Category: SOCIAL ISSUES

LETTER 002: RESPECT PUBLIC OFFICIALS

Posted AdminPosted in SOCIAL ISSUES

Dear all who disrespect public officials,

It appears the latter half of the First Amendment, “…the right of the people peaceably to assemble,” has either been forgotten or is purposefully being ignored. The right to peacefully assemble in protest is protected by the Constitution, but protests should not provoke violence, threaten others, or interfere with another citizen’s right to express their thoughts, opinions, or feelings.  Although Americans can do and say what we want about anything, the decision to exercise those rights afforded to us by the First Amendment also comes with responsibility. For certain Americans, including commissioned officers and military members,  the right to exercise one’s First Amendment rights are accompanied by an even greater responsibility.

 

U.S. Code, Title 10, Subtitle A, Part II, Chapter 47, Subchapter X, Section 888, Article 88
“Any commissioned officer who uses contemptuous words against the President, the Vice President, Congress, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of a military department, the Secretary of Homeland Security, or the Governor or legislature of any State, Commonwealth, or possession in which he is on duty or present shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.”

 

Public Affairs Policy Guidance Concerning Political Campaigns and Elections, Department of Defense

“Questions and Answers.

Q1.  What is the DoD policy regarding political activities by members of the Armed Forces?

A1.  DoD has a longstanding policy of encouraging military personnel to carry out the obligations of citizenship.  However, active duty members will not engage in partisan political activities and all military personnel will avoid the inference that their political activities imply or appear to imply DoD sponsorship, approval or endorsement of a political candidate, campaign or cause.

 

 

Q5.  What political activities can a service member participate in and which ones are prohibited?

A5.  DoD has a longstanding policy of encouraging military personnel to carry out the obligations of citizenship, and certain political activities are permitted, such as voting and making a personal monetary donation.  However, active duty members will not engage in partisan political activities, and all military personnel will avoid the inference that their political activities imply or appear to imply DoD sponsorship, approval or endorsement of a political candidate, campaign or cause. Examples of political activities that are prohibited include campaigning for a candidate, soliciting contributions, marching in a partisan parade and wearing the uniform to a partisan event.  For a complete list of permissible and prohibited activities, please consult DoD Directive 1344.10, Political Activities by Members of the Armed Forces (reference (c)).”

 

Before deciding to exercise your First Amendment rights in a public forum, ensure you know your responsibilities not only as a citizen, but also a professional.

-An American Citizen

LETTER 001: RESPECT THE FLAG

Posted AdminPosted in SOCIAL ISSUES

Dear Colin Kaepernick, San Francisco 49ers, National Football League, Castlemont High School, and all who disrespect the flag,

As American citizens, we respect your freedom of expression because respecting the beliefs, opinions, and rights of others is our responsibility as citizens of the United States. In return, we expect reciprocity. As Americans, we also respect and obey local, state, and federal laws because it is our responsibility as citizens. Correspondingly, we expect others to do the same.

Although it is human nature to be self-interested and satisfy one’s emotional need for belongingness, in America, country comes before self. Perhaps this notion is easier to comprehend for those who serve in the Armed Forces, but before one can belong to a certain ethnic, racial, or social group in America, one must first consent to be an American. Granting Americans an incredible amount of freedom, consent also comes with an incredible amount of responsibility. Consent is what enables all Americans to serve their country as well as defend the Constitution and the rights it guarantees. In regard to the freedom of expression, or any right for that matter, how we choose to exercise our rights speaks volumes as to who we are as a person and what we stand for.

Because a novel could not do justice why the flag is internationally recognized as the symbol of freedom, drapes the caskets of those who have honorably served, and is saluted by men and women in uniform, may the following excerpts serve as a form of enlightenment:

 

U.S. Code, Title 4, Chapter 1, Section 8
“No disrespect should be shown to the flag of the United States of America.”

 

U.S. Code, Title 4, Chapter 1, Section 9
“…persons present should face the flag and stand at attention with their right hand over the heart, or if applicable, remove their headdress with their right hand and hold it at the left shoulder, the hand being over the heart. Citizens of other countries present should stand at attention.”

 

The American’s Creed
“I therefore believe it is my duty to my country to love it, to support its Constitution, to obey its laws, to respect its flag, and to defend it against all enemies.”

 

Not standing for the national anthem is not a protest so much as it is a self-interested act that suggests a blatant disregard for American citizenship. A mockery of the United States Code and The America’s Creed, the act ignores public-mindedness. Thankfully, America is the land of opportunity just as much as it is the land of second chances. 

If this letter neither persuades you to stand during the national anthem nor convinces you to require others to do the same, please provide a rational response to enlighten the American citizenry.

-An American citizen

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