Applause for Two Marines at GOP Dinner is Fodder for National Scandal

Myself, Fort Collins Coloradoan | 3/7/06 | Myself, two reporters

[CardCarryingMember.VastRightWC]

I suspect the fact that Marilyn Musgrave is considered, along with Pres. Bush and Dr. James Dobson - to be the true Axis Of Evil by leftists everywhere - has a lot to do with this. If they can convince people that there is something very wrong and sleazy with this photograph, it will cost her, regardless of the fact that she wasn't involved in the decisions as to who was to be honored.

I also think that since the Dems know that military/security/terrorism issues are what cost them big in the last few elections, they are going to do all in their power to nullify that issue. One obvious way would be to lie long enough and loudly enough about GOP "misuse" of military personnel, that many in the middle actually start believing the lie, and experience a negative gut reaction when the GOP says anything about the military.

[CardCarryingMember.VastRightWC]

Fivetoes - you were there at the Lincoln Day Dinner. Any more thoughts on this?

[CardCarryingMember.VastRightWC]

Ft. Collins / N. Colo PING!

[jecIIny]

Sounds like the paper is trying to score some political points of their own. But that said there really is a regulation against uniformed servicemen participating in political functions. And I think that its a good rule for obvious reasons. Any military serviceman can do politics on their own time. But not in uniform. The two young marines are probably in need of a little EMI (extra military instruction) as we used to call it in the Navy. It's not a major big deal. But the rule is there for good reasons. They should have known better and probably need a good old fashioned session on the carpet.

[Lurker]

Here's an idea for you.

When someone from Time, or Newsweak, or CNN, or the NYT calls to get your 'take' on what happened.

Tell them to go f*** themselves. Then hang up the phone.

If everyone does it...no story.

The only way this should be discussed publicly is if someone receives a subpoena.

Till then, keep the hole under your noses closed.

Just my two cents.

L

[JoeSixPack1]

Sometimes people have to say to hell with political Bull**it and raise their glass and toast the good guys.

If the legacy press doesn't like it, they can go pound sand.

Semper Fi

[truemiester]

Since no one in uniform will go willingly to a DUmmy function, they gotta whine about something.

[CardCarryingMember.VastRightWC]

I also wrote a letter to the local paper in response to this, but I can't get it published for another month due to them just publishing another of mine! Here it is ---

OK folks, let me get this straight: A) One political party regularly honors all veterans and active duty military members present at their meetings, and: B) One party does NOT regularly engage in this kind of thank-you to those who are putting their lives on the line for us all.

Please explain to me again, just WHICH of the above is supposed to be the scandalous behavior?

The local head of party (B) accused party (A) of "wanting to get votes". That's certainly not an accusation we can throw at party (B), apparently.

And there were more scandals at party (A)'s dinner than you've been told! Were you aware that they also said the Pledge of Allegiance - the version with the words "under ***" that has clearly been declared illegal by the very finest courts?!? (Sorry I can't show the offensive word, as this is a family paper). And did you know someone said a PRAYER before dinner? Aieeee!!! Separation of church and state! And there were also rumors (this newspaper should investigate ASAP) that some registered members of party (A) are married to active duty service members! Scary, or what?!

But the local (B) party leadership has obviously not yet read the memo from national HQ instructing them to do a 180 on "the military thing". Recent news items regarding party (B)'s latest desperate attempts to retake Congress have highlighted their efforts to recruit Iraq and Afghanistan veterans who belong to party (B) to run for office this year.

WOW! This clearly shows party (B) has hit absolute rock bottom in the desperation category. In order for them to hold their noses and recruit veterans as candidates - this, the same party whose hero in the White House was famous for his quote about "loathing the military" - this shows you how desperate they've become. Better watch out folks, because for them, this is the absolute LAST step they would take to regain power before being forced to resort to suicide bombings.

