 (references (g)
                and (h)).

                E3.2.8. Display a political sticker on the member's
                private vehicle.

                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 AD 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
                section 4., 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
                or campaigns, or make public speeches in the course
                thereof.

                E3.3.4. Make a campaign contribution to another member
                of the Armed Forces or to a civilian officer or employee
                of the United States for promoting a political objective
                or cause.

                E3.3.5. Solicit or receive a campaign contribution
                from another member of the Armed Forces or from a civilian
                officer or employee of the United States for promoting
                a political objective or cause.

                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 or candidate.

                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
                of any kind for promoting a partisan political party
                or candidate.

                E3.3.9. Participate in any radio, television, or other
                program or group discussion as an advocate of a partisan
                political party or candidate.

                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 DoD Directives 5200.2 and
                1325.6 (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.

                E3.4. POLITICAL ACTIVITIES NOT EXPRESSLY PERMITTED
                OR PROHIBITED

                Some activities not expressly prohibited may be contrary
                to the spirit and intent of section 4. of this Directive
                or section E3.3. of this enclosure. In determining
                whether an activity violates the traditional concept
                that Service members should not engage in partisan political
                activity, rules of reason and common sense shall apply.
                Any activity that may be viewed as associating the
                Department of Defense or the Department of Transportation,
                in the case of the Coast Guard, or any components of
                such Departments directly or indirectly with a partisan
                political cause or candidate shall be avoided.

                E3.5. LOCAL NONPARTISAN POLITICAL ACTIVITIES

                This Directive does not preclude participation in local
                nonpartisan political campaigns, initiatives, or referendums.
                A member taking part in local nonpartisan political
                activity, however, shall not:

                E3.5.1. Wear a uniform or use any Government property
                or facilities while participating.

                E3.5.2. Allow such participation to interfere with,
                or prejudice, the member's performance of military duties.

                E3.5.3. Engage in conduct that in any way may imply
                that the Department concerned or any component of such
                Department has taken an official position on, or is
                otherwise involved in, the local political campaign
                or issue.

                E3.6. ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

                Members of the Armed Forces on AD engaging in permissible
                political activities shall:

                E3.6.1. Give full time and attention to the performance
                of military duties during prescribed duty hours.

                E3.6.2. Avoid any outside activities that may be prejudicial
                to the performance of military duties or are likely
                to bring discredit upon the Armed Forces.

                E3.6.3. Refrain from participating in any political
                activity while in military uniform, as proscribed by
                DoD Directive 1334.1 (reference (f)), or using Government
                facilities or resources for furthering political activities.

                E4. ENCLOSURE 4

                STATUTORY RESTRICTIONS PERTAINING TO POLITICAL ACTIVITIES
                BY MEMBERS OF THE ARMED FORCES

                Members of the Armed Forces are prohibited by various
                provisions of titles 10, 2, and 18, United States Code
                (references (b), (g), and (h)), from engaging in certain
                types of political activities. The statutory provisions
                most directly applicable to members of the Armed Forces
                are as follows:

                "Title 10 U.S.C. Sec. 973. Duties: officers on
                active duty; performance of civil functions restricted

                "(a) No officer of an Armed Force on active duty
                may accept employment if that employment requires him
                to be separated from his organization, branch, or unit,
                or interferes with the performance of his military duties.

                "(b)(1) This subsection applies--

                (A) to a Regular officer of an Armed Force on the
                active-duty list (and a Regular officer of the Coast
                Guard on the active duty promotion list);

                (B) to a retired Regular officer of an Armed Force
                serving on active duty under a call or order to active
                duty for a period in excess of 270 days; and

                (C) to a Reserve officer of an Armed Force serving
                on active duty under a call or order to active duty
                for a period in excess of 270 days.

                (2)(A) Except as otherwise authorized by law, an
                officer to whom this subsection applies may not hold,
                or exercise the functions of, a civil office in the
                Government of the United States--

                (i) that is an elective office;

                (ii) that requires an appointment by the President
                by and with the advice and consent of the Senate; or

                (iii) that is a position in the Executive Schedule
                under sections 5312 through 5317 of title 5.

                (B) An officer to whom this subsection applies may
                hold or exercise the function of a civil office in the
                Government of the United States that is not described
                in subparagraph (A) when assigned or detailed to that
                office or to perform those functions.

                (3) Except as otherwise authorized by law, an officer
                to whom this subsection applies may not hold or exercise,
                by election or appointment, the functions of a civil
                office in the government of a State, the District of
                Columbia, or a territory, possession, or commonwealth
                of the United States (or of any political subdivision
                of any such government).

