Posted on 01/03/2012 8:40:52 PM PST by kristinn
A serviceman identified as U.S. Army Corporal Jesse Thorsen campaigned in uniform tonight for Rep. Ron Paul (R-TX) at Paul's Iowa presidential campaign headquarters.
Thorsen was called on stage by Paul to address the crowd during Paul's speech marking his third place finish in the Iowa caucuses. Thorsen endorsed Paul on stage while in uniform.
Earlier in the evening, Thorsen did a live interview in uniform with CNN's Dana Bash. The interview was cut short as the feed froze. However, in the brief time on air, Thorsen spoke of his support for Paul and gave his opinion on U.S. military policy and said that Iran was Israel's problem, not that of the U.S.
So either one of two things, he is either not really a soldier or he is toast.
While I won’t agree that Ron Paul is a neo-Nazi or has a neo-Nazi agenda, I do think it was rotten of him to basically end this guy’s career by pulling him onstage to speak while he was in uniform.
The guy should have known better as well, but it’s terrible that Paul used him that way.
UCMJ forbids what this turd did tonight. And yes, I used the word to describe him.
He’s either a fake soldier (which is likely), or a turd. Either way, drop the hammer on him.
Another leftist pretending to be a soldier?
The man must be courting a discharge, under less than honorable conditions.
OTOH, since several articles in the codes of conduct were summarily tossed out of the UCMJ recently, perhaps it is now allowed?
And Pvt. Pyle doesn’t count?
UCMJ issues there (if he isn’t a stolen valor ‘soldier’ like other Paul supporters have been caught as)- he may be better off legally if he is lying about his service versus campaigning in uniform.
I used to be a pretty good barracks lawyer and I kept up with the regulations and was pretty active in events off base, I was investigated by the CID, threatened repeatedly by the Battalion CO, but I knew that I was legal, and studied the regs and the off limits list routinely throughout the week.
I knew not to wear my uniform, not to represent myself as representing the military, and to not participate in events where guns were carried (which cost me a big personal honor with the Nisqually Indians when I had to refuse a rare invitation). Active duty could not participate in an event that had (serious?, some level of chance?) for violence, and at that time they were fully armed for confrontation with the feds.
Just look at the scumbag who shot up that New Year’s party in Seattle, putting four people in the hospital, and shot and killed a National Park ranger when she tried to stop him to tell him he needed to put his snow chains on. He was an Army vet, but that doesn’t mean that he is a fair and equal representative of the military.
Ron Paul should know better than to take advantage of this guy
This. I don’t expect a Corporal to know all the ethics rules that govern government employees. I do expect a Congressman to know this is wrong.
A couple of thoughts on this. First there is no way in hell that I will vote for Paul in the primaries. Second, I never understood why a soldier, federal, state or municipal employee should lose their first amendment rights by their service for their country. It dumbs down American. Full disclosure and transparency solves any problems. Take John Kerry as an example ... Was he, is he a true, a American patriot/hero? We know the difference, others do not. It makes no difference.
Says he's been in for ten years, told CNN he's served two tours in Afghanistan and is scheduled for a third. Says he's 28 years old, has a large visible tattoo on his neck of the World Trade Center towers.
Thorsen said he supports Paul because he wants to bring the troops home. Says he wants to serve in a peacetime army. The feed breaks up when Thorsen starts talking about not wanting to pick a fight with Iran and saying Israel is more than capable (of taking care of Iran.)
Well, Well, Well, like a lot of Paul’s ‘military’ support, looks like we have some fraud. Jesse Thorsen is a criminal, not a Lt. Col.
http://florida.arrests.org/Arrests/Jesse_Thorsen_3040590/
So what does the UCMJ say about this?
What Active Duty Members Can and Cannot Do
Cannot - Participate in partisan political fundraising activities, rallies, conventions (including making speeches in the course thereof), management of campaigns, or debates, either on one’s own behalf or on that of another, without respect to uniform or inference or appearance of official sponsorship, approval, or endorsement. Participation includes more than mere attendance as a spectator.
Cannot - 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.
Cannot -Allow or cause to be published partisan political articles, letters, or endorsements signed or written by the member that solicits votes for or against a partisan political party, candidate, or cause. However, letters to the editor are allowed.
Cannot - Serve in any official capacity with or be listed as a sponsor of a partisan political club.
Cannot - Speak before a partisan political gathering, including any gathering that promotes a partisan political party, candidate, or cause.
Cannot - Participate in any radio, television, or other program or group discussion as an advocate for or against a partisan political party, candidate, or cause.
Conclusion - He is breaking the law.
Check out 35, I doubt he is actually is or ever was a service member.
They don’t lose their first amendment rights, they just don’t have the right to show up in the uniform and endorse, they can wear their own clothes, and represent their views as their own personal views, not those of the military or the government.
correction, cpl...
Here's Thorsen speaking to print media:
Army Corporal Jesse Thorsen, 28, of West Des Moines, showed up to caucus wearing his fatigues. He, too, supports Paul’s military policy — but for a slightly different reason. “He’s a military man himself so when it comes to budget cuts in military, I think he’ll do it in the right way,” Thorsen said.
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