Proposal: Veterans and Active Duty March for Ron Paul

[TimeForChange]

If an official press release can be made up we can post it on the Veterans for Ron Paul page on Facebook and maybe get it out to all the VFW's in surrounding states or across the nation

 

[Working Poor]

The only negative thing that could result would be the MSM beginning to beat the brown shirt drum... It is a gamble. A march like this would certainly resonate like a boulder dropped into a small pond, but HOW would it resonate.

I am concerned for how it might get spun....

 

[vechorik]

I am concerned for how it might get spun....

You can go to the Blaze and browse the 318 comments about "soldier in uniform" article.
People that don't like Ron Paul BLAME Ron Paul.
People that like Ron Paul support Ron Paul.....same ole story.

As far as the RULES and the military -- every military person seems to support the rules. If you sign the line, then you take orders and obey.

I don't see the protest changing any military rules. I do see the spin to hurt Dr. Paul.
You're asking people to break military law. What is the benefit exactly?
Adam already gets a bad rap for the RT channel and this fuels the fire of "antiAmerican -- antiPatriotic"
I imagine myself blogging to defend this action -- I can't imagine one good defense of it, other than try to separate Dr. Paul from the actions of individuals.

How will enlisted military see the protest?

I don't know how I feel about this proposed "protest." I'm really torn about it -- so no other comment. (Christian, VietNam Vet that believes in civil disobedience, but ??? )

h ttp://www.theblaze.com/stories/army-reservist-could-face-discipline-for-speaking-at-ron-paul-rally-in-fatigues/

 

[SDMF]

Bump.. Awsome Ideas, Thanks

 

[thomj76]

Christopher et al, thank you for your thoughtful contributions to this proposal. I should have made it slightly more clear and I think going forward the singular focus of the message for this event is:

RON PAUL IS THE CHOICE OF THE TROOPS!

Everything else, including individuals' reasons for being a part of this march, is secondary to that.

On the count of including non service members, I think that would dilute the message. Certainly, it would not be appropriate to have non-veterans marching in the actual formation, but I'm wondering if it would be appropriate to invite service families and supporters to march behind the formation. It would also be great to have "civilian support" in organizing this and spreading the word, so it would be great for them to have a way to be included in the action itself. I think we should also have a screening point for those joining the formation and REQUIRE at least some proof of service be presented to march in the formation. Thoughts?

Contained within the thought "Ron Paul is the Choice of the troops" is why they choose to donate, etc. In the case of Jesse, he was trying to articulate the reasons why he supported Dr. Paul. When he got cut off and was invited to speak up on the stage, he was a bit tongue tied in awe at being next to Dr. Paul. The resulting speech didn't clearly articulate his reasons.

The more we can objectively inform Americans as to the history that they are probably not fully aware of, then that in my opinion is in harmony with what Jesse was trying to say.

So perhaps with/alongside the press release, we could have the historical reasons why we are where we are today as a People and a Country on the Earth. Knowing the Geopolitical reasons for Entering WWI, and the results that are therein connected is so vital to understanding the following events that really helped to perpetuate what we see unfolding still today.

I think the receiving arc made up of the families is a very poignant idea, and I look forward helping in whatever way I in concert with everyone to make this as good of an event that it can be.

 

[PPHILPOT]

I am in. BONUS ARMY!

 

[TheLasersShadow]

Stop worrying about the media and spin, you can be guarenteed as always that they will attack the movement no matter what. Just show your support for Ron Paul and let the cards fall as they may. I don't know about the military code of justice but if enough of you go maybe 1000 active duty I can hardly see them going after you all.

 

[dagnybell]

then "present arms" (hold a hand salute) to a folded flag for as many seconds as service members have died since Obama took office,

I love this whole idea and I think it will send a great message, however, I'm wondering why focus only on those who have died since Obama took office. I think it sends a stronger message to count all who have died since the wars started. Bush is just as much at fault (or more so) than Obama. Also, it would have less of a partisan ring to it and send a message that both parties are status quo and we need a real change.

 

[SamuelWhite]

Hey Adam,

I noticed You saying something about a website. While I am not volunteering, mainly because I am not a United States citizen, I have a tip.

The other day someone from a web design agency called "WebStarts" posted a thread here claiming to donate 1$ for each registration to their free-ish website building and hosting service who did so via a Ron Paul banner. The thread can be found at http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?347196-Popular-web-startup-company-endorses-Ron-Paul-with-an-ad-on-their-homepage

I don't know if it is just a marketing ploy or not (it probably is) but nevertheless I gave it a spin and in 15 minutes managed to cobble together http://fireitup.webstarts.com. Seems to work and the sitebuilding tools are somewhat usable.

So if someone has the spare time and motivation, then WebStarts can be used to create the website Adam mentioned.

Another good tool for building websites really fast is Edicy which is even better that WebStarts, I think.

Good luck to everybody here from EU and keep up the good work. What is done here today and in coming months can alter the course of history on a global level, for better I hope.

 

[DonovanJames]

Hey Adam,

I noticed You saying something about a website. While I am not volunteering, mainly because I am not a United States citizen, I have a tip.

The other day someone from a web design agency called "WebStarts" posted a thread here claiming to donate 1$ for each registration to their free-ish website building and hosting service who did so via a Ron Paul banner. The thread can be found at http://www.ronpaulforums.com/showthread.php?347196-Popular-web-startup-company-endorses-Ron-Paul-with-an-ad-on-their-homepage

I don't know if it is just a marketing ploy or not (it probably is) but nevertheless I gave it a spin and in 15 minutes managed to cobble together http://fireitup.webstarts.com. Seems to work and the sitebuilding tools are somewhat usable.

