Dishonorable, Disgraceful, Deplorable

Join the military, defend our country, it’s people, it’s constitution and follow the Uniformed Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), the law of the military.

When a person signs that paper, stands and pledges, give the oath, they are part of the military. A military based on volunteers, not forced, not required, volunteers making a choice of their own FREE will to defend our country and at the same time, agreeing to follow the UCMJ or be punished accordingly.

Two Navy personnel have now disrespected and ignored the oath they willingly made when joining the military. They have chosen to dishonor, disrespect and disgrace the United States of America, and to go against their oath, their promise.  Young, naïve or old and wise, it does not matter, these two Navy personnel broke their oath, they broke military law.

Why did they enlist?  Was it in their hearts to defend the United States, the constitution, and it’s people?  Or was just for the college money?  In either case, these two Navy personnel agreed to follow the UCMJ.  They did not follow the rules, “the law” of the military.

As with any “job” there are rules listed in the employee handbook you must follow.  If you choose to ignore the rules and requirements of your employer, an employer you choose to work for, you can be fired.  Are you allowed to bring your politics into the work place? Stage a protest? No you are not. If you do, you have placed yourself at the mercy of your employer, you must/should stand up for your choice and take whatever punishment is dealt to you.

Ms. Ervin, you broke a promise, your oath, you broke the trust that was bestowed upon you and you broke military law (UCMJ).  It is only right you loose your security clearance and any privileges the military has afforded you. Do not dare to whine and cry because you lost your security clearance, it is your fault. Be an adult and own what you did. You are smart enough to know what you did and the consequences that may result, do not continue to play for public support from those that do not understand or know what it is like to be put in the position you were placed in as an Intelligent Specialist.

If you cannot be trusted to obey military law, how can you be trusted with military secrets?  How can you be trusted to not follow protocols or orders if you don’t like them or if you disagree with them.

Ms. Ervin, you are not fit for duty, you are a disgrace to your uniform.

Ms. Ervin, you and the other sailor who refused to stand for the flag or anthem, need to be dishonorably discharged, immediately. I am disgusted you represent our United States Navy.

The uniform you wear and the military branch you are part of, is not an appropriate platform for your protests.

R martin

Patriot Day–Day of Remembrance

To day is a day of remembrance. Fifteen years ago we, the United States of America was attacked with great magnitude. The attack changed our lives, our sense of security and our thoughts.

Remember the fallen, our fellow citizens, law enforcement, firefighters, medical responders, private citizens at ground level trying to help and those private citizens at work and those in the towers for whatever reason.

This is our country, we were attacked on our soil. Do not forget this day, remember it, pray it does not happen again, pray for the family and friends of those we as a country lost, pray we can come together as a country to better ourselves and to better our country the United States of America.

We were attacked because of what this nation stands for; the good and the bad. Keep our fallen in your hearts, thoughts and prayers as we move forward to make change, to strengthen the good and to better the bad.

We were attacked on our soil bringing us into WW II, we came together as a nation and for decades we strived to be a better united nation. Let 9/11 be the fuel to strive once again to be a better united nation.

Remember, “United we stand, divided we fall”.

Respect our nation, our flag, our pledge and our anthem. Respect our country even during protests, make it non-violent, make it about all the people, but…  RESPECT our country, symbols and etiquette designed to bring this country together and which represent those that have served so that we may have freedoms in the United States.

R martin

Sports vs Protests–Politics

There is no place in sporting events for politics including making statements either verbal or via actions.

I for one, do not tune into a game of any sport to watch a protest. I want to watch the game, it being baseball, basketball, football, tennis, golf, car racing, it doesn’t matter, I’m not there to watch a protest.

This is the United States of America, you have the freedom to choose, so choose the correct agenda, the correct words and the correct actions.

For those of you athletes who recent chose a sporting event to “voice” your protest by sitting or kneeling for the National Anthem, you have disrespected this country, sports fans and me.

I don’t want to hear about your issues, I don’t want to hear what you are protesting, I don’t want to hear what you stand for, you lost that opportunity by disrespecting my country and me!

Wrong agenda folks!

If an athlete wants to make a statement, they need to do it on their time, not mine.  I paid money to watch the game! The average person cannot go to work and stand in protest no matter the issue (excluding work related issues or stances such as a strike). So what makes these athletes feel the have the right to stage a protest at the beginning, in the middle or at the end of a game?  They don’t! It’s called lack of respect for the spectators, lack of respect for other athletes and lack of respect for the sport and the opportunity they are give to play said sport.

These protesting athletes think they have the right to interrupt my time to relax and enjoy a sporting event, they think they have the right to force their issues upon me.  They don’t! These athletes are teaching people it is okay to disrespect others.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying I disagree with their plight, I’m saying there is an appropriate time and place, choose it wisely. Forcing their issues/cause does not make me want to listen and side or help them, it makes me want to tune them out until the sporting event begins. And in some cases, I will/have get up and walk out.

Protest in a positive way!

I agree we all have the freedom to protest, to air our opinions and our grievances but do it in a positive manner. If you give a speech cussing and belittling people, you will not get as much support as you would if done in a positive manner.  Think of it as a debate or giving an oral report. You are trying to persuade people to side with you and take up your cause. Positive actions create positive feedback and supporters. Negative actions create anger, bad feelings, less support and it distracts from your “fight” to bring about change in a positive way.

If your group of protesters start a riot, the riot becomes the issue, not the reason for protest. If your protest is forced upon someone, they will not support you, they will be angered by your actions.

Be respectful!

If you as a protest are respectful, more people will listen you and the facts you state. Don’t lie, or twist the facts to your benefit, respect your audience enough to be straight forward and honest. Your actions as well as your words, need to be respectful to everyone involved; fellow protesters as well as your audience.

A protest does not give anyone the right to be disrespectful. Is it common to be disrespectful? Yes, unfortunately even more so than it was five years ago. Do not disrespect traditions, protocols (such as standing and placing your right hand over your heart for the national anthem and pledge of allegiance), if you are out of the country or at an event where another country’s anthem is playing, be respectful and stand.

Think about it!

If someone approaches you to discuss an issue, a new law, better pay, equal rights, etc. who are you going to actually stop and listen too?  The person that is yelling and screaming obscenities, the person who is being disrespectful to you or your country or the person that calmly, politely explains their plight? I for one, will listen respectfully to the person that is respectful and polite.

Teach respect!

One of the major issues this country has right now is the lack of respect for individuals and their rights. Violence promotes more violence, be the “bigger man” don’t cuss back, stay calm, be respectful. People will accomplish more by showing respect, being calm and being polite. Others will learn from your actions. If you want people to treat you with respect, shouldn’t you show them respect?

Respectfully,

R martin