"Today" show anchor Katie Couric interviews New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin

On Tuesday, February 28, Mayor Ray Nagin of
New Orleans sat for an interview with Today Show host Katie Couric, and he was wearing a four-star general's Army fatigues, with ribbons and all.

Nagin claimed later, although not during the actual interview, that he was wearing the uniform in honor of Lt. General Russel Honore, who has been in charge of the military efforts in New Orleans post Hurricane Katrina. For nearly six minutes, Nagin sat (slouching,
no less, in a chair) on national television in a
military uniform, giving the impression to any one who didn't know better that he was the four-star general.

Besides being guilty of gross disrespect for the
uniform of the military, he is in fact also guilty of impersonating an officer, as per United States Code (10 USC, Subtitle A, Part II, Chapter 45, Sections 771 and 772). According to this, it is technically illegal for an unauthorized person to wear a military uniform or any recognizable piece of the uniform. The
only exception: actors and actresses in  “theatrical setting” (a loop-hole giving men like Tom Cruise the right to wear a uniform in movies such as Top Gun, with permission).

If someone actually pursued legal action against Nagin for violation of the above Article, the charge could land him six months in prison. In fact, much less than charges of manslaughter or attempted manslaughter in regards to the lives loss during Katrina as a result of mismanagement of City Services under his direction.

Not surprising, NBC has pulled most photos of Nagin from public viewing after the allegations were filed.

I suppose all of our Veterans are just expected to forgive his behavior because of an excuse of 'not knowing better' ..... my thoughts are still the same, he has insulted me as an American by his lack of action during Katrina and his ability to insult and degrade just seems to be endless.

Democrat or Republican, Black or White. male or
female- I think Nagin crosses all boundaries in his lack of respect and disregard for others.
Just my opinion ...... kisses ~T

I figure I'm entitled.  

Ray Nagin's job is pushing Nawlins, where the primary industry is tourist freak, and if freaky does it, I guess he's doing his job.

No, I don't worry that much about the sanctity of cammies, as if there was anything Ray Nagin could do to disrespect (sic) them...I really don't think anybody's gonna mistake Nagin for a general officer - clown maybe, but not even a reservist.  And I'm thinking any vet who worries about this a whole lot needs to forget it and get a job...partly because I think the primary job of veterans is to forget the past and get on with the future.

~I'd hardly compare your personal chores, performed in your personal space as a comparison to wearing a starched, fluffed and ribbon laden "uniform of the day" being aired on Nat'l TV while projecting yourself as the leader of a City.

My second point could be that many voting citizens in his area did not realize a hurricane serious enough to harm them was approaching... and you think they understand that he is not a war hero??? I think his actions were motivated to accomplish exactly what it did.... give the impression he was not only a military member but one with respect and responsibility.

~No matter how you argue it the Code is still the code. And photos don't lie. He is a civilian impersonating a military officer.

(*Maybe I've just been witness to so many that have earned the resepect of their uniform that I am a bit sensitive*) Thank you for the comment...  kisses ~Tori


-- Modified on 3/7/2006 10:50:57 PM

a lot of where I'm coming from is the belief that symbols aren't sacred in the USA, and that the best thing a veteran can do for his country is forget about his war and focus on his family.

Ray Nagin is a clown, and very appropriate for that town.  We all need some comic relief.

YMMV.

Tori, I agree with you, it's disrepectful.  I didn't see the interview (I'm in the UK) but I imagine a civilian dressing up in that way would really be making himself look very foolish indeed.

Then don't see the stuff at a military surplus store.  I have seen all kinds of clusters and medals and the like at those places.  Also, for impersonation, doesn't have to exactly match ezisting military uniforms?

In fact, is disrespect actionable?  

If you ask me, I think disrespect is essential to democracy; there's no cause of action for disrespect, and no remedy.  Disrespect is that somebody has their feelings hurt because they think somebody else isn't kissing their ass just right, ie, in a way that makes them happy.

Well, happiness is a personal problem, not a community one.   So when I hear somebody say, "so&so's disrespecting me", I say, get over it, get a life.


I know you Euros don't buy that, because yoou have a history of cutting each other's throats over it.  Us colonials have a 1st amendment (so far) which carries the right to disrespect people, because we put more stock in letting ideas compete freely, than protecting the feelings of the underemployed.

Everybody KNOWS Nagin is foolish, and in fact is probably making money off it.  Out here in the colonies, that's not a crime.   Comedy - even unintentional comedy - is a BUSINESS out here in the colonies.   Even a fool can make money in the colonies.

