Sunday, March 2, 2008

IVAW: Cheapening the Stolen Valor Act for Gain!

This is IVAW buying credibility on the cheap! Past President of the Milwaukee Chapter of the IVAW and one of that organizations leading intellects and thinkers, Jonathan DeWald, more recently known as Big Punisher, writes:
"If we catch anyone lying or attempting to lie about their service, military achievements and combat experience at, or in preparations leading up to, Winter Soldier, we will be notifying federal authorities in the interest of having offenders prosecuted under the Stolen Valor Act..."
This is pure nonsense and a smokescreen!

After the Jesse MacBeth debacle, IVAW has, at the least, learned to actually check if their members really served where they say they did, and they will most certainly have been checking those testifying at Winter Soldier.

There are critics and skeptics of Winter Soldier who have indeed gone on about "phony soldiers", meaning that IVAW may have bunch of folks who have not served. That is not the problem nor the likely point of IVAW's weakness, which is why that kind of overplayed concern plays into IVAW's hands.

During the first WSI in 1971, there were some testifiers who could not be tracked down, just as there were folks who were tracked down by name and unit who claimed to have never been there and that others had used their identity. That is, overall, a fairly minor issue in the whole 1971 WSI history and effect.

The large and even overwhelming number of testifiers at the first WSI were indeed Vietnam Veterans. Fake veterans wasn't the real or even a really significant problem. The problem was: were the stories they told of widespread and commonplace atrocities and war crimes true or not, and would they assist investigations to determine the facts! As Scott Swett showed in "Newly Discovered Army Reports Discredit “Winter Soldier” Claims", it was the false claims by real veterans that were the problem and the smear.

There was a Mayor of Chicago, William Hale Thompson, who would threaten to punch British King George V in the nose if the monarch ever came to that city. That appealed to a goodly number of Irish American voters in the area. However, Thompson knew full well there was virtually no likelihood of the King of England coming to Chicago, so it was false bravado and a cheap political trick.

IVAW plays the same game. The serious questions about Winter Soldier have always been whether the testifiers to atrocities, war crimes and repugnant behavior by the troops will actually give the details necessary for the claims to be investigated and cooperate with legally required investigations, so as to determine guilt or innocense, truth or falsehood! That was the first WSI problem, and is likely to be this one's also.

The Stolen Valor Act is not applicable in these matters, which is why IVAW suddenly has the courage and moral wherewithal to invoke it. If a testifier falsely claims to have been awarded a Purple Heart for a wound received in Afghanistan, and he didn't, or wasn't ever deployed to that theater, the SVA can be applied with consequences. However, IVAW's Jason Washburn can claim as he did in the Times OnLine, that Haditha was not an isolated incident, but:
“It’s the one that just happened to be uncovered.”
If he cannot substantiate that charge, and is not under oath or made the claim in a legally binding report, affidavit or deposition, there is zero penalty under the Stolen Valor Act or any other law if he gave false "testimony"! IVAW credibilty on the cheap, by invoking an act passed to protect the valor of those who served, so IVAW can smear others who served and serve. See Question and Answer Number 4, for more of the same. Or IVAW member Mike Blake's:
"The killing of innocent civilians is policy…It's unit policy and it's Army policy. It's not official policy, but it's what's happens on the ground everyday. It's what unit commanders individually encourage."
Can Blake back that up, with details, like date, unit, place, event and a signature? Whether he can or not, the Stolen Valor Act is not applicable.

Cheap, shoddy trick to buy false credibilty. Anyone else wondering if IVAW has sought to have Jesse MacBeth charged under the SVA? Did they care about - the stolen valor of soldiers, Marines and airmen who showed that valor, or their own reputation when Jesse was blown? With MacBeth, the SVA does apply, since he falsely claimed to have been awarded medals he never qualified for - while incidentally representing IVAW!

