Posted on Feb 23, 2017
Does openly and aggressively berating or insulting people who voted for Hillary or Trump warrant an Article 134 violation under UCMJ?
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*First Edit*
There seems to be some misunderstanding: the nature of my question isn't about disrespecting or defying the POTUS, it's about when service members berate, insult or lash out at civilians, friends, peers or family members on social media or otherwise, simply because they voted for the opposite candidate.
*Second Edit*
Also, to clarify, I believe the behavior in question is wrong. I think some folks interpreted my question as asking for justification to be a jerk, but that couldn't be further from the case. I just wanted to generate discussion about people's opinions regarding whether being aggressive or hateful towards voters because of their choice was just being a crappy person, or a legitimate punitive breach of military bearing and discipline.
When President Obama won, there was a deluge of complaints, the birther movement, a different brand of "Not my president." Now that President Trump has won office, there's similar sentiment. On either side, there is a lot of aggression being thrown around. Do you feel Service Members have a higher responsibility to be respectful of the American voters, regardless of their choice?
Respect of the POTUS is a given, we're expected, as service members, to render that. My question is more in line with respecting the fellow Americans that voted; it seems antithetical to me to be aggressive and hurtful to fellow Americans, especially those that have dissenting opinions from ours, for exercising one of the fundamental rights we swore to uphold and defend.
There seems to be some misunderstanding: the nature of my question isn't about disrespecting or defying the POTUS, it's about when service members berate, insult or lash out at civilians, friends, peers or family members on social media or otherwise, simply because they voted for the opposite candidate.
*Second Edit*
Also, to clarify, I believe the behavior in question is wrong. I think some folks interpreted my question as asking for justification to be a jerk, but that couldn't be further from the case. I just wanted to generate discussion about people's opinions regarding whether being aggressive or hateful towards voters because of their choice was just being a crappy person, or a legitimate punitive breach of military bearing and discipline.
When President Obama won, there was a deluge of complaints, the birther movement, a different brand of "Not my president." Now that President Trump has won office, there's similar sentiment. On either side, there is a lot of aggression being thrown around. Do you feel Service Members have a higher responsibility to be respectful of the American voters, regardless of their choice?
Respect of the POTUS is a given, we're expected, as service members, to render that. My question is more in line with respecting the fellow Americans that voted; it seems antithetical to me to be aggressive and hurtful to fellow Americans, especially those that have dissenting opinions from ours, for exercising one of the fundamental rights we swore to uphold and defend.
Election 2016
UCMJ
Leadership
Character
Office of the President (POTUS)
Edited 9 y ago
Posted 9 y ago
Responses: 205
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SFC Franke: Political discussion was not my forte so I sidestepped it and kept my lip zippered.. If s'one pressured me.. I ignored them, s'times it infuriated them because I wouldn't get into it with them. Finally I got my wallet out and read the U.C.M.J. Articles about respect to the leadership and bad-mouthing them. I surmise there is one about bad-mouthing the opposing candidate.. not sure..? There was one more.. reading them their rights..
because once I did that there might be no whoah, can we back it up?" I'd had a few others that decided it was time to leave.. I'd tell them I'd hunt them down even to appear as hostile witnesses.. They were good Airmen and didn't want that they were ordered to appear as a hostile witness.. Fortunately it never got to reading s'one their rights. I wanted to be very sure.. before I'd do that. I didn't want a charge like false arrest if there be a chance for them to try that.. "I didn't mean it that way"or "I didn't say it like that"..
because once I did that there might be no whoah, can we back it up?" I'd had a few others that decided it was time to leave.. I'd tell them I'd hunt them down even to appear as hostile witnesses.. They were good Airmen and didn't want that they were ordered to appear as a hostile witness.. Fortunately it never got to reading s'one their rights. I wanted to be very sure.. before I'd do that. I didn't want a charge like false arrest if there be a chance for them to try that.. "I didn't mean it that way"or "I didn't say it like that"..
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If someone "gets in your face" and berates you and hoping to get your ire up .. to the point of you coming back without
Thinking of what you say about their candidate(for example it's B.H.O.). You do have a right to defend your action but you should do so judiciously. Even as a civilian which I am now. I would say I don't this is the time and place and besides, no matter what I say will make any difference in your personal opinion.
So this wanna-be discussion is concluded. And walk away..
Thinking of what you say about their candidate(for example it's B.H.O.). You do have a right to defend your action but you should do so judiciously. Even as a civilian which I am now. I would say I don't this is the time and place and besides, no matter what I say will make any difference in your personal opinion.
So this wanna-be discussion is concluded. And walk away..
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You have to separate yourself from yourself. If it requires you to create an entire new E-Identity that is separate from your GI Identity, than do it. Mr. Joe Snuffy and his opinion(s) are his, whereas PVT J. Snuffy and his (s)could be detrimental to PVT Snuffy, the Uniform, and the Service Branch he is a member of.
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UCMJ? Maybe, personally my rule is you have to respect the office, even if you can not respect the man or woman. I have had little respect for several of our presidents, but I still paid the office the honor it was due, and did not engage in personal attacks. Not to say I would not call them wrong when I felt they were, but I did not, and will not attack them or their character.
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Arguing is both an American right and a duty for a civilian However except in self defence or in defence of others hitting people is not polite
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I mean for the sake of good order and dicpline you leave politics at the door when it comes to the military.
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Think we spend way too much time coddling our delicate feelings and not enough time taking on real life issues. Lets face it... real life could care pess how you feel when it screws you in the buttocks.....
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The military defends the Constitution of the United States,that all races ,religions and languages,and shall follow the orders of the POTUS.Now that said ,the current status of total disrespect and lack of actual respect of ones service is astounding.Now outright berating of another soldier can be an infraction in many cases if it diminishes unit cohesiveness and good order.Now yes there will be jabs from time to time but from what I see is out right bulling and baby tears.Give an opinion,leave it at that or pack your lunch box.
I shall defend the Contusion of the United States
against any and ALL enemies ,foreign and domestic,without reservation ,purpose of evasion.Period.
The soldier represents ALL,like it or not.Especially in uniform,as to be with out question.
I shall defend the Contusion of the United States
against any and ALL enemies ,foreign and domestic,without reservation ,purpose of evasion.Period.
The soldier represents ALL,like it or not.Especially in uniform,as to be with out question.
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