Kokesh Loses In Tribunal

Cpl. Adam Kokesh, Iraq vet, anti-war activist, UMSC reservist, and AMERICAN HERO, lost his case before the Marine Corps today as a three-member panel recommended that he be involuntarily released from the Individual Ready Reserves and have his honorable discharge from the Marine Corps downgraded to a "general", or less-than-honorable discharge. Kokesh was brought up on charges that he had dishonored his uniform by wearing a "stripped-down" version of it to anti-Iraq war protests.

A general discharge means that Kokesh will get to keep his GI benefits, which a dishonorable discharge would have ended. The separation from the Individual Ready Reserves is largely symbolic, as Kokesh was scheduled to complete his committment on June 18th.

Kokesh's lawyer said, "What that means is he is not dishonorable, and he's only kind of honorable, so in effect, the board picked the safe route." Kokesh vowed to appeal the ruling, saying, "I'm standing on principle and we're going to contest this on principle. It's not going to go away. It's clear these tactics of intimidation are being used against members of Iraq Veterans Against the War. Freedom of speech means the right to say what other people don't want to hear."

On Sunday, Kokesh appeared on Good Morning America with two other Iraq vets charged for their anti-war activities:

The Iraq Veterans Against The War are spinning today's ruling as a victory, since Kokesh did not receive the severest punishment available. Please leave your messages of support for Adam Kokesh at his blog, where right wingers have been leaving hate messages, including calling Kokesh a "faggot" for his anti-war views.
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Adam Kokesh Fights On

Remember Cpl. Adam Kokesh, USMC? Last month I blogged about the sexy Iraq war veteran, photographed here at the Alberto Gonzales hearings. Because of his anti-war protests, Kokesh is now facing a revocation of his honorable discharge from the Marine Corps and a discharge from the Individual Ready Reserves.

On June 4th, Kokesh will face a military tribunal in Kansas City who will hear charges that he disgraced his uniform by wearing a "stripped-down" version in his numerous protest appearances and that he later "disrespected" an officer investigating the uniform charge. Kokesh says the he loves the Marine Corps but, “As we waste our time on such petty issues, our fellow Marines continue to die in futility.”

UPDATE: Visit Adam Kokesh's blog here. Princess Sparkle Pony has a great shot of our hero here.

Adam Kokesh Announces Bid For Congress

Noted Iraq war veteran and anti-war activist Adam Kokesh is running for Congress in his home state of New Mexico. You may recall that when I last posted photos of Kokesh protesting at former U.S. Attorney General Albert Gonzales' congressional hearings, some of you had a slight swooning problem.

(Via JMG reader Bernie)

Ron Paul Can Still Win This Thing!

So sez hardcare Paul follower Adam Kokesh, who is telling Ron Paul delegates to disrupt the Republican Convention.

RELATED: Five years ago many of us panted for Kokesh during his anti-war protests at the U.S. Capitol. Kokesh was eventually separated from the military over his activism and he then ran for Congress unsuccessfully in 2010. Then came the cray-cray.

July 4th: Open Carry March On DC

Anti-war protester turned teabagger Adam Kokesh is planning a "open carry march" on Washington DC. From the Facebook page launched today:

On the morning of July 4, 2013, Independence Day, we will muster at the National Cemetery & at noon we will step off to march across the Memorial Bridge, down Independence Avenue, around the Capitol, the Supreme Court, & the White House, then peacefully return to Virginia across the Memorial Bridge. This is an act of civil disobedience, not a permitted event. We will march with rifles loaded & slung across our backs to put the government on notice that we will not be intimidated & cower in submission to tyranny. We are marching to mark the high water mark of government & to turn the tide. This will be a non-violent event, unless the government chooses to make it violent. Should we meet physical resistance, we will peacefully turn back, having shown that free people are not welcome in Washington, & returning with the resolve that the politicians, bureaucrats, & enforcers of the federal government will not be welcome in the land of the free.

Bolding is mine. And Kokesh started out so promisingly. (Tipped by JMG reader James)

Protesting Is Sexy!

A reader sent me this pic of a very sexy concerned citizen keeping track of U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales claiming "I don't recall" over and over again during his Senate testimony. YouTube has the embarrassing video. Employing your civic right to comment on our government's abuses is sexy. Muscular arms are sexy. Beards are sexy. And Alberto Gonzales is a non-sexy putz emblematic of the sinking, stinking morass of ethical cesspoolery that defines the Bush II regime.

UPDATE: The protester's name is Adam Kokesh and he's a member of Iraq Veterans Against The War. Gonzales' testimony was also protested by Code Pink, a women's peace organization, garnering them a great photo in Friday's NY Times. Thanks to DC blogger Chrisafer for the information! Princess Sparkle Pony also has great shot of Adam.