MPs Ban Car Stickers Criticising Terror and Islam

[Calanen]

Photo: The car and decals the United States Military won't allow Jesse Nieto, a 25-year Marine veteran whose son Marc was killed by jihadists on the USS Cole in 2000, to drive into Arlington Cemetery.

Jihadwatch posted a particularly mind-blowing story today that unfortunately fits in with my theme of the day about mainstream society's mission to outlaw, repress and thoroughly stamp out strains of expression that come under the banner of traditionalism. Country; marriage; patriotism; conservative dissent; even McCain-Palin--you name it, it is now anathema in the Public Square.

This "progressive"-type neo-Puritanism extends also to the United States Military--a fact that is particularly mind-blowing. Seems Jesse Nieto, 25-year Marine veteran whose son Marc was among the 17 US sailors killed in a jihadist attack on the USS Cole in 2000, has a car with some decals the military wants removed. As Nieto's lawyers at the Thomas More Law Center explain:

Since 2001, Nieto has displayed various decals on his vehicle expressing anti-terrorist sentiments, such as “Remember the Cole, 12 Oct 2000,” “Islam=Terrorism,” and “We Died, They Rejoiced.”

Here's another picture:

On July 31, 2008, two military police officers (MPs) issued Nieto a ticket for displaying “offensive material.”

Remember, folks, this is the Marines talking.

In mid-August, after Nieto refused to remove all “offending” decals from his vehicle, the Base Magistrate issued Nieto a written order, ordering him to remove his vehicle from the base until all decals were removed and banning his vehicle from all other federal installations. The order in effect prevented Nieto from driving his vehicle to Arlington National Cemetery (a federal installation) to visit the grave of his fallen son....

Richard Thompson, President and Chief Counsel of the Thomas More Law Center, commented, “The banning of these decals is political correctness run amuck in the military. Our troops are being killed by Islamic terrorists, 9/11 was caused by Islamic terrorists, these terrorists want to destroy America, the Islamic countries persecute Christians, and now the military is victimizing a father whose son was killed by Islamic terrorists while serving our nation.”

Continued Thompson, “I suspect the next thing the Marine command will want to do is eliminate the Marine’s Hymn since the phrase ‘to the shores of Tripoli’ celebrates the Marine victory over Islamic forces in the Barbary Coast War and the Battle of Derne.”

You want to know what's "offensive"??? The PC, sensitivity-trained US military command. That's what's offensive.

http://www.dianawest.net/Home/tabid/...9/Default.aspx

[goat89]

I mourn for his son. But this is not the way to fight. Its despicable.
Quote from a Muslim man on radio 'Hitler was Christian. Are all Christians like Hitler then?'

[Mu-Meson]

Saying "They rejoiced" is painting all Muslims with a broad brush. That is not honest, and everyone knows it.
Free speech and all that, but this is over the line.

[Linedoggie]

His Son was Killed by Radical Muslims, I kind of understand his Attitude after that. Is it Generalizing? Yep, but then My Kid wasnt Killed.

[Hot Lips]

This would be one reason why he's not allowed on our military bases or federal installations with those decals...

[Vinny_121_DDS]

I agree with Hot Lips.

I'm sorry for this father's loss, but that crescent sign he has on is saying that he hates muslims. If I saw the Star of David in that fashion, I would be pretty angry. I'm not jewish either.

[NicNZ]

The word terror is not a synonym for terrorism. Any person who thinks it is is wrong and looks, to all the world, like a monkey.

[Calanen]

It raises interesting freedom of speech issues however. If the guy decided to challenge the decision in the Federal Courts what would they say about the First Amendment? I imagine also that if he had 'Say No to Israeli Apartheid - Free the Occupied Territories' on his van, that would be permitted. But should it be? Or if there was a swastika on the van, or KKK etc - should that be permitted?

I dont agree with saying Islam equals terror, ie all Muslims are terrorists or involved in it. I do believe that everyone has a right to freedom of speech, even unpopular speech.

[beNder]

This would be one reason why he's not allowed on our military bases or federal installations with those decals...

Thank you colin powell

[Hot Lips]

Thank you colin powell

Do you have a problem with these fallen soldiers?

It raises interesting freedom of speech issues however. If the guy decided to challenge the decision in the Federal Courts what would they say about the First Amendment? I imagine also that if he had 'Say No to Israeli Apartheid - Free the Occupied Territories' on his van, that would be permitted. But should it be? Or if there was a swastika on the van, or KKK etc - should that be permitted?

I dont agree with saying Islam equals terror, ie all Muslims are terrorists or involved in it. I do believe that everyone has a right to freedom of speech, even unpopular speech.

Fred Phelps and his family get away with it all the time. I have to wonder how he would feel about being perceived as a Fred Phelps like person for carrying hateful signage into a cemetary where Muslims have died for this country and where the soldiers families comes to mourn (like he does for his son) and might see his car.

[beNder]

Do you have a problem with these fallen soldiers?

Did I say that?

[InetWarrior]

I dont agree with saying Islam equals terror, ie all Muslims are terrorists or involved in it. I do believe that everyone has a right to freedom of speech, even unpopular speech.

Im suprised...

As to the freedom of speach. It should have its border. The freedom of speach end when security of other persons starts...

[Vinny_121_DDS]

Did I say that?

I think he misinterpreted your post. Here's a article about Khan and Powell's thoughts.

http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums...ighlight=colin

[ronnieraygun]

Im suprised...

As to the freedom of speach. It should have its border. The freedom of speach end when security of other persons starts...

Well, you really missed out on the last 8 years stateside.

[Fiber]

The decals are moronic. As is the article. Heck, I wore a Bad Religion t-shirt when I was in high school. It is of course everyones right to display their moronic views and the driver and writer does so in spades.

On the other hand the military should be able to make their own deciscions on what people can and can not flaunt on their grounds.