Better recheck your Inbox for that important memo from HQ, guys! (No doubt by the time of their own upcoming dinner, the local (B) party will be singing from the new pages in their national chorus book. I'll bet they even go so far as to Say The Pledge! Of course they'll have to put the words up on the overhead. And beg the newspapers not to take photos of some members shoving their middle fingers defiantly in the air. And they'll need to rustle up one of those jingoistic regulation American flags - yucky poo! - that have 50 stars, instead of their favorite version with the 50 corporate logos.)

[beaversmom]

Where's the picture of you dressed to the nines?

[Old Sarge]

I have re-read DoD1344.10, 5.1 Section 4, "Policy on Political Activities by Members of the Armed Forces on Active Duty".

AD troops "may not attend partisan political events as an official representative of the Armed Forces."

Neither can we "Speak before a partisan political gathering of any kind for promoting a partisan political party or candidate".

The Marines were present as escorts of invited guests, and not guests themselves. Since the evening was in formal attire, the Marines wore the appropriate military attire for the occasion.

Their presence was acknowledged by the assembly, though they were not invited to address the assembly.

In accordance with the directive, no violation occured.

So, my perfectly legitimate opinion to the Coloradan's umbrage can be listed thus:

081200C MAR 2006

///// U N C L A S S I F I E D /////

FM: OLD SARGE
TO: FT. COLLINS COLORADAN
ATT: EDITOR
SU: MY LEGITIMATE MILITARY OPINION

1. SCREW YOU.
2. NOTHING FOLLOWS.

EOM/EOM/EOM

[CardCarryingMember.VastRightWC]

Where's the picture of you dressed to the nines?

Word picture only! - Polished black shoes, suit pants, suit coat that matches pants (I've been told that's very rare for an engineer to own a matching set), dress shirt, and red, white & blue tie.

[CardCarryingMember.VastRightWC]

Thanks!! I had hoped someone would know where to find these. And you have confirmed what I've thought all along.

[CardCarryingMember.VastRightWC]

Oops! Forgot to mention the Marilyn Musgrave bright red sticker proudly worn above one suit coat pocket!

[beaversmom]

I'm trying to picture it but one of your huge protest signs keeps blocking out the mental image.

[kenth]

The left really "supports the troops", don't they? First chance they think they can score some political points, they're more than willing to throw one of them under a bus.

[DoughtyOne]

Why doesn't it surprise me that the left would single out two men in uniform to harass? Evidently the left thinks men in uniform can't attend dark rituals where men in uniform are still revered. It's surprising to me that the left can get more than 50,000 votes nationally after they way they have misbehaved over the last 15 years.

[demkicker]

But the coverage shows signs of widening. I've heard there will be yet more articles. Nancy Hunter, the County Chairwoman, told me that CNN and TIME have contacted her. Whether these MSM heavies decide to pick up the story from the blogs and run with it remains to be seen.

This is outrageous! I recomend that Marilyn Musgrave and Nancy Hunter set the record straight with CNN & TIME and let them know that if they falsely report this news and try to smear these good Marines or anyone else at this event, they can expect a lawsuit. I'm dead serious!

[Alien Gunfighter]

I have re-read DoD1344.10, 5.1 Section 4, "Policy on Political Activities by Members of the Armed Forces on Active Duty".

And that, ladies and gents, is just a little taste of what Old Sarges and Salty Chiefs can do! Bravo, Sarge!

[Lion Den Dan]

The Marines should not have been in uniform. I hate to say it but they will probably feel heat from their command if all the facts are in the story.

The Coloradoan has surely gone down hill since I lived in Ft. Collins - 1964.

[Mind-numbed Robot]

Sarge, you know that this event illustrates one thing. The Republicans are a Culture of Corruption who will break any law, bend any rule, just to gain votes.

Had one of the Marines dropped his fork during dinner that would have been highlighted as showing the ineptness of the military.

The media will search out the slightest thing and blow in into a hurricane just besmirch the Republicans.

The next election is very important to them as well as to us. They have been building a steady drumbeat to present the Republicans as evil and that will continue.

We must continue to expose them to ridicule even if it doesn't see the light of day.