Posted on Apr 17, 2018
Do you believe it is ok for active service members to degrade the POTUS on RP?
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I have seen where many veterans have been making degrading remarks about the President of the United States. However, I also have seen threads where actively serving members, verified by RP, are making disparaging remarks.
Is this thought of as a safe space where military justice does not matter?
Is this thought of as a place where military members think they can exercise their first amendment rights?
Is this thought of as a safe space where military justice does not matter?
Is this thought of as a place where military members think they can exercise their first amendment rights?
Posted in these groups: 
Office of the President (POTUS)
1st Amendment
Office of the President (POTUS) 1st Amendment
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 254
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This is a problem that has existed for a long time. When Obama was POTUS, I regularly had conversations with my guys about how they needed to knock off the negative, degrading commentary. I didn’t tell them my position on it, just that they couldn’t say what they were saying. They HATED that I was saying they couldn’t vent at work. It seems that those same people now think their actions aren’t acceptable from others.
They aren’t......and they weren’t from those disparaging Obama either. When you retire, have a nut. While you are in, share your support of his policy desicsions or share nothing....and don’t campaign for anyone.
They aren’t......and they weren’t from those disparaging Obama either. When you retire, have a nut. While you are in, share your support of his policy desicsions or share nothing....and don’t campaign for anyone.
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Maj (Join to see)
SPC (Join to see) That is all true. If you are speaking negatively and aggressively against the president, while at work in a military unit, I don’t see a way to separate the military from it.
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I think no current service member should ever talk bad about the POTUS no matter what. If you a serving then if you got something negative to say then keep it
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SFC Charles Woods
Maybe if we respectfully dis agree with but show proper respect to the person.Please treat this as a comment and a question.
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I never told anyone my political affiliation or beliefs when I was active. Now, granted, I amy have made up for it a bit here on RP after I got out!
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INSUBORDINATION is the term. ALL members of our military sign up to follow the Commander In Chief (CINC). Military discipline demands there be no freedom of speech while a member thereof..
A retired CSM once said it best. The military is of necessity A BENEVOLENT DICTATORSHIP. There is but one purpose TO FIGHT TO WIN. No distractions.
A retired CSM once said it best. The military is of necessity A BENEVOLENT DICTATORSHIP. There is but one purpose TO FIGHT TO WIN. No distractions.
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Is it actually disparaging remarks? Or is it just a recitation of that days news or twitter feed? Stating unpleasant, publicly known facts is not the same as disparaging remarks or comments.
For example, if I say "Rhonda Rousey is no longer undefeated", it can be interpreted as my being disparaging or degrading, but ultimately it's just a sad truth.. Or put another way, it can be mighty difficult to discuss a negative without implying that it's a negative.
For example, if I say "Rhonda Rousey is no longer undefeated", it can be interpreted as my being disparaging or degrading, but ultimately it's just a sad truth.. Or put another way, it can be mighty difficult to discuss a negative without implying that it's a negative.
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COL (Join to see)
I don’t know who would interpret that as disparaging or degrading. That is a fact not based on opinion. Degrading or disparaging comments based on opinion is what is in question. And just because a news media outlet says it doesn’t relieve someone from owning a statement that is repeated.
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SFC Michael Hasbun
COL (Join to see) - Granted, but there are only so many ways to try to positively say a negative.
For example. If, let's say tomorrow, the President (pick one, doesn't matter which) says or does something abhorrent and illegal, let's use sexual assault, for example. Say the President is accused by a dozen women of sexual assault. A Service member then comes on RallyPoint and shares news stories detailing the accusations, backstory, history, etc... Now, depending on which side of the spectrum you fall into, the personnel who happen to like that President will likely accuse that SM of being disparaging, where the personnel not fond of that POTUS will simply state, "no, that's just a recitation of fact". Both are right, and both are wrong.
Sometimes, depending on the actions of a person, simply stating who they are or what they've done is disparaging in and of itself. Facts themselves can be damning.
For example. If, let's say tomorrow, the President (pick one, doesn't matter which) says or does something abhorrent and illegal, let's use sexual assault, for example. Say the President is accused by a dozen women of sexual assault. A Service member then comes on RallyPoint and shares news stories detailing the accusations, backstory, history, etc... Now, depending on which side of the spectrum you fall into, the personnel who happen to like that President will likely accuse that SM of being disparaging, where the personnel not fond of that POTUS will simply state, "no, that's just a recitation of fact". Both are right, and both are wrong.
Sometimes, depending on the actions of a person, simply stating who they are or what they've done is disparaging in and of itself. Facts themselves can be damning.
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COL (Join to see)
Yea, that is hard call so I just don’t say anything and just smile. 2 more years...maybe?
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I have been retired since 2005. That said, my tongue still has horizontal ridges on it where I bit it to keep from criticizing that degenerate, hillbilly horn dog from Arkansas, William Jefferson Clinton.
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Sgt Mervyn Russell
Hey Frank, I'm from Arkansas, born and raised there. I agree with you completely on your assessment Of Bill Clinton. and agree your statement is right on and it's also one of the funniest.
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I believe that the office of the President should be respected. To disrespect that office, degrades the United States of America. So my answer no RallyPoint shouldn't allow it.
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SSG Dale London
I agree with the sentiment but not the conclusion. We ought not censor others but ourselves only. The first amendment says I can say what I want and I will defend that right. The law says I can be held accountable for what I say, and I bear that in mind when I speak. My words are no more (or less) important than anyone else's. I cannot, therefore, countenance the squelching of an opinion or idea merely because I do not agree with it -- nor should RP.
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The POTUS is our Commander-in-Chief. This is all that needs to be said. Our professionalism alone should dictate our actions in this matter. We all know that when we entered the military we willingly "lost" certain constitutional rights in the interest of military discipline. You don't have to like those over you in the military chain of command... but you are compelled by the UCMJ to obey their orders while serving in uniform and by your professionalism once your serving days are over. Perhaps the only exception to this would be if you entered politics... and even then my personal opinion is that your professionalism should dictate an appropriate level of dignity in your political life.
In reality the only safe place for such an unprofessional discussion is between your ears... and as long as you don't communicate those thoughts to others you're always good to go.
In reality the only safe place for such an unprofessional discussion is between your ears... and as long as you don't communicate those thoughts to others you're always good to go.
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Unless the brass is going to make it policy not to, active duty members will continue to do what we do. The question was posed as well during the Obama administration
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SFC (Join to see)
SSG (Join to see) - This is not a subject you get to agree to disagree on if you are active duty. You are active duty, making posts in a public forum using a picture of yourself in uniform and displaying your rank and unit affiliation, and making any disparaging remark or political statement of any sort is not allowed given those circumstances. However I am sure you will slip on your tap dancing shoes and try to find some excuse about how you are actually within the "standard", even though we both know you are not.
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SSG (Join to see)
SSgt Joseph Baptist - you know I thought the same thing about the whole "anonymous" title
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Unless I have been misinformed for the past 60 years once your retire you are subject to recall at any time. You never cease being a member of the military. Joined Apolitical, server Apolitical, remain Apolitical. To the Officers especially I say button your lip. You should have no Political Opinion.
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