Reply With QuoteI wonder if he would have been reprimanded if he had attended warmongers like Romney's, Gingrich's or Santorum's rallies.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/...555a380ddd03dcA soldier who went on national television in his military fatigues to endorse Ron Paul's presidential campaign after the Iowa caucuses has been reprimanded but not dismissed from the Army Reserve, a spokeswoman said Friday.
The Army determined that Jesse D. Thorsen violated policies that bar soldiers from participating in political events in their official capacities or while in uniform. Experts say a reprimand may become a problem if Thorsen seeks a promotion or could be used to justify more serious punishment if he gets in trouble again.
U.S. Army Reserve spokeswoman Angel Wallace said a letter of reprimand was placed in Thorsen's official personnel file. Thorsen, who learned of the punishment following a two-month investigation, declined comment when reached by email. His supporters praised the news on a Facebook page dedicated to him, noting it could have been worse.
Thorsen, 28, showed up in his uniform Jan. 3 to Paul campaign's caucus night celebration at a suburban Des Moines hotel ballroom. There, he gave a live interview with CNN saying he supported Paul's plans "when it comes to bringing the soldiers home" because he'd served for a decade in the military during wartime.
CNN cut off the interview after technical difficulties and some Paul supporters accused the network of silencing Thorsen. Paul then called him to the stage so he could finish his thoughts before giving remarks after finishing a close third in Iowa's first-in-the-nation Republican presidential nominating contest.
"We don't need to be picking fights overseas. And I think everybody else knows that too," Thorsen said while on stage. He said being with Paul was "an incredible moment ... like meeting a rock star" and urged supporters to organize to make sure Paul was elected president.
The military's reaction was swift.
The Army Reserve said Thorsen "stands alone in his opinions reading his political affiliation and beliefs" and launched an investigation. The Army soon learned from news reports that Thorsen was convicted in connection with breaking into a home in December 2004 in Fort Myers, Fla., to steal a shotgun and other items.
The statement released Friday by the military didn't address the criminal record of Thorsen, who learned of the reprimand earlier this month.
"If you're an officer, a letter of reprimand is a career-ender. In the lower ranks, you can sometimes overcome it," said Greg Rinckey, a former Army attorney whose Albany, N.Y., law firm often represents soldiers and veterans. "The bigger issue is, you don't go to political rallies in your uniform. It has to be addressed because it's not appropriate."
I wonder if he would have been reprimanded if he had attended warmongers like Romney's, Gingrich's or Santorum's rallies.
Do unto other nations what you would want other nations to do unto us.
Rules are rules.
"A Liberal is a person who will give away everything they don't own."
Forrest Gump did it.
When will the world learn that a million men are of no importance compared with one man? [Henry David Thoreau]
It was a movie. I believe he'd also already been discharged at the time.Originally Posted by Freedom&Liberty
"A Liberal is a person who will give away everything they don't own."
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