Should military Vets be allowed to question the war or the President?

I have seen a few vets turn traitor by questioning the President, and the war for Freedom in Iraq (like swiftboat coward John Kerry). I say anyUS military Veteran who engages in such subversion shouild lose all VA benifits. I expect liberals to hate America- by their very character they hate freedom- But Veterans have NO excuase to attack our leaders- and they have NO right to backstab the troops.

All the US soldiers in Iraq are heroes, and want to be there.

Do you think Veterans who hate America (and they are a super small minority) should be allowed to spew their venom?



Speaking out against Pres Bush or the war in Iraq should result in total cancelation of a vet's VA benifits.Should military Vets be allowed to question the war or the President?Speaking out against President Bush is weaknessShould military Vets be allowed to question the war or the President?
Actually i thought the reason I joined the military in the first place,



Was so americans would always have freedom of speech.



I might not like what they say or agree with it , but they have the right to say it.



Something tells me you never served.Should military Vets be allowed to question the war or the President?If a vet doesn't have the right to free speech... I don't know who does!



These are people who laid their lives on the lines for our country... and have seen first hand what war is. If for some reason one of them feels that this war, or any other is not justified, that the lives of their friends and fellow soldiers isn't worth whatever it is their fighting for... then hell yes I think it's fine and dandy for a soldier to speak out against it.



A better question would be... should enlisted soldiers have a right to speak openly about their feelings on the president? People who are still fighting don't have the right to say what they agree and disagree with. But at the same time... you couldn't go to work and talk **** about your boss and not get fired.



Also... I see the president and the troops as completely different entities. And not all the troops desire to be there... in fact I'd say most of them would rather not be.
If anyone has more of a right to speak up against the president, it's veterans. Why should we not be able to enjoy the same guaranteed rights we helped defend?



If anyone is spewing "venom", it's YOU. And what do I have to say about that? Quite simply, you're welcome.

It's pretty obvious you've never spent a day in the military. If it wasn't for me, or any of the other countless vets who don't agree with Bush, you might not be able to sit in the comfort of your home and display your ignorance and hate to the world. Again, you're welcome.







And learn how to spell "benefit."Should military Vets be allowed to question the war or the President?Baloney! You are constrained while on active duty in political activities by the Hatch Act and the Uniformed Code of Military Justice. Once you are discharged or placed on the retired list, you are free to say and do what you want in the political arena. By your reckoning, Captain John McCain, USN (Retired) would lose all of his military-connected benefits if he, as a legally elected U.S. Senator, took exception to this administration's military strategy.

I don't know what service you were in or for how long. I served 25 years in the Navy. Each time I re-enlisted during my 12 years as an enlisted man I took and oath to support and defend the Constitution. That included the first ten amendments to that document. As an officer I took the same oath when I was given my commission and each time I was promoted.

Since my retirement I have sought elective office twice without success. Under your rule I would have lost all of my pension and benefits because I may have taken exception to the administration in office during my campaigns. That's insane!Should military Vets be allowed to question the war or the President?
So you are saying that the american soldiers that you call heros, should not enjoy the very constitutional right of freedom speach that they swore to fight and risk their lives to protect?.....boy you sure know how to support your soldiers.



Let me guess....you never spent a single day in the military did ya
Let me let you in on a little secret. There are liberals serving in the United States military. Shocked ya didn't I?



Let me let you in a little something else. You can love America but really be upset in how it's run. You can dislike the government but still love the foundation of America.



Here's a question for ya. Can a politician proclaim to support the troops when they are cutting benefits?



It's easy to classify someone as a liberal who hates America. But as a liberal and PROUD LIBERAL I support the troops with every fiber of my being. I'm a navy wife of 12 years married to a 13 year veteran. One of the worst things that has come out of the last six years has been the notion that if you believe differently from this President you hate America. If you are against the war you don't support the troops.



