I wrote this morning about new regulations, issued by the Secretary of Defense, clarifying that soldiers are not to wear their uniforms at partisan political events. Well, the Marine Corps was interviewed today and said that Rummy's rules are a bunch of crap.
Well, guess the Marines know who's the real secretary of defense, and it isn't Rummy. I've always liked a little banana in my republic. Just don't say the word "coup," I understand it can get you fired.
From the Coloradoan, which kindly gave us credit for breaking the news this morning that Rummy had issued a memo saying do NOT wear the uniforms at political events:
The Marine Corps and the Defense Department appear to be at odds over whether uniformed service members can accept honors at partisan political events such as last month’s Republican Lincoln Day Dinner in Fort Collins.Well, actually Mr. Marine spokesman, according to the Secretary of Defense you're flat out wrong and in violation of military regulations. And I quote:
A memorandum prepared for the No. 2 official at the Pentagon, reported Monday by the Web site Americablog.com, said such appearances are forbidden by military regulation.
“Members of the armed forces may not attend partisan political events in uniform, even if only as ‘honorees.’ A sharply limited exception is made to provide armed forces color guards for national-level political conventions,” said the March 14 memo to Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon England from David C.S. Chu, the under secretary of defense for personnel and readiness.
A Marine Corps spokesman sharply disagreed Monday, saying it was within regulations for two Marines to attend a Lincoln Day Dinner sponsored by the Larimer County Republican Party last month. The Marines’ presence at the Republican fundraiser was criticized on several liberal blogs and was covered by Army Times and other national publications.
"The Marines were in attendance because they were asked to attend to be honored for their service and not as attendees at a political event,” Marine spokesman Maj. Doug Johnson said. “There is nothing wrong with Marines being asked to appear in public and being honored for their service.”
"Members of the Armed Forces may not attend partisan political events in uniform, even if only as 'honorees.'"So, actually, it doesn't matter what you think, the secretary's regs flat out say you can't do this even as an honoree. So, what are you doing to do about it?
Then again, the Marine Corps' conduct unbecoming is hardly a surprise, we're dealing with a military leadership that lets sexual harassers and gay-bashing murderers off the hook, so is it any surprise the Marines are letting off some guy who broke the uniform rules?
Though, those rules are rather important as they define the difference between an apolitical military and the regime of a despot.
This should be very interesting.
