Replies

Don't tell me where to go or what to do or what to say or what to think - ever.

Islam is the scourge of the earth and the general correctly called it what it is.

I could care less about your politically-correct crying towels, but you will need them if Islam gets it's way in the United States.

Don't tell me where to go or what to do or what to say or what to think - ever.

I'm simply unwilling to live in a country where the military is not subject to civil authority. You, conversely, demand that the military be exempted from civil authority.

Like I said, go find a country that matches your worldview. There are a lot of them out there. We don't need another one.

Unfortunately, when you don the uniform, you are required to tread carefully on what you do and what you say. In uniform, I could not work as an usher for Reagan's Dallas fundraiser. Technically, I was required to take leave and perform those "duties" in civilian clothes; that's what I did. If I was still on active duty, I could not go out and canvass my local community for support for President Bush in my uniform; that is forbidden. But I may do so in civilian clothes.

Donning the uniform .. even for an enlisted soldier, sailor, airman, or Marine .. requires, by regulation and common usage, you to carefully judge what you can and cannot do in public. The military uniform is another emblem for the country, almost as much as the flag. It cannot be misused.

General officers, by their very nature a political animal because of the winnowing procedure that precedes and results in their elevation to flag rank, must be especially careful. What would your feelings be about a black general who, in uniform, gave a speech decrying "White devils" and advocating more affirmative action in military promotions and in society in general? What would your attitude be about a Catholic general who, in uniform, advocated supporting, with weapons and training, the IRA against the British and who stated that Protestants were scum and not truly Christian? What about the Moslem officer who denounces the Christians and the Jews and advocates supporting the Palestinian Authority?

It depends on whose ox is gored. The rules are there for everyone. This individual can follow the regulations as they are or he can do as he wishes and face the obvious consequences.

Your profile page doesn't indicate whether or not you have any military service. I'm assuming from your input that you do not; otherwise, you would know that there are great restrictions put on those who wear the uniform of this country ... and we're still under control of the civilians, no matter how much that might rankle us. As a veteran, I fear the day when generals in uniform can represent this country on whatever issue they desire. You may regret taking the position that you have in the event that this occasion does arise.