Was Military Recruiter Set Up?

Research into a story of a military recruiter under fire for allegedly insulting a gay male through email suggests the gay man in question may have a history of creating confrontations with establishment authority figures. While nothing excuses an inappropriate use of email by a military recruiter, some context appears to be lacking in this story.

Using a military email address, U.S. Army recruiter Sgt. Marcia Ramode fired off an email in capital letters that " IF YOU ARE GAY WE DON'T TAKE YOU. YOU ARE CONSIDERED UNQUALIFIED."

After more prodding from Andrew on the Army's recruitment policy, the messages escalated into a bigoted tirade. For example, Ramode told Andrew that "being gay is disgusting and immoral."

Prodding? Here is how the gay man actually responded: full exchange in pdf:

Wow! Unqualified to serve my country just because I'm gay? It's because they think I might all of a sudden desire one last kiss from my fellow male soldier if ever facing death at the hands of the enemy in a fox hole? Yup, that's it.

Funny, the US Government doesn't mind taking my "gay" dollars every tax season or out of my paycheck every two weeks. I'm stunned that the US Army could afford to be so choosey when I see sergeants on my school campus and in the local shopping Mall like pedofilic predators everyday begging teenagers to enlist. Then if I factor in the ten solicitations I've gotten just in one day through Career Builder dot Com in which even YOU stated the ABUNDANCE of positions and vacancies waiting to be filled in the Army, I would say the military's recruiting tactics are self-defeating, wouldn't you? By the looks of it, especially with Iraq, looks like you kids can use all the help you can get. By the way, you might want to avoid emailing in all caps, because it represents shouting and hostility, unless of course in this case, as I suspect, you are homophobic. Then it's all relative.

Funny he doesn't appear to be using his real name in the story either. Corey Andrew appears to be Corey Andrew Powell. And here's a little history on him:

Corey Andrew Powell, a sales associate, told PAGE SIX: "I, as part of the sales staff, being festive, and always in creative mode, wrapped my dreadlocks up to make two goat horns in honor of the event. Everyone including VIPs ... loved it. I was dressed fierce, in a fab Prada suit and the goat horns on my head turned it out as the perfect statement! That is until human resources and a team of security guards basically told me my hair was inappropriate. As if! Of course I disagreed. ... In case you hear about an incident where security had to escort someone from the gala in a frenzy of yelling and shouting (basically me telling a bunch of stiff corporate suits that they wouldn't know fashion if it bit them in the ass), it was me: Corey Andrew, possibly a former Saks employee."

Read the whole email exchange via the pdf, you'll see that Powell aka Andrew was being inappropriate and looking for a fight from the start - bragging about how he and his gay male, pierced-nippled friends would do a better job than the current soldiers. In typical feckless Liberal fashion, he started a silly flame war and now he wants to turn it around and be some whinny victim hounded by gay oppression. Gay, or not, it's pretty clear he has nothing to offer the military. He'd be crying for a lawyer if he ever really came under attack.

Comments

[Zifnab]

"White Conservatives and minority allies seem to missed the memo and can't take as good as they give"

They could never take half of what they dished out. Rich white snobs cried so loud and hard about desegregation and how it was destroying America. Then they cried loud and hard about Great Society reforms because it was so unfair and it was destroying America. They whined about how pot was destroying America and how gays were destroying America and violent video games and movies starring actors who used swear words. Rap music, the spanish language channel, teletubies and Harry Potter, the Vagina Monologues, snowboarding, evolution, Will & Grace, its one long "Whaaaaaaaaaa-mbulance" ride from cradle to grave with these people.

If they weren't running the country, I imagine the rest of the world would just ignore them till they crawled down a hole and died of bitter loathing. Alas, instead they take it upon themselves to send hate-mail to guys looking for jobs on Monster. Tax money well spent.

[Hard Right]

You mean the DEMOCRATS were FIGHTING desegragation oh retarded one?

Oh yeah, the "sexual/drug revolution" has done wonders for America.

How about the job you lefties have done in helping African Americans? Why their middle class rivals that of whites thanks to you, doesn't it? (sarcasm)

Lastly, who had control of congress for decades on end? Yeah, you lefties sure have something to be proud of.

[Hard Right]

BTW, your last paragraph describes morons like you to a T.

