There is nothing I hate more than anyone disrespecting flag of the United States of America, or the uniform of it’s armed services. From the hipster that wears the OD fatigues with patches as an “ironic” way of showing their disdain for the military to the idiots that act the fool while in uniform nothing makes my blood boil faster. I can accept open disagreements with how the military should be employed, I can even accept ignorance of what the military actually does, but I simply can not accept any disrespect. I can not accept any politician using the troops as a prop for political gain, nor can I accept any troops using their uniform, rank or position to affect the political climate with anything not directly affecting the business of their service.
We’ve seen it happen before. Maybe it started with Jon Kerry tossing his medals, then going before congress and lying about the “testimony” he got from “veterans” during the Winter soldier fiasco. Maybe it was exacerbated by Danny Choi, who constantly uses his uniform to play dress up and get attention. Maybe that douchebag Marine Sergeant that kept posting anti-Obama stuff all over Facebook (despite lawful and direct orders not to) has a hand in the continuing climate too. I know for a fact that the narcissistic valor thieves can’t wait to get their slice of the action.
So with all that said I think it’s pretty clear I loathe such people. Imagine how I felt when I came across this little gem.
Not to be outdone some other joker posing in Marine dress blues had to out do him.
Before I get into the fact that both an E-5 and an E-8 should KNOW better, or the possibility that these are valor thieves, let’s stop a second and point out that these men are cowards. They put on the uniform with all their attendant medals, and make a political statement about what they
didn’t join the military to do, but hide their face. If you do something like that at least have the courage to show your face. More than that don’t wear the uniform while saying it. If you’re on your own time and feel butt hurt that you might be deployed to Syria, by all means you can talk about it in private. You can shout and scream about it for hours to anyone you please, but when the time comes you put on your uniform and go where they tell you because that’s your duty.
You think someone who joined the Air Force in say 1959, wanted to end up in Vietnam? How about they guys that joined in the late 90’s and ended up in Iraq. It sucks, and you can never tell where you’ll end up. That’s part of the job. You probably didn’t join for “area beautification” or getting stuck on a Sergeant Major’s detail when your LT sends your platoon into an ambush in the field. I didn’t join to put tubes in men’s urethra’s. There’s a whole lot of fine print when you join. One thing that should be abundantly clear is that you swore to “Obey the orders of the President and the officers appointed over me according to the uniform code of military justice.” Until the President gives an illegal order (say “I want you to kill all first born sons”) you are legally, orally and ethically bound to FOLLOW THOSE ORDERS. Regardless of how we feel about the missions we’re handed down, we’ve got to suck it up and do them. When you raise your right hand you lose your “rights” as an American Citizen and fall under a whole new set of rights and privileges. One of those regulations states very clearly that you may not use that uniform for any political speech.
The troops are not and can not be a part of the political process. The military has untold power at its fingertips. and if unchecked could run rampant. If a General were to get the idea that he could be a Caesar, and that the Mississippi was the Rubicon, what’s to stop him? Only the solemn knowledge that his troops would never follow his orders, and most would actually put him in the brig if he tried to march on Washington (Rome). There is a very fine, and dangerous line that separates us from every two bit banana republic, or half assed Junta. The fact that our military is completely subservient to the Will of the People through their duly elected Representatives is really the ONLY check against some crackpot general from just kicking in the doors of the White House and “fixing” Washington. The populace might actually cheer such a thing, but it would be totally wrong in every way imaginable.
I think Iraq was a mistake. A costly one. But when I got the call I did my damnedest to ensure that my small piece of that mission was successful. I think Syria is a mistake. I think we shouldn’t get involved, but if we do the Soldiers Sailors Airmen and Marines had better be Johnny on the spot or they’re going to get their buddies killed. These two clowns are beneath my contempt. It doesn’t matter if I happen to agree with what they’re saying they are absolutely wrong, and they should be found busted down in rank and perhaps even drummed out. But then, I take disrespecting the uniform more seriously than some people do.
UPDATE:
I wasn’t even finished writing this post when this ass clown popped up on my facebook feed.
I swear these idiots are coming out of the woodwork. Maybe Obama’s forthcoming purge of the military might actually be a good thing. . .
[Editor’s note: Doc was joking, of course he doesn’t want the military purged, I’m guessing]
Update 2: I hadn’t even finished that update when this clown shows up.
I give up. I’m sure at least one of these clowns is a valor thief but I’m willing to bet not all are. Good thing I’m not still in. I would most certainly like to bring back wall-to-wall counseling with these idiots.
Update 3: Sooo. . . apparently some on the OTHER side of this issue have gotten in on the act.
Can’t see the rank on this guy, but judging from the tats and the KIA bracelet as well as the wording of the sign I would say this guy is legit (as opposed to the somewhat questionable clowns above). So. . . this is probably about to go full retard PDQ.
