A Disgrace To The Service

From the Rocky Mountain News:

A full-time Air Force Reserve lieutenant colonel could face criminal charges for allegedly vandalizing cars parked at Denver International Airport bearing pro-Bush bumper stickers.

Lt. Col. Alexis Fecteau, director of operations for reserve forces at the National Security Space Institute in Colorado Springs, is believed to be responsible for defacing at least 10 vehicles between December and June, police spokesman Sonny Jackson said Tuesday. A bait car left by a police detective was also defaced and the detective tracked down Fecteau, who turned himself in Friday.

I, Alexis Fecteau, having been appointed a second lieutenant, in the United States Air Force, do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the constitution of the United States, against all enemies, foreign and domestic, that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same, that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion, and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office upon which I am about to enter, so help me God.

That is the oath Lt. Col Fecteau swore upon his commission as an officer in the United States Air Force.  He swore to uphold and defend the constitution and that he would bear true faith and allegiance to it.  He swore that he did so freely and without coercion or reservation.  He also swore that he would discharge his duties faithfully.

Lt. Col Fecteau deserves to be prosecuted and receive the maximum sentence.  This is probably a misdemeanor.  I don’t know, I’m not an attorney and I don’t know Colorado Law.  But when the local courts are done with him, he should be charged under the UCMJ for conduct unbecoming an officer

ARTICLE 133. CONDUCT UNBECOMING AN OFFICER AND A GENTLEMAN:  Any commissioned officer, cadet, or midshipman who is convicted of conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.

Or under Article 134 : 

GENERAL ARTICLE:  Though not specifically mentioned in this chapter, all disorders and neglects to the prejudice of good order and discipline in the armed forces, all conduct of a nature to bring discredit upon the armed forces, and crimes and offenses not capital, of which persons subject to this chapter may be guilty, shall be taken cognizance of by a general, special or summary court-martial, according to the nature and degree of the offense, and shall be punished at the discretion of that court.

He should have to resign his commission at the very least.  He is a disgrace to the Air Force, his unit and those who serve under him.  Indeed, he is a disgrace to every man and woman who served honorably and to the citizens that paid his salary.

I don’t care about politics in this.  It doesn’t matter whose name and party affiliation comes after the title of President.  The Constitution says that whoever is the President of the United States is also the Commander-in-Chief of all the Armed Forces of the United States.  When Lt. Col. Fecteau raised his right hand and took that oath, he swore to honor and respect the office and its holder as part of supporting the Constitution.

I know that politics is a blood sport.  I see the words and insults fly around.  Most of it is just crap and I don’t pay much attention to the name callers.  On my car (still) are the three Bush bumper stickers that I put on it since before the election.  Even as a civilian, I would never think to deface a Kerry sticker or vandalize someone’s car or property!  How any Officer in the United States Armed Forces could do it is beyond me.  This guy makes me sick!

Hat Tip: Michelle Malkin

VW

Comments

[CSC5502D]

Amen, brother.

This guy should be drummed out.

Funny, but where is all the press coverage that you KNOW would be all over if someone in the service had done this to Clinton supporters while he was president?

[vivi]

Denver District Attorney's Office
Second Judicial District
201 West Colfax Avenue, Dept. 801
Denver, Colorado 80202

Phone (720) 913-9000

Email: Info@denverda.org

[Mark James]

gosh -- right wing nazis rushing to judgement -- who'd have thunk it? nothing like heading into proceedings with your mind made up already esp the prosecuting DA == probably a chickenhawk like the commander in chief

[Violence Worker]

First of all, I spent twenty years on active duty Shit-for-Brains

Second , had you expended enough effort (I know, you lazy liberals like things to be done for you) to read the whole news tory, you would have read that Fecteau admitted to his crime.

Third asswipe, if you ever come on to this site again and call me a Nazi, I'll Nazi your ass off and ban you! What a jerk!

[M Webb]

Don't you right wing blowholes have some missing white folk to watch on FOX? I mean really, good christ, a misdemeanor charge in Colorado? Good lord -- there's treason afoot in the white house and this is the biggest concern in your worlds? And shame on the Denver DA for posting such prejudicial nonsense.

[Mark James]

Gee -- god forbid the courts actually allow this guy his due process rights before they try him in the media -- did it ever occur to you that there might be more to this guys story? I know -- republicans like to go off the deep end on half-assed intelligence -- see chicken hawk in chief -- Or is due process only accorded to people who out CIA agents?

[Violence Worker]

If a man admits to his crimes, the trial is a formality and Fecteau admitted he committed the crimes.

Fecteau is an Officer, a Lt. Col., in the United States Air Force. There is an expectation there that he has long outgrown the juvenile delinquency stage. It means that he is expected by the military to obey the law.

It is wrong to deface other's property. I don't care who you are. It would be just as wrong and just as juvenile if he were to do it to Kerry stickers.

Since he admitted it, he deserves no less than to have to resign his commission plus whatever sentence the civil authorities impose. The man does not deserve to wear the Uniform...Period!

