http://www.commondreams.org/archive/2007/11/30/5538/
2007-12-01 08:09:26 · 23 answers · asked by WORD UP G 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Politics
What this soldier and others are doing is patriotic and American...we all value democracy...its time to show the world that we denounce civilian atrocity and torture in the name of war!
2007-12-01 08:24:55 · update #1
That is TRUE patriotism. It's doing those things that are hard to do but are the right thing to do. I have a great deal of respect for the IVAW group. They've witnessed the war first hand and participated in it. And, they are not afraid to speak out against their government no matter the smear campaign that the media has done on them and others who have dissented against this horrible and illegal war. That in itself takes more courage in many ways because it is speaking truth to power.
2007-12-01 08:31:56 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 1⤋
Regardless of whether they support or oppose the war, the fact remains that they are there, and since we have no draft, they are furthermore there at least to a large extent voluntarily (discounting the Afghanistan/Iraq bait-and-switch), which is more than can be said of the chickenhawks or any of their relatives.
I guess in fairness to total freedom of speech, we should likewise recognize the rights of those, if any, who would speak out in favor of war crimes, since we hear a lot of whining on here from people who feel that we liberals try to censor their antisocial speech.
2007-12-01 16:28:13 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
It is their duty to speak out against and report any war crimes that they may witness. Otherwise, the integrity of our military is compromised. The offending minority must be punished to protect the majority of soldiers who would never engage in such activities. "Just following orders" is not an excuse for war crimes either. Many Nazis learned that lesson at the end of a rope or in front of a firing squad. An unlawful order is an unlawful order and, under the international laws of war, a soldier is obligated NOT to obey.
2007-12-01 16:17:17 · answer #3 · answered by haywood jablome 4 · 6⤊ 1⤋
Let's wait a while before making a judgement about how patriotic he is. Remember the guy who "witnessed" so many atrocities a few months ago? Turns out he washed out of boot camp and never went to Iraq. He was the "phoney soldier" of Rush Limbaugh fame. When the left charged Limbaugh with being unpatriotic they wound up being thoroughly spanked.
2007-12-01 16:23:51 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 4⤋
I am proud of them... I have friends have served and were awarded Bronze stars. Most have refused to take them out of protest.
You have to understand that when you go in the service you are taught to follow the chain of command.
That is why you see so many active members so pro war.
Its hard to go to war if you don't believe in what your doing!!
2007-12-01 16:42:24 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
I imagine that much like the "winter soldier" event these guys are seeking to imitate, the testimony about To be given will be filled with half truths out right lies and great exaggerations by many who were never in the Iraq theater, or were little more that clerks and drivers while stationed in the green zone. I know the left believes our military is populated by the scum of the Earth, the most ignorant of red-necks, those who avoided prison by signing up. That's what allows the left to continue to root for the defeat of the US. We adults and patriots know better. I'm still waiting for Murtha to apologize to those service men he slandered with his accusations in regards to the phony hiadetha story.
2007-12-01 16:22:21 · answer #6 · answered by espreses@sbcglobal.net 6 · 2⤊ 4⤋
I would like to know why he left the Marines to see if there maybe some hard feelings so to say it seems odd that he only served 7 months in Iraq when most of our military men and women are putting in 12 to 15 months. There is more to him then meets the eye and if it turns out that he is lieing because he is oppossed to war I would say charge him with treason, but if it is true we have some serious stuff to worry about
2007-12-01 16:17:42 · answer #7 · answered by Tip 5 · 3⤊ 4⤋
Quite often soldiers return home with quilt for action they took in a war zone. It gets expressed many different ways.
2007-12-01 16:22:38 · answer #8 · answered by Perplexed Bob 5 · 3⤊ 2⤋
I think that they are very brave indeed to acknowledge that there is a problem, and to come forward, risking severe disapproval and reprisal by less courageous and ethically strong peers.
2007-12-01 16:44:59 · answer #9 · answered by peacedevi 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
During WWII, Korea, Vietnam (and previous wars) this would be considered TREASON!!! Any issues should be handled in house by military tribunal a.k.a court martial. Let the military deliver it's own justice and it's not kind to those who are guilty of committing crimes.
I am most certainly NOT proud of men such as this.
Oh... the article referenced John Kerry was there in 71...
pfhsss!!!!
2007-12-01 16:35:48 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 5⤋