is this legal?

[Thomas]

https://www.facebook.com/RP2012MIL

Can we link this to rpf?

[acptulsa]

I don't see any reason why it wouldn't be legal, or why we couldn't or shouldn't. Servicepeople are limited in what they can say, but they still have the right to have preferences and this is just a harmless poll.

[Thomas]

RPH and Josh had concerns

[Thomas]

ahem!

[Thomas]

I think we can create an Armed Forces subforum in the States and Territories subforum which I will then make a Tiny Url for and post on the info section of U.S. Armed Forces for Ron Paul 2012 facebook page.

[ronpaulhawaii]

I'm no lawyer, but...

http://usmilitary.about.com/cs/militarylaw1/a/milpolitics.htm


Military Folks and Politics
What You Can and Cannot Do
By Rod Powers, About.com Guide

During the last Presidential Election, I received an email from a person (presumably on active duty) which read, "Help to Make Sure John Kerry Does Not Sign my Retirement Certificate." The email included a link to George W. Bush's campaign Site, and included a "signature" with a military rank and last name.

I wonder if this person knows that he/she may have violated the law by sending this email out?

I receive a lot of questions about what military members are allowed and not allowed to do when it comes to politics. Federal Law (Titles 10, 2, and 18, United States Code), Department of Defense (DOD) Directives, and specific military regulations strictly limit a military active duty person's participation in partisan political activities.

DOD defines "partisan political activity" as "activity supporting or relating to candidates representing, or issues specifically identified with, national or State political parties and associated or ancillary organizations."

A "Nonpartisan political activity is defined as "activity supporting or relating to candidates not representing, or issues not specifically identified with, national or State political parties and associated or ancillary organizations. Issues relating to constitutional amendments, referendums, approval of municipal ordinances, and others of similar character are not considered as specifically being identified with national or State political parties."

The military wants its personnel to participate in our democratic process -- within limits. DOD encourages active duty military members to vote, and has established several programs to help active duty personnel to register and cast absentee ballots. What career military officer or senior NCO has never had to pull a stint as unit "voting officer," or "voting NCO?" But, when it comes to actively campaigning for a specific political candidate or partisan objective, the military draws the line...

more at link (http://usmilitary.about.com/cs/militarylaw1/a/milpolitics.htm)

It looks pretty clear to me