American Flag Dips to Vietnam, China?

I can't tell you how disturbing this is. Since I tend to question a lot of
things that are emailed to me, I often choose not to forward. This, however,
is something you need to read.  It doesn't matter if you are a Republican or
a Democrat. As an American, you should be as upset about this as I am.
Please  pass along to those who need to know.

"Officer in the U.S. Navy, on the prospect of the Vietnamese flag being
flown higher than the American flag when President Clinton sails on a U.S.
Navy ship to Vietnam before leaving office, claim Clinton to change
regulation to placate totalitarian regimes."
    --By Geoff Metcalf © 2000 WorldNetDaily.com

STORY:
President Clinton reportedly plans to visit China and Vietnam before the end
of his term, and according to high-ranking Navy officers, the commander in
chief will alter long-standing naval regulations to allow the American flag
to fly below that of Vietnam when he sails into the communist nation's
territorial waters on a U.S. Navy ship.

Highly placed Navy sources who spoke on condition of anonymity believe this
action on the president's part would further devastate already tenuous Navy
morale. As part of his swan song, Clinton reportedly intends to visit two
ports aboard Naval vessels.

Trip one takes him to the People's Republic of China, which has a regulation
that no war ship of any country may enter its territorial waters flying a
flag higher than that of the People's Republic of China. According to one
Navy source, China and the U.S. have effected a compromise whereby both
flags--the U.S.  and the PRC--will be flown from U.S. naval vessels at the
same height. But visceral outrage is resulting from a
proposed change to Navy regulations that would result in the American flag
being displayed subordinate to the flag of Vietnam. Navy regulations and
tradition prescribe that no country's flag will be displayed in a superior
position to the U.S. flag. However, Vietnam's rules reportedly demand that
the Vietnamese flag shall always fly in a superior position to any other
country's flag.

High-ranking naval officers, speaking on condition that their names not be
published, say the reason for all the alarm, anger and career-threatening
rhetoric is that Clinton allegedly has either ordered, or is about to order,
the Secretary of the Navy to amend regulations to permit the Vietnamese flag
to be displayed over the U.S. flag.

"I'd like to blow the @#&*% thing up!", said one frustrated officer. The
United States Navy Regulations began with the enactment by the Continental
Congress of the "Rules for the Regulation of the Navy of the United
Colonies" on Nov. 28, 1775. So a long and proud history bolsters the
long-held Navy  tradition that no country's flag will fly higher than that
of the United States.

Commenting on the report, Col. David Hackworth, America's most decorated
living war veteran, said, "What's new? Clinton has done everything else to
dishonor the flag, why not make it number two?" He added, "Congress ought to
pull this traitor's travel plug... now."

Calls to the Navy Staff Operations and Special Events office were referred
to the Public Affairs Office, which then referred WND to the news desk. When
WND outlined the scenario, the spokesman-whose first comment was, "Wow" -
later called back to say, "We haven't been able to find anything on it yet,
but we're trying to run the story to ground." Adm. Thomas B. Fargo,
commander in chief of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, reportedly has visited the
People's Republic of China recently also, although the reason for the trip
is not  known.

NOTE: Some of you may wonder what the fuss is about, but please remember
that the Navy prides itself on honor and tradition. The Naval Officers are
not being "childish and petty" when they speak out against this. Morale is
at an all-time low, and military commands do not need to once again be
berated for their job.

How does this "slap in the face" decision fall under the power(s) of the
Commander in Chief? It reminds me of when Hillary ordered that uniforms not
be worn by the White House in-house Marines. This order still stands, if you
visit the White House today, 8 yrs. later. What used to be a sought-after,
privileged job, is now seen as a tour of punishment by these young Marines
who stand around in civilian clothes. They not only lost their uniform, but
their self-esteem to be seen in the uniform they are asked to defend.

How much more can the people that are asked to defend our freedom take? The
crews on the Navy ships leave their families and loved ones behind more than
6 months at a time. Everything possible should be done to praise and
encourage them for their dedication!

Clinton will enjoy his boat ride for a few hours and never look back to see
the eyes of the men and women who serve our country. Just as the Clinton
Administration will never look back at the damage that has been done to our
Military and to this Nation.

[Please forward this information to your E-Mail list.. It is being blocked
by all major news media. (Would this surprise anyone????) -- Ron Brassard,
Air Force Program Manager]


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Delaware, USA