Put up or shut up, IVAW. It's not too late for you folks to seek to have your former speaker and activist charged. That'll likely get Jesse back in the news, though. But since you now recognize the value and justice inherent in the Stolen Valor Act - we'll all just stand by and watch you act on your new found principles.

And piercing through the smokescreen (as usual!), Robin at Chickenhawk Express wonders whether IVAW's new found respect for laws extends to the reporting requirements of the UCMJ! I mean, IVAW wouldn't be hypocritically self-serving about respect for the rule of law, would it?

18 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hey ya, Denis! Wow....thats one mighty fella over there at chicken whatever his blog is. I agree, IVAW now invoking the Stolen Valor Act?

Guess the kid don't know how to read or interpret that the SASC petition is what its for. Be interesting to see what an official DD214 onhim has to say.

Catch you later, nice overhaul you've done on your blog, too.

Denis Keohane said...

Sgt. DeWald was in the Army for about 10 years, and was B4 Sniper trained. OTOH, he was an E5 at that about ten year point, not exactly the fast track to Sergeant Major of the Army. He wrote, unless it was in one of those mysterious e-mails or posts that hobgoblins send using his name, IPS address and writing style down to a tee, that he punched another NCO who I believe walked into his field of fire on a range. That's from meory, since I didn't take notes. It's hard to believe someone as reserved, restrained and peaceable at DeWald would do such a thing! The man never even hints at anything violent in his make-up!

Anyhoo...

He did not serve in either Iraq or Afghanistan, and so he will not be testifying, unless they convene a Winter Soldier Investigation - Poland in the Nineties - or something.

Army Sergeant said...

Denis, I'm troubled by your assertion that we at IVAW must be 'cheapening the Stolen Valor act for gain', simply because we happen to believe in it and will be enforcing it at Winter Soldier and elsewhere. Do you think the many vets across the country are 'cheapening the SVA' by being on the prowl for false claims?

We have not sought to have Jesse Macbeth charged, for the simple reason that as far as I know, he has already been charged , and I believe sentenced as well.

Also, in regards to reporting requirements of the UCMJ, I'll point out that I openly asked the milblogging community what they thought about that. One pro-war blogger gave me an answer which suggested that if it is not something heard in the context of Army service, not to worry about reporting it. I myself was wondering if I should report everything heard at Winter Soldier.

Denis Keohane said...

Sorry,Sarge, MacBeth was not charged with under the SVA. IVAW can still do so.

And it is hypocritical to invoke the SVA when that is not the legal issue involved.

As to the UCMJ, simply ask your XO, CO or any JAG officer. It is pretty clear.

I ever posted IVAW's media guru Dahr Jamail on it - you have to report crimes!

Denis Keohane said...

And Sarge, the UCMJ thing is not so much about - you! If an IVAW member testifies to having witnessed a crime at WSI, he/she should be asked if they reported it when it happened - according to law.

That's where it has always been important.

Anonymous said...

I'll double check but do believe the last word was, Mr MacBeth is currently serving a stretch in McNeil Island Prison.

Anonymous said...

Update to MacBeth: This article from the Seattle PI (liberal media paper)archives:
http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/local/332642_fakevet22.html?source=mypi

Maybe this help you a tad, sergeant.

Anonymous said...

Ooppppssssss, here is the US Attorneys Office Seattle, WA Press Release concerning MacBeth:

http://www.usdoj.gov/usao/waw/press/2007/jun/macbeth.html

Anonymous said...

Ok, last post on him I'm making. You know something Sergeant, when someone like this young man or anyone else goes to the VA and makes a fraudulant statement & claim to get free money from the VA?

Thats money that could be put to use for some of the very people you've taken under your wing in your off-duty time. Right now, I am in the midst of tracking down a man in the area that made the out in public claim to me that he is receiving $3200/mo from the VA.

Kicker is, he spent ONE week in 'Nam disassembling a USAF radio site & for that week made a PSTD claim in addition to other medical conditions he stateed to me. He even told me how to go about doing it. On top of that, he is gainfgully employed & earning a decent working in the private sector.

