Off Topic Board

What exactly was her lie?

Okay. We agree that she is an idiot and a liar. I just did not believe that this incident was necessarily a lie.

Because he wasn't AWOL, he was a Deserter.

AWOL lasts for a period of 30 days. On the 31st, your classification changes to that of Deserter, which understandably ratchets up the penalty.

The thing that has to be taken into account is the atmosphere when a member takes that action. Back then, so many people were deserting that I think the government just cut its losses and only went after the most egregious cases.

However, it would seem to me that deserting to found a chapter of the Black Panthers, particularly given the role they played in exacerbating racial tensions in the military during Vietnam, which had been peacefully integrated for almost 20 years by that point, is pretty egregious.

Now, in matters like this, the government will often take a policy of "good riddance", and offer up General Discharges, but under Honorable Conditions, which is NOT the same as an Honorable Discharge. And now that this is pointed out to me, I think I might try to get a copy of this guy's DD-214 just to see what his code is. The problem is that very few civilians can interpret a DD-214 correctly, because there are so many different types and levels of discharge.

For example, you can get a full Honorable Discharge, which on the surface means, "We'll take you back if you want to re-join."

But that's not the case. The second component of the discharge is the code assigned. The highest code is 1A; if I remember correctly the code 1's go all the way up to 1k.
Then there is Code 2, 3 and 4.

All of these codes determine under what conditions a member can come back. A 1A can come back and depending on the time period, resume their former rank and former occupation, with no penalties whatsoever. Every other code and letter combination from there is a variation on the theme.

The only codes I remember are 1A, and Code 4, or as we called it RE4.

And you can have a full Honorable Discharge, but if you are an RE4 it means basically that you're a shitbird, there are no circumstances under which the military wants you to come back.

The second grade is General Discharge, and there are a couple of categories for that, Honorable and Other Than Honorable, or OTH.

I suspect that this clown is a General under Honorable, although it wouldn't surprise me at all if it's an OTH. In the early 80's while I was waiting to go to a school, I got to work in the Deserter section at Camp Pendleton, and the policy then was, when a deserter got caught, no matter where he was in the country, if his last duty station was Pendleton, he was brought back.

Then he'd sit in a squadbay for about 30 days, and get paid at his last rank, while the paperwork was done to issue him a General, OTH. The kicker is that General Discharges, both Honorable and OTH, are eligible for veterans' benefits like VA care. Then these guys would be given a plane ticket back to where they came from, with their discharge.

It's when you get into the Big Chicken Dinner territory, and even worse, Dishonorable, that things can get nasty. The bearer of either of those cannot work for local, state or federal government, if those entities take federal funds. They cannot work for any government contractor, and depending on how stringent someone wants to get, that can include the Big 3, McDonald's, Wendy's or Burger King, since they all operate onboard bases around the country and world.

The problem is that very, very few employers check, and even if they did and looked at a 214, it takes someone who knows what they're looking for to understand.

And a veteran can apply to have his discharge status and code converted, and that's another thing that wouldn't surprise me that this guy pulled some strings and got it changed.

Can you confirm the New Black Panthers adhere to New Math principles?

I don't think he is rushing to any judgment.

An innocent boy was gunned down after being apprehended in a situation that occurred because someone thought a black kid in a hoodie was a "suspicious character".

Regardless of what lead to the death, I think we can get behind dispelling stereotypes

I take it you have all of the facts and you were there? I would not rush to judgment because your perception is that this kid was innocent until you hear all of the facts. It seems like you and several others on this board and in the media have already decided to convict Zimmerman based on what the press has been feeding us.

Hoodie is a race now? Do hoodies need affirmative action? Maybe their frat?

Thanks for setting the record straight. Based on a single 911 call, you have become judge, jury and executioner. There is more to this story than what has been reported. There are several conflicting reports by witnesses as to what happened. How does a black male dress? You do not have all of the facts. What you have are bits that have been reported in the press and you have decided from incomplete information that this is all you need to condemn Zimmerman. Do not take these comments as my condoning all of this. I have learned over a lot years and incident that all is not what it seems. The Brawley case and the Duke LaCrosse Scandal are a few things that come to mind. There is so much information that has obfuscated this case not the least the media frenzy that I choose not to run to judgment. You can believe with your limited "facts" what you want. This is a no win situation fomented by the press, celebrities and even members of congress.

This no win situation ONLY exists because Zimmerman decided to follow Martin....even after being told not to follow Trayvon Martin.

I agree and disagree with you. Right now, based on what we have seen I'd guess Zimmerman is a dirt bag, who stalked and provoked this kid and either (A) bit off more than he could chew or (B) just attacked and ultimately killed the kid in cold blod

That being said, I hope there's a trial and I'd be open to hearing contradictory storys though at this point I don't there is any reasonable explanation for what Zimmerman did.

Edit: And that point was made without once putting on a hoodie, much less pulling the hoodie up over my head.

Heck, even if Trayvon was a gang member piece of shit, a citizen cannot stalk another and shoot him for no reason. And it appears that is what happened. But maybe a trial will reveal something else. We are defintely not hearing the facts in a coherant manner. There may be some scenario where what Zimmerman did was reasonable (at this point it's doubtful) but I'd like to think we could have a thourough investigation and trial (or a good explanation if charges are not filed)

come around? what are you talking about? I've never said otherwise

I saw the video too. Listen, we need to hear Zimmermans side from him, his defense attorney or the investigators (should they choose not to charge him).

I have thought from teh begining that Zimmerman is a POS but I'm open to other points of view should adequate evidence be provided.