Posted on 09/05/2022 8:53:26 AM PDT by bitt
Below is my column in the New York Post on the controversial speech of President Joe Biden in Philadelphia. The speech has received sharply different reviews from “disgusting” and “hateful” to a historic declaration of war against the enemies of the state. Some like MSNBC regular (and writer for The Nation and Above the Law) Elie Mystal insisted that the speech did not go far enough because all Republicans are white supremacists, not just MAGA Republicans. I thought the speech was divisive and inflammatory. However, it was not the content but the optics of the speech that was particularly unsettling. Framing Biden were two Marines standing like nutcracker props in a highly political speech. His use of the Marines (and the Marine band) violated long-standing rules for shielding the services from such political events.
Here is the column:
President Joe Biden’s speech in Philadelphia has produced sharply different responses from the media. On CNN, it was praised as a rallying cry for patriots. On conservatives sites, it was denounced as hateful and divisive. For many of us, however, the optics was a glaring distraction with the intense red background and prominently placed Marines framing the President. The use of the Marines and the Marine band raised concerns given the clearly political purpose of the speech. Indeed, the networks did not view the speech as an address to the nation and refused to give the White House primetime slots.
While White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre assured the media that “it’s not a political speech,” it was unabashedly political from calls to get the vote out to direct attacks on “MAGA Republicans” and Donald Trump. That again raised the legal questions over the use of the Marines in such a speech. Even CNN flagged the concern over the use of the Marines and CNN chief White House correspondent Kaitlan Collins stated the obvious that “it was a very political speech.”
The optics of the speech instantly became a source of Internet chatter with the weird red background that made the President look like he was giving a stump speech from Dante’s Inferno. Indeed, it almost had that High Chancellor Adam Sutler look from V for Vendetta. (The comparison ultimately did not end with just the optics. Sutler warned his inner circle that “every day…brings us closer to November” and “I want this country to realize that we stand on the edge of oblivion. I want every man, woman and child to understand how close we are to chaos…to remember why they need us!”).
However, it was the use of the Marine guards that most stood out — framing the President as he declared Trump supporters to be a threat to democracy . Biden denounced “MAGA Republicans” thirteen times as well as repeated references to his past and possible future political opponent, Donald Trump.
The speech was obviously political, as noted by CNN’s Collins, as a “full frontal attack” on his political opponents.
The United States has long drawn a line between the work of federal employees in public service and the use of such employees for political purposes. The Hatch Act was passed in 1939 to curtail the political activities of civilian federal employees.
The Marine Corps expressly forbids personnel from being used or participating in such political events.
“Active duty members will not engage in partisan political activities, and all military personnel will avoid the inference that their political activities imply or appear to imply DoD sponsorship, approval, or endorsement of a political candidate, campaign, or cause.” The other services have also drawn a bright line against such appearances. Army officials, for example, stress that their rules bar such involvement because “actual or perceived partisanship could undermine the legitimacy of the military profession and department.”
In Department of Defense Directive 1344.10 the long list of prohibited involvement in political events include:
“Attend partisan political events as an official representative of the Armed Forces, except as a member of a joint Armed Forces color guard at the opening ceremonies of the national conventions of the Republican, Democratic, or other political parties recognized by the Federal Elections Committee or as otherwise authorized by the Secretary concerned.” These rules also expressly bar the wearing of uniforms at such political speeches: “The wearing of the uniform by Service members … is prohibited … during or in connection with furthering political activities, private employment, or commercial interests, when an inference of official sponsorship … for the activity or interest may be drawn.”
There are obviously gray areas for a president who is necessarily accompanied by members of the military. Moreover, drawing the line between what is a presidential address and what is a political speech is often difficult. Presidents are politicians and often use official statements to slam their critics or opponents. Such events often have color guards and military bands.
The enforcement of such rules are also rather anemic. Even violation of the Hatch Act are routinely brushed aside by presidents and both the Biden and Trump administrations have violated the Act in the past.
Yet, what is interesting is the relative silence of many in the media on the use of these Marines as virtual nutcracker props for a political speech. The media overwhelmingly condemned President Trump for his picture in front of St. John’s Church after the clearing of Lafayette Park in 2020. While the media falsely claimed that the park was cleared for the photo ed, many criticized the photo with military and law enforcement officials as inappropriate. Later, Gen. Mark A. Milley, apologized for being in the photo, declaring “My presence in that moment and in that environment created a perception of the military involved in domestic politics.”
Yet, Milley has said nothing about supplying not just the Marine Band but Marines to stand directly behind Biden at a political speech as he denounced his political opponents as threats to democracy and part of what he was called a “semi-fascist” movement. Those Marines stood at attention as the President declared “Donald Trump and the MAGA Republicans represent an extremism that threatens the very foundations of our republic.” (Apparently, nothing says that you are against fascism as much as labeling your political opponents enemies of the state with Marines on either side of you).
