Over the last few days, multiple right wing web sites have been duped into publishing a satirical story suggesting that U.S. President Barack Obama wants American soldiers to pledge a loyalty oath directly to the office of the President instead of the U.S. Constitution.
Such an oath was made famous during World War II by former German dictator Adolf Hitler, and is generally viewed as an essential ingredient to maintaining a totalitarian state.
Citing a “spokesman for General James Cartwright, the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff,” the story looks real enough, portraying what appears to be a brewing battle between the White House and the Pentagon over the proposed policy.
From Jumping In Pools, where the satire originated:
In a circular distributed by White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs, the rationale for the change was made more clear.
“The President feels that the military has been too indoctrinated by the old harbingers of hate: nationalism, racism, and classism. By removing an oath to the American society, the soldiers are less likely to commit atrocities like those at Abu Ghraib.â€
“We expect a lot of flak over this,†the classified memo continues. “But those that would be most against it are those looking either for attention or control.â€
There’s just one problem … the story is a hoax. Sort of like the one this same website wrote today, which discusses the possibility of Obama replacing George Washington on the back side of the U.S. quarter.
Of course, that didn’t stop the military oath story from getting picked up by dozens of far right media outlets, (here and here).
“This is outrageous, and VERY VERY VERY dangerous,” wrote one South Carolina right winger who was duped by the scam. “Obama is moving to turn America more toward fascism.”
“Every military man (active, reserve, national guard, IRR, retired, veteran) in this country needs to resist and disobey this fascist policy,” he added.
Two hours later, however, the right winger sent a follow-up message to his initial mass e-mail apologizing for “being taken in by this apparently false, satirical report, and then publicizing it without
doing further verification.”
Look, people. Obama is sufficiently socialist/ cultish in real life.
There’s no need to make stuff up …
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By Ted February 1, 2009 at 4:54 am
The Joint Chiefs of Staff HAVE AN ABSOLUTE CONSTITUTIONAL DUTY to stand behind Guantanamo Military Judge James Pohl UNTIL OBAMA OVERCOMES “RES IPSA LOQUITUR†BY SUPPLYING HIS LONG FORM BIRTH CERTIFICATE AND PROVING HIS ELIGIBILITY TO BE PRESIDENT UNDER ARTICLE 2 OF THE US CONSTITUTION.
By An AMERICAN FIRST! February 1, 2009 at 1:05 pm
“Fuehrer Oath†— “Military to Pledge Oath To Obama, Not Constitution” — I just want to know if true or not as a Retired Officer & Combat Vet — This is spreading like wildfire in Military Ranks — I have personally sent numerous emails to PAO at Joint Chiefs and Secretary of Defense without any response for 3 days (very unusual) — IF IN ANY WAY TRUE —- any demands of a loyalty Oath by our military to a political party or a “MAN” is EVIL — something that will unite Americans against such EVIL?
By The Truth.. February 1, 2009 at 1:56 pm
Ted..Go outside and take a breath of fresh air..its obvious you are not getting enouigh oxygen. Or maybe Ted, just maybe you are on to something, perhaps Foxnews, John Mccain and every other right wing individual arent as smart as you ted, and they havent thought of the old..”his birth cert if fake story” bang up job Ted..with members like you..i see continued success for the GOP.