Posted on 11/19/2009 11:46:53 AM PST by kristinn
Army officials plan to prevent media from covering Sarah Palin's appearance at Fort Bragg on Monday, saying they fear the event will turn into political grandstanding against President Barack Obama.
Fort Bragg spokesman Tom McCollum told The Associated Press on Thursday that Army officials had decided to keep media away from Palin's book promotion at the North Carolina base.
SNIP
McCollum said the Army did not want the event to become a platform for Palin supporters to express political opinions "directed against the commander in chief."
The current Commander in Chief also resents his own troops more than he embraces the terrorists.
He avoided going to Normandy and Pearl Harbor yet he has expressed concern and interest to go visit Nagasaki and Hiroshima.
Nothing about him says anything good about this nation or the people who built and protected it.
Well, if it keeps Norah O’Donnell away it may be worth it.
LOL, that army guy wanted to impress her!
He wore his uniform to bed!
You have nailed it. This order came down from the WH, of that I am positive. The brass didn't do this. It came from higher up.
I think I’m leaning towards your understanding of what he said. I believe he wants to protect the soldiers and allow them to express themselves more freely when they meet with her.
Plus, this really is a good thing, IMHO. The media there would only cause MORE problems, and everything she says to these soldiers would be taken out of context — as they ALWAYS do with Sarah.
In fact, I wouldn’t doubt that there may have been MORE to this official’s quote — more context that was edited out.
Base Operator: 910-396-0011
Information Hotline: 910-396-8682
As one who lives in the area I can tell you they are tearing down and rebuilding barracks just as fast as they can.
The WW II wood barracks and 1950s Cinder Block barracks are getting harder and harder to find.
Even some of the buildings put up around 1980 and scheduled to be replaced - although at the bottom of the list.
Well, I was just planning on dropping by the PX food court for lunch. :-)
What about the 1st amendment that one of the freedoms that the Army defends?
Looks like fascism is already entrenched in our military.
Go Sarah...
I have been here for the last two weeks teaching a class on Ft. Bragg. I’ve never seen such constuction. Bragg and Pope are both being rebuilt. The facilities I’ve seen have been second to none. And, BTW, they deserve every bit of it.
The 1st amd is what our forces defend, but can’t actually participate in when it comes to the CIC.
Tighter rules.... which is why they roar (W, Palin) and sit on their hands (0, Kerry).
Yes, but is this book signing event actually within the precints of the post?
Fort Bragg’s North Post Exchange is where the book signing will occur. If that is within the secured area of the post, I agree with you. If it is outside the post , in a public area, the Army has no business doing this.
The PX would not come under security rules. Any part of the base would.. if I am correct in my understanding.. and I very well might not be.
John? Your take?
I am not in the military myself, and the closest military member I know at this moment is my best friends’ husband.
From what I understand when you sign the contract becoming a member of the armed forces (any branch) your Freedom of Speech is one thing that you AGREE to accept limitations on (amid other rights you agree to give up — like agreeing to be tried in military courts vs. civilian courts, etc...).
It’s why a member of the armed forces is not permitted to attend a political event IN uniform except in an official capacity as well.
IMHO, keeping the media OUT will actually allow these soldiers MORE freedom in regards to their actions in meeting with Sarah. I would like to think that he is taking these precautions on behalf of the Palin supporters within his troops — not to STOP them from speaking out, but to protect them from the media which would definitely try to politicize this event, and in turn may get some of the soldiers in a lot of trouble (for speaking against the CIC which is definitely one of the things that isn’t allowed to be expressed openly).
This is what I would like to believe in this instance at least. The truth? Not sure. We also have to take into account that this may be better for Sarah as well. The media WILL want to make this visit look like some kind of politcal event, and that is NOT Sarah’s intention...
It would be nice to be able to compare her reception with the reception that Obama got — but the only reason it would be good would be in a political way, WE (her supporters on the outside) WOULD, unwittingly perhaps, end up politicizing this event, would we not?
I fully admit that I may be completely wrong, but that’s how I’m seeing this at the moment. This commander KNOWS his troops are going to be whooping and hollering for Sarah - compared to being ORDERED to listen to Obama.
I think I may be having trouble explaining what I’m trying to get at here — so, please give me a little leeway! LOL If I’ve been unclear feel free to ask me to explain more! :)
I think people are not seeing this correctly...
These men are protecting their soldiers AND Sarah by preventing the media from attending and politicizing this event — which no matter WHAT Sarah says the media would twist as well... The media would ALSO try to twist the soldiers words, and that could get the troops themselves into a LOT of trouble — you cannot speak against the CIC.
It’s not wrong to keep the media off a military base, IMHO. They are not suppressing the media — they are protecting the soldiers, AND Sarah.
No, the military is NOT preventing her from speaking — in fact, they are SUPPORTING her coming to the bases — particularly Ft. Hood. Her visit to Ft. Bragg and Ft. Hood were scheduled before the attack at Ft. Hood. She wasn’t sure whether they would want her to still come after the attack. The OFFICERS at Ft. Hood contacted Harper Collins and told them they DEFINITELY STILL want her to come!
The unfiltered view we will get via YouTube as you’ve pointed out will be MUCH better than what we would see in the media who WOULD try to make this a political event - which it is NOT...
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