GOP governors urge Austin to drop vaccine mandate for National Guard

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

Five Republican governors are urging Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to drop the Pentagon's vaccine mandate for members of the National Guard.

In a letter dated Tuesday, the governors tell Austin that "setting punishment requirements" for refusing to be inoculated is "beyond your constitutional and statutory authority."

"It's unconscionable to think the government will go so far as to strip these honorable men and women of the nation's top duties if they don't comply," Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds (R), who signed onto the letter, said in a statement. "They protect the very freedoms that the federal government apparently doesn't believe they too deserve," she continued.

Reynolds was joined by Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon (R), Alaska Gov. Mike Dunleavy (R), Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves (R), and Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts (R).

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/gop-governors-urge-austin-to-drop-vaccine-mandate-for-national-guard/ar-AARQElX

Fuck you guys.

[The Magistrate]

1. A Soldier Is Chattel Of The State, Sir

This is nonesense.

[Texaswitchy]

2. No it is better that they make everyone sick.

The military needs prepared not everyone sick.

Discharge them.

[nykym]

3. tell those Govender's this

Vaccines mandated by the armed Services:
Adenovirus
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis B
Influenza
Measles, mumps, rubella
Meningococcal
Poliovirus
Tetanus-Diphtheria
Varicella
Other vaccines administered depending on risk and occupation:
Anthrax
Haemophilus influenzae type B
Japanese encephalitis
Pneumococcal
Rabies
Smallpox
Typhoid fever
Yellow fever

[EarlG]

4. Weird

"It's unconscionable to think the government will go so far as to strip these honorable men and women of the nation's top duties if they don't comply."

Um... isn't their entire job to comply?

Isn't that, in fact, partly why we view servicemembers as so honorable -- because they volunteer to give up their freedoms to defend the country?

[Alexander Of Assyria]

7. Good point sir. When did the military become a democracy and centre of personal freedoms?

[Mad_Machine76]

10. When it interferes with their desire to perpetuate mass disease

I guess?

[CRK7376]

9. We don't give up our freedoms

but we do follow orders that are legally issues by our commanders.

[EarlG]

13. Kind of a distinction without a difference

You don't have the freedom to reject legal orders; if you do reject legal orders you can end up in jail. I would argue that part of the reason servicemembers are so honored is not just because you put yourselves in harm's way to defend the country, but also because you choose to give up a lot of freedom in order to do it. (Or in the case of those who are drafted, you are forced to give up a lot of freedom in order to do it.)

[Alexander Of Assyria]

22. Giving up freedom to protect freedom is why they are honoured, largely, I think, yes sir.

[JT45242]

5. Worthless POS every one

Did any of them stand up and say anything over "Gulf War syndrome"

Where were they when vaccines with less testing were used on their NG troops sent over to try to steal oil for Rumsfeld, Cheney, and Bush.

States clearly in the contract that if they tell you to get a vaccine, you must get it. Shame on you Covid Kimmy and every one of these 'personal responsibility' liars who should be saying -- you signed up for a job that required you to follow all orders. Do what your told or get court martialed.

They can all rot in the circle of hell reserved for hypocrites and liars.

[Alexander Of Assyria]

6. These people are not insane but they serve insane masters.

[CRK7376]

8. Stay Strong SecDef Austin

I CRK, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God.

That's the Oath I swore to in 1983, plus the enlisted version that I swore to in 1977 until commissioned and I followed orders from those higher ranked than me (Retired O-6).

DOD says get the Vaccine or be prepared to leave the service. Guard GO are still officers and then need to enforce vaccines. as directed by DOD.

[Wounded Bear]

14. I took the enlisted oath in July 1970...

and I'm pretty sure there was a clause in there saying I would "obey all legal orders issued by officers and non-coms placed over me."

Or something to that effect. IFAIC, I am still bound by that oath.

[ProfessorGAC]

21. They'll Dance On That...

...pin of "legal order".
Since they claim it's unconstitutional to have the mandate, they will say the order itself is now lawful.
It's an intellectually lazy, but damned convenient way around the words in that oath.

[old guy]

11. No.

[Lovie777]

12. GQP are really the party of DEATH .....

[OnDoutside]

18. And more than likely killing their own voters largely. Insane.

[dsc]

15. I am going to assume that not a single, solitary one of these governors

had any issue whatsoever with LGBT members of the National Guard being forced out of service.

[Emile]

16. They don't understand that disobeying a direct

order from the President is grounds for a dishonorable discharge! Apparently these stupid Republicans have never served in the military.

[crickets]

17. Has any one of these governors ever served in the military?

A quick check of their Wikipedia pages shows: NO. They really need to sit down and STFU.

[onecaliberal]

19. I thought they had to follow the rules of the military and not necessarily the state.

[Demsrule86]

20. Service people stand in a line and go through a gauntlet of vaccines when they join the military...

no one asks them if they approve of vaccines or not...ridiculous.

[LiberalFighter]

23. Here's a thought. Lock up all federal property at those locations.