Yearly kos tries to shut soldier up and threatens him

[Sharoney]

Baloney. The soldier was breaking regs and the speaker was trying to warn him he could be in trouble.

[Whoo69]

I'm liberal on the war, but this was just disgusting. The liberal veteran REFUSED to answer the question about Iraqi casualties. How hard would it be to give him a yes or no answer regarding the surge? Instead he hides behind this "You're making a political statement in uniform" bs, and then he dares threaten the soldier?? "I wanna see you outside"

He even says "I want the name of your commanding officer." Who the fuck does he think he is? He has no right to request that info.

[OIF2VETERAN]

Y2k129 why do you only post positive comments on your video, I tried to say something negative and it wouldn't post. hmmm.

[Y2K129]

Oh another thing this particular video was cut to shreds its missing 3 min in the middle. Watch the video titled (Guard duty with 7 Iraqis)

[Y2K129]

Be sure to watch the speech that I made at Western Illinois University in March. Type in (Guard duty with 7 Iraqis)

[xalisae]

Bravo to this brave soldier. It's quite obvious that Kos can't handle the truth if it doesn't agree with what they choose to believe. I tried watching this same video at the Kos website, and the audio sounds as if it has been tampered with when it gets to the soldier's question.

[spamiam]

Exactly! If the sgt had said "Bush Sucks! Iraq Sucks!" this lib panel would have put him in for a commendation and spread the vid far and wide. Since he didn't, they censored him and are seeking to have him punished. Clark just got finished saying how more soldiers should "stand up". Yeah, right. The military should *appoint* a uniform to attend these events - in the name of "support the troops" and "fairness" and all. ;)

[Y2K129]

4. When wearing the uniform would bring discredit upon the Army.( Unless it is wrong to care about the Iraqi people and follow FM 22-100 The Army Leadership manual)

5.When specifically prohibited by Army regulations( Earlier I mention AR 670-1 Ch 30-2

sect. 4)

[Y2K129]

2. When participating in public speeches, interviews, picket lines, marches, rallies,or public demonstrations, except as authorized by a competent authority.( doesn't apply unless I was an official member of the panel. I just asked a question to refute the panel.)

3.When attending any meeting or event that is a function of, or is sponsored by, an extremist organization.(doesn't apply unless they are a group like the KKK)

[Y2K129]

AR 670-1 Para 1-10 sec. Juliet Wearing Army uniforms is prohibited in the following situations:

1. In connection with the furtherance of any political or commercial interests, or when engaged in off duty civilian employment.(This doesn't apply unless I came in support of the Kos convention which I clearly didn't)

[Y2K129]

Look up (Guard duty with 7 Iraqis)

[Y2K129]

I was wrong I didn't break Army regulations According to AR 670-1 Ch 30-2 sect. 4 States Army National Guard and USAR personnel are authorized to wear the army uniform on the following occasions: Sec. 4- When attending social functions or informal gatherings of a military character. The title of that panel was called the Military and Progressives Are they that different?

[Y2K129]

was the Sergeant who made the stand against the Kos convention. I made a speech at Western Illinois University on March 22nd I redid the speech and put it on youtube. Some of the info has changed since March. My sources include the Brookings Institution Iraq index and various press releases. According to that index dated Jan 16 2007 68,470 terrorists killed and captured also one correction 58,940 Americans killed and captured in Vietnam. I was slightly off I said 58,970.

[DeputyDawg999]

How can that sergeant expect disipline from his men when he disregards the rules whenever he sees fit? This is a stunt, pure and simple. And, simple should be something you simpleton Reich Wingers understand.

[spamiam]

I saw a 1hr vid.The soldier was censored out.The panel libs-who talk more about Vietnam than Iraq-are going to get the soldier punished. Within military standards-if he were speaking with moral principles,loyalty,upholding his duty and secrecy-he was acting honorably as a solider.He should be awarded.The mil should appoint a uniform to attend these events.Libs want fairness.Clark had just spoke of "some of the attitudes you see in the armed forces today"; how captains-generals should "stand up".

[spamiam]

If the sgt had said "Iraq Sucks!" "Bush Sucks!" this panel would have commended him instead of censoring him and seeking to have him punished. Harrumph.

[DeputyDawg999]

You lie. The troll was alowed to speak what little remained of his mind, but was only cut of when he was rambling incoherently.  He later admitted that he knew full and well he was in violation. His presence was a provocation, a set up. Sergeant later admitted he was treated with respect at Ykos.

[pantha266]

Congrats. You are officially a propagandist for this severely edited clip.

[emdotambient]

He was in violation of the UCMJ, as such:

j. Wearing Army uniforms is prohibited in the following situations:

(1) In connection with the furtherance of any political or commercial interests, or when engaged in off-duty civilian employment.

(2) When participating in public speeches, interviews, picket lines, marches, rallies, or public demonstrations, except as authorized by competent authority.

[Jooohnboy]

Screw KOS ann all lefties in general. I hope the soldier whipped his ass.

