tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12703782.post2475744249445057338..comments2024-03-25T13:42:25.771-05:00Comments on Advance Indianaâ„¢: Will Lt. Col. Ray Mejia Be Disciplined?Gary R. Welshhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15185079937305083438noreply@blogger.comBlogger27125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12703782.post-67386293627295653672008-02-07T14:50:00.000-05:002008-02-07T14:50:00.000-05:00The Indy Star is reporting that an investigation i...The Indy Star is reporting that <A HREF="http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080207/LOCAL1901/80207038" REL="nofollow">an investigation</A> is underway. <BR/><BR/>There is beautiful irony here. Sen. Delph has repeatedly waxed eloquent about the sanctity of the rule of law and explained that it's the rule of law his bill is designed to protect, with not a hint of racial animus anywhere to be found. But now, we find, he is endorsing a violation of the rule of law to promote his immigration law. We had to break the rule of law to save it!Doughttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11424730556609713021noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12703782.post-36822020785765277812008-02-07T13:42:00.000-05:002008-02-07T13:42:00.000-05:00If the military was LTC Mejia's path to citizen sh...If the military was LTC Mejia's path to citizen ship, then how is the uniform not relevant. I have personally worked with Mejia for years and know that he is a man of honor, integrity, and service, both to his country and this state. It is disturbing to see the number of posters that have no clue about what the UCMJ policy states or what LTC Mejia stated at the press conference that may have violated this policy. If the military offers a route to citizenship that he obviously followed, then he can openly and freely speak about this military policy while in uniform.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12703782.post-73360088491491643032008-02-05T22:28:00.000-05:002008-02-05T22:28:00.000-05:00What is it with these people? In short, the LTC b...What is it with these people? In short, the LTC bloody damned well violated articles of law under the Uniform Code of Military Justice for a statement while in a public forum about a political issue, while in uniform. If I went an permanently broke a bunch of Code Pinkers at one of their rallys while in uniform, I'd be in no less trouble. You may attend a public political forum in uniform so long as you are a part of the Color Guard and kept your mouth shut. The military's job is to protect the people of this country, defend the Constitution and to carry out the lawful orders of the Commander in Chief. That is pretty much it. They are to endeavour to remain publicly as apolitical as possible. <BR/>LTC Mejia should be drummed out for what he did. If you auger a young troop in the ground for saying what he said publicly, then you'd better be prepared to render the same courtesies to a Senior Field Grade Officer who should have known better from the start. I line up on Mikes side.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12703782.post-17196007333507026192008-02-05T21:32:00.000-05:002008-02-05T21:32:00.000-05:00Yikes. Memo to self: DO NOT piss off Mike.Well st...Yikes. Memo to self: DO NOT piss off Mike.<BR/><BR/>Well stated, Mike.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12703782.post-2118958860596230352008-02-05T20:28:00.000-05:002008-02-05T20:28:00.000-05:00Ward, I'm a 23 year vet. Army. Air Force. Activ...Ward, I'm a 23 year vet. Army. Air Force. Active. Guard. Middle East. And an immigrant.<BR/><BR/>I happen to oppose amnesty and illegals. That doesn't mean I think the rules and laws we live by, and the regulations I took an oath to abide by, are flexible on a whim. That's the position of people who call "illegal aliens" "undocumented workers."<BR/><BR/>The colonel is a sack of crap.<BR/><BR/>If you repeatedly showed up at political functions in uniform, so are you.<BR/><BR/>Please do not shame yourself with a reply. Your oath obviously meant nothing, and you are a not a man and have no honor.<BR/><BR/>We could do without people like you, as well as illegals.Michael Z. Williamsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13543005122174458805noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12703782.post-45515862885154733912008-02-05T17:54:00.000-05:002008-02-05T17:54:00.000-05:00Ward Chair your selective application of the UCMJ ...Ward Chair your selective application of the UCMJ and long-standing practices, makes me fume.<BR/><BR/>You're a hypocrite.<BR/><BR/>The man could've shown up in civvies or waited three weeks, if the above posts are correct. What's the rush? <BR/><BR/>Using the uniform for politics, right or left, is wrong. And it violates the UCMJ. Always has, always will. By one hour, three weeks or five years, if the man is on active duty, he should hang the uniform in the closet before he exercises his First Amendment rights.<BR/><BR/>There are multiple volumes of military court procedures on this very point. Not once was the uniform rule overturned. It is quite clear, and officers, in particular, are warned about it constantly. My dad was a 35-year NCO and he got written and verbal warnings constantly.<BR/><BR/>But then, for far-right zealots, who wrap themselves in the flag and the Constitution on most issues, a little inconsistency is no big deal, right? <BR/><BR/>I do not fault the Lite Colonel's views, although I disagree with them. I applaud his courage in stepping forward. I'd probably not even have a problem with him mentioning, in civvies, that he is a lite colonel about to retire, if he really thinks that gets him more streed cred.