Are Navy SEALs Becoming Political Pawns?

 @Ironsights1911 

Interesting timing for a book such as this some 70 days from the election. Of course if a certain White House views it as a big plus for a struggling reelection campaign, no problemo. Also, the post election pardon season starts after the election. I wonder what the return/refund policy will be. Maybe I'll wait until the reviews roll out.

 @CJCJ If there isn't redacted material, this guy is looking at making big rocks into little rocks, unless he fabricates the whole story. But even then, he's selling it, as one of the guys there, they might just charge him, even if it is all fake. I guess we'll find out next month. Get your order in, before it's taken off the shelves.

 @majrod  @IDRINKWATER 

My personal view is that getting in bed with the press is like being involved with a sociopath or schizophrenic. The rules aren't for me but for you, I love you I hate you, I beat you because I love you but I'm the real victim here, etc., etc. Woe unto him who goes in without an awareness of how quickly the press can turn on you.

 @CJCJ He would not be happy with me for the admiration I show for him on this site. he is humble. My point, is that you men and leaders have an affect on the young and motivated. THANK YOU. Thus,in consideration of our family,  the trademarked psuedonym:-) Thank you CJCJ. I take to heart everything you say, including yout heartfelt advice way back when to our our Buttercup1-3 teams. If his body holds, I believe he will be a respected leader. If not, a mental force. Once again, thank you. He is capable of making his own way now. Long after I recover from the latest injuries, I shall remember words spoken on this site. I'll ponder them until the dawn hours. In other words, loving it....

 @JuliaHugoRachel1 

There are great stories to be read and great role models to admire especially for kids who have to struggle and fight their own personal uphill battles. It turns their focus outward and shows them life's possibilities. Attitude and mindset are more important than they're given credit for being. Your son's is a great story too. I can see why you are so proud of him. Send your son my thanks for his service, and my admiration for his grit and determination. 

@robgb Dude, ALL you cats in uniform are f'n studs. Me? I admit to being a "huge fan" and therefore listen to whatever you guys have to say and would like for all branches to have their own "Act of Valor". In fact, it could be handled with a movie about the Battle for Takur Ghar (Robert's Ridge right?) with the Rangers, DevGru and JTAC/CTT being key to that story. I know exactly what you are saying, I mean no offense when I ask this but I am curious: Is USASOC pissed because their story is not as well known to the public or because you guys would rather there be nothing said? Again, I'm not trying to poke the bear here, so try not to rip my head off too much, cool? :-)

 @CJCJ  @JackMurphyRGR  @IDRINKWATER Isn't it true that the Act of Valor men were pretty much ordered to do the movie? Just wondering. I watched it for the RIVRON scenes:-) I don't think so much attention should be given to that technology. Just my opinion. I also watched it for the rescue of the CIA operative. Now thats what I am talking about and why I am glad C has been added on here. There is more to this business than meets the eye. I am grateful for all SOF. And Cyber geniuses and analysts. It takes a friggin village to get anything accomplished. This is not a one team show. But without one team or all other elements, we are down river without a paddle.i don't think folks realize how much man power this all takes.

 @CJCJ I would like to ad that ML book is a great motivator for young men. My son, lost 10 years of his life to an illness, lost his ego, lost his dreams, lost his pride. After reading LS, he has regained his goal of serving his country, against all odds. The first book he read was "Fallen Angels", he read it when he was 6 years ols. As a young Eagle, we knew he would fly. As an athlete and a patriot and with our familiy involved in nearly all branches of the military and all aspoects of politics,Intel, COIn, etc,etc,etc plus political law and politics, we figured he might choose a career in a familial light. But after loosing everything, it was LS that kicked him back into gear. If books such as these ignite, fuel and propel young men to become good leaders and conmtribute to our country, I am all F..... for them.

 @JackMurphyRGR  @IDRINKWATER  @CJCJ I hope so.

 @CJCJ  @JackMurphyRGR  @IDRINKWATER Damn you SEALs are killin us SF guys, 3 movies to none, we are just a buncha shitbags i guess...

 @robgb  @JackMurphyRGR  @IDRINKWATER Lone Survivor the movie version is out later this year. ML seems to be the absolutely real fucking deal. Hope the movie does him and his brothers justice.

 @JackMurphyRGR  @IDRINKWATER  @CJCJ Absolutely Jack, the Navy PR machine is absurd, prolly promised the guy a movie deal as well, oh wait thats coming out in Dec.