VW

[Mark James]

The AP story on this gentleman is about 300 words, it uses words like "allege" and "alleged" and the evidence is far from complete as presented in the article - you are jumping to conclusions. Nor do either of us know the circumstances of his "confession". A modicum of critical thought would point this stuff out. A greater question to ask would be "what would drive a successful career officer to do such a thing?". Finally - let the courts decide what his punishment should be -- and it shouldn't be in excess of what's required by law. Your interp of UCMJ is a stretch to say the least - this is a misdemeanor offense, nothing more. Your claims to righteous patriotism ring very hollow when you suggest that someone is entitled to less than the full consideration of the law. What happens on websites like yours is digital lynching and shameful to people who defend the constitution and the rights contained therein. Who are you to dictate who should and shouldn't wear the uniform? I googled this man's resume and he is a combat veteran, having flown f15s in Gulf War I. Find something else to blow out of proportion. Your blind defense of all things conservate runs counter to the admonitions of T Roosevelt who found such dissent patriotic. I respect the fact that you want to share your views, but just because the internet allows you a platform doesn't mean you get to speak before you think. There are greater issues to discuss in the universe than some poor misguided shlub who let his rage get the better of him. I wore the uniform myself for a number of years and I find your suggestion offensive and shameful. We guaranteed people their rights, we don't get to dictate them. "Period".

[Violence Worker]

First of all, he has NO RIGHT to vandalize ANYBODY's PROPERTY!!!! What part of that don't you get? He is a Lt. Col. I don't care if he is a combat vet. It doesn't matter That fact does not allow you to commit crimes and whether it is a msdemeanor or a felony, IT IS STILL A CRIME!!!!! He should know better and so should you!

He admitted to it. He was caught on tape. He deserves whatever the courts give him and he needs to resign his commission.

I'll say what I want on MY blog! Capice? Yeah,I'm judgmental You don't have to like it.

I find you offensive and shameful that you think what this guy did was no big deal.

End of argument

[Mark James]

Is this what passes for reasoned conservative thought these days? Take a non-issue, wrap yourself in the flag and thump your chest ALL IN BIG CAPITAL LETTERS? The least bit of resistance or debate seems to turn you into a petulant third grader. Do you just have a blog so that you can enjoy the sound of your own thoughts? If you want your blog to be a Bush town hall meeting, loaded with prescreened adulation then fine -- I never said what he did was no big deal (and if you reread, you will see that all I did was suggest that the law take its course) my issue with you is your sanctimonious BS, when there's bigger issues to tackle, reveals you to be a very small, very petty human being -- there are thousands of misdemeanor charges every year (multitudes of which I prosecuted as a JAG). In the future I suggest you only allow registered NeoCons to post -- that way you can all pat yourselves on the back at the same time. Capice?

[Violence Worker]

I am willing to discuss, but go back and re-read your intial post. There was nothing nice about it. You started right off with tcalling me a Nazi. That is 3rd grade. It is immature. You act like that and you will get it back in kind.

You start right off name calling and then call me sanctimonious and immature? You gotta lot of damn gall!

I don't mind discussing, but you are not interested in a discussion.

Go away

[Mark James]

The nazi comment was perhaps a little unfair (but no more so than "shit-for-brains" -- but let's get past the tit for tat) my comment was directed at the other posters and the shamefully prejudicial post by the Denver DA (-- he should be disbarred), comments weren't aimed at you specifically per se. I developed what were back to back relatively respectful posts and you still can't respond. Did it ever occur to you that this poor shlub has been tried and convicted by the media and that no charges have even been filed? -- you don't want to discuss, that much is obvious - your position is poorly thought out and indefensible. You want to pontificate -- nothing more. I would really like to debate with a well reasoned conservative thinker, but alas, you are obviously not "it". (If it wouldn't get me disbarred I could unload a truckload of shameful info on one officer after another -- you could go on this blog for months with more shameful juicier stuff than misdemeanors, DUIs, domestic abuse etc etc -- just think -- all those officers over which you could cluck and tsk tsk at disapprovingly!) Keep up the good work paying lip service to our constitution and all our founding ideals -- its nice to know that treason stays under your radar and this seems like a great national issue of the day ---

[Violence Worker]

What we have here is a difference of opinion. Each of us have based them upon our experience, what facts there are in the news and our values.

I think he should pay a heavy penaly for his behavior because of his position and rank. You see it as no big deal. Fine.

If we have a difference of opinion and we are at loggerheads over them, then so be it. You aren't about to change your mind any more than I am.

As far as what I post or don't post, that is up to me. I've not said anything about the Plame case because I haven't chose to. When I have something to say about it, I'll say it. There is a lot of things we don't know about that case. No one is admitting anything and both sides have some merit. Until I've made up my mind, I don't intend to discuss it.

Fecteau's case is a lot simpler. I realize that he isn't convicted. I realize that "due process" must be worked through. But in the end, I think he will be convicted and at such time, he should be forced to resign. He is charged with a felony by the way.