[sandhi11]

so what if that was true. that give Stoltz the right to be a total Asshole? You guys keep harping "the Soldier was wrong, the soldier was wrong" you know what? he was wrong. But Stoltz acted like an asshole. and it may not be against regulations for Stoltz to pimp out his Veteran Status for his pet socalist causes. but it still makes him a hypocrate.

[Russ456]

That soldier is not an incompetent, easily manipulated right wingtard who took advantage of being in uniform to try to win a political argument, NO! He is a brave young American who deserves the medal of freedom for standing up to those no-good Al Queda lovers! To all those who sympathize with him, as fellow Americans, I salute you!

[Russ456]

Exactly! Stolz is an evil man, as are Daily Kos and as is Wesley Clarke!

Oh sure, legally it was "wrong" but don't look it up in a textbook, no- look it up in your gut. I know I did!

[sandhi11]

I know it was against regulations for the soldier to be at a political event in uniform. but Stolz acted like a jerk, and didn't seem to have a problem until the Soldier said something that went against the KOS party line.

[particle409]

sandhi11,

Huh? Try reading the context of the situation. Stoltz wanted to finish the panel before the soldier spoke. He had even spoken to the soldier earlier, about mixing politics and the uniform. This wasn't the first time you're seeing.

[fretsForever]

It is against the military code of conduct to talk politics in public while in uniform. Captain Soltz, a commissioned officer of higher rank, was trying to prevent this guy from getting himself court-martialed.

General Clark warned this guy about this the day before when Pajamas Media (a right wing organization) had this guy do this same thing the day before. Gen. Clark took the fellow outside to save him from violating the law.

[munseym]

This has nothing to do with the Code of Conduct, which isn't even a regulation. What you mean is the Uniform Code of Military Justice. And the punishment normally isn't a Court Martial, unless combined with other offenses like criticizing government officials.

[munseym]

AR 670-1 Chapter 30-2

Army National Guard and USAR personnel are authorized to wear the Army uniform on the following occasions.

... (4) When attending social functions or informal gatherings of a military character.

Wouldn't a panel called <em>The Military and Progressives: Are They That Different?</em> be considered a social function of a military character?

[Russ456]

There's just not enough truthiness in accepting that what the soldier did was illegal.

Doesn't it.... feel like the soldier did the right thing?

And doesn't it... feel like the DailyKos are evil, censor-happy nazis?

It does in my world! (Vote Bush for 2008, since he never won the first time he should be allowed to run again!)

[intarwebzz]

DoD directive 1334.01 says it's ILLEGAL:

It is DoD policy that: 3.1. The wearing of the uniform by members of the Armed Forces (including retired members and members of Reserve components) is prohibited under any of the following circumstances...

[djtyg]

FM 27-14 requires that a Soldier cannot attend or speak at political rallies in uniform.

[leathermidget]

As anyone who has ever *actually been in the military* knows, making political statements in uniform is not just a violation of the code of ethics, it is a felony.

I don't care about the politics of these "Kos" people, hell we probably disagree, but for a serving member of our military to make political statements, in public, in uniform is not only criminal but brings shame on the services and servicemen.

[DixonB]

Clearly the illegality of what the soldier in uniform was trying to do is of no consequence to most of you.

[gatrfan]

WAY TO GO SOLDIER!!!

[y2knoproblem]

I'd like to see Jon Stolz threaten me like he did the SGT. I would put my foot so far up his ass he'd be spitt'n shoelaces.

[kellen45]

typical lefty....somone doesnt agree with him so he throws a temper tantrum

[PogueMoran]

Temper tantrum? The guy showed up the previous day at the event in uniform and was warned by General Clark that what he was doing was illegal. If the guy wanted to make a real point instead of causing a disruption he could have shown up in civilian attire and asked a question, instead he chose to be a jackass and show up again in his uniform against military regulations.

[randallvorisek]

The lengths Americans are now going through just to shut up free speech is unprescedented. From efforts to bring direct Government censorship through the "Fairness Doctrine" to inventing new ways at least attepmt to intimidate and to silence actual serving members of the military.

It reminds me of the efforts in the 2000 election to disqualify tens of thousands of Military votes while chanting "every vote must count" on tv.

[prxam2]

Courage beyond the call of duty. Conscience above orders. Proud of that soldier.

[captainden]

I would have gladly let him come down there to where I was standing. He'd spend the next six weeks sipping soup through a straw. He's a punk and a coward. He talked bad ass to a maintenance Sgt. But he wouldn't be so tough around some other combat arms types.

[omnipkp1776]

the soldier had asked for evidence of some of the panels negative comments about iraq, specifically iraqi civilian casualties. even offered money to anyone in the room who could prove him wrong. that's when stolz left the room.

[spamiam]

Do you have a complete audio/video? Do share!!

