Cease and Desist
March 28th, 2008 by The Staff of ASP
I've always found it interesting when told to cease and desist. I mean, the word desist means to cease. So, aren't they really saying "cease and cease". Seems redundant to me.
1SG Grisham,
After receiving numerous complaints to the Pentagon's OPSEC Coordinating Authority on Nontraditional Media (I didn't even know they existed), we have been directed to open an inquiry to your "military blog", A Soldier's Perspective (http://www.soldiersperspective.us). A cursory review of our database shows that you have not formally registered your site with our office. In view of this and the necessity to open an active review into the content on your site, you are hereby ordered to CEASE and DESIST all blogging until your review is complete.
Within the next 24 hours, you should receive information relating to the facts that have contributed to this decision. If you have any questions, you can contact our office at [contact information deleted - but confirmed as authentic].
I only reprinted the money part. The rest is standard "this is my mandate" crap. I spoke with Marcus about this and he received the same letter as a co-author. However, his directed that we have no contact with each other via email or other communication means until this is complete. I wonder why mine didn't say that.
Ladies and Gentlemen, this isn't new. We've been threatened like this before. Rest assured that I will not back down while I still have the means to resist. We have done nothing wrong, violated no regulations, and spoke the truth at all times. Whoever is making this complaint will probably end up looking bad in the end. I guess we'll know Monday or Tuesday what is going on. Since I got this late in the afternoon on Friday, I doubt they're doing anything over the weekend. No one in my chain of command has ordered me to stop blogging and until they do, I won't stop. I haven't violated the new Army Regulation 530-1 and neither has any other blogger on this site.
I guess no one was listening when General Caldwell was trying to convince the Army about the value of milbloggers. Don't go writing your Congressman yet. Let's see how this plays out and I promise that if things get ugly, I'll be leading the charge to the halls of Congress. However, feel free to link to this post to raise awareness.
Well I don't like this worth a flip! Be sure to keep us updated either here or by e-mail. I can't imagine who would have complained… well, yes I can, but it would be a frivolous complaint that I wouldn't think the Army would pay any attention to… All the best to you & Marcus.
Dang it! Forgot to say LOL at the kitteh!
You've got to be kidding? I'm not going to say what is going through my mind about now, because it isn't appropriate for the blog. As SNAFU said, you were one of the Milbloggers INVITED to the White House to meet with the President, because of the importance of Milblogs. Doesn't make a whole heck of a lot of sense to me. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!!!!
Oh No! Who in the world could have complained about your site CJ?! I don't see anything wrong with it, quite the opposite. It is very informative without going out of bounds and I love visiting here everyday. Please keep us posted, I'm sure there's some kind of mistake.
Ok, so does that mean the military would rather have us get the "truth" from the media? Heaven help us! My guess would be the trolls are trying to stir up trouble.
Cute Kitty, not so cute accusation. Guess someone doesn't like that you don't agree with their opinion. Oh well. You have my support CJ.
Donna asked, "Who would have complained about your site, CJ?"
For a start – CAIR? Any of the dozens of pro-Marxists in the Federal Government? Anti-military liberals? Code Pink? A.N.S.W.E.R.? Moveon.org? Any Hollywoodite leftist? any leftist, liberal etc., etc., etc.
Definitely do not relinquish your freedom of speech!
Yes, please keep us posted.
Kitty sez, "I R ceased and desisted." but I'd bet Kitty added, "- for the moment. But, I sure aren't givin' up!""
Hopefully this is just some sort of routine investigation. Let me know if there is anything I can do.
Regardless of our differing views on the morality of our current occupation of Iraq, on this issue I say, "Don't back down." Nothing on your blog has ever been a threat or risk to OPSEC. If I were in your shoes I would post even more just to spite "them." My 24 years in the military have taught me to scrutinize and question everything I am told or instructed to do. I train my Marines to do the same. Semper Fi.
Here's one Liberal that says fight the good fight. If there is anything I can do, let me know.
Rock Steady, Top.
