Rep. Coffman guilty of violating military code

Republican congressman Mike Coffman made this remark in a public speech in Elbert County yesterday:

"I don't know whether Barack Obama was born in the United States of America. I don't know that," Coffman said. "But I do know this, that in his heart, he's not an American. He's just not an American.""

Under the military code:
"Article 88 (of the Uniform Code of Military Justice), which makes it a crime for an officer to use contemptuous words against the president, the vice president, Congress, the secretary of defense, the secretary of a military department, the secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, or the governor or legislature of any state, territory, commonwealth, or possession in which he is on duty or present."

Coffman is a commissioned member of the U.S. Marine Corp, thus he would be subject to a court martial EXCEPT he is claiming congressional immunity. Is this acceptable? He was not acting in his capacity as a congressman, but as a political candidate. Which is he, a member of the military or a political hack?

I think Coffman needs to do some heavy backtracking and apologizing quickly.

I do not think the UCMJ applies to retired.

My understanding is that he is still in the U.S. Army Reserve.

neptunechimney wrote: I do not think the UCMJ applies to retired.

FEI (for everyone's information)

"Retired members of the uniformed services who are entitled to retirement pay are also subject to the UCMJ, as are retired reservists who are receiving hospital care in the VA system."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uniform_Co ... ry_Justice

I'm not ex-military or really familiar with the UCMJ, so I don't know or understand the finer details or how this comment by Coffman would actually be interpreted.

Something the Dog Said wrote: Republican congressman Mike Coffman made this remark in a public speech in Elbert County yesterday:

"I don't know whether Barack Obama was born in the United States of America. I don't know that," Coffman said. "But I do know this, that in his heart, he's not an American. He's just not an American.""

Under the military code:
"Article 88 (of the Uniform Code of Military Justice), which makes it a crime for an officer to use contemptuous words against the president, the vice president, Congress, the secretary of defense, the secretary of a military department, the secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, or the governor or legislature of any state, territory, commonwealth, or possession in which he is on duty or present."

Coffman is a commissioned member of the U.S. Marine Corp, thus he would be subject to a court martial EXCEPT he is claiming congressional immunity. Is this acceptable? He was not acting in his capacity as a congressman, but as a political candidate. Which is he, a member of the military or a political hack?

In answer to your other question, he is a member of the House of Representatives. I don't think that qualifies him as a "hack." Talk about contemptuous words... kettle calling the pot black. Typical.

Thank god he's no longer my rep... But as usual, that's despicable, and I hope the UCMJ covers it, and appropriate action is taken...

Something the Dog Said wrote: Republican congressman Mike Coffman made this remark in a public speech in Elbert County yesterday:

"I don't know whether Barack Obama was born in the United States of America. I don't know that," Coffman said. "But I do know this, that in his heart, he's not an American. He's just not an American.""

Under the military code:
"Article 88 (of the Uniform Code of Military Justice), which makes it a crime for an officer to use contemptuous words against the president, the vice president, Congress, the secretary of defense, the secretary of a military department, the secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, or the governor or legislature of any state, territory, commonwealth, or possession in which he is on duty or present."

Coffman is a commissioned member of the U.S. Marine Corp, thus he would be subject to a court martial EXCEPT he is claiming congressional immunity. Is this acceptable? He was not acting in his capacity as a congressman, but as a political candidate. Which is he, a member of the military or a political hack?

And "EXCEPT he is claiming congressional immunity"... where is he claiming congressional immunity?

He is a political hack, pandering to the rural elements of Elbert county by playing the birther card, then coming back to Greenwood Village claiming he was "misunderstood". why not stand up for your convictions, say what you mean and mean what you say.

Pols will say anything they think will get them re-elected. The people need to hold their feet to the fire in order to show them that that tactic is unacceptable.