[vetter]

HR, why do you even both with the likes of ziffy? Come on-- ONE look at which party's minions are outting which partys gays shows they, libs like nabby, are two-faced, back-stabbing scum who think nothing of wielding ANY tool (no pun intended) in their quest for a return to power. They are contemptuous, immature and, frankly, annoying. NO libo/demo is worth debating unless they are first willing to own up to the myriad sins of THEIR party...At which point they really cannot debate anything as they cannot, honestly, portend to defend such filth. They are, nearly to a man (or woman or transgender), liars, cheaters and children.

[Reality]

"Funny he doesn't appear to be using his real name in the story either. Corey Andrew appears to be Corey Andrew Powell. And here's a little history on him:"

By the way, there is no apparent evidence of this link, and even less that he's the same guy in the Page Six article. I missed the part on this person's resume where he worked for Saks also. I guess that's the "journalism" wingnut blogs are famous for, though.

[Phoenix]

Vetter,

You left one out: They have zero sense of humor.

HR,

Sorry about my joke. Your comeback was funny, though. :) Would you steal their cookies, too?

[TheBlackLantern]

The point here is that the recruiter was out of line. It matters not who Corey Andrews is, what he does or if he himself was/is out of line, he only represents himself. The recruiter operates on behalf of the military of the United States and is a representative of our country. If you want to argue the issue that is the issue... If you think its becoming of military personnel to correspond on-duty is such a fashion then I'd like to hear your justification.

[mfoley4you]

this entire post is making me horny.

Did anyone just get back from the gym and wearing shorts?

Why don't you slip them off?

[Jeff]

To me it ends up like the show "To Catch a Predator." Did he do it? Was it entrapment?

[LOL]

http://patriotboy.blogspot.com/

[Jeff B.]

This blog is worthless. Who cares if the recruiter was baited? They should have remained professional...it's their freaking job for Christ's sake.

Conservatives will spin anything.

Oh well I stopped visiting here right after the Natalie Holloway news stopped pouring in.

[Corey Andrew]

This is Corey Andrew and you can be certain it is me as I would like to address the earlier comment about a New York Post Page 6 article that detailed an incident at my previous place of employment. The situation at hand involved preferential treatment shown to many employees while myself and some others were reprimanded for "violating" company dress codes. In my case that meant dreadlocks-which in itself was discriminate, so I challenged their perspective. Your poor attempt to flaw my character with such an irrelevant reference from almost two years ago is desperate and foolish. And Corey Andrew IS MY NAME as a performer. I have established commercial work internationally for years by this name. Google it! I don't use my last name of Powell very often as I opt to be identified by my first and second name as an artist. There is nothing covert about it-sorry. No one entrapped Sergeant Ramode into any correspondence and to set the record even more "straight" so to speak, I responded to her inquiry with some reluctance but with a genuine interest that there could be civilian status-military opportunities of employment-which do exist. If anyone trapped anyone, she trapped herself with her own misconduct. I was simply looking for work with a resume posted CLEARLY under a specific heading for copywriting and advertising NOT military. So therefore she had no business contacting me. She did this to herself. I wish no harm on anyone and do not identify myself as an activist. I will however stand up for myself and my civil rights any and everytime I feel they have been violated. This time is no exception.

[hobo]

I'm really struggling with the Recruiters response to Powels "baiting", because I have had the pleasure of knowing several Recruiters and these people usually get some darned good training. At least the ones I know. Therefore, I am shaking my head about why she responded the way she did, because they (at least the trained ones) are confronted with every conceivable scenario and how to deal with it.

Phoenix, you are bad, bad, bad! I swear, I'm going to start a fan club here in San Diego for you. No matter how crappy I may feel one day, all I have to do is read one of your posts and I can't help it, but I laugh like hell; sometimes to the point of tears. Sometimes your comments are intelligent as hell and others are so humorous, I crack up.

Regarding wanting a penis, as a guy I can tell you it gets in the way a lot. You know, like the time you're doing the 'wild thing' and the pizza girl shows up. You open the door quickly because you're real hungry and Mister Happy says "hello" before you do. Picture this: it's a hot Fresno night, you're teaching an all women class and they are skimpily dressed because of the heat. Suddenly Mister Happy decides to stand at attention and you look like you have been gifted at birth with three legs. And yes, the girls are very aware of the appenditure. And zippers? Look out!! I've done the Watusi more than once from that encounter. One more and I'll sign off. You and snookums are on the couch,trading spit to high heaven and her little sister comes in with her friends and they very obviously stare at "that" place, knowing what to expect. A penis can be real handy if cared for, but youi have to be on guard or things can "get out of hand." Nite, nite.

