Honour_Class said:
While perhaps not the most popular actions, these men too are protecting our Constitution by taking a stand. If nothing else, they are causing people to notice and question things in our foreign policy.
You are quite mistaken. It is most definitely not their role to make a stand, and question national policy while serving in the armed forces. I honestly don't know your personal status (applying, serving, etc), so I am taking the stance that you don't have much familiarity with the military service and what is expected of both enlisted and officer. Besides signing your name on a dotted line that a recruiter pushed across the desk at you, you take an oath (I personally have done this 6 times in my career, as both enlisted and officer). If you are not familiar with it, since we are discussing the Army, here are the two for both enlisted and officer (thought this is that same for each branch).
Army Enlisted Oath said:
"I, _____, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God."
Army Officer Oath said:
"I, _____ (SSAN), having been appointed an officer in the Army of the United States, as indicated above in the grade of _____ do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign or domestic, that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservations or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office upon which I am about to enter; So help me God."
These men are not protecting the Constitution, they are cowards that are seeking to not fulfill the obligation that they freely volunteered for. Let's not mince words here, or make any deceptions, we are in an ALL VOLUNTEER military. Conscription does not take place nor is their a draft board member knocking on high school students doors telling them when to report to training. Whatever the reason they joined the military for, the pay, the benefits, college assistance, or god forbid the patriotism of serving the country, they are obligated to live up to their own word. They took that oath, and have since foresworn it, and in my eyes, in addition to being cowards, are without honor. This is not a political stance, this is personal expediency, slinking out the back door, while your comrades, shipmates, airmen, and marines, that they trained with, ate with, partied, studied and shared sweat and tears with, are going off to do the hard job for our country.
By no stretch of the imagination are they making people notice national policy.
In today's climate of miniature American flags, Homeland Defense and Intelligence Bills; we should take care that no fires start near the Reichstag.
From your ivory tower, I guess you see America differently than I do. We are not a facist nor militaristic state, we are a proud nation that has brought freedom and hope to the world. We have rebuilt the leading countries after the devastation of WWII, and have championed personal freedom and democracy. Regardless of what the national media or your college professors tell you, America is the beacon of light to the world at large. Comparing the US to the Reichstag has no referent and holds no water as an arguement, your sole purpose is to inflame the topic. I suggest you stop watching Michael Moore films.
When we manage to get everyone in the country (or even just the military) to accept wars without question, then we are not doing our foremost job: to support and defend the Constitution from all enemies foreign and domestic...
If you are speaking as a civilian, go on and protest to your hearts content. My role in the military, and keeping our country free and our consitution intact make that happen.
But if you are speaking as military servicemember, you are on dangerous ground with that statement and belief, you go where you are told. You have placed your trust in your superiors, the democratic process, and the nation as a whole.