So if someone has the spare time and motivation, then WebStarts can be used to create the website Adam mentioned.

Another good tool for building websites really fast is Edicy which is even better that WebStarts, I think.

Good luck to everybody here from EU and keep up the good work. What is done here today and in coming months can alter the course of history on a global level, for better I hope.

Beat me too it... maybe they'll donate 1$ to Grassroots for each website visitor too ^_~

Bump'n for fresh beats

 

[freneticentropy]

Great idea, Adam. I do agree with the poster who said it shouldn't be limited to those who lost loved ones under Obama.

As far as it being spun, I think it largely depends on how many participate. If it's just a handful of people, they'll play it off as a group of disgruntled traitors or something. If it's thousands of service members, that will be harder to do, and I don't think Americans will buy it. At any rate, I think the potential downside is small as long as it's not organized by the campaign, but completely independently. The upside, however, could be huge. We're behind in this race. We have to swing for the fences.

 

[jllundqu]

As a member of Iraq Veteran's Against the War (IVAW) and Veteran's for Ron Paul, I fully support this measure. Just give me a time and place and I will be there in solidarity with my brothers and sisters.

THanks for your work Adam.

 

[olehounddog]

God willin and the river don't rise. I'll be there

 

[olehounddog]

It's not the DOD directives which get you into trouble. It's the ORDER! The UCMJ empowers officers to issue orders. Failure to obey a lawful order is what they can get you on.

I had 1 of them. lol

 

[jllundqu]

As long as active duty members are not in uniform, there is no legal conflict (see UCMJ). We should all wear Ron Paul shirts... that is my new uniform.

 

[cjm]

I love this whole idea and I think it will send a great message, however, I'm wondering why focus only on those who have died since Obama took office. I think it sends a stronger message to count all who have died since the wars started. Bush is just as much at fault (or more so) than Obama. Also, it would have less of a partisan ring to it and send a message that both parties are status quo and we need a real change.

I agree with this.

I would love to have the honor of being the one to execute this (I've always loved close order drill) but if it there is someone else who would be more symbolically appropriate, then it doesn't have to be me. We could also have a different person holding the flag, or something else to salute that would symbolize the fallen troops.

Since the event is political in nature, the person calling the cadence should probably be over 50 and from whichever super Tuesday state could use the most help reinforcing Dr. Paul's support-of-the-troops cred. A junior officer or NCO seems the most appropriate to me, but I don't have anything more than a gut instinct to support that (which is plenty on the internet).

 

[Travlyr]

Great idea!

In solidarity with Cpl Jesse Thorsen, we, the founders of Veterans for Ron Paul 2012, Nathan Cox and Adam Kokesh, propose a Veterans and Active Duty March for Ron Paul on President's Day, Monday, February 20th, giving us enough time to plan and promote, and in plenty of time for an impact on Super Tuesday, March 6th. We would apply for a proper permit from the Parks Department and coordinate with appropriate authorities to gather in the vicinity (at the base if possible) of the Washington Monument, have a brief chance for veterans to speak, nothing special, possibly even as little as a soapbox and a bullhorn, but we'll see. Then, at a designated time, line up in formation on 15th St NW facing North towards Constitution Ave NW, march in formation to the White House, turn our backs to the White House, then "present arms" (hold a hand salute) to a folded flag for as many seconds as service members have died since Obama took office, then march silently back to the Washington monument and fall out. This could be followed by a designated time and place for media availability, and/or a reception to take place at another location. This has the benefit of being effective even if we only have a platoon-sized element of participants, but imagine if we could have an impressive number of vets and even active duty soldiers participate in this gesture! How many would join us in demanding that Ron Paul be recognized as the choice of the troops? We could encourage individuals to wear something symbolic of their service, like a piece of uniform like a hat or a patch and carry proof of service. We could invite active duty troops to participate in full recognition of the regulations of NOT being in uniform or to come in defiance of those regulations. It is an absurd proposition to say that members of the military supporting candidates in uniform would be construed to represent official positions of the government and rules regarding free speech for members of the military have only been used to silence dissent and keep the true will of the troops from being relevant in the American political discourse. Well, NOT ANY MORE!

 

[rideurlightning]

Bump.

 

[libertarian4321]

Veterans are a different kettle of fish, but active duty and reserve shouldn't be called into this imho. And frankly, being 'in their face' doesn't really serve Ron's purposes in this side issue, imho. It was a good faith error, and I think calling more attention to it will hurt most the guy who already spoke for Ron.

Active duty aren't supposed to go to partisan political rallies, even in civilian attire.

Reservists, however, are free to do just about anything a civilian can do. That includes attending a partisan rally/march. The caveat being that they can't do so in uniform (which is where CPL Thorsen made his mistake).

Vets, of course, have the same rights as any other civilian.

 

[Adam Kokesh]

Active duty aren't supposed to go to partisan political rallies, even in civilian attire.

Not true. As long as they are not in uniform, and not on duty, they are entitled to full rights of political participation short of direct criticism of the commander in chief or their chain of command. This would certainly be allowed. After thinking about it, the invitation to the event will simply ask active duty troops to attend. HOW they attend is entirely up to them as individuals, and we won't even make a direct suggestion.

Thanks everyone for your input! I should have the facebook event page up tomorrow afternoon!