Via Think Progress:
While the Marine Corps was actively working to repudiate “opposition groups and individuals” like Kokesh, Marine Gen. Peter Pace, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was advocating — in his official capacity — on behalf of “Scooter” Libby.
After Libby was convicted of “lying to investigators and a federal grand jury examining the leak of CIA operative Valerie Plame’s identity,” Pace wrote a letter endorsing Libby’s character, specifically noting his “selfless” nature and his penchant for examining decisions “legally and morally.”
I was always very impressed with Mr. Libby’s professionalism and his focus and attention to the matters at hand. He impressed me as a team player when addressing issues and with his selfless approach to his wide-ranging responsibilities. … From my perspective dealing with Mr. Libby on national security issues, he served the United States Government extremely well.
The administration appears to oppose the political advocacy of uniformed officers, except when they’re advocating on behalf of administration policy.
Previously, I had written on Kokesh:
General discharge for Kokesh
After a hearing Monday before an administrative separation board at the Marine Corps Mobilization Command, the panel decided not to recommend an other-than-honorable discharge, choosing instead the general discharge.
"This is a nonpunitive discharge," said Col. Patrick McCarthy, chief of staff for the mobilization command. "The most stringent discharge that could have been received is other than honorable, and the board chose to raise that up to a general discharge."
snip
Kokesh is a member of the Individual Ready Reserve, which consists mainly of those who have left active duty but still have time remaining on their eight-year military obligations. His service is due to end June 18, but the Marine Corps is seeking to let him go two weeks early with a less-than-honorable discharge.
I am not sure how a "general" discharge affects his security clearance or job prospects? They make no mention of that in the article. It may be no worse than getting a hardship or medical discharge. Considering Kokesh says that he will appeal the decision on principle, I doubt it affects those situations adversely, but I also have my doubts about any change in this decision considering this is the military that he is dealing with.
Needless to say, I am certain that many veterans on both sides of the political aisle are somewhat disappointed with this decision. Even the conservative leaning VFW was supporting Adam Kokesh's right to freedom of speech on this one.
Wonkette may have hit on one of the main reasons they might have wanted to go after who she calls "some kind of magical Cindy Sheehan":
And while right-wingers had no problem mocking the mother of a soldier killed in Iraq, they have a tougher time mocking an actual living Marine male veteran who actually fought in the war they just write about on their blogs. Plus, you get the feeling he wouldn’t mind beating the shit out of, say, the entire staff of National Review Online … and that they’d probably enjoy it, too.
snip
On Monday, Kokesh has to show up at a hearing so the Corps can re-discharge him, this time dishonorably. Why? Because even when you get out of the military these days, Rumsfeld’s “back door draft” makes you eligible for another call-up because there aren’t enough people volunteering to jump in the Baghdad Meatgrinder. But they don’t want him back, even for the Individual Ready Reserve. So what’s the point?Kokesh at the GONEzales hearings keeping track of how many times GONEzo says "I don't recall", "I can't remember" and "I don't recall if I can't remember".
All the chickenhawks will have permission to call him a traitor or whatever on the blogs and talk radio if he suddenly becomes dishonorably discharged, that’s the point!
And that is just another example of how the GOP and the military under their control, plays politics with the soldiers lives.
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