Military warns about false email about Obama
By Bryan Bender, Globe Staff
WASHINGTON -- The military has warned soldiers not to use official computers to forward a chain email that falsely accuses Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama of being a Muslim who attended a radical Muslim school, saying distribution of the information is a violation of Army regulations and constitutes unlawful political activity.
The memorandum, dated Thursday, came after the discredited claims about Obama's background were sent from an Army computer to what appear to be thousands of Army personnel worldwide.
"Currently there is a Chain Email floating around with the Subject line: 'Who is Barack Obama,' " states the official warning, which was sent to all personnel who work for the Army Medical Command, based in Fort Sam Houston, Tex. "Like virtually all chain emails this one is false."
Further, it adds, distributing the e-mail using military computers is a violation of several Army regulations that state that government communications equipment must be used only for official purposes and that their misuse could be punished under the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
Moreover, Army personnel were told that the political nature of the e-mail constitutes a violation of separate regulations that explicitly bar the military from engaging in any political activities while on duty, saying "the subject email falls under the realm of prohibited political activity."
One of the relevant regulations states that uniformed or civilian Defense Department employees cannot, among other things, "knowingly solicit or discourage the political activity of any person who has business with DoD; engage in political activity while on duty; and engage in political activity while in any Federal workplace."
A copy of the reprimand, which came from information technology managers at the Army Medical Command, was obtained by the Globe. The author of the message, reached by the Globe today, confirmed its content.
"In this emotion-charged election year expect to see an overabundance of similar chain emails from friends and foes alike in both your personal and government email inboxes," it concludes. "Just keep in mind that the government systems are for official use only."
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Every time a person of color decides to enter any political race, something dirty comes up. The military should dismiss anyone who sends or forwards such email. There should be a national televised statement made to the public with copies sent to the newspapers, magazines and radio stations that the statements are false, not misleading, but false.
This sounds like the continuing incarnation of an email written and distributed by Clinton supporters in Iowa. She fired the staffers who came up with it, but too late to put this genie back in the bottle.
Are these the tactics women in the U.S. are so eager to reward?
Headline: "Military warns about false email about Obama"
The article does not say or imply that the email was "false."
The Army said clearly that the "distribution of [any political email] is against regulations and constitutes unlawful political activity."
This has nothing to do with Obama or "false" emails - it has to do with common practice by all government agencies and most private corporations. The the headline is obviously wrong on its face.
What's worse, though, is that the headline is clearly deceptive and misleading as it implies that the Army considers the message in the email to be false and whatever claims are made in it to be untrue. Mr. Bender, as a Boston Globe staff writer owes its readers an apology and should rewrite the headline.
Now I wonder who would have a list of Military e-mails?
"What's worse, though, is that the headline is clearly deceptive and misleading as it implies that the Army considers the message in the email to be false and whatever claims are made in it to be untrue. " - Abe
Learn to read. Specifically, read the third paragraph of the article, which says:
"Currently there is a Chain Email floating around with the Subject line: 'Who is Barack Obama,' " states the official warning, which was sent to all personnel who work for the Army Medical Command, based in Fort Sam Houston, Tex. "Like virtually all chain emails this one is false."
IMPLIES that the Army considers the message to be false? Really?
lected President of U.S.A:-
CONGRATULATION:
OBAMA you made a history but you forgot America would have made a history if hillary was you runing mate. that would have been the history of Genies book to have the 1st Lady V.P OF USA
My whole family went from door to door asking people to caste their vote which was the voice of their concious which is fate of USA. Went to Mall in JCpenny, Sears,Macy and to the Hartford hospital different grocery stores, Gasstations, Muslim community in New Britian , Middle town, Danbury MY brother frend who owns a Gulf Gas station was giving free COFFEE to the people who were supporting you .
Mr President Obama:-
when God desires to destroy a nation, he imposes bad leadership, but God must have decided to rise this Great Nation and Prevail on earth and bring Peace to humainity.You have to diffrenciate between good and bad, Listen to every one but make your own decision as you are not only answerable to American people but you are also answerable to God Almighty, who has bestowed you with a task to test you how you serve the humanity arround the World.
Bush supported Pakistani X-President Musharaf and ignored the whole Pakistani Nation which has created a hatred wall greter then the chiness WALL between American and pakistani,s .Afghan President who congratulated you and conveyed that now their will be peace in Afghanistan , which shows that Karzai and Bush killed innocent people in order to divert the attention of American for their economy being gambled in casinos.
The pre-emptive war in Iraq and bruttley killing innocent Iraqi and American soldiers and hanging Saddam Husain for not negotiating with Bush on Long term deal of gas between Taxes busness man( father and son "BUSH")
Mr. OBAMA you are the only hope of ray to save the World from 3rd World War. Dont follow what Mccain say or Joe Bidden Dont be affraid of any one only fear from God who knows what you don't.
I am a very proud American and i feel sorry that i voted for Lieber man of coonecticut who proved to be a hapocrate, a man of no charecter and thanx to Almighty Allah that the people of Connecticut had proved once again and democrates have prevailed.
Mr. President OBma!
you heard Bush at 10.30 today 11/05/08 Congratulating you on your historic victory but was ashamed to face the American people even on T.v and was unable to show his scare face any more .You should work very hard to rebuld and regain the respect of American people and make again the American nation as the Peace loving Nation on earth, not being in the history of Hitler or Masoloney and recently ousted evil George W. BUSH.
MR. OBAMA! You know the history of "WHITE HOUSE" YOU know this that it is called White House because it is White But the fact is it was ment for White people only now is the time to change the name of White House to "DAWN HOUSE" and when you should be proud to leave it like Kennedy or Bill clinton. who are still remembered as Americans and Worlds best Presidents and prople still coat them .
Your speech and your family,s reaction on the stage and focusing Rev. Jessy Jackson was heart touching and clinching their lips and tear of joys, your victory was celebrated globelly from East To West and From South To North, this kind of cellebration was never witnessed by the mankind before . so Thank God Almighty and Serve you people with Hon'our and dignity for the coming generations of any race.
God Bless United States of America
Musarat Ullah
proud U.S Citizan and
proud Democrate and your supporter.
YES YOU CAN . AND YES WE CAN