This photo was taken at the DNC this week.
Where's Jon Soltz coming out and lambasting these guys for wearing a United States military uniform in a political arena? That's against the military's rules, and I expect Jon to stand up and say something about it like he did at the Daily Ko's convention against another US soldier who proclaimed what Jon was saying was false.
Oh wait, I bet Jon says nothing because these people are supporting Democrats, unlike the previous soldier whom Jon berated because he supported Republicans.
Prove me wrong Jon.
Travis
I don't think anyone should use the uniform for politics. Did you see me in one?
ReplyDeleteJS
I know you're not the real Jon because I've spoken to him about this very issue. If "you" remember correctly, you'll remember the statement I said to you about your berating a fellow soldier, and I'd like to hear what you had to say in return.
ReplyDeleteOf course, I doubt sincerely that "you" will reply with the correct answer.
But if it makes you feel any better, I will show you the answer to your question:
http://www.rightwinglunatic.com/2007/08/yearly-kos-liar-and-hypocrite-jon-soltz.html
Well if you were in the military and would enlist, you know we could use a guy like you, then you would understand the regulation. There is no room for the uniform of our country in politics. It shouldnt be used from the right, or the left. Perhaps if you would serve you would have more repect for the uniform than to use it for you domestic spin?
ReplyDeleteI wish to handle these matter in private. That is the bottom line. Do you see members of my organization in their uniform while working in politics? Never.
EVER.
JS
Ok, Let's pretend you're the real "Jon" for a moment. I'll bite. :)
ReplyDeleteIf you read on this site for more then 5 minutes, you would know that you won't find a more pro-military guy then me. My entire family has been in or is currently in the military in various branches.
So yes, I know and understand the reasons for the regulation banning soldiers in uniform doing and saying things in or about politics.
I don't use the uniform for "domestic spin" I simply hate hypocrites Jon.
Have I seen other members of your organization in uniform while working in politics? No. The reason? I haven't seen any of pictures of members of your organization.
However, I have, and several other people have seen pictures of you, in uniform on your POLITICAL website.
That reeks of hypocrisy and when I pointed it out to you, you didn't believe me. When I offered to point it out to you, you declined. However, the link to the photo was eventually taken down, however I haven't bothered to scour every page on your site.
I may argue and debate with you Jon over a lot of things, but you can never say correctly that I don't respect the uniform, or the people who've been brave enough to wear it.
Do a quick search around my site, you'll find that I've thanked you, and I've thanked you in person for your service. Of course, I imagine that you've met hundreds of people in your travels, so I can imagine you simply don't remember me, which is fine. I would have trouble remembering faces and names if I had to meet many people and only had a few minute conversation with them.
I simply cannot stand hypocrisy, across the entire political spectrum, from pro-family values Republicans who are caught soliciting gay sex to Democrats who preach about cleaning up corruption, then doing an about face when the corruption is shown to be within their own ranks.
So, when I see you coming out and being against the Iraq war, which I can completely understand your point of view, I can respect your viewpoint.
However, when you're at Yearly Kos and berate a soldier in uniform talking about politics, which arguably I don't believe he was, but that's not the point, you can't expect to not be called out when you're caught in a hypocritical stance.
If you don't remember, or someone on your staff took the image down, I believe the picture was of you in uniform in what looked like a desert environment. It's been a while since I've seen the image, so I'm going off of vague recollections. There may have been a helicopter in the background, although I am unsure.
As a side note, I've explained my military aspirations on here many times, feel free to search around. Stay a while as well if you'd like. We may have differing views on major issues, but that doesn't mean I don't like you and respect you.
When we met, you were very polite to me and we had a friendly, but lively debate. I certainly have a great deal of respect for the viewpoint of someone who's been there and seen things first hand, rather than someone who reads something off of CNN.
I speak to soldiers, many of them have become close friends, who are in or have been in Iraq and Afghanistan. The viewpoints they share with me differ from yours, which is how I have come to a different viewpoint then you.
As another side note, the surge in troops last year, as well as differing tactics, seems to have brought violence levels down to record lows. Does this change your views at all?
Thanks for the post as well as your service Mr. Soltz....If you are indeed actually Mr. Soltz.
Travis
As a side note Mr. Soltz,
ReplyDeleteI don't know if you consider a contributing writer a "member of your organization", but on this page:
http://www.vetvoice.com/showDiary.do?diaryId=14
You can clearly see Alex Horton wearing a military uniform.
I could troll around more to see what I could find, but I prefer to spend my time doing other things then beating a dead horse.
As a side note, a google image search turned up what I believe to be the picture of you that was on your website. I may be incorrect, but this picture does ring a bell.
http://tbn0.google.com/images?q=tbn:Ewv9wtwJgKGzYM:http://bp3.blogger.com/_845ywsAF1Oc/R0bhS4pAQjI/AAAAAAAAAFE/Bz8aDiG0FV0/s320/jon.jpg
Travis
Travis, I think it's pretty clear that Jon doesn't approve of being in uniform while making political statements. As the rule goes, you have to be in civilian attire as to not appear to be making statements on the military's behalf. That a picture of me in uniform is on the website doesn't mean a rule or code is being broken. Besides, I'm out of the Army, and I'm certainly not wearing the uniform. That is the issue. Jon has already said that ANY political statement is wrong in uniform, whether it's left, right or center. I agree on that. I'd tell those guys to can it if I saw that kind of numbskullery. They're wrong, but so was the guy at the YearlyKos convention.
ReplyDeleteIf Jon and I are wrong for posting pictures of us in uniform, then John McCain certainly is for using photos of him in Navy whites. But he's not, and we're not. As long as we don't speak politically in uniform, it's all good. Dig?
Hello Alex,
ReplyDeleteI didn't necessarily mean to say that you wearing the uniform was breaking any particular rules, I was just pointing out the fact that Jon said that none of the members of his staff were wearing a uniform while making any kind of political statement.
Being that the site he runs is mainly political, I simply was pointing out he was wrong.
Yes, you are correct though, if you're "breaking the rules" then certainly John McCain is doing the same.
Personally, I understand the rule, but I'm grown up enough to know that if someone makes a political statement while in uniform, they are doing so on their own behalf and not of the US military. I guess there are those who can't make such a distinction. :)
I'd even argue that the Yearly Kos soldier wasn't speaking about political things, only what's going on in Iraq, but then we're just splitting hairs.
I support you 100% for an educational revamp of military college benefits. (I went to your blog and poked around. :) )
My basic thinking is that if you're willing to defend US civilians, you shouldn't have to think about college costs when you're ready to attend classes.
I spoke about it briefly on this page:
http://www.rightwinglunatic.com/2008/05/what-democrats-think-of-your-money.html
I read several of your articles that you posted, and I did not mean to single you out, I was just merely pointing out what Jon said was incorrect, depending on your viewpoint.
Come home safe and sound. Thank you for your service.
Travis