                (4) Nothing in this subsection shall be construed
                to invalidate any action undertaken by an officer in
                furtherance of assigned official duties.

                "(c) An officer to whom subsection (b) applies may
                seek and hold nonpartisan civil office on an independent
                school board that is located exclusively on a military
                reservation.

                "(d) The Secretary of Defense, and the Secretary
                of Transportation with respect to the Coast Guard when
                it is not operating in the Navy, shall prescribe regulations
                to implement this section."

                "Title 2 U.S.C. Sec. 441a. Limitations on contributions
                and expenditures

                "(a) Dollar limits on contributions

                (1) No person shall make contributions--

                (A) to any candidate and his authorized political
                committees with respect to any election for Federal
                office which, in the aggregate, exceed $1,000;

                (B) to the political committees established and
                maintained by a national political party, which are
                not the authorized political committees of any candidate
                in any calendar year which, in the aggregate, exceed
                $20,000; or

                (C) to any other political committee in any calendar
                year which, in the aggregate, exceed $5,000.

                (2) No multicandidate political committee shall
                make contributions--

                (A) to any candidate and his authorized political
                committees with respect to any election for Federal
                office which, in the aggregate, exceed $5,000;

                (B) to the political committees established and
                maintained by a national political party, which are
                not the authorized political committees of any candidate,
                in any calendar year, which, in the aggregate, exceed
                $15,000; or

                (C) to any other political committee in any calendar
                year which, in the aggregate, exceed $5,000.

                No individual shall make contributions aggregating
                more than $25,000 in any calendar year. For purposes
                of this paragraph, any contribution made to a candidate
                in a year other than the calendar year in which the
                election is held with respect to which such contribution
                is made is considered to be made during the calendar
                year in which such election is held.

                . . .

                For purposes of the limitations imposed by this section,
                all contributions made by a person, either directly
                or indirectly, on behalf of a particular candidate,
                including contributions which are in any way earmarked
                or otherwise directed through an intermediary or conduit
                to such candidate, shall be treated as contributions
                from such person to such candidate. The intermediary
                or conduit shall report the original source and the
                intended recipient of such contribution to the Commission
                and to the intended recipient.

                . . . . "

                "Title 2 U.S.C. Sec. 441f. Contributions in the
                name of another prohibited

                "No person shall make a contribution in the name of
                another person or knowingly permit his name to be used
                to effect such contribution, and no person shall knowingly
                accept a contribution made by one person in the name
                of another person."

                "Title 2 U.S.C. Sec. 441g. Limitation on contribution
                of currency

                "No person shall make contributions of currency of
                the United States or currency of any foreign country
                to or for the benefit of any candidate which, in the
                aggregate, exceed $100, with respect to any campaign
                of such candidate for nomination for election, or for
                election, to Federal office."

                "Title 2 U.S.C. Sec. 592. Troops at polls

                "Whoever, being an officer of the Army or Navy, or
                other person in the civil, military, or naval service
                of the United States, orders, brings, keeps, or has
                under his authority or control any troops or armed men
                at any place where a general or special election is
                held, unless such forces be necessary to repel armed
                enemies of the United States, shall be fined not more
                than $5,000 or imprisoned not more than five years,
                or both; and be disqualified from holding any office
                of honor, profit, or trust under the United States.

                "This section shall not prevent any officer or member
                of the Armed Forces of the United States from exercising
                the right of suffrage in any election district to which
                he may belong, if otherwise qualified according to the
                laws of the State in which he offers to vote."

                "Title 18 U.S.C. Sec. 593. Interference by Armed
                Forces

                "Whoever, being an officer or member of the Armed
                Forces of the United States, prescribes or fixes or
                attempts to prescribe or fix, whether by proclamation,
                order or otherwise, the qualifications of voters at
                any election in any State; or

                "Whoever, being such officer or member, prevents or
                attempts to prevent by force, threat, intimidation,
                advice or otherwise any qualified voter of any State
                from fully exercising the right of suffrage at any general
                or special election; or

                "Whoever, being such officer or member, orders or
                compels or attempts to compel any election officer in
                any State to receive a vote from a person not legally
                qualified to vote; or

                "Whoever, being such officer or member, imposes or
                attempts to impose any regulations for conducting any
                general or special election in a State, different from
                those prescribed by law; or

                "Whoever, being such officer or member, interferes
                in any manner with an election officer's discharge of
                his duties--

                "Shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not
                more than five years, or both; and disqualified from
                holding any office of honor, profit or trust under the
                United States.

