A friend of mine is a soldier and that is what he said. I guess they passed that in a new law.
2007-01-11 15:55:58 · 23 answers · asked by Brittany A 2 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
Bad mouthing any sitting president, regardless of name, party affiliation, or political ideology will get a servicemember in hot water... not necessarily prison, but trouble. This isn't any new law or something dreamed up by the Bush administration, it has been military policy since before I was in the service (1989.) As a military lawyer, I've dealt with this issue on several occasions and have seen a range of punishments for disrespect to our commander in chief. I hope this is informative for you... best of luck.
2007-01-11 16:04:32 · answer #1 · answered by dr_law2003 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It not new - was in place over 20 years ago . Your friend is trying to enlighten you as to the fact he is to behave in a respectful manner to the office of the Presidency. Something as a non-military member you can ignore.
Think of it this way - How much can you bad mouth your boss ?
In the military there is an established chain of command every one above you is entitled to respect. As the President is at the top of the chain of command - he deserves the most.
And before any yelling protests about free speech - it is the TITLE your respect in the military. You swore on oath to protect and serve the Commander-in-chief under the US Constitution -not a man.
2007-01-11 16:22:59 · answer #2 · answered by Akkita 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No. I served in the navy and I was known for views on Bush and Clinton. I was never courtmartialed or threatened with any kind of repercussions (other than a fat *** chief putting my profile up on Gay.com). They knew that I could back my statements up with facts.
To this day Clinton got the praise that Bush Sr should have gotten in the first place. I also think that Clinton should have been impeached for lying to a grand jury. But then again, I don't care that he got head in the Oval Office. What I do care about is that the current president has overstepped his boundaries and willfully broken the laws when it come to the illegal wiretapping and end around of the FISA courts. It's also his use of the signing statements that scare me. He has used more signing statements that all the prsidents prior to him combined. He is showing that he doesn't care about the very document that he swore to uphold.
2007-01-11 16:46:38 · answer #3 · answered by darkemoregan 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Can he get in trouble? Yes. Will he go to jail? No.
The President is the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, therefore he's the boss. While everyone has the right to their opinion in politics, bashing the President isn't allowed. The worst trouble he'd get into is probably a Page 11 entry, basically an entry into his Service Record Book (SRB) stating that he was counselled for whatever reason.
It'd be like you going to work and talking poorly about your boss. It probably won't get you fired, but it will cause you some trouble.
2007-01-11 16:14:20 · answer #4 · answered by cpl3043usmc 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If your friend is a soldier he is subject to the Uniformed Code of Military Justice and as such can be courts-martialed for insulting the Commander in Chief.
If you are a civilian and a citizen, you cannot be tried under military law for voicing your opinion. That's your 1st Ammendment right of free speech. Charging you under military law would be unconstitutional.
2007-01-11 16:03:40 · answer #5 · answered by tranquility_base3@yahoo.com 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
That's B.S.
Never been, never will be. Unless what you say is a threat by definition. That's another story.
Mr. Bush would be the last person to ever want or support such a rule. Regardless of what his detractors say. His detractors are wrong.
However if you are in the service and accuse the president of a crime or of treason that would put you on very shaky ground and that is nothing new.
2007-01-11 16:12:19 · answer #6 · answered by Warren D 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
No that isn't true. However, if anyone , regardless if they are in the military or not, is caught makes threatening remarks towards the president could find themselves being interviewed by the secret service.
2007-01-11 16:09:40 · answer #7 · answered by Snicklefritz 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Under protection of the First Amendment, you can say just about anything, as long as you do not threaten the president. Under the 1st Amendment I can say right here, I think that President Bush wouldn't make a pimple on a real soldier's ***. He's not too damn good at running the country either.
2007-01-11 16:09:35 · answer #8 · answered by john h 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
It could be called insuborination. I personally didn't care much for President Clinton but would not speak ill of him while I was on duty. If someone just says something in a typical complaining manner there probably won't be anything done about it. To some extent it has been an historical right (or maybe rite) for troops to complain.
2007-01-11 16:03:40 · answer #9 · answered by k3s793 4 · 3⤊ 1⤋
You can say whatever you like about the President in the military as long as you do it in a respectful manner. He is the commander in chief so he deserves the respect due his rank. Even if you don't like him as a person, you must respect the rank he holds. As long as you keep that in mind, anything can be said about him.
2007-01-12 00:19:43 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