 @JackMurphyRGR  @IDRINKWATER 

It seems that so long as SOCOM operators continue to put themselves in the public eye with these books and cooperation in movies like "Act Of Valor" (and implicit or explicit approval of higher authority for the service's self promotion and the expected increase in budget dollars), controversy will follow. The press uses subjects and individuals for their own purposes setting up those in the public eye for adulation followed by the inevitable fall. Set 'em up and knock 'em down. Lather, rinse, and repeat.

 @IDRINKWATER  @CJCJ Finished reading the article about the book...I'm sure this is the Navy putting out the narrative they want told.

 @notdrakebellPS...I should have added girl anatomy tio that lat statement for reference. Europran style.

 @notdrakebell Its a waste of time to engage disrespect. Objective criticism is awesome. I grew up on it as a staple. But I piss standing up, not on other people.

 @notdrakebell Oh No! It wasn;t You, I just tend to come off as too blunt, so I was trying to be more congenial. Politics is not my love, but it is in my blood. At least we know deleware was not a point of contention for the C4, but it may hold strategic value:-)

 @notdrakebell BTW, if their case statement and bylaws did not adhere to the govt. rules, they would not have been granted 501C4 staus. They seem to be operating status quo for a C4. If challenged in court, I can't see an argu,ment against them operating as such. But, Thats why I am not a lawyer, I wnet a different direction.

 @notdrakebell First of all, my intent is not to argue with you at all. This is a confusing subject to those that are not in political law or treasury. I am going to be brave & give you a smidgen of my background. I grew up in a political law & treasury law firm. I was a kid, but around when political laws to protect cirtizens were enacted. here is the skinny on the 501C4. But first, to answer some of your concerns/questions:

1) you might want to go to the FPPC for information on Political entities or corporate sites listing information, this might be of better service for your questions.(go to the source)

2) "It is registered as a social welfare group"- that is within guidelines of a 501C4 (see below govt. guidelines)

3) It does not matter where the 501C4 was set up (what state). Deleware has n9othing to do with this. The rules are consistent across the United States. a 501C4 is not required to reveal their donors. There are many reasons for this. A political attourney could give you a miriad of reasons that are truly valuable and viable. Please see description of a 501C4 entitiy below. Also, the donor does not receive a tax donation, what they do with their money is their business. I have stated, if you want to track who gave money to a C4, there are ways of going through back channels. Check the major donor reports for entities suspected of giving, this could clue you in. And, it may surprise you. Dems may have contributed as much as republicans, we can not speculate. Lets go on Facts only. Here are the rgs for a C4; see below

"5o1(c)(4) organizations are generally civic leagues and other corporations operated exclusively for the promotion of social welfare, or local associations of employees with membership limited to a designated company or people in a particular municipality or neighborhood, and with net earnings devoted exclusively to charitable, educational, or recreational purposes.[32] 501(c)(4) organizations may lobby for legislation, and unlike 501(c)(3) organizations they may also participate in political campaigns and elections, as long as its primary activity is the promotion of social welfare.[33] The tax exemption for 501(c)(4) organizations applies to most of their operations, but contributions may be subject to gift tax, and income spent on political activities - generally the advocacy of a particular candidate in an election - is taxable.[34]

Contributions to 501(c)(4) organizations are usually not deductible as charitable contributions for U.S. federal income tax, with a few exceptions.[35] 501(c)(4) organizations are not required to disclose their donors publicly."

 @notdrakebell You may be thinking about the educational way and rules concerning designation in a 501C3.

This is different.

OPSEC Video is:

"Paid for by Special Operations OPSEC Education Fund,  Inc          

Special Operations OPSEC Education Fund, Inc. is a 501(c)(4) social welfare  organization. 

Contributions are not tax deductible. ©Copyright 2012"

Education Fund is just part of a name in their 501C4. For instance, I have a C4 that has the word "Foundation" in it. However, it is not bound by "foundation rules per say", but rather strictly bound by 501C4 guidelines and rules. We have foundation is our name for various reasons, mainky because we needed a name that had not been taken (hard to find original names for corporations, etc.)

 This entitiy is clearly a 501C4 and bound by and regulated by such regulations and have strict adherence to campaign reporting for a C4.

I think the confusion may be in their title of "education Fund". It is a 501C4.

I would however, not be surprised to find a 501C3 somewhere underneath this entity which fueled this movement. As we know, donations to C4s are non-tax deductable. But up to 10% of C3's can be used for political lobbying, campaigns or to suppoort candidates or political functions/events/commercials; and of course C3 donations are tax deductible. Find out who contributed to this C4. Make a list of suspects, then check their major donor reports which are mandatory for public disclosure. Go the back route if you really want to get the facts on who supported this. You may be very surprised. Until you have this information (I don't me you personally-I mean "we collectively", I don't think we should speculate)