(CNN) Ron Paul spent Tuesday heralding his support among members of the military, but one active-duty supporter may be in trouble after lauding Paul on stage while wearing his Army uniform.
Army Cpl. Jesse Thorsen spoke during Paul's speech at his headquarters in Ankeny, Iowa, Tuesday night. Paul invited Thorsen to speak on stage after a technical glitch cut short an earlier live interview on CNN.
Guidelines laid out in the federal Hatch Act specifically prohibit uniformed members of the military from making political speeches or taking official roles on political campaigns. Members of the military are permitted to attend political rallies, but must not be wearing their uniform while in attendance. On stage with Paul, Thorsen was wearing green Army fatigues.
On Tuesday evening, Paul Rieckhoff, executive director and founder of the veterans' advocacy organization Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America, wrote on his Facebook page that Thorsen would likely be reprimanded.
"The soldier that spoke tonight on behalf of Ron Paul is gonna be in a bit of trouble," Rieckhoff said. "Politics in uniform is a big no-go. [sic]
Interesting comments at the site:
"I think it should be extended to police and fire fighters wearing their uniforms at political events. Makes perfect sense for the same reason as it applies to the military."
"Whoever is trying to get Thorsen in trouble obviously has either not read the bill, or did not understand it. It says nowhere that a soldier of the US Army cannot be in uniform at a rally and participate in speeches or other activites with political organizations while in uniform. The Hatch Act outlawed coercion and threats for votes and against federal employees (civil servants) to favor a partisan political group or candidate, (the military are excluded from civil servants). Thorsen did nothing wrong. Nor did Paul's campaign. This is merely more irrational attempts to discredit Ron Paul and his supporters. Bravo, CNN. You've done it again."
"I could have sworn I've seen other military guys in their uniforms expressing their political opinions before. This is definitely the only story I've heard of a guy like that getting singled out for it. Perhaps the military is simply upset that there is at least one antiwar candidate."
"So much for the 1st Amendment... you know, one of those freedoms our active duty troops risk their lives for..."
"Yet if that brave soldier were stumping for Santorum and applauding the thought of nuking Persians, not only would CNN not have cut him off, they would've promoted him to General by now."
"Let me know where I can send a check to help pay the Cpl fine, and even offset his bust down. I only wished it had been me up there. I even would have worn my dress blues. I know you're Army Cpl Thorsen but Semper Fi"
"You were the ones who put a soldier in uniform on TV and ask for his opinion, CNN blatantly baited a soldier into violating the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
Set aside the issues surrounding the controversy of the statements made, that were in opposition to the question being asked. The original question asked for his opinion on a political stance of a candidate.
Focus on the fact that CNN screwed up by airing him in the first place; and owes this soldier an apology for putting him in that situation."
"When it comes to a huge issue like our foreign policy, I want to hear what our military personnel has to say. This guy served 10 years and heading back for his 3rd tour in Afghanistan! It shouldn't matter whether he's speaking in his underwear or his uniform, what this man has to say matters and we need to listen. Shame on CNN for hacking his interview. And realistically, I'm sure we have a lot of officials higher on the totem pole who should be reprimanded for things much worse than advocating peace while in uniform"
"so it was ok for you at CNN to injterview him first and then SLAM him after you cutt him off then Ron Paul gives him the correct respect.......you guys are pathetic"
"So basically you are allowed to die when they send you to war, but you can't have a say on the next guy that will send you to your death. America in all it's splendor, land of the free you say?"
"That man has the American people behind him. Why don't you do the American thing and get behind our servicemen and women too CNN."
Take it from me, there is a real double standard on that regulation. Anyone in uniform promoting perpetual war, the status quo, Israeli hegemony as this alleged ramora controls the red white and blue shark gets to go places for putting the uniform they wear while doing so in endorsement of the General's and Admirals political mission plans.
Really, this is a regulation that is just an excuse to treat political opposition in the ranks as second and third class citizens for engaging in the commission of such 'crimes.'
Myself, you better believe I did not get charged with flipping the flag off in the action against me without me being an intense and relentless foe of the status quo while and active duty soldier. In a way, it was a back handed compliment of my focus and consistent articulation of my political beliefs.
If they punish him he should wear that brass inflicted wound with pride. I salute him for his political courage, and were I to have to go to war again, I would want to do so with men like him in my team.
Take it from me, there is a real double standard on that regulation.
This is my comment on the subject at the video site below:
John Kerry was discharged from active duty in the Navy on March 1, 1970 but continued to serve in the Naval Reserve until February 1978. Anybody remember seeing pics of him wearing green Army fatigue attire during his 1971 Anti-War protesting activities for Vietnam Veterans Against the War?