(Military) Veterans Set for Republican Convention

[RamboLiberal]

http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=694&u=/ap/20040816/ap_on_el_pr/gop_delegates_veterans_1&printer=1

Americans who served in the military will be well represented at the upcoming Republican convention, more so than at last month's Democratic convention or in the U.S. population overall, according to the GOP.

About 15 percent of the 4,800-plus delegates and alternates to the convention in New York are veterans, organizers said Monday. An additional 3 percent are active military personnel.

Census Bureau (news - web sites) estimates show that roughly 12 percent of U.S. residents in 2002 were military veterans. About 11.5 percent of delegates at the Democratic convention in Boston were veterans, a record high, according to the Democratic National Committee (news - web sites).

With President Bush (news - web sites) and Democratic challenger John Kerry (news - web sites) locked in a tight race, winning the votes of veterans in swing states such as Pennsylvania, Ohio and Washington will be important.

[bluestateguy]

1. Good for them

When they get done there, they can go back to the war in Iraq and fight in the war that they all so cheerfully support. Not a snowball's chance in hell I will ever go if there is a draft (though I am a few years too old).

[Fenris]

2. Are they planning on reenlisting?

Gosh I hope so. You know, it's one thing to be a vet and have pride in the military. It's another thing to be completely gung ho about war. If you are like this, you have a serious mental condition. Care to fight now that you're old and fat and grey? No? Right. You'd prefer the young go off and die for you. The never ending cycle of the young fighting the wars of the old continues.

[jedicord]

5. Repubs don't understand the phrase

"Support our troops - bring them home". They think the only way one can support our troops is to be send them long distance phone cards and foot balm and cheer the president who sent them to die.

My "who cares about politics" Marine husband loathes this war, most importantly because the "guys" are getting killed and wounded for no good reason.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

3. I expect Kerry to be flogged for protesting Vietnam

at least every other minute by every one of them.
I expect Hanoi John etc... blah, blah, blah... to be the theme.
Good. Keep talking about what Bush and Kerry did 30 years ago. :)

[maxrandb]

4. This Just May Be Illegal

An additional 3 percent are active military personnel.

Very strict rules on what the military can do. For example.

1. Military members cannot use the fact that they are in the military to influence voters, or appear in the media.

2. Military members may be active in campaigning for their chosen candidate. Again, not in the media or in uniform.

3. Military members cannot attend any rallies, or fundraisers in uniform.

[NewYorkerfromMass]

6. Wow. That is interesting.

Thanks! Do you have a link?

[maxrandb]

8. Link

http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/html/134410.htm

This is covered under various instructions or directives. The link above should take you to the DOD Directive 1344.10 "Political Activities by Members of the Armed Forces on Active Duty". From there you will have to download either an HTML, or PDF file to view the directive.

Also is covered by the DOD Directive 5410.18 Policy regarding the maintenance of political neutrality.

and I quote: (bold mine)

"The Armed Forces and the Defense Establishment belong to all the American people. Department of Defense support of and participation in events and activities in the civilian domain will reflect that fact...and such support and participation must not directly or indirectly
(a) endorse or selectively benefit or favor, or appear to endorse or selectively benefit or favor any private individual, group, corporation (whether profit or non-profit), religion, sect or sectarian group, quasi-religious or ideological movement, fraternal organization, political organization, or commercial venture, or
(b) be associated with the solicitation of votes in a political election.

[displacedtexan]

9. Here's an excellent source:

http://usmilitary.about.com/cs/militarylaw1/a/milpolitics.htm

Federal Law (Titles 10, 2, and 18, United States Code), Department of Defense (DOD) Directives, and specific military regulations strictly limit a military active duty person's participation in partisan political activities.

DOD defines "partisan political activity" as "activity supporting or relating to candidates representing, or issues specifically identified with, national or State political parties and associated or ancillary organizations."

Tons more CAN and CANNOT info!

[HawkerHurricane]

7. I was wondering that myself.

If in uniform, you can only give the official military line... which is not 'Vote Republican'; the military is officially nuetral in political matters.

[Democat]

13. Someone should send this to the press - all of the press

Let the press releases start faxing!

[shockingelk]

14. They better have some vets wear camouflage then

Because that's about the only col,or they're going to get other than white.

[The_Casual_Observer]

10. "locked in a tight race"

It's everywhere,like ants at a picnic. When is one of these "journalists" going to owe up to the fact that this is going to be a world class rout????

[RamboLiberal]

12. S'hhh - it will be more fun to watch the stunned looks

and excuses from the media whores election night on Chimpy's loss. Especially Faux!

[Nambe]

11. The article does note vet numbers for the dem convention...

were comprable, which is a new luxury for the Dems. Many in the millitary are rewarded with contract perks by the repugs but that does not include the majority in the millitary. If the millitary vote is not corrupted, and I think it will be, they will put Kerry in by a good majority. Dimson and his war has ruined and lot of millitary lives and is quick to blame the troops for his sins.

[PATRICK]

15. Roman army

Each soldier was often given a farm upon retirement, often settling in captured territories. I am sure the GOP mainly uses retired loyalists with perks for their various talents as well. The actual army itself is another matter and the cheap charlie stick followed by recruitment to civilian conservative businesses as the carrot seems the perfect system for them.

Except that it probably isn't conducive to a democracy, not an empire, not an expanding conqueror. So the likely numbers of the rewarded military after retirement is a small elite, lending an image of false muscle and a tendency to once again turn to the retired spooks to fight "by other means" since the guns have been laid aside.

[Bigmack]

16. Go ahead and flame me....

but I've been wondering if vets are dumber than non-vets.

I'm a veteran myself, and I think enlisting in the Marines was one of the dumber things I've ever done. (I'm disgustingly proud of having been a Marine, but it's a love/hate thing.) "So, you want to be a Marine, eh?" "Yes, sir!" "Grunt?"(infantry) "YES!... give me the whole 4-year deal."

Dumb! The smart guys I knew got deferments, or did ROTC for the Air Farce. I got a ticket to the Southeast Asian War Games.... hey, we came in second!

I suppose most of the Repub delegates are Ossifurs and Lifers, so it ain't the same thing.

I think Repubs lack the ability for self-reflection, and that goes for their veterans, too.