‘West Point’ Off Limits to Anti-War Alums

Posted by lefemine on May 6, 2006 Leave a comment (71) Go to comments

Praise the Lord ! A group of West Point graduates has been formed that is opposed to the undeclared and therefore unconstitutional, as well as unjustified and therefore immoral and unnecessary War in Iraq !

Steve Lefemine
US Army active duty, 1977-1982, CPT, FA
US Army Reserves, 1982-1993, MAJ, FA
USMA, 1977
www.LefemineforLife.net

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http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060505/ap_on_go_ca_st_pe/anti_war_graduates

YAHOO! (R) NEWS AP

AP Associated Press

‘West Point’ Off Limits to Anti-War Alums

By WILLIAM KATES, Associated Press Writer
Fri May 5, 4:49 PM ET

The Army warned an anti-war group of former U.S. Military Academy cadets to stop using the words “West Point” in its name, saying they are trademarked.

A co-founder of West Point Graduates Against the War countered Friday that his organization is simply following the cadets’ code.

“At West Point, we were taught that cadets do not lie, cheat or steal — and to oppose those who do,” said William Cross, a 1962 West Point graduate. “We are a positive organization. We are not anti-West Point or anti-military. We are just trying to uphold what we were taught.”

The group, open to West Point graduates, spouses and children, claims about 50 members.

West Point spokesman Lt. Col. Kent Cassella said the academy sent the April 12 warning letter because the group failed to go through a licensing process to get permission to use the term “West Point.” The group’s anti-war stance is irrelevant, he said.

“This is not a political issue. They did not ask for permission. We are doing what any college or university would do to enforce its trademarks,” Cassella said.

The Army registered the words “West Point” — as well as “United States Military Academy,” “USMA,” and “U.S. Army” — as trademarks in 2000 to control their use on educational material and commercial goods.

An attorney hired by Cross and his colleagues said the warning raises questions of First Amendment speech protection and selective enforcement. Joseph Heath said he noted the concerns in a response sent to the Army on Monday; he has not yet received a reply, he said.

“I would hope that the Army would be proud of these men and their willingness to promote democracy and freedom of speech,” wrote Heath, a Navy veteran who also opposes the war.

Heath also noted widespread commercial use of the words “West Point.”

Cassella said the Army has negotiated agreements with local businesses allowing them to use the phrase in their names.
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On the Net:
Group: http://www.westpointgradsagainstthewar.org/
Academy: http://www.usma.edu

Copyright © 2006 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. The information contained in the AP News report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.

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