Just got the call in from the CNO's official PAO - CHINFO, and they said
this is NOT happening, that they had not heard of it before it was in the
papers, that Clinton leaves for Vietnam today and is not sked trans aboard
any U.S. "sea-going military vehicles" (WARSHIPS - had to get that in there)
according to official spokesperson Lt Jane Alexander, USN, Office of the
Chief of Naval Information, Wash DC.
Hope this is not a smokescreen.
Be sure you get a copy of the Dec issue of ESQUIRE MAGAZINE with Pres
Clinton on the front, I guess the way he wants to be remembered.
S/F,
Stew
-----Original Message-----
From: Everett Doyle [mailto:194cbteng@pchnet.com]
Sent: Sunday, November 12, 2000 8:37 AM
To: mil-veh@mil-veh.org
Subject: [MV] Fw: Subordinate our Flag?
This qualifies Aurthr because Navy ships are Mil-veh. please excuse this
posting but I cannot help myself this is the only outlet I have to get this
message in front of people.
President Clinton reportedly plans to visit China and Vietnam before the
end of his term, and, according to high-ranking Navy officers, the
commander in chief will alter long-standing naval regulations to allow the
American flag to fly below that of Vietnam when he sails into the
communist nation's territorial waters on a U.S. Navy ship. Highly placed
Navy sources who spoke on condition of anonymity believe this action on the
president's part would further devastate already tenuous Navy morale.
As part of his swan song, Clinton reportedly intends to visit two ports
aboard Naval vessels. Trip one takes him to the People's Republic of China,
which has a regulation that no war ship of any country may enter its
territorial waters flying a flag higher than that of the People's Republic
of China. According to one Navy source, China and the U.S. have effected a
compromise whereby both flags-the U.S. and the PRC-will be flown from U.S.
naval vessels at the same height.
But visceral outrage is resulting from a proposed change to Navy
regulations that would result in the American flag being displayed
subordinate to the flag of Vietnam. Navy regulations and tradition
prescribe that no country's flag will be displayed in a superior position to
the U.S. flag.
However, Vietnam's rules reportedly demand that the Vietnamese flag shall
always fly in a superior position to any other country's flag.
High-ranking naval officers, speaking on condition that their names not be
published, say the reason for all the alarm, anger and career-threatening
rhetoric is that Clinton allegedly has either ordered, or is about to
order, the Secretary of the Navy to amend regulations to permit the
Vietnamese flag to be displayed over the U.S. flag.
"I'd like to blow the @#&*% thing up!" said one frustrated officer.
The United States Navy Regulations began with the enactment by the
Continental Congress of the "Rules for the Regulation of the Navy of the
United Colonies" on Nov. 28, 1775. So a long and proud history bolsters the
long-held Navy tradition that no country's flag will fly higher than that of
the United States.
Commenting on the report, Col. David Hackworth, America's most decorated
living war veteran, said, "What's new? Clinton has done everything else to
dishonor the flag, why not make it number two?" He added, "Congress ought
to pull this traitor's travel plug ... now."
Calls to the Navy Staff Operations and Special Events office were referred
to the Public Affairs Office, which then referred WND to the news desk.
When WND outlined the scenario, the spokesman- whose first comment was,
"Wow" - later called back to say, "We haven't been able to find anything on
it yet, but we're trying to run the story to ground."
Adm. Thomas B. Fargo, commander in chief of the U.S. Pacific Fleet,
reportedly has visited the People's Republic of China recently also,
although the reason for the trip is not known
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
NOTE: Some of you may wonder what the fuss is about, but please remember
that the Navy prides itself on honor and tradition. The Naval Officers are
not being "childish and petty" when they speak out against this.
Morale is at an all-time low, and military commands do not need to once
again be berated for their job. How does this "slap in the face" decision
fall under the power(s) of the Commander in Chief? It reminds me of when
Hillary ordered that uniforms not be worn by the White House in-house
Marines.This order still stands, if you visit the White House today, 8 yrs.
later. What used to be a sought-after, privileged job, is now seen as a tour
of punishment by these young Marines who stand around in civilian clothes.
They not only lost their uniform but their self-esteem to be seen in the
uniform they are asked to defend.
How much more can the people that are asked to defend our freedom take?
The crews on the Navy ships leave their families and loved ones behind more
than 6 months at a time. Everything possible should be done to praise and
encourage them for their dedication!
Clinton will enjoy his boat ride for a few hours and never look back to
see the eyes of the men and women who serve our country. Just as the
Clinton Administration will never look back at the damage that has been
done to our Military and to this Nation.
> >> >
>
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