[SigourneyBeaver]

Are we sure this recruiter isn't really just Matt Sanchez using another name?
She appears crazy enough.

[DonnyB]

So he posts his resume on a job-searching site, you know, like MILLIONS of people do, and HE was baiting HER? How could he have possibly known a racist homophobe like her would even find him? She contacted him first, remember? If he wants to lure people in to some nefarious scheme (which is giving him way too much credit) why would he post his resume where millions of other people post theirs and hope that someone like her just happens to contact him?

I totally agree that context is needed, but to even compare his actions with hers is ridiculous. And then to state that the started the "flame war" is even worse.

[spinn]

Well sure, he opened up looking for a fight. But I know that if I got a mail like that and started fighting back in email in the same vein, my boss would be kicking me out the door pretty quickly.

That's "set up" inasmuch as "can't keep my opinions to myself while I'm at work representing my company" is "set up".

[Ollie North]

Ohhhhhhh confronting authority! Now we cant have that can we? We all know it is much better to march lock step in tune with what ever our leaders are playing and anyone that thinks otherwise is in deep trouble!

Please…this country was founded on the questioning of authority. I swear, if some of you people were around and had your way 200 plus years ago, today we would all be singing God Save the Queen and celebrating Boxing Day.

[Aaron Kinney]

Riehl,

Lets assume he was baiting her. Well, he is a private citizen, and she is a recruiter. It is her job to recruit, not flame, in this instance.

Since she sucks so badly at recruting, and totally got suckered into a flame war, wouldnt you agree that her ability to perform her military duties properly are in question? Wouldnt you agree that this recruiter is a poor quality soldier?

What do recruiters do all day? They recruit, dammit! Well she obviously wasnt doing too much of that. WTF are our tax dollars paying her for anyway?

I want my tax dollars to be spent recruiting, not flaming. Youre fired!

[Dan Riehl]

"Wouldnt you agree that this recruiter is a poor quality soldier?"

No question. She needs to be re-assigned and punished, but I wouldn't ruin her life for it. Maybe she can learn soemthing from it. I didn't defend here, I said there is no excusing it. But I also think the context has merit. I find the civilian of pretty low character for getting into a silly fight and then running to a legal group with it. He deserves a bitch slapping as much as she deserves appropriate punishment.

[Kevin Simms]

The recruiter was not set up. Anyone who believes that is a complete moron. The recruiters bigoted views have been exposed for the world to see. She should be fired.

[Phoenix]

Hobo,

Thank you, you sweetie. I still want a penis. :) I like the tripod image. :)))

I'd only want it to try out, though. I want to know what it's like to have two heads. I only have one and it gets tired. Just think if I had two! On-target energy 24/7! Lawwsy but I'd be a powerhouse. I guess I'll have to stick with being a girl since Dan is obviously using his and HR is saving his for thin mints and butter creams.

(I've loved you ever since you acknowledged that James Lee Burke piece I quoted. I so loved it that you noticed.)

[butcher99]

The recruiter brought it on. She contacted him. He wrote back that he was gay (yes, in a sarcastic manner). She repied in a bigoted fashion. So he mentioned a rain dance. I do believe that that is at least native custom in at least one tribe. What if he had said, jump on your painted pony and ride? Would that have been a slur on her background as well?

She only needed to reply with a thank you not at this time and none of this would happen.

[brad]

You truly are a moron, Dan.

[J]

If you called a tech support line and were given the same schtick, gay or not, you'd cancel your account and hold the company responsible for their employee. Why is the military above this? I work customer service and there are plenty of people I'd like to call names, but that's not how you keep your job. You are a representative of a company. You'd expect a damn recruiter to be sensitive to the fact that they are the representative of the whole army. Whether she was 'baited' 'set-up' or just plain stupid, her acts are not excusable. Was the activist entrapping? Sure. So is Dateline when they pose as 13 year old girls looking for sex online. The circumstances do not justify the action.

[DjMoyda]

I don't know whether to be more appalled at this government official's total lack of decency and restraint, or her completely inept communication skills.... Are we really letting people this stupid become Army Sgts? DADT is a bad policy... if a straght soldier harrasses another soldier they are disciplined on the spot... why should it be any different for gays? Obviously there are some gay people who are not cut out for military combat, but there are plenty of straight people who can't do it either. These positions should be filled on a case-by-case basis, not based upon people's sexual orientation, as if that has any bearing on their qualifications.

