Is it not their duty as a U.S. citizen to share their opinions if they think their mission is an abuse of American military resources?
Should they have fewer rights than a civilian?
2007-02-26 15:14:41 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in News & Events ➔ Current Events
So long as they continue to actually perform their duties and do not incite to mutiny or desertion, they should have a right to speak their mind. If it goes beyond going beyond that and encouraging disobedience, they should still have the right to protest but they should realize that they are engaging in disobedience, and be prepared to suffer the disciplinary consequences (this is an application of civiil disobedience and, as Thoreau knew and practiced, "there is no such thing as a free ride" if you are honest in your dissent. If their active opposition directly endangers the lives of others (really, not trumped up) they should be removed from the scene of combat, without violence if possible, but violently if necessary to save lives of others whom they may endanger.
That having been said, those who opppose a war and who aren't in a position of actively serving should bear the brunt of the active oppposition (and the consequences) rather than encouraging active-duty soldiers to undertake all the risks involved in trying to combine protest with active servie and solidarity with their comrades who are facing enemy fire, bombs, etc. all the time.,
2007-02-26 15:56:54 · answer #1 · answered by silvcslt 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
How can you imagine a soldier has fewer rights than another civilian? Are they under scrutiny more so than the average joe, absolutely but thats not fewer rights.
Honestly, if you actually do some research, you'll find military code commands a solider to act in many ways but mostly in an utmost upstanding state and to 'do the right thing' even if it means disobeying a direct order.
2007-02-26 15:42:55 · answer #2 · answered by ark 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
By enlisting in a countries armed forces you are surrendering your right to judge military actions. /you entrust your conscience to your superiors for the duration of your sevice. This means that speaking out against the war in general is not a right. However while fighting the war you have the right to make calls about actions and orders on the ground if you believe them to be wrong, i.e torturing prisoners or mortaring a area where civilians are known to shelter.
2007-02-26 15:19:36 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
I would certainly hope so. I feel he has the right to say what he wants. He has put his life at extreme danger for the sake of an honest government for the people. If that is not the case he as a patriot has a right and a duty to protect the nation from enemies foreign and Domestic.
2007-02-26 15:22:13 · answer #4 · answered by stephenmwells 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Personally being in the military i would hold all my comments until i'm out of active duty/reserves/guard before i talk about the war. Being in this position can get me punished under the UCMJ. Yes it says that we have the 1st amendment to talk but we also took a code that we support whatever decision the president makes and we would follow. Look at what is happening to Lt Watada who refused to go to war because of his beliefs. He is being tried this summer.
2007-02-26 15:59:14 · answer #5 · answered by basic324 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Of course they should have the right... they are the ones putting their lives on the line for their country so if they feel what they are doing is immoral or wrong, they should be able to speak out against it.
This is a good question!
2007-02-26 15:21:34 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
they have the right to disobey bad commands
you want free thinkers as well
sole-diers obey orders they are taught to obey
taught not to think
yet they still do [try to]
see the poor boys and girls how well we treat them when they come home
see the vietnam vets still topping the suicide toll
unreported by media yet more died by thier own hands scince the war
children should not be treated as targets to blood in future oppressors
not out best .fittest .healthiest ,finest getting slaughtered for lies and neo con mesianic lobby driven deceptions
2007-02-26 15:17:24 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
If your country promotes democracy and free speech, then the answer should be yes. If you are afraid of letting people speak openly and honestly then what you are doing is probably without much honour.
2007-02-26 15:18:08 · answer #8 · answered by darklydrawl 4 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Of course they should have the right to voice their opinion. But upon signing up, didn't they agree to fight for freedom regardless of their opinion?
2007-02-26 15:23:28 · answer #9 · answered by Maria C 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Isn't that one of the rights they are committed to fighting for? If they can't use it, what good is it to the rest of us?
2007-02-26 15:18:25 · answer #10 · answered by Goofy Foot 5 · 3⤊ 0⤋