The use of the Marines would certainly seem to “create a perception of the military involved in domestic politics.” Moreover, the message sent to other military personnel, particularly other Marines, is that support for the President’s opponents is considered a threat to the constitutional Republic.
The Washington Post previously objected to the use of the Marine band at the White House when President Trump was viewed as giving a political speech. During the Trump Administration, others joined such criticism including Members of Congress and public interest groups.
Alice Hunt Friend, a senior fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, told the Post that the use of the band was a “big violation” since “Americans who see uniformed military personnel at partisan political functions may assume the military has a partisan identity. Presidents running for reelection always have to take extra care to keep their military aides out of their campaign activities.”
Those voices are, thus far, silent in President Biden’s use of these Marines for a highly partisan and divisive speech.
Winston Churchill once said that it is “always dangerous” for military to find themselves mixing with politics because “they enter a sphere in which the values are quite different from those to which they have hitherto been accustomed.” That was never more evident as two young Marines stood at attention as their president accused millions of their fellow citizens of being enemies of the constitutional Republic. They deserved better from the President.
the point of the speech was to change the conversation
the dems’ cant run on their record
move the conversation back to the dems’ record
This symbolism is clear—The USMC is on Biden’s side—the Democrat-Progressive camp and will back up “their man” to enforce his will upon the “Enemies of the state.” Like the FBI, DoJ and IRS they are the enforcement arm of the powerful Deep State. Do not dare to Vote for Trump or any of his minions—or you will get a marine boot in your face. Heck, your vote will not be counted anyway! Only approved people will be permitted to win. “Moderate” Democrats, Right Thinking RINO Republicans, and out and out Green deal fanatics. The USMC has made their choice—side with the powers that be and to heck with the People.
I wonder who provided the Marine Band and the uniformed Marines for this speech. Should be easy enough to find out. Somebody wearing at least 2-stars approved it.
“i am surprised he did not have an f-15 flyover”
As part of a napalm strike on the pine barrens of South Jersey — just to put an exclamation point on his anti-gun rhetoric.
This deflection issue will go meaningless and Much and Nancy know it
Complete deflection from the reality of the machine
https://mises.org/library/living-reality-military-economic-fascism
The core reason for the 87k agents in the recent bill passage.
Bushes would be up to parading the same
Those two “marines” were obviously Biden stooges. Perhaps in the future, they will receive a Code Red by Col. Nathan R. Jessup.
The same people who set off a bomb in the US Capitol in 1984 are now running the country.
Bla bla bla bla bla
Mattis started this criticizing the commander in chief as a marine corp Gen Rey actively working as chairman of the joint chiefs
That is not allowed and it’s never been done. It’s against the UCMJ for any active duty person from PFC, A1C through captain major to general and definitely general - punishable - to criticize the commander in chief - from Washington to Obama
It breaks down the entire system
Here’s one example that-
A friend from another country now a citizen here said Trump is terrible. The military don’t like him and don’t respect him. For the first time they are criticizing him. Never been done before. In other words Trump is so bad they are allowed to break the military law
No, they are so corrupt they are breaking the law and they want the law and order president out.
Here’s something else:
A young former marine I know said- three years ago when asked- he agreed with Mattis. F Trump.
So I wonder what the story was at that mein kampf speech. We’re the marines actors? We’re they made to do that? Were they supposed to decline stating the orders to represent and questionably support a presidential candidate during a campaign event unlawful under UCMJ? Were they supposed to decline stating the orders to represent and questionably support a president during an anti constitutional anti American speaking/scolding event unlawful under UCMJ? Or did they go willingly. Or volunteer?
Misuse of Tge military is a huge part and symbol of this “speech” scolding.
“Yet, Milley has said nothing about supplying not just the Marine Band but Marines to stand directly behind Biden at a political speech ”
____________
Something is up. How come no Republican politicians are questioning this?
Dear Truley:
Be honest.
Make that same speech in a butterfly sanctuary and word for word it’s offensive.
I think they were not actual marines. Did you see any indication of rank? They stood in no known position. Not attention, not parade rest, not at ease.
Holding your hands in front your torso like that while Brandon rants and raves doesn’t look all that restful to me, but Marines are made of tougher stuff than I am.
They were Marines. 8th and I doesn’t follow the same drill manual. The Marines were just following orders and it is folly to think anyone would have refused to provide them. They were doing their ceremonial job, not responsible for what came out of the mouth of the installed Commander in Chief.
This one is squarely on Dork Brandon for their misuse. It will be remembered, if we survive him.
There are pics of this stance by Marine guards at the White House.
There are pics of this stance by Marine guards at the White House.
The Nazi party strikes again. There’s really nothing too low for the dem/Nazi party anymore. They just make up their own rules and laws as they go along because no one will hold them accountable.
The Dem/Nazi party is now the very definition of anarchy/lawlessness. It should be added to the definition in Webster’s Dictionary.
apparently, biteme doubled down on us all as semi-Nazi Maga Trumpers in 2 speeches today..
at least he NOTICES us, lol...
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