Furthermore it is kind of a slap in the face to be repeatedly solicited for jobs that you may or may not actually be interested in when you know you would be denied anyway because of discriminatory policies. It's like being solicited for a home loan in the 50s and then being denied because you were black and then getting harrassed for it... not cool, and this person is supposed to be representing the government and military?

But yeah, we should have minimum standards of intelligence and literacy for positions that high in the military...

[DjMoyda]

and no I don't think the "activist" was entrapping anyone. Or does looking for a job while being gay now count as entrapment?

He should have known his comments were going to get him nowhere, and looked for a better forum to voice his same, legitimate concerns, and yes I would have been appalled too if I was him with the recruiter's apparent illiteracy, to the point of calling her out on it. And really, he was not that far out of line with his email back to her, especially since she wrote him ALL CAPS and definitely considering her responses to him. The rain dance thing was lame, but again he's not representing anyone but him, so he can deal with the flak that he gets from it.... We as a nation have to deal with what it means to have people like this recruiter representing the "best" of our country.

Really, who cares about this kid? He's not a "baiter" or an "activist" just some gay kid with an expressive individualistic spirit. He knows it gets him into trouble, and he still does it, so you could view him as a pain in the ass... but really there was only one baiter in this exchange, and she works for our Army.

[BoobLover]

I would just like to state for the record that I love tit-fucking.

[synthemesc]

I don't give a crap what you all think; I applaud him for his wit and his ability to crush the lesser mind who saw fit to oppose him.

Also for those interested, sodomy is a crime under Article 125 of the UCMJ. That is ANYTHING sexual that is not vaginal intercourse. Maximum penalty for a blowjob is dishonorable discharge, forfeiture of all pay and allowances, and confinement for 5 years.

[Funky J]

I'm just appalled that an Army Recruiter could be that dumb and so easily baited.

If that's the type of intelligence you've got in the US army, no wonder it's taken 4 years to get ahead in Iraq.

[Riehl Pansy]

Riehl blathering on and on about pansies, and yet the little girlie is SAFE - HERE - in the US instead of fighting in the war she CLAIMS to support - just like all of you other Republiturd whiners.

Fuck you ALL.

[Riehl Pansy]

BTW - pansy - SHE CONTACTED HIM. He didn't seek her out.

[karma42]

WOW, I'm neither 'left' nor 'right', but whenever i happen upon places like this, its the 'right wingers' who are consistently mind bogglingly ignorant of life and reality and the people who live on this planet.
i never knew people could lodge their heads SO far up their own asses.
does it hurt being so damned stupid?
it should.

[Jason Fortuny]

Sounds like the making of a new scam, Jason Fortuny/Craigslist style.

[weech]

What do you have against pierced nipples- I'm striaght and I have one and all the guys and girls I know that have one are straight as well. They are awesome- you dont know what you are missing but your probably too much of a pussy to get one.

[lucky 9]

Are gay people no longer allowed to post resumes on job sites? What a world!

Oh and that piercing thing (mentioned above): it's illegal for women to have pierced labia in the State of Illinois. Can you imagine being the inspector who makes sure???

[Uncle Steve]

Whatever. Of course it was a set up, and only a right-wing, racist military homophobe without two brain cells to rub together would have fallen for it so perfectly.

Maybe she's your type?

[Alexo]

Libertarian Comment here

1: will discharging her save money? Yes against lawsuits by SLDN and NAACP *or what ever they are called.* Reasonable Conclusion Discharge her.

2: Will going after him Make/save money? No. Reasonable option Leave him be

3: Will shooting all the Lefties and Righties in here make/save money? No. It damages the market due to a shortage of idiots no longer being able to buy things cause they are dead. reasonable option: Keep them out of the Libertarian Party and in parties such as the Dems and Reps were the damage is localized.

4: Conclusion: Your all wrong. It is of no benifate to continue this argument. how ever I wish to be amused by all of the Idiology, Rhetoric and idiocy... so please continue.

Greed- The Sole trait of humanity that is worth Saving.

[ThactSagtap]

I’d prefer reading in my native language, because my knowledge of your languange is no so well. But it was interesting!