----- Forwarded by James D Homme/Contractor/Highmark on 11/02/00 11:01 AM
-----

I thought you would find this interesting.
Sarah

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not be published, say the reason for all the alarm, anger and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 years 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.


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