VFW now supports Marine reservist’s freedom of speech

[proud2BlibKansan]

By DAVE HELLING
The Kansas City Star

The Veterans of Foreign Wars now says it supports Adam Kokesh.

In a statement released Friday by its Washington office, the VFW said the Marines should use “common sense” and abandon their attempt to discipline the 25-year-old reservist.

“VFW to Corps: Don’t Stifle Freedom of Speech,” said the news release’s headline.

Kokesh, a member of the Marine Individual Ready Reserve, is scheduled to appear before a military tribunal in Kansas City Monday morning. He’s accused of violating Defense Department regulations by wearing stripped-down Marine fatigues to a March protest against the Iraq war.

Kokesh, a corporal and Iraq veteran, also used an obscenity when responding to an email from a superior officer investigating the incident. For both possible infractions, the Marines want to force Kokesh out of the reserves immediately and re-classify his discharge as “other than honorable.”

more . . .
http://www.kansascity.com/news/breaking_news/story/132654.html

[ChairmanAgnostic]

1. the heads of the VFW are/were neocons.

I guess that the defections and complaints have made an impact even on their pea-sized brains.

[proud2BlibKansan]

2. I think the pressure is working!

From the article:

But the VFW wants the case dismissed. “Someone in the Marine Corps needs to exercise a little common sense and put an end to this matter before it turns into a circus,” its statement said.

[proud2BlibKansan]

3. The circus is coming to Kansas City this weekend!!

:woohoo:

[Bake]

4. If in fact he used profanity in responding to a superior officer,

He shouldn't have. That's like cursing out your boss at work, and it's not healthy for one's career.

Bake

[proud2BlibKansan]

7. But he has been discharged

This is not his career.

[uppityperson]

5. Good. k&r for Adam

[proud2BlibKansan]

8. From the press release:

"The implications of Kokesh's hearing may be far reaching, as the prosecution of a IRR military member under these circumstances is unprecedented. "At stake is the right of freedom of speech for the hundreds of thousands of members of the IRR, as well as the nation's right to get the unbiased truth about Iraq," stated Garett Reppenhagen, chair of IVAW Board of Directors."

[uppityperson]

9. Would this do anything for Watada?

Not deserting his duty, but the part about speaking out against the occupation?

[proud2BlibKansan]

10. Let's hope so

[Captain Hilts]

6. Wow! nt

[wicket]

11. K & R

:kick: