Isn't the military supposed to be apolitical

[malaise]

Why is he allowed to spew lies and propaganda to enlisted people?

[Proud Liberal Dem]

1. Sadly

He's the CIC

[exboyfil]

6. He pulled this crap

at the commissioning of the Gerald Ford aircraft carrier, the BSA, the speech in front of the Long Island LEOs, and the VFW among others.

I hope the GOP is happy with the precedents which are being set.

[Proud Liberal Dem]

23. They had at least better shut their yaps

if they decide they want to criticize the next Democratic POTUS. I feel like, after Trump, they've blown what little wad of self-righteousness and integrity they ever had

[mahatmakanejeeves]

24. You forgot the CIA, on January 21, 2017.

Also....

[Solly Mack]

2. Wouldn't know it by the speech that POS is giving.

[malaise]

4. I'm waiting to see when men and women walk out

at one of these Dear Leader gatherings.

[shanti]

5. Not certain

but wouldn't they be courtmartialed for that?

[malaise]

8. I don't know

DU military folks can answer

[maxrandb]

25. Depends

There is a specific UCMJ Article, Art 88 that applies only to Commissioned Officers. They can be charged for Contempt to government officials, specifically the president, VP, SECDEF, governor of the state they are serving.

Enlisted can be charged under the General 134 Article. It's basically a catch-all article in the UCMJ for offenses not covered under other articles.

Officers have much more exposure to being charged, but yes they can get in trouble.

However, there is no charge for sitting quietly and politely listening. I would recommend they do that.

[Solly Mack]

10. Unfortunately, they could get in trouble for that - captive audience even if most like him.

Those who don't like him run the risk of trouble if they walk out.

One reason it's wrong to be political at a military function - they're a captive audience. Forced to be a part of it.

And Commanders and the like can be very petty and will go after those who dissent.

[malaise]

11. Maybe Commanders should remind him of protocol

This is sick

[Solly Mack]

15. That's not going to happen.

Trump is their boss.

[Wednesdays]

29. He'd still be their boss if he declares martial law to keep the presidency!

[Solly Mack]

30. Yep

Though I think the varying alliances would become apparent in such an event.

[unblock]

3. just another presidential norm out the window for donnie.

[hedda_foil]

7. He's using the signing of the NDAA as an excuse to be there.

[malaise]

9. Being there is one thing

Spewing lies and propaganda is another

[magicarpet]

12. Chastising the free press and media because he is mad at them...

Violates the US Constitutional protections for a free press. Having the military applaud his dislike of the free press is a very dangerous president for the Commander in Chief to be making. It is making a mockery out of the Constitution and condoning the military to cheer on the same.

[malaise]

13. Indeed

+1,000

[Baitball Blogger]

14. Where have you been?

Hard right. I went to an annual meeting where civilians and military people who grew up together in an overseas military base and, some guy came up to me and the person I was talking to and said, "So, we're all voting Republican next election. I said, no. Explained I was leaning Bernie in the primary and would vote for the Democrat in the General. And his comment was, "Who are you?"

Next time someone asks me that question I will have to respond, "How does that question ever come off as anything but arrogant."

And this was not a singular experience. Many of my minority friends who grew up on the same base are spewing Alex Jones points.

[malaise]

17. Wow!

Clearly I am naive

[pangaia]

16. Because nobody has stopped him.

[malaise]

18. On anything

I don't get it

[pangaia]

19. We all get it........... republicans...... you know the rest of the story....

[malaise]

20. Hi there

[GemDigger]

21. I asked Dad once who he voted for (in the 60's) and he said

he doesn't vote and will not as long as he is in the military (he was a lifer). That he is not there to serve a man but to serve and protect a country. Times have changed.

[malaise]

22. Wow!

Your dad was a serious man

[soryang]

26. Michael Waltz campaigning in my district regularly appears in uniform

in his campaign commercials. I've seen them here, but I assume they are personally directed at me. I think it's extremely improper. His republican opponent, also campaigning in the republican primary, has advertising that brags about his military service but I haven't seen him in uniform yet. They are both jerks.

[soryang]

27. I think Waltz is flagrantly violating the DOD policy

2.6.4. All members of the Armed Forces, including active duty members, members of the RC not
on active duty, and retired members, are prohibited from wearing military uniforms at political
campaign or election events (references (k-o) apply).

I noticed looking at this document that it doesn't apply to the president or vice president, but DOD installation commanders are not excused from following DOD policies when elected officials use their facilities.

http://www.samhouston.army.mil/asa/Files/SJA/Ethics/POLITICAL%20ACTIVITIES%20&%20ELECTION%20YEAR%20GUIDANCE/2016%20DoD%20Political%20Activity%20Public%20Affairs%20Guidance_080828.pdf

[moondust]

28. Yes it is.

Assuming the troops were not given the choice to attend or not attend, a case could probably be made that this constitutes indoctrination of a captive audience that did not attend voluntarily and cannot break ranks and walk away without facing discplinary action.

[TheFrenchRazor]

31. for the most part, it is a RW cult. this has been going on for a long time. yes, there are service m

members who are not RW cult members, but they are in the minority, and the leadership are card-carrying, kool-aid drinking RW nazi tools.