[thoughtvessel]

I don't think it's the point the guy was trying make that bothered Soltz. I think it's that the guy was engaging in political activity in a uniform and it sounds like that's against the law and I also think that Soltz found it offensive. Imagine that guy asked that question but he wasn't wearing a uniform. I don't think would have bothered Soltz at all.

[klarkke]

you can't hear the Soldier because his mic was either cut off or edited out.

[spamiam]

He was censored. Obviously he didn't say "Bush Sucks! Therefore we need to withdraw from Iraq!" lol. Clark himself had just invited soldiers to "stand up". When one did, Clark pointed out how that was inappropriate. Eh? That "Fairness Doctrine" is starting to look pretty good. I wish every military branch would *appoint* a uniform to attend these liberal events - just in case one of them might want to ask how their "support the troops movement" is going. ;)

[intarwebzz]

huh? does that really sound like a good idea? military people attending political events as part of their jobs? that doesn't sound too communist party in romania circa 1960 to you? have you no eyes, man?

[onelegleft]

Actually, the mic was out of the control of the conference moderator. As has been detailed on DKos, the session was out of time before this guy started droning on endlessly. In addition, Gen. Clark had already counselled him the night before that he shouldn't be in uniform. If fact, the final day he came in civies. Soltz was obligated as a reserve officer to inform him that he was breaking the law. And Sgt. Aguina himself has said that he was treated with respect by most people he talked to.

[sandhi11]

Stolz himself uses a picture of himself in uniform on his site votevets. Stolts is a hypocrite, and a disgrace.

[onelegleft]

It's entirely legal for Soltz to be pictured in uniform. You'll notice that he NEVER appears in uniform at political events.

[sandbarclam]

Soltz apparently still thinks he can issue orders. If he had asked me for any information about myself, I would have told him to suck my ass. He seems like the little XO that could never get no respect.

[onelegleft]

Actually, he can. He's a reserve officer and he observed a reserve NCO violating the law. By all accounts, Gen. Clark (ret.) didn't try to order him the night before--he discretely took him aside and quietly told him he didn't think he should be in uniform.

[sandbarclam]

He WAS a reserve officer; not IS a reserve officer. I've was in the service long enough to know a pussy officer getting all huffy when shit doesn't go his way. Start tryin to pull rank and be all scary and shit. Like I said, I would have told him to suck my ass. Go ahead, try to touch me. That pussy would be out cold.

[sandbarclam]

Oh, yeah. I'd tell that asshole general Clark the same thing. OOOOHHH! A former 4 star! You think soldiers fall on their knees for or even respect rank on assholes? He was, is , and will alway be an asshole. Hey general clarke... suck my ass.

[fretsForever]

Amazing how much hatred there is on the right for officers of the military. Gen. Clark (Supreme NATO Commander) ended the Bosnia conflict without losing A SINGLE American soldier. A true patriot would praise him.

[munseym]

What makes you think that the Bosnia conflict is over? The Americans came in, bombed, and put the Muslims in control, who are much more vicious than Milosevich and friends. You should see the ethnic cleansing that has taken place after the Americans left.

[fretsForever]

Munseym, you betray yourself. "The Americans" --- hmmmm... I refer to them as "us". Explains why you're OK with someone breaking our laws? Politicking in uniform is against our laws.

[tjustman]

What did this soldier say to generate such a harsh response?

[onelegleft]

It wasn't what he was saying--it was the fact that he was appearing 1) in public, 2) at a political event, and 3) with no 'service-related reason' in uniform. As a reserve NCO he had no right or reason to appear in uniform and he had been told the night before by Gen. Clark, a former 4-star and SACEUR, and then by Capt. Soltz, a reserve officer.

[spamiam]

If the sgt had said "Iraq Sucks!" "Bush Sucks!" this panel would have commended him instead of censoring him and seeking to have him punished. Harrumph.

[socking1]

Exactly! I almost fell out my chair when this absolute turd asked him if he wanted him to come down there.

[spamiam]

I saw a 1hr vid.The soldier was censored out.The panel libs-who talk more about Vietnam than Iraq-are going to get the soldier punished. Within military standards-if he were speaking with moral principles,loyalty,upholding his duty and secrecy-he was acting honorably as a solider.He should be awarded.The mil should appoint a uniform to attend these events.Libs want fairness.Clark had just spoke of "some of the attitudes you see in the armed forces today"; how captains-generals should "stand up".

[AuburnsFinest]

By editing the uniformed soldier's 87 seconds of uninterrupted speach out of this video, aren't you trying to shut him up? Are you embarrassed by what the uniformed soldier had to say? How he behaved?

[AuburnsFinest]

You have ham-handedly edited out the part where the uniformed soldier is allowed to speak for 87 seconds without interruption.

Captain Soltz (the man we see here) has a duty to ask for that uniformed soldier's info and cooperate with a military investigation. Since the disruptor was a uniformed soldier, he was representing his entire chain of command. The soldier's actions stand as a representation of the administration until the soldier is disciplined appropriately under the UCMJ.