In my present position, if I was convicted of a felony, I would be fired on the spot.

VW

[Mark James]

Fair enough and I appreciate the more reasoned tone. I am sure neither of us will be changing our minds, but hopefully we'll go our separate ways a little more thoughtful and well informed. And again, I never said "no big deal" and I'll say it again, vandalism is a throw away charge, let him get his penalties in accordance with the law. Period. Its not treasonous or in opposition to his officer's oath, is it stupid, juvenile or questionable behavior? -- yes, a threat to national security -- No. If he gets convicted (you accorded yourself that courtesy -- "If I were convicted...") then you can dance on his resignation. Keep this in mind -- charges still have to be proven(essentially, charges are suspicions of belief) quality of evidence has to be scrutinized because charges are not convictions. They have a film? well it could look like the Zapruder tape. These are misdemeanor vandalism charges. The prosecutor has yet to file any formal charges and even if there is a felony charge (if damages exceed $500 in one incident in Colorado), that doesn't mean it will stay that way - no one in their right mind wants to spend a lot of time on crap like this -- take a look at national violent crime stats and their rising frequency. So, even though you seem to be confident of a conviction based on a simple cursory AP story - I am not. Thankfully there are such things as evidentiary standards and burdens of proof. Trying him in the media won't help anyone - no one should be subjected to it. During one tour of 3.5 years more than 35% of the senior officers at my post were in court over domestic violence charges alone, DUIs were common, some DUIs were repeated until they went felony -- none of which I ever thought to release to national news media. And I was at a missile base. And if anyone's case IS simpler, its the Plame case. Rove has admitted outing Plame to his attorney (we just aren't sure if it was an "honest" mistake or not - or as McCain put it "depends on what your definition of negligent is") and a Grand Jury has been convened. As an attorney, pardon my vernacular, a Grand Jury and special prosecutor means BOATLOADS of evidence. And the verbal parsing that has ensued from the White House is nothing short of shameful. Not only was Plame's career ruined, everyone at Brewster Jennings was compromised. And these were people who specialized in WMD issues -- However, even with the avalanche of evidence that points to treasonous behaviour wherein you seem to find "merit" on both sides - you can, with a 300 word AP story, be content to hang this shlub. So, you'll forgive me if I think a knucklehead colonel who vandalized cars should not be such a grand issue -- (should he be appropriately punished -- sure, hung out to dry before any conviction is made in the national media - NO) esp so when there is so much more to discuss. Thank you for your time -- I enjoyed the discussion

[Violence Worker]

I'm more than willing to be reasonable and you are welcome to comment any time. Just leave the "N" word at the door. :)

According to the AP, he is charged with a felony. Whether he pleads that down, I don't know.

We'll see

VW

[Mark James]

I just read that its a reuters update on AP -- its basically an expensive misdemeanor. Still a mischief property damage charge and I stand by my appraisal above. By the way -- you'll have to let me know when Rove/Plame accrues enough evidence - to meet your evidentiary standards -- for two front page mentions with red highlights... I am sure I'll argue with you again sometime -- Thanks

[A. Patriot]

This guy may only get charged with a misdemeanor(s) but that's a civil matter. He BETTER be COURT MARTIALED. It is a violation of the UCMJ for a Commisioned Officer of the United States Military to make disparaging remarks about the Commander-In-Chief. This is a Court Martial offense.

If he is allowed to slink off in retirement with merely a reduction in grade or some other slap on the wrist, it will be the last straw for me.

I am sick and tired of Commissioned Officers getting away with all types of bad conduct and not being held fully accountable. When Enlisted people commit the same types of offences, the book gets thrown at them... and hard.

2 Generals were were recently demoted and allowed to retire after having been found guilty (but not Court Martialed) of having affairs and sexual relationships with subordinate females.

Just prior to this a female enlisted Sergeant charged with the same offenses was Court Martialed, jailed, and dishonerably discharged. This happens all the time.

This Lt. Colonel MUST be held accountable to the UCMJ and Court Martialed and if found guilty JAILED and DISHONORABLY DISCHARGED.

A. Patriot

[Wayne Wathen]

Didn't Bush take the same oath? Why is he allowed to kill our young men and women, destroy the environment, and the constitution? At least Fecteau's action didn't kill anyone. It is Bush he should be in prison for crimes of high treason.

[Violence Worker]

Mr. Wathen, what grownup typed that in for you. You are a complete and utter fool. Why I am wasting my time reponding to someone of your tiny intellect and limited ability to reason means I must be bored and feel like swatting you around like a cat with a mouse.

Bush is the President of the United States (Go ask an adult what that means) and therefore has the right to send the Armed Forces into Combat. I might add that he did do so with the authorization of the Congress and the Congress has heretofore yet to stop the authorization. If you had half a brain cell, you'd know that.

Fecteau was an officer, a Lt. Col, and he broke the law.

Go away, you brainless, ass-wipe, moonbat.

VW