- FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
- 5-28-4
-
- PENTAGON ISSUES APOLOGY TO ARIZONA-BASED WEBSITE IN WAKE
OF PROFANITY-LACED EMAIL ATTACK ON EDITOR BY RUMSFELD PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICER
-
- The Pentagon press office has sent Arizona-based MilitaryCorruption.com
a written apology for the actions of a public affairs officer in Secretary
of Defense Donald Rumsfeld's office.
-
- Navy LCDR Daniel Hetlage admitted sending the editor
of MilitaryCorruption.com a profanity-laced series of e-mails on May 24,
2004 that, among other things, questioned the retired officer's loyalty
to America; his record as a multi-tour combat veteran of Vietnam; and labeled
him a "pussy-wimp" and "supporter of terrorists."
-
- MAJ Glenn MacDonald, USAR (Ret.), who enlisted as a private
in the Army in 1966 and retired from the Army Reserve as a field-grade
officer 33 years later, strongly objected to the attacks, which included
the phrase: " . . . you're a f - - king joke (around) here."
We assume, Hetlege meant in Rumsfeld's office.
-
- Army LTC Gary Keck, Hetlage's immediate supervisor, told
MacDonald in a phone call this week that the Navy PAO had admitted to "a
grievous error in judgement." Keck offered his verbal apology and
sent a written letter expressing same to the war veteran's home in suburban
Phoenix, Arizona.
-
- In a telephone confrontation between MacDonald and his
PAO critic on May 24, Hetlage belatedly offered an apology for his "offensive
remarks."
-
- "We recently ran a story in MilitaryCorruption.com
- FIRE RUMSFELD NOW! - which we know angered people in the Pentagon,"
MacDonald said. "It's our opinion and belief that Hetlage's outburst
was a result of our editorial criticism of his boss. Criticism, we might
add, that was also expressed on the editorial pages of the Washington POST
and the Army, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps TIMES.
-
- "To question my loyalty or patriotism and label
MilitaryCorruption.com a site that "supports terrorists" is the
vilest insult we could imagine. We fully support all our troops in Iraq
and Afghanistan.
-
- "We hope this unfortunate incident will make the
Pentagon press office and Rumsfeld's staff a bit more sensitive to their
obligation to observe and respect the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution
as well as freedom of the press."
-
- The Pentagon assured MilitaryCorruption.com, the remarks
by Hetlage were "in no way reflective of the opinions or views of
the Department of Defense or Secretary Rumsfeld."
-
- MAJ Glenn MacDonald, USAR (Ret.)
- EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
- MilitaryCorruption.com
- Staff@militarycorruption.com
-
- VIETNAM: 1966, 1967, 1968, 1969
- (480) 883-1568]
-
- [LTC Gary Keck, Pentagon press office: (703) 697-5131]
-
-
- TEXT OF PENTAGON "APOLOGY" LETTER
-
- May 25, 2004
-
- Dear MAJ MacDonald,
-
- I want to apologize for the grossly unprofessional communications
sent to you by LCDR Dan Hetlage from this office.
-
- Although his views were in no way intended to represent
the Department of Defense, or the defense press office, he has a responsibility
as an officer to be constrained when dealing with the public.
-
- His use of inappropriate language and personal attacks
against you are contrary to his rank and his profession.
-
- You have my assurance it will never happen again.
-
- He has been counseled by me personally, and he assured
me that he understands the grievous nature of his transgression.
-
- Gary Keck
- LTC, USA
-
- Pentagon press office
-
- --------
-
- MAJ Glenn MacDonald, USAR (Ret.)
- EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
- MilitaryCorruption.com
- staff@militarycorruption.com
-
- VIETNAM 1966, 1967,1968, 1969
|