David
Who's threatening you c.j. ?
liberal communists can have their drivel and freedom of press ,
yet you are being denied freedom of speech. tell these ding bats that you 're NO THREAT.
the real threat to the u.s. are the bone heads
who hate Pres. Geo. Bush. they just don't see the threat that bin Laden & AL-qAEDA is to America. they just want to run away from Iraq,
Afghanistan and stick their heads in the sand. they worry about airline passenger
bill of rights, and ignore the rights of the U.S. military.
anyone that threatens you C.J. can call
me anytime. 631-553-6873
i am not afraid of those who are reporters
for the N.Y. Times OR ANY U.S. GOVERNMENT REPRESENTATIVE (not even the I.R.S). Some day the U.S. will create peace in the world, thanks to your efforts C.J. and those that are members of VETS FOR FREEDOM.
THE DAY WILL COME WHEN aMERICANS WILL THANK pRES. bUSH AND NOT CURSE HIM. THE LIKES OF SEAN PENN & AND HIS HOLLWOOD CROWD WILL ONE DAY REGRET THEIR HATRED FOR THE UNITED STATES.
SEN. CHARLES RANGEL IS CORRECT. THE U.S. NEEDS THE DRAFT. WHEN I LOOK BACK AT THE WW II HOLLYWOOD CROWD AND THEN LOOK AT TODAY'S SEAN PENN & COMPANY I GET SICK. JIMMY STERWART, JOHN WAYNE, GARY COOPER, GLENN FORD,bob HOPE , BING CROSBY,GREGORY PECK,DONALD O'CONNOR,DENNIS DAY,MERV GRIFFIN…. THE LIST GOES ON AND ON.
THAT GENERATION NEVER CURSED AMERICA.
THEY LOVED HER & DEFENDED HER.
YOU COULD NOT PAY ME TO SEE THE LATEST ANTI-WAR MOVIE " STOP-LOSS "
IT MAKES ME SICK TO THINK THAT HOLLYWOOD IS AIDING AND ABETTING AL-WAEDA. GOD HELP HOLLYWOOD.
GOD BLESS THE TROOPS, GOD BLESS YOU C.J..GOD BLESS THE U.S.A.
AND GOD BLESS YOUR WEB SITE,
YOUR GOOD FRIEND, THOMAS PATRICK FOLAN
After retiring (25 years in) I was a milblogger for CENTCOM. Then that stupid ass Major wrote the Army regulation on blogging in April 2007. Here was my interachgne with CENTCOM Army Blogging in CENTCOM
OK, you know how much I truly and completely support, love and respect our great Army. Having said that, don't they have something a wee bit more important to take care of than this type of "inquiry"? Sheesh.
Whoever the leftist liberal was that complained (I'm convinced until you tell me otherwise that is the case) needs to stop crying over whatever he/she had their feelings hurt and do something CONSTRUCTIVE to help this nation.
Anything else I would type at this point would not be professional and PG rated so I'll close by saying – Standing behind you on this one CJ. Keep us posted as you can and let us know if we can help in any way.
This is rediculous!
You know we are all behind you CJ! Keep us updated!
CJ, the value of your blog has grown tremendously over the years. I remember when you began. Now it has become the go-to place for many people for various reasons. You have earned our trust with your honesty, integrity and undeniable defense of America and the U.S. Military.
If providing this requires you to cease and desist, then it's on behalf of those who can't handle not being the source of qualified information and perspectives.
Do recruiters tell perspective enlistees that once they are enlisted they give up their First Amendment rights? No. If that is the case, then they should.
No fox holes, CJ!!! Front and center on this one!!!! You have platoons of comrade's who have your back and will follow your lead. Just give us the signal and we're there!!
This is absolutely ridiculous. I have never seen an OPSEC violation on your blog. I have never heard of this Puzzle Palace unit, are you sure this isn't some hoax?
You're right to stand your ground against these flimsy accusations. Nothing should come out of it except you looking a lot better in comparison to DoD
And you, of all people, got popped! It boggles the mind.
CJ,
The shame of it is that you are completely within your rights to publish the full text of their letter to you. But you've refrained, either out of courtesy to them or fear of retribution upon yourself. So you're either a gentleman or a victim of the machine. By extension – they are either lowlifes or tyrants. Maybe both.
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i enjoy your blog because it gives me a perspctive on what is happening in the service since i retired in 1994. since the anti-military democrats are in total power in our government you can expect censorship. good luck on the review live in kansas but if need be i will send letters to every member of congress and the senate as well as the supreme court. this administration is gonna violate as many of our constitutional rights as we let them get away with main targets are ist and 2nd amendments.