Why don't you take a time and see what VA benefits this administration has taken away from all Vets.Should military Vets be allowed to question the war or the President?
your a dork, of course they have they right to question the stupid president of the united states. they earned that right !!





i hate the president and cant wait till he takes a dirt nap
I dissagree. I understand your feelings and often feel the same about people that do this, but the military is set up to protect the Constitution, this includes freedom of speech. I just hate how people can use this freedom to undermine the military, but its allowed. Soldiers still have freedom of speech, even though its slightly restricted, and veterans have that freedom as well, same as anyone else.
FYI--this AMERICA--not a dictatorship. Anyone--including veterans--has the right to voice their opinions.



People who hate the freedom EVERYONE has to speak freely are the ones who hate America.



America is a free country. Love it or leave it.
The last time I checked, we still lived in the USA. We have fought several wars to safeguard our Constitution, which allows "the freedom of speech". What someone IN THE MILITARY says can be controlled, but as PRIVATE CITIZENS, after discharge from the military, the veterans have the right to speak out for what they believe.

You may not agree with what they say, but you must agree that they have the right to say it.
You clearly have never served. If you had served like many of us, you would never say such absolutely stupid things. One thing you learn in the military is that it ain't always run by geniuses. Case in point is this lousy war. We've lost close to 4000 troops in Iraq for nothing. If you think we can't call a spade a spade, you should be hit up side the head with an entrenching tool. 100% support for my brothers (actually my sons and daughters) in the military. 0% for the cowards who send troops into harm's way and don't give a damn.



Kerry served, fought and was wounded. Bush got drunk. Cheney had more important things to do than serve in the military. And I'll tell you, son, NO ONE WANTS TO BE THERE.
Even though I don't like anti-war sentiment, these vets fought for their, and our right of free speech. I am sure that most of them would give up any VA benefits to keep their rights.
we should always be allowed to question things around us. We should always be allowed to questions those who lead us.



we should not be so quick to follow and agree, asking questions encourages thinking.



wouldn't you rather know all sides to a situation if you agree with it or not, to better inform yourself, and make a better informed and educated stand on a topic?



If you listen to one sided views, then how can you truly grow.



I rather hear all sides to a situation or topic, only then do I know where I truly stand on a belief.



Those vets that speak out against or for something, don't you think they have earned the right to believe what they believe, even if you don't agree with them?



I don't understand how someone can be so one sided. By the way, my husband is a Marine officer, with over 19 years in the Corps, has been to Iraq multiple times. So by no means am I trying to come across as anit this or anti that, I'm only trying to say... Questioning our government and leaders is good, and we have the right and the responsiblity to do it.
A vet has a right to say whatever he wants, just like the rest of the people in America. As a vet, they worked to uphold that right, and if anyone should be able to exercise it, it would be a vet. The only case a vet shouldn't say something in regards to politics is if they happen to still be in IRR or active reserve status.. and that's only to protect themselves, not because they shouldn't have an opinion.
wait a minute -- John Kerry is not a tratior or a coward -- and as a Republican/vet I do not like his politics, but he still has the right to speak his mind (even if he is wrong) -- and remember he is a senator one of the elite 100 -- of course Vets can question the president on any policy he has -- I really do not think liberals hate the USA, just that they belive in other actions --
So.....



Because you served your country honorably you deserve to have your right to freedom of speech revoked?



That doesnt make any sense honestly.



If you are active duty you are under the UCMJ and cannot publicly conduct yourself in the fashion you have indicated.



However, once you are discharged you are no longer under the UCMJ and should have all the rights and privileges of a normal US citizen, that includes freedom of speech.



The opinions of certain veterans do not negate the fact that they have put their life on the line for the country, thereby it does not negate the fact that they should be subject to VA benefits.



On a personal note I do not agree with outspoken veterans who conduct themselves in the fashion you mention.
Bush has backstabbed his troops by putting them in a war for his own personal gain, they have every right to question their leader.
Sure! All the liberals do it on a daily basis, sitting on there a**es at home, why shouldn't veterans do it? But you see, most veterans understand that there is a job to do. They all have different opinions, but when the order is given, they do their job. Everyone can question the president. Only liberals actually try to act on it.