<BR/><BR/>But the uniform is like a neon sign, and it's wrong. Period. If you don't see that, Ward Chair, you need a political lobotomy.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12703782.post-62774227163136942322008-02-05T17:27:00.000-05:002008-02-05T17:27:00.000-05:00so 7TH DISTRICT WARD CHAIR... if you are a republi...so 7TH DISTRICT WARD CHAIR... if you are a republican, you do not have to comply with military regs? is that your point...and since you flaunted it and got away with it then it must be all right...but what about the guy who was demoted just last year for doing the exact same thing.,..who decides who can ignore the reg and who has to abide by it...is there some special board or what?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12703782.post-67680904153989697212008-02-05T16:58:00.000-05:002008-02-05T16:58:00.000-05:00Sorry Mike, you are mistaken. I was in the milita...Sorry Mike, you are mistaken. I was in the military 20years myself. I don't see a problem in what he did. I think it is extremely relevant that this man legaly entered this country and joined the military. It is the military that allowed him to ensure citizenship.<BR/><BR/>I to showed up at many political functions in uniform. The military new all about it and I was an NCO. If you have never served you should not criticize.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12703782.post-10960550670605625512008-02-05T14:16:00.000-05:002008-02-05T14:16:00.000-05:00The point is ...does he have to comply with milita...The point is ...does he have to comply with military regulations or not...if not, then who else is excused from adhering to the regs.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12703782.post-29460848631558529752008-02-05T10:26:00.000-05:002008-02-05T10:26:00.000-05:00Ward chair: Read my post above.I assure you, ever...Ward chair: Read my post above.<BR/><BR/>I assure you, every vet I know is about to boil. If he was Guard, I expect the Guard PAO would have had the Private's testicles for breakfast for this.<BR/><BR/>It opens a huge can of worms, gives official military color to a political issue, and if they discipline him, it officially colors the other way.<BR/><BR/>This is a PR nightmare for the military, and an invitation for some Hillary supporter to do the same.<BR/><BR/>And please don't play the "Brave man in uniform" card. Kerry and McCain were both brave men in uniform. As politicians, they suck. Nor are you a veteran.Michael Z. Williamsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13543005122174458805noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12703782.post-52185609424950055662008-02-05T10:21:00.000-05:002008-02-05T10:21:00.000-05:00Wait. Do rules exist? Is there a rule of law? T...Wait. Do rules exist? Is there a rule of law? The people pushing this bill seem to think so, and I'll grant that they actually believe this. If so, then why does the law NOT apply to this uniformed officer who broke the code?<BR/><BR/>By the way, what does it matter how long a man serves or what his background or oreintation is? Aren't all soldiers men of honor and expected to follow the same code? Or is the gay guy an expendable peon?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12703782.post-83751934417846291422008-02-05T08:37:00.000-05:002008-02-05T08:37:00.000-05:00Gary, I know you hate this bill. You have made i...Gary, I know you hate this bill. You have made it very apparent in the past. You are probably the only person who cared about the man in uniform. Are you so worried this man may sway opinions to support the bill that you would attack one of the military's brave men. Be glad you live in the US and not communist China. Although I wish you did live in China. Maybe their they would properly deal with your disrespect of a brave military man.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12703782.post-34901839230584055262008-02-05T08:06:00.000-05:002008-02-05T08:06:00.000-05:00Procynic, it IS Hoosiers who lose their jobs if a ...Procynic, it IS Hoosiers who lose their jobs if a large employer is shut down. Say you have 4 illegals and 2,000 native Hoosiers in a manufacturing plant. If the business closes, they all get screwed. I'm not saying the business shouldn't be penalized or outed in any way, but let's think about the consequences here.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12703782.post-75849516104627859272008-02-05T03:10:00.000-05:002008-02-05T03:10:00.000-05:00Frankly, while I agree with his position on immigr...Frankly, while I agree with his position on immigration, I hope they dismiss him in disgrace and strike his pension.<BR/><BR/>Ready for some general about to retire, so no action will be taken, to endorse Hillary?<BR/><BR/>If one side can do it, the other can.<BR/><BR/>Incidentally, I'm a 23 year vet and an immigrant myself.Michael Z. Williamsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13543005122174458805noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12703782.post-9303401653354141792008-02-04T23:18:00.000-05:002008-02-04T23:18:00.000-05:00I don't know what the Army does for Hatch Act enfo...I don't know what the Army does for Hatch Act enforcement these days, but I remember when my dad was active duty, in the reserves, and working as a civilian for the DoD, he was so paranoid about getting into trouble with the Hatch Act, he wouldn't even let people put yard signs in his front yard.<BR/><BR/>I know that a yard sign wouldn't get him into trouble, but I wonder if things have loosened up since the times when people were so afraid they wouldn't even put yard signs in their front yard out of fear they'd suffer professionally?