Posted on 01/05/2012 7:44:29 AM PST by SLB
An Afghanistan war veteran is in trouble for giving a political speech while in uniform at a caucus night rally with Ron Paul on Tuesday in Iowa.
A spokeswoman for the U.S. Army Reserve told TPM on Wednesday that Cpl. Jesse Thorsen may have violated military policy when he wore his fatigues on stage and praised the Texas congressman’s presidential bid.
Thorsen’s commander is now looking into the speech and will figure out what to do next, said the spokeswoman, Maj. Angel Wallace.
The Des Moines-based soldier served in Afghanistan but hasn’t been on active duty since October, Wallace said. However, he still serves a weekend a month and two weeks a year as a reservist and may be deployed to Afghanistan again in about a year.
Thorsen seemed awestruck to stand alongside the Republican candidate on Tuesday, telling the crowd it was “like meeting a rock star.” He praised Paul’s anti-war stance.
“His foreign policy is, by far, hands down, better than any candidate’s out there. And I’m sure you all know that,” the reservist said. “We don’t need to be picking fights overseas and I think everybody else knows that, too.”
The crowd cheered, but observers who know military law cringed.
“He’s got a problem on his hands and certainly he should have known better,” said Eugene Fidell, who teaches military justice at Yale Law School. “All kinds of lights and buzzers should have gone off.”
Had Thorsen been on active duty, he could have faced up to two years in military prison and a dishonorable discharge, Fidell said. But even off active duty, he may still be facing punishment.
Fidell said Paul’s campaign should have known better, too. That night’s third-place finish “must have been better than they expected,” Fidell said, because “they allowed their better judgement to get away from them.”
Paul’s campaign did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Meanwhile, the military distanced itself from the speech.
“His beliefs and speech in no way reflect the views of the Army Reserve,” Wallace said. “This soldier stands alone.”
He was pretty stupid. Everyone in the military knows that you cannot go to any political events in uniform. He has no excuse.
Holy cow!
He actually wore his uniform on stage? What was he thinking?
He needs to brush up on the Hatch Act.
If he served anywhere, it sure appears to have been time in jail.
Mugshot shown here from 2006 arrest
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2828380/posts?q=1&;page=51
He DID!
UCMJ should come down upon his neck like a Muslim sword.
I say Court-Marial his A$$ and kick his ASS out with a “BCD”!
Yes, this was a really bad idea.
How often does the military remind service members against the prohibition of campaigning while representing or even appearing to represent the US military?
Basic training?
At the start of every election season?
You can however attend a gay pride parade.
He’s not in hot water over his support of Ron Paul, he’s in hot water over his violation of law concerning wearing your uniform while doing political endorsements.
I work for the Army and yesterday we received a blanket email to civilians and soldiers alike that outlined what we can and cannot do in regards to elections. Our JAG folks are on top of it and keeping everyone up-to-date. A nice friendly reminder to keep us out of trouble.
Glad to hear it! He damn well knows shilling for a candidate or engaging in any other partisan politics in uniform is illegal.
He should’ve responded to the reporter with, “I won’t publicly advocate for any one candidate while in uniform... suffice it to say I exercised my right to vote and I encourage other Americans to do the same.”
How is it that he is still a corporal after ten years?
I actually saw that on the telly caucas night and thought it was not right but doubted myself since it was so blatant. turns out i was correct the soldier in question was indeed ignorant or plane daft to do this
Yes, and yes. I was a voting rep in my unit many times throughout my Air Force years... not only do trainees get this guidance, but everytime a major election comes around, everyone gets a reminder NOT to endorse candidates or engage in partisan politics while in uniform. However, you may, in uniform, make a point about the importance of exercising voting rights.
(Now... WITHOUT the inadvertant underlining)
“How often does the military remind service members against the prohibition of campaigning while representing or even appearing to represent the US military? Basic training? At the start of every election season?”
Yes, and yes. I was a voting rep in my unit many times throughout my Air Force years... not only do trainees get this guidance, but everytime a major election comes around, everyone gets a reminder NOT to endorse candidates or engage in partisan politics while in uniform. However, you may, in uniform, make a point about the importance of exercising voting rights.
Another interesting take on this supporter of Ron Paul’s, appears he is a felon:
http://www.gq.com/news-politics/blogs/death-race/2012/01/ron-paul-soldier-felon.html
I remember a photo of a female Navy member after she had disembarked from her ship, in full uniform, kissing her lesbian lover full on the mouth.
This action was in direct violation of the code of conduct.
Ever wonder what actions were ever taken against her?
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