Military Chief Warns Troops About Politics

[deminks]

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/26/us/politics/26military.html?_r=1&oref=slogin&ref=politics&pagewanted=print

WASHINGTON — The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff has written an unusual open letter to all those in uniform, warning them to stay out of politics as the nation approaches a presidential election in which the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan will be a central, and certainly divisive, issue.

“The U.S. military must remain apolitical at all times and in all ways,” wrote the chairman, Adm. Mike Mullen, the nation’s highest-ranking officer. “It is and must always be a neutral instrument of the state, no matter which party holds sway.”

(snip)

The essay can be seen as a reflection of the deep concern among senior officers that the military, which is paying the highest price in carrying out national security policy, may be drawn into politicking this year.

The war in Iraq has already exceeded the length of World War II and is the nation’s longest conflict fought with an all-volunteer military since the Revolutionary War.

(end snip)

Is this for the "troops", or for the "officers", or for the "Thief in Chief" his own self?

[Muttocracy]

1. military apolitical? is this from April Fool's day instead? nt

[Downtown Hound]

2. Funny how back when the troops were overwhelmingly

Republican, their politics didn't seem to matter so much. Now that that's no longer the case, suddenly it's a huge concern.

[AllentownJake]

3. This has been communicated

Privately to alot of people in Uniform. My best friend is engaged to a captain in the air force and he had a fit when he was told he could attend no political rallies in uniform.

This order of course will be enforced on the democratic nominee and not on John McCain.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

4. Code, code, code, code, code, code, code

"Don't be political" = "Don't have political opinions we don't like"

[sallyseven]

5. Yes people in uniform

Your there to fight for everyone's freedom but your own. I hate the people who run the military. They need a lesson in humanity. Snot noes stupid nothings. Can't keep track of the money or the guns and are fighting the Vietnam war and not the Iraq war.

[hootinholler]

6. Um, hey General...

What about those retired General "message multipliers?"

Just saying.

-Hoot