Thoughts about Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS) Gen. Martin Dempsey comments that even retired military should, to paraphrase his comments, keep their mouths shut with regards to political commentary. I know he doesn’t use those words, but when he says he is “disappointed” in the group of former CIA agents, Navy SEALs and other military members and their long-form political ad that takes the President to task for taking credit for the killing of Obama and for national security leaks in the WH, there really isn’t any any question what he means.
For me? I think his comments are BS. Pure. Unadulterated. The quick answer is, of course, you do not give up your first amendment rights to free speech as a retired military or former national security government employee. Yes, while in uniform your speech is restricted to a degree by UCMJ regulations and similar restrictions, but afterward? When you have served your nation, deployed, sacrificed, risked life, limb, family, friends, everything, and are now John Q. Citizen, US Military, (ret)? If anything you should have *more* of a right – AND a responsibility! – to voice any opinion you may have, in any way or venue, via any media, at any time, anywhere.
The deeper discussion could get into where is the line drawn with regards to keeping one’s mouth shut. When you perceive real damage to our constitution and nation is or could occur through a political ideology in power or vying for power that would seek to fundamentally change or alter our nation’s founding principles, do you keep that trap shut? So as not to become, what General Dempsey believes, “just another special interest group”?
Bullcrap. Total.
How could you stay silent! I don’t care if you think Obama is the second coming of Chesty Puller. Speak. Up. John Adams…”Let us dare to read, think, speak, and write.” Do not give that up. You are not a “special interest group”. You are an American – a veteran. Don’t let anyone – 4 stars or whoever it may be – talk you out of the inherent and God-given rights you have.
Speak.
McThag // Aug 22, 2012 at 12:16 pm
Special interest is spoken like a dirty word.
An individual is the very definition of the special-est interest!
And yes, I made up a word there. Specialist doesn’t fit…
Pinch // Aug 23, 2012 at 10:28 am
McThag,
Just the thought that THE senior military office in our country would associate the word “disappointed” and the phrase “freedom of speech”, with regards to retired and former military/national security people is, to be quite honest, nauseating. It does absolutely nothing for the confidence anyone has in our military leadership.
Alert 5 // Aug 23, 2012 at 3:37 pm
The guys the Gen is wanking about are out of the business or retired, so what’s the problem? To the General I would say, snap out of it. How ’bout some comments on what you’re going to do in Afghanistan? Please talk about something that matters.
As for these OPSEC guys, when they start knocking the President for taking credit it just sounds like sour grapes and they dilute the importance of the security leaks. I agree with them that it is tasteless/lame, but, he’s the guy in charge so he gets the credit. Where the Prez went wrong was standing up and taking credit, he should have just piled on the praise for the military and had a seat. Then the press/the country would have given him the credit and all he would have to do is say “aw shucks, I didn’t do anything”. Then everyone would have said what a humble guy, how nice. OPSEC must focus like a laser on the security leaks and nothing else. And when they edit out the good stuff the Prez says about the military, they lose the high ground and are no better than the Obama gang.
Wild Bill // Aug 23, 2012 at 4:16 pm
So, I guess that Dempsey would have opposed Dwight D. Eisenhower running for president? And for that matter any other former military person would be in violation of the Dempsey doctrine if they ran for any public office because they would have to comment or criticize the existing political leadership.
Stupid, really stupid!
Flugelman // Aug 23, 2012 at 6:29 pm
Wonder what CJCS thinks about Rep (LtCol) West?
Retired AC1 // Aug 24, 2012 at 5:55 pm
CJCS thinks the Retired or Veterans should not use the uniform for political statements, his words. WHO was the person that granted permission to march and speak in uniform in the Gay Pride events? Does ANYONE see a double standard wit a side a ration of Bovine Excrement?
Fderfler // Oct 13, 2012 at 8:18 pm
Isn’t it interesting that over the years we have seen a rotation of Chairman sometimes superb and sometimes awful? Certainly, making it to 4-stars is no guarantee of excellence… Wesley Clark pop into mind immediately. This series of remarks from the CJCS is greatly disappointing. The guy is leaning way too far over the edge in support of the Administration in power. General, as an officer your oath is to the Constitution, not to those “appointed above” you. THINK!