Freedom of Expression or a Step Too Far?

[Freeper]

The Straight Story (38,230 posts)

Freedom of Expression or a Step Too Far?


 
There are a lot of American flags in Copenhagen, but two in particular are creating a buzz. Right on Main Street, the two American Flags are hung upside down.

The woman who hung them that way is a Fort Drum soldier.

That woman told 7 News she couldn not give us her name or speak publicly because of her affiliation with the military, but she did tell us why she is flying the flags upside down: It is in protest of President Barack Obama's reelection.

She says Obama is trying to destroy the country and this is her expression of disapproval.

But as you can imagine, this expression is ruffling some feathers in the community.

"It just seems kind of disappointing that someone who raises their right hand to protect and defend the Constitution and the flag that represents the whole country chooses to fly the flag upside down in some kind of protest," said the woman's neighbor, Adam Boulio.

Since Barack Obama is president and therefore the head of the military, he is every soldier's commanding officer. That worries Boulio, a former member of the military himself, even more.

"You always walk a fine line when you're in the military because like it or not, you're in uniform, so there's only so much you can do or say if you have some active opposition to your command or to the leadership, but there are professional ways to do that, and I don't think this is one of them," he said.

http://www.wwnytv.com/news/local/Freedom-of-Speech-or-a-Step-Too-Far-181697451.html

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10021916815

Depends on who is in the white house, if it's a repuke then this is fine and dandy, if it is a dem it is treason and punishable by death.

nadinbrzezinski (112,607 posts)
1. While protected, her ties to the military

will get her in trouble. No, not the speech component, the being political while in uniform.

Thank you miss trained historian, for explaining that to us all.

dballance (1,482 posts)
4. Flying the Flag Upside Down is a Signal of Immediate Distress - It should not be used as a protest

I highly doubt this person is in immediate distress so I think it's improper for her to fly the flag upside down. It's like prank calling 911.

It is doubly disappointing this person is an active duty military person. She should know better than to send out distress signals that are not valid.

Obama is her CinC and she must obey all legal orders from him. Is this going to be a problem for her? If so, she should resign from the military immediately. She volunteered to be in the military, no one forced her.

It actually really pisses me off an active duty military person would do this. It's shameful, disrespectful to the CinC and the flag and conduct unbecoming. I'm sorry, you're in the military, not the private sector. You don't get be blatantly unsupportive of the the CinC as if you were a FOX news pundit. You just don't. It's disrespectful to chain of command and a problem for unit cohesion in my opinion.

You want to protest then fine. Resign and become a private citizen and put up yard signs, billboards, web sites, whatever you want. But as long as you wear the uniform you need to support your CinC.

Wow the same people who demanded that the military stand up to Bush now are saying that soldiers should shut up sit down and worship 0bama. 

Spider Jerusalem (14,540 posts)
6. Strictly speaking it's probably grounds for a bad conduct discharge

certainly grounds for court martial under Article 134 of the UCMJ (conduct prejudicial to good order and discipline).

If this was done against Bush they would be saying how horrible those regs are.

[formerlurker]

nadinbrzezinski (112,607 posts)
1. While protected, her ties to the military

will get her in trouble. No, not the speech component, the being political while in uniform.

Was she in uniform when she talked to the press?

[Mr Mannn]

Its difficult to see how DUmmies so offended by a flag pin would really care about the position of a flag.

[SSG Snuggle Bunny]

Do a DU Google search for "Ehren  Watada"  and then  research his real history.

hint: They're hypocrites.

[Ogre]

Do a DU Google search for "Ehren  Watada"  and then  research his real history.

hint: They're hypocrites.

DUmmies are predictable.  Patriotic when a Republican is in office, dissent when it is a democrat.

[sybilll]

Was she in uniform when she talked to the press?

No.  She would not even give her name, or appear on camera.  Believe you me, Bradley Manning, in uniform, could burn an American flag on the floor of Congress and they would insist he deserved a National holiday. 

[dandi]

Article 89—Disrespect toward a superior commissioned officer
“Any person subject to this chapter who behaves with disrespect toward his superior commissioned officer shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.”

The President is not a commissioned officer you moron. He does hold command authority but he is not a member of the military. The Founders wanted civilian control of the military. "Commander-In-Chief" is more a description than an official title.

Spider Jerusalem (14,540 posts)
6. Strictly speaking it's probably grounds for a bad conduct discharge

certainly grounds for court martial under Article 134 of the UCMJ (conduct prejudicial to good order and discipline).

There'll be no BCD for flying a flag upside down. Not unless it was repeated over and over after the individual was already found in violation of an Article. If anything, a Summary Court Martial in front of the CO.

[Freeper]

The President is not a commissioned officer you moron. He does hold command authority but he is not a member of the military. The Founders wanted civilian control of the military. "Commander-In-Chief" is more a description than an official title.

There'll be no BCD for flying a flag upside down. Not unless it was repeated over and over after the individual was already found in violation of an Article. If anything, a Summary Court Martial in front of the CO.

Maybe she will get an ass chewing that gets downgraded to an ARCOM.

Instead of an ARCOM downgraded to an ass chewing.

 

[BlueStateSaint]

I was just in that town for work . . . before the election.  Too bad I can't go back and 'check' things.  (They have not given me the info I requested . . . Hmmm . . . )

[AprilRazz]

But the upside down flags all over the occupy camps were OK?

[Karin]

This is my neck of the woods, I was shocked to see it here.  It was on the local news.  And it's true, she refused to appear on camera or give her name. 

The article above just quoted the one POV.  Other views were also given on the TV piece.  She has a right to expression, and she probably has a point as well.  Obama is out to destroy this country, and we are in great distress.

Copenhagen is the tiniest town you've ever seen.  I think they have a diner, a bar, and a few dilapidated houses. 

[BlueStateSaint]

This is my neck of the woods, I was shocked to see it here.  It was on the local news.  And it's true, she refused to appear on camera or give her name. 

The article above just quoted the one POV.  Other views were also given on the TV piece.  She has a right to expression, and she probably has a point as well.  Obama is out to destroy this country, and we are in great distress.

Copenhagen is the tiniest town you've ever seen.  I think they have a diner, a bar, and a few dilapidated houses. 

That's about it, IIRC.  They do have a Stewart's, which seems to be the social center of the village.

[Karin]

Update.  On the local evening news last night, they covered it again.  The leadership at Fort Drum appears to be going "Meh."  They may consider, thinking about, at some point, mulling over possible disciplinary something or others.  They do not appear to be outraged. 

[SSG Snuggle Bunny]

But the upside down flags all over the occupy camps were OK?

Soldiers must take a blood oath to Obama.

Unless they're baby-killers. Then they belong to the faceless MIC.