This conscientious objector is a "punk"

[kayaman+]

As I understand it, it is also you "duty" if not the law to disobey orders to commit illegal activities. Most of the world sees this as an illegal strike on Iraq.

I would say that if anything it takes balls to declare yourself a conscientious objector considering the treatment you get in return. Ali lost his best years of boxing for refusing to fight. He was shuned and shamed while knowing he was probably the greatest boxer ever to have walked the earth. That's balls. All those that fled to Canada during the Vietnam conflict didn't know if they would ever be able to return to their homes but left any way, that's balls.

Attacking an out numbered, under armed foe that doesn't really have a snowball's chance in hell of winning just doesn't sound like having balls to me.

 

[exilarch]

George W. Bush was a draft dodger. Is he a "punk" too?

 

[kayaman+]

Qualye used daddy's conection's to get into the National Guard instead of going to Nam.

 

>George W. Bush was a draft dodger

Proof??

 

[exilarch]

the proof lies in the fact that the "punk" never served.

 

exilarch, your wild words arent proof.

 

[radiofreecostarica]

frank,

I think you'd agree that 'most' politicians are punks.

 

radio, most are self-serving arses

 

[exilarch]

"having balls" is vastly overrated. Testesterone is the cause of many of the world's problems.

 

spoken like a true woman!

first Iraq, then France

 

[radiofreecostarica]

holy shit! we agree on something...

 

[Phaedrus]

kaya, there is a huge difference between committing an illegal act and claiming one was only following orders, versus showing up for duty as ordered. There is no room for conscientious objection in military service.

The fact that many people are opposed to this war (including myself, vocally so) does not make this war "illegal." Without a doubt certain individuals on both sides of the conflict will commit acts that are either overtly illegal or judged after the fact to be so.

Draft dodging is also very, very different from what is being discussed here. This man was not drafted, he marched right down to the recruitment office, saw what they had to offer, and said "Sign me up yo!" And then he had about six monthsto change his mind, depending on how long between sign up and official duty started. And he didn't.

Draft dodging is a supremely moral choice for any man. Conscription is involuntary servitude, and any action to avoid it should be considered moral so long as it does not infringe on the life, liberty or property of another person. Refusing to follow through on one's voluntary commitment to defend one's country actively through military service is desertion. So throwing up arguments about Bush, Quayle, Clinton etc. as draft dodgers (which most presidents of the Baby Boomer age will no doubt be called at some point) is pointless as excsuing this man's betrayal of his oath in light of Eichmann's plea, "I only drove the train. I only followed orders."


Different contextual spheres in both cases.


Phaedrus

 

[radiofreecostarica]

What do most of you think should be done in this case?

 

By Brandon Bailey
Mercury News

A local Marine reservist who applied for conscientious objector status this week has told military officials that he is gay, which could give them an alternative reason for discharging him from the service.

While the disclosure may violate the military's policy of ``don't ask, don't tell,'' Lance Cpl. Stephen Funk said Wednesday he is not seeking a discharge on those grounds.

Funk, 20, said he mentioned his sexual orientation in his written application for a discharge because he wanted to explain how his exposure to anti-gay bigotry helped shape his views on violence and war.

 

I knew this guy, Funk, was a punk... They didnt ask, he shouldnt have told! Will this punk ever 'keep his word' ?

I doubt it!

 

[FunkSoulBrother]

honestly who the hell cares if gay people want to fight in the Military. I'm sure as hell not doing it, they can have my spot.

We're all adult.. yessh.

 

>gay people want to fight in the Military

I dont care... "they" alway have.

This guy has no integrity.

 

[FunkSoulBrother]

Frank, who is "they". I'm confused by your statement.

 

Gays have served in the military honorably since there were militaries.

But this guy, Funk, has no honor.

 

[FunkSoulBrother]

I'm not defending this guy. If he was signed up as a reserve and ducks out when its time to fight, thats more than a little shady.