So don't knock it till you've tried it. [wink]

-- Modified on 3/8/2006 9:37:47 AM

~He is actually guilty of violating a written law.... he broke the law.

Disrespect is another conversation, but it will be interesting to see if charges are pursued. Disrespect is something I witness weekly in my travel back & forth to DC... disrespect for Policemen, disrespect for Military, disrespect for Doctors, disrespect towards Firefighters etc.... it seems some people do not know what respect is until they are in need of the service then they find it. In my opinion that is an entirely different conversation.

~Nagin broke the law... and agreed I might speed in my vehicle and might break a few other laws...
-BUT- he did it on National TV for over 6 minutes. Fortunately, there will always be a record when it was broadcast Nationwide.

I guess time will tell and we can watch and wait...

(*thank you Spock for posting your thoughts, I always enjoy hearing you voice your remarks, whether we see eye to eye or not ... I am fortunate in the fact I have enough education and value my Nationality enough to believe everyone is entitled to their thoughts, beliefs and the right to express it. Thank you for indulging me by encouraging my post. The situation in that City just sickens my stomach*) kisses ... ~Tori

In fact, it not only matched an existing uniform it is, in fact the uniform of an Officer, and no... to be in violation of the code it doesn't have to be to Regulation spec, but he was.

From my understanding, the apology will probably come from pressure by his, "so called" friend who actually gave him the uniform. The retired officer, now a reservist, still answers for his behavior... from my understanding.

Parkwest: tanks aren't for sale on Ebay but here's a link to something a bit more effective. (*You can find anything for sale on the internet LOL*)     ~T

when another civilian played army dress up for political purposes.

Honestly, considering the amount of criminal behavior, abuse and corruption the current administration is being permitted to get away with, you are really going to have to come up with something much better than that before I get outraged.

maybe I find it easier to laugh at him.

not even an armored car.  We have amtracs & APCs that would ride over it and hardly notice.  Both the Brits and US have tanks that have withstood multiple RPG hits (I think the record is over a dozen) - an RPG would be halfway thru that thing before the fuze went off.

~you don't know me from "another" side of my life???  LOL .... you speak w/the intent of a friend from another world not mentioned here..
kisses ~T

and technically, he is the CinC.

And there's a function here in the flight suit, it holds your jockstrap to your parachute harness, in case you need them both....of course it's equally true there's a function in Nagin's suit, ie, clowning for the camera for his city, which is of course his job, and he does it well - which is why I tend not to sweat these things...

~Commander in Chief, which is why most military members call him Sir...
Nagin, on the other hand never served and carries no right to wearing a uniform. (*Especially the rank he was displaying*)
However, appearing in an officer's uniform on National TV before your voting public would probably suggest you have earned honor and deserve respect.... thus, any of his voting citizens watching the Today Show would have been under the impression he was a military member... (That was the crime)
Bush just put an image to the title he carries every day... not a crime.

even Eisenhower made a point of not wearing his uniform once he became president.

-- Modified on 3/9/2006 9:00:31 PM

panties all in a bunch over this? I'll let you in on a little secret--nobody likes Mayor Nagin. Why don't you get outraged over something more important like who lost on American Idol.

-- Modified on 3/9/2006 7:33:56 PM

I think it's more to the point that when flying  Navy aircraft, a flight suit is appropriate.  Getting one's panties in a bunch over this sounds too much like envy.

IOW, there are real issues.  This ain't one.

I think he's a good personification of Nawlins, and the mayor of that town could do worse than keep his town in the limelight with his antics...

So he's a clown.  There's not a dozen US politicians who aren't.

He showed he was totally incompetent during the Katrina mess and now he plans to run again for reelection....please gimme a break.

even if you confused the Army and Navy [w]

I can go one up on my enemies!

I agree with another poster.  He has gone mad.  

I would call for arresting him, but why? He obviously can't impersonate an officer.  He deserved to be laughed off the set.  Bad judgment, bad taste, and I think if he copped an insanity plea he would be acquitted.

it may not be conscious, but look at the effect:  he raises the profile of Nawlins as an offbeat place.  Even if he gets NO money out of it, he still reinforces the traditional image of Nawlins, which is exactly what they need to get tourist interest.

Competition is tough - how can a hurricane ravaged city compete with Vegas?   Free publicity - the mayor goes on the air as something between eccentric and insane...the only thing better for them would be if there actually was some sort of Federal complaint about this.