While returning from an appointment with my socialized medical care provider at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, I was driving through the on-base brick officers quarters when I was stunned to see this Tea Bagger flag flying from the government quarters of a colonel (I know the pic is blurry, but I drove by again just to be sure it was the Gadsen flag). I immediatley went to base headquarters and registered a complaint with the Inspector General. After 3 weeks this was the response I recieved from the Staff Judge Advocate's office, "For the reasons explained below, the member will continue to be allowed to fly the flag in front of her governement quarters. . .
DoDD1344.10 para 4.1.2.2 states: 'a member of the Armed Forces on active duty shall not display a partisan political sign, poster, banner or similar device visible to the public at one's residence on a military installation, . . .' The Gadsen flag is not an official political flag; rather it has historical significance with years of documented display by diverse groups over time-to include DoD service units. Therefore, command action to direct the resident to remove the Gadsen flag would not be appropriate or just in this case."
Go to teaparty.org and they use this flag to encourage people to "join the Party". Go to any bagger rally and you will see tea party members proudly rallying around "their" flag. How many cars do you see on the road with this flag bumper sticker "Don't Tread on Me" as if they are someone special will driving on my taxpayer funded road? How many houses do you pass flying the bagger flag with a "Josh Mandel for Senator" yardsign? IMO the judge advocate is wrong to let this member fly this flag in our hyper charged political atmosphere and is letting the military member hide behind "history". To think that a high ranking military member would be allowed to fly the flag of an organization that has threatened our Commander-in-Chief, our Government, and our economy; an organization whose members do not want to pay taxes, all the while living in government housing, receiving a government check and "entitlements", is disgraceful. If you feel the same as I do, please contact Sen. Carl Levin of the Armed Service Committee and voice your opinion http://www.levin.senate.gov/...
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This partisan political display should not be allowed in our military.