Bet you'd love to have that kind of money every month for one of your people now, wouldn't you? I sure as hell would....

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2003896429_macbeth22m.html

There is right & wrong. Another so-called "vet" I bumped into was wearing hats from Seals, Rangers, Special Forces & Green Berets & another that alluded to his bieng a n 'Nam vet. When I approached him to thank him for his service....his reaction gave him away. An hour later, he fessed up to carrying around & wearing the hats just to impress the women & tick off a friend of his.

What say you, Sergeant?

Anonymous said...

How Ironic and Hypocritical! Mike Blake was exposed for being a stolen valor violator when he went out and loaded up his DCU top with awards he never earned when protesting at West Point, when he was on the IVAW board of directors. You might remember him as the guy who was thrown out of a soldiers funeral for fighting & screaming at the family about being against the war on Iraq. And then there is IVAW DC Chapter Pres- Geoff Millard who was exposed for wearing a CIB he never earned- he was a secretary in Iraq. And the IVAW executive director, Kelly Dougherty, has made numerous fictitious claims about nonexistent incidents of sexual assault & harassment in Iraq in order to promote feminism. And Jose Vasquez, claiming to be a pacifist in order to Conscientious Objector status publicly boasted that he would use his "explosives training for the revolution" while speaking on a panel in NYC. Its a dysfunctional gang of liars and frauds who lie and spread lies about themselves and others and then expect to be taken seriously while pointing the finger at others saying "YOU better tell the truth or else" And look at the whiners who are in this Winter Soldier skit- most have never been to Iraq or deployed let alone ever been on Active Duty. Just another platform to complain and push gay pride and feminism and blame everything on racism and white people - nothing specific about the illegal war of aggression based on lies in Iraq.

Jenn said...

The funny thing about this group is when my husband was home on R&R we were at a red light waiting on the corner of Hood St and Rancier. I saw 2 guys tag an abadoned gas station. With the IVAW thing. I thought they were just a bunch of thugs (which I guess they are). Then yesterday the protested on that same corner. But the signs didn't make ANY sense. One states 15 month deployments with 15 minute r and r. I know what they meant by it. But no one is deployed for 15 months that I am aware of. There was the 18 month deployment and we are now back to a 12 month deployment. They just make me so mad. BUT the same people that protested here the day after the Ft Hood Shooting on Hood St holding signs that said "Thank God for dead soldiers" "God is your enemy" and more horrible things. Were there too. I dont know. But I have learned that there are small groups of the IVAW that operate. The group here is "under the hood" They recieve financing under the name of "Fort Hood Support Network" Which is very misleading. People donate thinking they are helping Fort Hood families and I am positive they recieved a ton of funding after the horrible Ft Hood Shooting. Its such ashame my husbands unit can't even raise enough money to provide single soldiers with basic necessities, because people are donating to groups like this. If anyone can stop find a loop hole to shut them down I would personally appriciate it. I do not like my kids having to see these signs right at the gate. There is no way to avoid it when they are right at the gate.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSOJrGkAfus This guy Brian Hannah he's a fraud. I would like proof that he's even a soldier. He states a lot of things my main pint of facts are these 2. He states if he had stayed in he would of been a warrant officer and flown helicopters. He may of tried, but he would have to be selected first. The second is how he gets out. That would NEVER happen under any circumstance. He states that he slapped his Lt., then threw his dog tags at his commander. Supposedly they said "Hannah stand down" he said "My name is brian and i am not your fn soldier anymore" (It gets better, he doesnt get arrested, no one disciplines him) He states thats when he put his conciencious objector paperwork in and was discharged. He had to fight to get an honorable discharge. UMMMM I dont think so. His butt would have been kicked out faster than anything else.

Jenn said...