                "This section shall not prevent any officer or member
                of the Armed Forces from exercising the right of suffrage
                in any district to which he may belong, if otherwise
                qualified according to the laws of the State of such
                district."

                "Title 18 U.S.C. Sec. 594. Intimidation of voters

                "Whoever intimidates, threatens, coerces, or attempts
                to intimidate, threaten, or coerce, any other person
                for the purpose of interfering with the right of such
                other person to vote or to vote as he may choose, or
                of causing such other person to vote for, or not to
                vote for, any candidate for the office of President,
                Vice President, Presidential elector, Member of the
                Senate, Member of the House of Representatives, Delegate
                from the District of Columbia, or Resident Commissioner,
                at any election held solely or in part for the purpose
                of electing such candidate, shall be fined under this
                title or imprisoned not more than one year, or both."

                "Title 18 U.S.C. Sec. 596. Polling Armed Forces

                "Whoever, within or without the Armed Forces of the
                United States, polls any member of such forces, either
                within or without the United States, either before or
                after he executes any ballot under any Federal or State
                law, with reference to his choice of or his vote for
                any candidate, or states, publishes, or releases any
                result of any purported poll taken from or among the
                members of the Armed Forces of the United States or
                including within it the statement of choice for such
                candidate or of such votes cast by any member of the
                Armed Forces of the United States, shall be fined under
                this title or imprisoned for not more than one year,
                or both.

                "The word 'poll' means any request for information,
                verbal or written, which by its language or form of
                expression requires or implies the necessity of an answer,
                where the request is made with the intent of compiling
                the result of the answers obtained, either for the personal
                use of the person making the request, or for the purpose
                of reporting the same to any other person, persons,
                political party, unincorporated association or corporation,
                or for the purpose of publishing the same orally, by
                radio, or in written or printed form."

                "Title 18 U.S.C. Sec. 602. Solicitation of political
                contributions

                "It shall be unlawful for--

                (1) a candidate for the Congress;

                (2) an individual elected to or serving in the office
                of Senator or Representative in, or Delegate or Resident
                Commissioner to, the Congress;

                (3) an officer or employee of the United States
                or any Department or Agency thereof; or

                (4) a person receiving any salary or compensation
                for services from money derived from the Treasury of
                the United States to knowingly solicit any contribution
                within the meaning of section 301(8) of the Federal
                Election Campaign Act of 1971 from any other such officer,
                employee, or person. Any person who violates this
                section shall be fined under this title or imprisoned
                not more than three years, or both."

                "Title 18 U.S.C. Sec. 603. Making political contributions

                "(a) It shall be unlawful for an officer or employee
                of the United States or any Department or Agency thereof,
                or a person receiving any salary or compensation for
                service from money derived from the Treasury of the
                United States, to make any contribution within the meaning
                of section 301(8) of the Federal Election Campaign Act
                of 1971 to any other such officer, employee or person
                or to any Senator or Representative in, or Delegate
                or Resident Commissioner to, the Congress, if the person
                receiving such contribution is the employer or employing
                authority of the person making the contribution. Any
                person who violates this section shall be fined under
                this title or imprisoned not more than three years,
                or both.

                "(b) For purposes of this section, a contribution
                to an authorized committee as defined in section 302(e)(1)
                of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971 shall be
                considered a contribution to the individual who has
                authorized such committee."

                "Title 18 U.S.C. Sec. 606. Intimidation to secure
                political contributions

                "Whoever, being one of the officers or employees of
                the United States mentioned in section 602 of this title,
                discharges or promotes, or degrades, or in any manner
                changes the official rank or compensation of any other
                officer or employee, or promises or threatens so to
                do, for giving or withholding or neglecting to make
                any contribution of money or other valuable thing for
                any political purpose, shall be fined under this title
                or imprisoned not more than three years, or both."

                "Title 18 U.S.C. Sec. 607. Place of solicitation

                "(a) It shall be unlawful for any person to solicit
                or receive any contribution within the meaning of section
                301(8) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971
                in any room or building occupied in the discharge of
                official duties by any person mentioned in section 603,
                or in any navy yard, fort, or arsenal. Any person
                who violates this section shall be fined under this
                title or imprisoned not more than three years, or both.

                "(b) The prohibition in subsection (a) shall not
                apply to the receipt of contributions by persons on
                the staff of a Senator or Representative in, or Delegate
                or Resident Commissioner to, the Congress, provided,
                that such contributions have not been solicited in any
                manner which directs the contributor to mail or deliver
                a contribution to any room, building, or other facility
                referred to in subsection (a), and provided that such
                contributions are transferred within seven days of receipt
                to a political committee within the meaning of section
                302(e) of the Federal Election Campaign Act of 1971."

