Blog
07.21
Is it ever okay to poke fun at the military?
This is a sensitive subject for a guy who has a U.S. flag case bequeathed to him by his uncle in his office, and is the fruit of a decorated war hero (Hi, Dad), but I'll answer the question anyway... uh, no!
Now imagine you are hired by the military to be its representative to the media and the public, and you think a snarky blog post about your employer is a nice way to blow off some steam.
Well, if you think that's a good idea, you're a tool. A very large jackhammer of a tool.
And yes, that did happen as seen in the Honolulu Star-Advertiser and the Marine Corps Times.
A former military public affairs officer said she was trying to "inform and entertain" readers when she described Rim of the Pacific naval exercises as "snoozepac" and the "world's largest floating cocktail party" in a separate blog.
What's worse than making fun of a bunch of Marines... that pay your bills (again, massive toolage) but the blogger, Gina DiNicolo, is a 1984 U.S. Naval Academy graduate and former Marine captain!
Yes way.
DiNicolo insists the "cocktail party" reference was to social gatherings and not drinking, but RIMPAC officials found themselves explaining in-port social events aboard participating nation's ships that did involve alcohol, including "Singapore Slings" being served up by that nation's navy.
Here's a quick 'PR 101' for Missus Funny Writer: When you are hired by any client, you represent that client at all times with your actions and words. They are the reason you are gainfully employed and demand your respect. Your words were disparaging against your client, not to mention badly timed and apparently not that cute.
If you didn't realize that before you blogged, perhaps you will figure that out in your next endeavor sacking groceries at the local Albertsons in Honolulu.
Ironically, probably cocktail sauce and frozen shrimp. It is Hawaii, after all.
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