Sorry but I also found another interesting thing. They are posting a fake army regulation as to soldiers can leagally come out to events. Its under the events.
Army Regulation 600‑20 paragraph 5‑2 b authorizes soldiers, including national guard and reserve, to participate in local nonpartisan political activities. Iraq Veterans Against the War is local and does not participate in partisan political activities. Soldiers are not authorized to: (1) Wear a military uniform or use any government property. (2) Allow participation in IVAW to interfere with, or prejudice, military duties. (3) Imply that the Army has taken an official position on, or is otherwise involved in, the local political campaign or issue.

You have the right to attend peaceful demonstrations on your time This right is explained in Department of Defense (DoD) Directive 1325.6.
... See More
You have the right to say & write (mostly) what you think But there are some limits here. You can't call the President or other high government officials what article 88 of the UCMJ calls "contemptuous words" like "fascist," "thief," murderer," "tyrant," "fool," and "gangster." You can, subject to these and other limitations, write, publish, and distribute things like newspapers, leaflets, and web pages. It all has to be while you’re off duty and without using military paper, ink, computers, phones, or other supplies or equipment. See Army Regulation 600-20 Appendix B for further explanation. RESOURCE: Veterans for Peace GI Rights

But that reg. is not true. Its irresponsible at best for them to be citing it. The DOD Directive is also wrong. I dont know if thats illegal, but it should be enough to be banned from post. I fowarded it to Garrison. Also I asked for them to make sure that Ft Hood support network wasnt soliciting on post. Because I could have sworn I saw them on Ft Hood before. I emailed all of this via ICE to JAG.
Take Care
Jenn

Anonymous said...

http://mydd.com/users/ralphlopez/posts/support-ft-hood-soldiers-anti-war-demo-jan-15th-media-invited

Support Ft. Hood Soldiers' Anti-War Demo Jan. 15th, MEDIA INVITED
by ralphlopez, Sun Jan 10, 2010 at 01:51:55 PM EST


Largest military base in nation site of key demonstration by anti-war soldiers and former soldiers. Media invited.

Event: SICK OF FIGHTING THE WARS!
What: Protest
Start Time: Friday, January 15 at 8:30am
End Time: Friday, January 15 at 6:00pm
Where: East Gate, corner of Fort Hood St and Veterans Avenue

Soldiers and dependents of the military community are literally sick of fighting the wars of the past decade.

Soldiers enter the Army ready and willing to fight for our country in wars of national defense. Soldiers do not sign up to fight wars which turn out to be based on lies, or wars of imperial aggression, as Afghanistan has become. Soldiers do not sign up to fight unjust wars and come back plagued with nightmares, physical symptoms, PTSD, and TBI among other injuries.

Here are the 935 Lies of the Bush administration which led us into war with Iraq. Increasing US troops in Afghanistan has resulted in a surge in civilian casualties (not "collateral damage") which bolsters the insurgency and has made our country less safe.

HOSTED BY UNDER THE HOOD CAFE (a pro-soldier, anti-war organization)

Google Map

GI Rights:

Army Regulation 600‑20 paragraph 5‑2 b authorizes soldiers, including national guard and reserve, to participate in local nonpartisan political activities. Iraq Veterans Against the War is local and does not participate in partisan political activities. Soldiers are not authorized to: (1) Wear a military uniform or use any government property. (2) Allow participation in IVAW to interfere with, or prejudice, military duties. (3) Imply that the Army has taken an official position on, or is otherwise involved in, the local political campaign or issue.

You have the right to attend peaceful demonstrations on your time This right is explained in Department of Defense (DoD) Directive 1325.6.

You have the right to say & write (mostly) what you think But there are some limits here. You can't call the President or other high government officials what article 88 of the UCMJ calls "contemptuous words" like "fascist," "thief," murderer," "tyrant," "fool," and "gangster." You can, subject to these and other limitations, write, publish, and distribute things like newspapers, leaflets, and web pages. It all has to be while you’re off duty and without using military paper, ink, computers, phones, or other supplies or equipment. See Army Regulation 600-20 Appendix B for further explanation. RESOURCE: Veterans for Peace GI Rights

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