                "Title 18 U.S.C. Sec. 609. Use of military authority
                to influence vote of member of Armed Forces

                *End Paste*




                Now that Directive clearly states among other things the following.....

                "Whoever, being a commissioned, noncommissioned, warrant,
                or petty officer of an Armed Force, uses military authority
                to influence the vote of a member of the Armed Forces
                or to require a member of the Armed Forces to march
                to a polling place, or attempts to do so, shall be fined
                in accordance with this title or imprisoned not more
                than five years, or both. Nothing in this section
                shall prohibit free discussion of political issues or
                candidates for public office."
                and

                "Whoever intimidates, threatens, coerces, or attempts
                to intimidate, threaten, or coerce, any other person
                for the purpose of interfering with the right of such
                other person to vote or to vote as he may choose, or
                of causing such other person to vote for, or not to
                vote for, any candidate for the office of President,
                Vice President, Presidential elector, Member of the
                Senate, Member of the House of Representatives, Delegate
                from the District of Columbia, or Resident Commissioner,
                at any election held solely or in part for the purpose
                of electing such candidate, shall be fined under this
                title or imprisoned not more than one year, or both."
                Also

                This Directive does not preclude participation in local
                nonpartisan political campaigns, initiatives, or referendums.
                A member taking part in local nonpartisan political
                activity, however, shall not:..........


                Engage in conduct that in any way may imply
                that the Department concerned or any component of such
                Department has taken an official position on, or is
                otherwise involved in, the local political campaign
                or issue.

                and


                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 AD 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.

                E3.3.11. Use contemptuous words against the officeholders
                described in 10 U.S.C. 888 (reference (b)), or participate
                in activities proscribed by DoD Directives 5200.2 and
                1325.6 (references (c) and (d)).
                If I was calling the shots and the stroy turned out to be true I would have that Marine Discharged.... and Fined.

                Lastly If said Member of the United States Marine Corps did hit or threaten to strike Senator Kerry the United States Secret Service could have and most likely would have killed him for doing so.... but short of that would have stopped him from harming the Senator and charged him with a crime.


                The United States Military is to be Non-Partisan.... Above Petty Politics..... It is what makes us better then everyone else and I can tell you this If the Marine did in fact say those things and I was there as witness to such he would have been charged because I would have filed the Complaint with his Command.






                HawkEye

                Comment


                • #9
                  The context isnt speaking for the whole Marine Corps. He can express his opinion any way he wants as far as i know. The fact that cameras were there has no bearing.

                  Hitting the french looking Kerry, i dont know where that came from.
                  They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.
                  --Benjamin Franklin

                  There is danger from all men. The only maxim of a free government ought to be to trust no man living with power to endanger the public liberty.--John Adams

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    He can not express his opinion any way he wants while in uniform that is fact that is law...... Many things he can not say in or out of Uniform if he is around his troops..... also fact, also Law.
                    The Marine allowed himself to be polled as to who he is going to be voting for..... that means whoever reported on the story and then allowed the story to get out to the public with this Marines views as to who he would like to see win in a Federal Election may have also broken Federal Law.
                    He also told his troops..... the very people he holds the power of life and death over that he is 100 percent against Kerry that in affect he would like to see President Bush win in a Federal Election.

                    That is why If the story is true..... If I had my way he would be out of the Military with bad paper...... I would based on his Service Record spare him from Prison but still fine him. And I would make sure everyone in the United States Military knew about it.
                    If the story is true..... If I was calling the shots at the DoD or If I was there as witness to such things do everything in my power to get rid of someone who Dishonored the Uniform of the United States Marine Corps.... and turned it into a mere Uniform of a Political Party.

                    Tell me what happens if Kerry does win? Knowing there is a Member of the United States Marine Corps that wants him out of the job..... and is not worried about having people know his feeling on a President Kerry, that he is 100 percent against Kerry? And not afraid of saying such things around his troops.... or the press.
                    A President Kerry could never count on that Marines loyalty to the Nation..... what would a President Kerry do?
                    What would you do if you were President knowing there is a Marine who is openly Against you and still Serving in the Military?

                    But never fear.... I have no Political Party to serve. I am No Political Preference I only care about the Constitution of the United States of America..... supporting and defending it against all enemies. In the end I only care that there is an Office of President and that the person in that office is a Civilian.