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12703782.post-59700927944036965502008-02-04T23:01:00.000-05:002008-02-04T23:01:00.000-05:00You missed the part about the relevancy of his uni...You missed the part about the relevancy of his uniform. It was his path to citizenship. Testy about your own conflict of interest defending the rights of illegals?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12703782.post-58790324962902701002008-02-04T23:00:00.000-05:002008-02-04T23:00:00.000-05:0010:18 p.m. is a bigoted sob. AI's point is that n...10:18 p.m. is a bigoted sob. AI's point is that no one -- gay or straight -- should be able to engage in such politics in uniform. And if people do, they should be treated the same. It ain't that controversial a point, but you sure do show you homophobic spots.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12703782.post-76292889269864029082008-02-04T22:52:00.000-05:002008-02-04T22:52:00.000-05:00Hey, anon, I don't have a vote on the matter in an...Hey, anon, I don't have a vote on the matter in any official proceeding. Don't confuse the meaning of a conflict of interest. So Mejia is about to retire and that makes it okay to violate the military code of conduct?Gary R. Welshhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15185079937305083438noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12703782.post-44280346624569834732008-02-04T22:18:00.000-05:002008-02-04T22:18:00.000-05:00Mejia reaches his MRD or mandatory retirement date...Mejia reaches his MRD or mandatory retirement date at the end of this month. He finished his last duty on Sunday which is why UCMJ action won't happen. I served with him in Iraq and he is the real deal. Earned many medals and accommodations. To compare him with a gay rights activist is beyond pathetic. Mejia earned his right to speak. Plus he became a citizen by serving in the military which makes his uniform relevant. Gary, I am a big fan of your blog, but your hypocrisy on this issue is overwhelming. You are an immigration attorney. Are you afraid of losing market share? How can you criticize others like Mayor Ballard for a conflict of interest?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12703782.post-40462915459819237592008-02-04T21:53:00.000-05:002008-02-04T21:53:00.000-05:00Every attempt to legitimize bigotry needs a token....<I>Every attempt to legitimize bigotry needs a token. All the better if it wears a uniform.</I><BR/><BR/>So in your world, the people who coined the term "La Raza" are innocent and the supporters of this bill are the bigots, huh?Jeff Coxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04896694141148386531noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12703782.post-13466228884312126822008-02-04T21:50:00.000-05:002008-02-04T21:50:00.000-05:00Punishing businesses for the illegal immigration p...<I>Punishing businesses for the illegal immigration problem superficially seems like a good idea, I'll grant you. But let's say it costs a large employer its license, possibly due to technicalities. Who's really punished? It's the Hoosiers who lose their jobs and the town whose economy is thwarted.</I><BR/><BR/>If they're employing illegals, then it's not really Hoosiers who lose their jobs.<BR/><BR/>IF a business is hiring illegals "do to the jobs Americans won't do" -- for <I>those</I> wages, anyway -- they probably shouldn't be in business. Raise the wages and law-abiding Americans will do the work.Jeff Coxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04896694141148386531noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12703782.post-60792366905969607682008-02-04T21:04:00.000-05:002008-02-04T21:04:00.000-05:00Nice post by Advance Ind. Couple points: Punishing...Nice post by Advance Ind. Couple points: Punishing businesses for the illegal immigration problem superficially seems like a good idea, I'll grant you. But let's say it costs a large employer its license, possibly due to technicalities. Who's really punished? It's the Hoosiers who lose their jobs and the town whose economy is thwarted. This should be the government's job; the onus shouldn't even be on private business. Also, the Repubs are still pushing a marriage amendment? This is necessary in light of all we're faced with in this state? Really? Since I'm a "pro-family" conservative, I'd encourage our gay friends to marry. Either way, let's maintain some perspective.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12703782.post-91356199844137999042008-02-04T20:52:00.000-05:002008-02-04T20:52:00.000-05:00Well, even if Delph is in the NG, he is a zealot, ...Well, even if Delph is in the NG, he is a zealot, having learned at the elbow of Dan Burton.<BR/><BR/>Whose brother foisted those ridiculous no-fee religious license plates on us.<BR/><BR/>The consistent mesaage here is: if it's far-right, it's OK. And on this subject, it's just hateful, to boot.<BR/><BR/>Delph will be like a cat on a hot tin roof trying to explain this one away. He's not the brightest blub in in the chandelier.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12703782.post-84270656009776917382008-02-04T19:58:00.000-05:002008-02-04T19:58:00.000-05:00As an LTC, I can't believe that Mejia was stupid e...As an LTC, I can't believe that Mejia was stupid enough to wear his uniform while participating in any political function. Delph is also an officer in the Army Reserve, so he should have known better and could have saved Mejia's ass.<BR/><BR/>Since Mejia is in the federal Army Reserve and not the state National Guard, it's going to be impossible for any state politicos to help him cover this up.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12703782.post-68757923286548731472008-02-04T19:28:00.000-05:002008-02-04T19:28:00.000-05:00Every attempt to legitimize bigotry needs a token....Every attempt to legitimize bigotry needs a token. All the better if it wears a uniform.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com