[lbo-talk] "avoid wearing uniform in public"

[Kelley]

cute. this was linked to at drudgereport.com  item placed in top left 
corner. i guess we can expect a rightwing media spray and piss fest 
prepping everyone: remind them of vietnam, idiotic specials on the poor 
treatment the buoyz got upon return home, warn them to be wary of the 
spitting mad peace protesters who hate america first--when they aren't 
spitting on solider.

how's about a few specials on how shitty the GW1 vets are treated by the 
gov't? oh, i won't hold my breath.

http://news.mysanantonio.com/story.cfm?xla=saen&xlb=180&xlc=979366

Roddy Stinson: 'Avoid wearing of uniform' general warns local
soldiers

Web Posted : 04/13/2003 12:00 AM

"If possible, avoid wearing of the uniform when dining in public
places."
- From a "Protective Measures Awareness" notice sent to San Antonio's
U.S. Army personnel by Maj. Gen. Darrel R. Porr on Friday

April 11, 2003, will be remembered as one of the saddest dates in
Alamo City history.

Because of recent instances of harassment of uniformed personnel,
Porr, the commanding general at Fort Sam Houston, felt compelled to
warn the men and women who serve under him to use caution when
traveling, shopping and dining in San Antonio.

"Two separate incidents against military personnel have occurred,"
Porr reported. "In the first incident, two males on the city's
Northeast Side made threatening gestures and pounded on the car
window of a drill sergeant and his spouse while they were on their
way home.

"The second incident involved two sailors, in uniform, who were
accosted by several males who said, 'You'd better not go to war,' as
they departed a River Walk restaurant."

Porr provided this possible explanation for the hostile actions:

"There has been a significant increase of demonstrations throughout
the United States in opposition to the ongoing U.S.-led military
operations in Iraq.

"As individuals voice their opinions against military operations,
they tend to direct their frustrations toward governmental and
military symbols."

On receiving a copy of the notice from an anonymous e-mailer, I
called Fort Sam to ask for more details about the incidents, in
general, and the harassers, in particular.

A post spokesman indicated that more information was available, but
declined "to go there."

He then made a point of emphasizing:

"Soldiers here in San Antonio have always proudly worn their uniform
because of the support for the military.

"Previously, there has never been any perceived threat. This is quite
unusual.

"Even during Vietnam, San Antonio was one community that supported
the military forces.

"That's one reason the general put that notice out ... because (such
harassment) is so unusual in this community."

The notice included cautions other than the warning not to wear
uniforms when dining in San Antonio restaurants.

Porr also recommended:

"Be cognizant of people who gather and voice their sentiments against
the military efforts in Iraq. Do not get involved."

"When in public facilities, soldiers should avoid conversations
related to work or military operations in general."

"Always practice the 'Buddy System' when traveling."

"When in uniform, minimize the number of stops when traveling from
home to work or vice versa. Wear civilian clothing when possible."

There you have it: San Antonio, Texas, anno Domini 2003, in all its
un-glory.

What's worse ...

Community leaders continue to show pitifully little support for U.S.
soldiers.

Example in point:

City officials have been mute as mice since troops entered Iraq. (The
San Antonio City Council, which regularly passes resolutions honoring
everything from the Dallas Cowboys to Hike and Bike Week, has deigned
only to observe "a moment of silence" for the troops and their
families.)

Add to that palpable hush the rants of the town's Saddam Hussein
apologists, and "Military City USA" can easily degenerate into a
South Texas backwater, where men and women in uniform can't safely
wear their uniforms in public.

"Sad" hardly describes such a miserable state of affairs.

Fortunately, all of the news surrounding the recent threats isn't
dreary.

One unofficial source I talked to said he had seen the police report
of the incident on the River Walk, and he provided this description
of the confrontation:

"Some Marines who were nearby saw what was happening and went to the
sailors' aid.

"The matter was then taken care of by combined military action."