                    I have in my lifetime voted for people in both party’s.... and God willing will continue to do so. The people I vote for may or may not win on Election Day but each time my Nation holds a free and fair Election I win. You will never see me post about who I would like to see win in a Federal Election..... I want Americans to vote for who they would like to see win not for someone I would like to see win.
                    And I'm retired from Active Duty..... under the law I can say what I wish.... I just don't. I really don't want people to throw their vote away on someone merely because I said who I would like to see win.
                    There are a few in the Nation who like me who would like to see the right to vote taken off all Members of the United States Military while serving on Active Duty.... things have gotten too far out of hand what with many in the Nation saying the Military Supports one Political Party over another.
                    Before I posted the Law did you know it was against Federal Law to Poll Members of the United States Military to see who it is they will be voting for..... or who they have voted for in the past?
                    If the Military as a whole can not serve the Nation but only a mere Political Party then there are those like me who see the only answer being the removal of Voting Rights for the Active Military. Many years afterwards once the Military is reshaped and only Serving the Nation.... with a new Oath..... those Rights IMO could be given back.
                    But don't worry I doubt I will get what I want..... but I can keep telling people the Law on such matters and I have gotten lucky in the past and caught those on Active Duty telling others who to vote for or who they would like to see win when they hold the power of life and death over those people.
                    Also just think if there is a President Kerry 4 years from now when someone is running against him and the same thing happens except with a Active Duty Member pulling for Kerry while in Uniform with his Troops around and saying he is 100 percent against the other guy..... I'll post that what he did is illegal in the same way. Because in the end I have an entire Nation to worry about.



                    HawkEye

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Originally posted by HawkEye
                      He can not express his opinion any way he wants while in uniform
                      Agreed, but Kerry should not be allowed to take advantage of that either.
                      No man is free until all men are free - John Hossack
                      I agree completely with this Administration’s goal of a regime change in Iraq-John Kerry
                      even if that enforcement is mostly at the hands of the United States, a right we retain even if the Security Council fails to act-John Kerry
                      He may even miscalculate and slide these weapons off to terrorist groups to invite them to be a surrogate to use them against the United States. It’s the miscalculation that poses the greatest threat-John Kerry

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        Last I checked Kerry was a United States Senator.

                        U.S. Senators are allowed to do many thigns when it comes to the United States Military, ask many things, at any time they and they alone see fit to. If this member in question does not like this fact he can get out of the United States Military.... hes just not cut out for it.
                        I have never once heard of a United States Senator imposing on a Member of the Military while on duty and in Uniform have you?



                        HawkEye

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          It was a mistake. It was also a stupid mistake. However, as an Officer, I cannot bring discharge proceedings onto the NCM because of this mistake. He'll pay for his mistake but to discharge a guy for a situation that he neither was expecting nor prepared for is beyond resonable.

                          The fact that he should've known better is a given. However, would Kerry want a pefectly good NCM thrown out because he voiced his democratic opinion? A lost of a stripe should surfice

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            Originally posted by HawkEye
                            I have never once heard of a United States Senator imposing on a Member of the Military while on duty and in Uniform have you?
                            It sounds like he was imposed upon to me. Being used for a campaign photo when you don't support the position is dubious, at the least.
                            No man is free until all men are free - John Hossack
                            I agree completely with this Administration’s goal of a regime change in Iraq-John Kerry
                            even if that enforcement is mostly at the hands of the United States, a right we retain even if the Security Council fails to act-John Kerry
                            He may even miscalculate and slide these weapons off to terrorist groups to invite them to be a surrogate to use them against the United States. It’s the miscalculation that poses the greatest threat-John Kerry

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              I don't know if you have the same problem in Canada Colonel. Just read some of the responses in this thread if you don't think there is a very real problem in the United States on this issue.
                              The Law is very clear for a reason.... the Law is on the books for a reason.

                              I was as a young Soldier ordered to vote for President Reagan.... no questions asked end of story. I was too green to know there was actual Law against it I thought those who out ranked me were demi-gods.

                              I do not view that Servicemember, if what has been reported is true as good for the Military or Nation.... and like I said if I was there he would be charged and I unlike him can go to every News outlet in the Nation that will listen.... with the Law in hand.

                              IMO If the story is true then someone better then him will take his place in the Corps.... and maybe someone else will be saved the same fate by having the crap hit the fan.


                              Oh and Confed999 Like I said last I heard Kerry is a United States Senator and he can walk up to anyone who wears the Uniform of the United States Military at any time he wants to ask him just about anything...... including the time of day or the weather. And Like I said already the Marine can hit the road if he does not like this fact..... someone better then him will take his place.



                              HawkEye

                              Comment

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