Army Stands Down - Again
I just love these provocative titles. Don’t you?
Apparently there are a lot of pro-censorship guys like Phil Carter, still at work for the Army. In this latest case a certain Lt. G was ORDERED NOT TO BLOG. The story is here, here, and the original is here. Oh, and The Thunder Run also has it. (wave to DavidM.)
BUT, not only was he ordered not to blog … he was then ordered to REMOVE AND DELETE HIS BLOG. We’re lucky that one of his friends archived the entries in question so that you can go read ‘em for yourself. I was a regular reader of Lt. G’s blog, KABOOM. I read the post that got him into hot water. At the time of my initial reading I thought to myself, “The more things change the more they stay the same in the Army.” But it never occurred to me that anyone would take Lt. G’s post as anything but a very, very, glossed over account of a not so atypical day in the life of a rising Officer.
The order to stop blogging for a while? Lame. But no big deal. The order to delete? That’s an abuse of power. And here’s my opinion as a civilian who has been in the Army: The man in Lt. G’s chain of command who ordered this is a POS Pogue who wouldn’t know the pointy end of the spear from his pointy head and should have his leadership “looked into” by JAG.
There. That ought to get me linked to the WaPo Intel Dumpster and Stand-downTo! for sure.
And if that doesn’t then this might - Redleg six, dumping kilobytes and preparing to surrender. Out.
I guess we don’t need political leaders to cause the Army to fail. We’ve still got lots of people like Phil Carter and Wesley Clark to take care of that for us. We’re winning in spite of these people. It amazes me just how good the Army is that it can survive these people.
I love the Army. I really do. I’m trying very hard to get back in. BUT this sort of crap we do not need. It’s weak. It does not support the mission. It supports one individuals ego.
The greatest Army ever to march on the face of the earth doesn’t need this kind of short sighted leadership.
Mr.Hooah!, out.
Roger Fox Delta, Roger Fox Delta, this is Xray Ze-Bra Niner Five. Squawk One Fiver Niner at heading One Three Zero, Ident. Report clearing outer marker. Good Hunting. Mother Out. -30- Time Zone Zulu
UNCLASS EFTO
That ought to keep the intel spooks busy figuring out the meaning of the above message. Click mic twice if received.
Al “Not his real name” Czervic
Lt G’s was a brilliant blog. I will miss it.
I wish I could figure that out and certainly am not an intel spook. That’s just great writing and code I’ll never get Al.
Man, this is tough dilemma. I understand and sympathize a great deal with both sides of the debate. The law would essentially require that which is reasonable.
Earlier, I called for something that is clearly wrong during peacetime. Prior restraints. The harshest form of First Amendment restriction imaginable, and one I detest. Yet, I am forced to rethink this only for National Security reasons. Not viewpoints that fail to rise to that standard. What is that standard?
Do we have all front-line bloggers stand down? I don’t thik that is reasonable upon a second thought. The editors will always remeind me of the two fellas from Good Morning Vietman who had to clip of Robin Williams mic. Were they ever right?
I have yet to fully read the blogs in question, but before I do, I would say this, A Brave New World we are in. The irony of this is I am a stuanch advocate of First Amendment freedom. Literally, I fight for those rights.
I am glad for this melting pot of ideas so I can have a better grasp on this issue. I did not think the Metallica name brand anything to worry about, though some might. The concern of a National Security leak would bother any reasonable person I would think. Blogs, like this one which was “flamed” by the Washington Post is how I serendipitously came across it and I’m happy I did. No question. No matter what, I support the troops A self described DemoHawk am I.
This blog, is, for lack of a better phrase, is a “private” blog as opposed to a “front-line” blog. There is a vast distinction one can construct, however, in reality, none of the blogs are really private in the traditional sense of the word.
If that is the case, prior restraints or stand down orders such as the one mentioned, would only have to be done if the blog rose to a level compromising UCMJ. Laws interpreted by the military. But, the tail sometimes wags the dog and vice-versa.
This is yet another tough issue presented here. That people loved reading the now defunct blog is certainly compelling evidence for me to believe a big mistake was made. Claire knows her stuff. Her displeasure and the displeasure of other bloggers here sway me to the side of reasonable restrictions. Further, a vast sweeping ban on this blog, seems grossly disproportionate. That it can be viewed here is only further evidence ti cannot be a security threat.
For examination of the First Amendment in this context, how much of the speech is protected? It is severely limited because it on the frontlines. Case law establishes such. However, random, arbitrary, and capricious acts done in this instance require close Constitutional scrutiny. Actually, this will be, as I predicted and written about over a decade ago now, an issue in the United States Supreme Court. I guarantee it. The Patriot Act, The Electronic Communication and Privacy Act, and the issue of blogging are all novel issues. Cases of first impressions. With the way the Supreme Court looks now, don’t anticipate much sympathy from Justices Thomas, Scalia, Alito, Chief Justice Robers, and perhaps, Justice Kennedy (the Swing Vote).
Politics make for strange bedfellows. Those who support the military in the judiciary and are “strict constructionists” willl undoubtedly side with the curtailment of free speech. These issues go hand in hand. Truth is, without balance on The Court, First Amendment rights, although traditionally upheld by The Court, have a greater chance of being neutered by future appointments by Senator McCain. Bitter irony perhaps.
Leading us back again into the Orwellian paradox we naively call the internet. This is not even the tip of the tip of the iceberg.
