Does * breaks the law every time he uses the troops as a backdrop.

[MelissaB]

To make a long story short, I met someone currently in the military at the vigil we had for the 2,000+ troops who died in Iraq. During the conversation he said that * is breaking the law every time he uses the troops as a backdrop. I received his permission today to use the information from an email in a post at DU.

... Sections of the Hatch Act Amendments specifically state that, "Political Activities On Duty Prohibited. The law prohibits employees from engaging in political activity (1) while on duty; (2) in any room or building occupied in the discharge of official duties by an employee or officeholder of the U.S. government or any agency or instrumentality thereof; (3) while wearing a uniform or official insignia identifying their office or position; or (4) using any vehicle owned or leased by the U.S. government or any agency or instrumentality thereof. The Senate Committee on Governmental Affairs report accompanying the legislation states that "politics on the job, including the wearing of political buttons, is prohibited.""

Furthermore, military personnel are governed by internal directives that mirror the Hatch Amendment. One of these directives is DoD Directive 1344.10, "Political Activities by Members of the Armed Forces on Active Duty," June 15, 1990.

The directive is explicit:

"1. General rules. DoD Directive 1334.1, Wearing of the Uniform, May 17, 2004, paragraph 3.1, reads in as follows:
3. POLICY
3.1. The wearing of the uniform by members of the Armed Forces (including retired members and members of Reserve components) is prohibited under any of the following circumstances:
3.1.2. During or in connection with the furtherance of political activities, private employment or commercial interests, when an inference of official sponsorship for the activity or interest may be drawn."

Sincerely,

XXX

Somebody please tell this asshole to find another stage without our military.

Edited to make the title a statement becasue it seems not to be black and white.