I am am incredibly liberal when it comes to the First Amendment. I am unabashed at saying that. As a DemoHawk, I do ot know how to handle this quite frankly. At frist blush, it would seem wrong to ban the blog. I doubt it has traveled through the military justice system to have a fair hearing. One not in a Star Chamber. A prior restraint without notice or apparent due process flies in the face pf Tje Constitution. Lack of Due process for even those serving. Whoa.
I AM OUTRAGED. I just listened to the song from the original frontline blog. Looked at the kids face. A picture and song are worth a thousand words.
Never should this be banned outright as a prior restraint without due process of law. Whatever one might think on front-line blogging, it has been encouraged, allowed, and even if banned from the get go, entitled to due process of law, fair notice, and how about just plain fairness.
These issues need to be fleshed out now. Listen to the song there. It is so sad and is anything but Metallica. This is the dog wagging the tail.
You need to see this boy. Are you joking me? He is probably feeling awful now.
There is no national security interest at stake. What a joke. A disgrace in my opinion. No rational basis for a security threat. This is not Abu Grahib, or even a non issue like the name Metallica on a peace mission, it is a boy fighting to save the Constitution we endear. When given treats, the dog will eat it. When given a song and travels of a young boy, the dog bites?
Spinning wheel, won’t slow down. What goes up, did come down. Disturbing.
Looks like an ammo dump of a blog. Cut and run. Just saw who penned this. Phrases like that will be gone soon.
Night Mr. Hooah! Sharp article. Curious what due process was afforded the blogger; by your accounts it was one person? Uh, that’s not right I don’t think. Wonder what UCMJ code says. The definition of arbitrary and capricious is one man’s doing? Less restrictive means could have been used as you mentioned at a maximum. Like, chill out a bit. At most.
I smell a lawyer in the room.
More quicksand is required.
Click, “mic, mic”.
The whole thing with Lt. G and his blog reminds me of an alcoholic father who capriciously punishes his kids very harshly whenever his own ego takes a tiny perceived slight. In this case Lt. G is the son. I feel for the guy.
There is a faction of Arcom that has always wanted to ban all milbloggers. In hindsight if that faction had its way then the majority voice in this long war would have been the MSM … and we all know how ‘that’ would have turned out.
Actual conversation overheard by Your Humble Correspondent while on active duty:
Master Musician, CPO US NAVY BAND onboard USS CONSTELLATION, addressing the members of the detached band:
“Men, we’re going to have a distinguished guest when the ship arrives home. Due to security issues, I cannot tell you who it is.
Read the sheet music I’ve handed out, and let’s give it all we’ve got when we play “Hail to the Chief”.
Blogs, schmogs. You’ll never curtail leakeage of information unless everyone is onborn with the entire scheme.
There are plenty of ‘little petty dictators’ operating in all branches of the military, and in all ranks according to pecking order, and the brasshat who order the blog removal is one of them.
Unless he was just following orders from his superiors ??
Siiiiiiiigh… was actually talking to a certain *someone* just last night about this whole issue. Before I read this. Milblogs are a subject close to my heart ;) and I have had a front row seat with the effects of the military’s different dictates on this.
I have always maintained two things:
1) NO milblogger I have ever come across has EVER - get that? - EVER violated OPSEC. Every blogger I know is more aware than just about anybody else of the perils of even appearing to violate OPSEC.
2) By their policy, the military is shutting down, strangling, one of their best and most effective weapons. Seems to me, the msm and all the other rags are quite able to spread the BAD news (often violating OPSEC btw) with impunity. Bloggers are and have been - an effective antidote to the negative bs…
Lots more I could say - and I just might.. Be advised, I WILL be linking to you, Mr Hooah! but I am sure any of my (8?) readers will be kinder than WaPo refugees.
Back to the coffee vat.
HAPPY CANADA DAY!!!!!!!
I feel for Lt. G. There will ALWAYS be a superior office or NCO who takes offense at anything that he doesn’t agree with, and make a scapegoat of a person who frequently gets under his skin, without the guy actually violating a UCMJ article.
The Army and blogging don’t seem to work very well together, primarily BECAUSE of bloggers exposing the dirty, and UNCLASSIFIED, little secrets.
It’s more than annoying to them-it’s threatening. However, if not for bloggers, some things would have just continued indefinitely to the detriment of the Army.
It’s extremely difficult for an established institution like the military to practice self-reflection. Something MAJOR has to be exposed just to get them to look at the problem, let alone DO something about.
The other problem-no one’s asking how often this particular officer has done this type of thing, and to whom.
Oh, and speaking of censorship …
Did everyone see that a certain company whose name starts with “G” and ends with “oogle” has begun to shut down any blog (within its realm) that is anti-Obama?
Hey, if people want to support the guy (Obama) that’s fine. But if people don’t want to support the guy … isn’t that fine too?? What happened to our free country?
We are facing a serious free-speech issue both in the Army and out.
The closing of Lt G’s blog, is a huge loss to the milbloging community.
Qucksand? If you smell something, ain’t to sure quicksand would work! Lysol, maybe.
My mentor, a lawyer, did two tours in Vietnam as a Marine. I learned to love the military more than I ever did and can field strip a 1911 blindfolded. I think he raised me up pretty good. I always give anyone in the Service big breaks and hopefully can help shed some light on a pretty abysmal violation of the Constitution. IMHO. The lack of notice, due process, and the old rule that says, um, be cool, was not used for Lil’ G. But, he will be lost in the abyss known as cyberspace. Lawyers are stuck in quicksand.
Mr. Hooah! you used the word “capricious.” I smell a lawyer. The exact lingo a barrister might use to describe what the government cannot do under the First and Fourteenth Amendments.
.
Sgt.Pepper … do you always post in two’s and three’s or four’s??
When there’s a jam.