Standing Up
USA Today recently published some startling numbers on desertions from the military:
At least 8,000 members of the all-volunteer U.S. military have deserted since the Iraq war began, Pentagon records show, although the overall desertion rate has plunged since the Sept. 11 attacks in 2001.
Since fall 2003, 4,387 Army soldiers, 3,454 Navy sailors and 82 Air Force personnel have deserted. The Marine Corps does not track the number of desertions each year but listed 1,455 Marines in desertion status last September, the end of fiscal 2005, says Capt. Jay Delarosa, a Marine Corps spokesman.
While the Pentagon claims that a lot of these desertions are due primarily to people who just don't fit in the military life, it is quite clear that the Iraq war and the way it has been mishandled by the current regime greatly affects the numbers. That was made quite clear in another story, this one published yesterday in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer.
First Lt. Ehren Watada joined the Army three years ago to fight for his country.
But he stood before a packed room of reporters and peace activists Wednesday to say that he cannot fight in Iraq and will refuse to join his Fort Lewis Stryker Brigade as it is deployed there this month.
"It's not that I disagree with this war. It's that this war is unlawful," Watada, who turns 28 today, said.
...His refusal to go to Iraq will also almost certainly lead to criminal charges and land him in jail.
Lt. Watada will no doubt be labeled a coward for his stance, a coward and a disobedient fool. What is somewhat surprising about his stance, however, is the fact that he is not suddenly claiming conscientious objector status (which would probably get him out of the trouble he is facing):
But Watada said he will not ask for conscientious objector status.
"I can't be true to myself and apply for something that I wasn't," he said. "I joined the military to fight wars when they are just."
It is this war that Lt. Watada objects to, and he is willing to accept punishment for his refusal to fight in it.
Foolish? Perhaps. Disobedient? Most certainly. But cowardly? Not in the least.
His principled stand is all the more remarkable when his status as an officer is considered. Whether one agrees with him or not, the fact is, one should admire the integrity with which he is acting. It's a shame that the Army will lose such an officer.
At least 8,000 members of the all-volunteer U.S. military have deserted since the Iraq war began, Pentagon records show, although the overall desertion rate has plunged since the Sept. 11 attacks in 2001.
Since fall 2003, 4,387 Army soldiers, 3,454 Navy sailors and 82 Air Force personnel have deserted. The Marine Corps does not track the number of desertions each year but listed 1,455 Marines in desertion status last September, the end of fiscal 2005, says Capt. Jay Delarosa, a Marine Corps spokesman.
While the Pentagon claims that a lot of these desertions are due primarily to people who just don't fit in the military life, it is quite clear that the Iraq war and the way it has been mishandled by the current regime greatly affects the numbers. That was made quite clear in another story, this one published yesterday in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer.
First Lt. Ehren Watada joined the Army three years ago to fight for his country.
But he stood before a packed room of reporters and peace activists Wednesday to say that he cannot fight in Iraq and will refuse to join his Fort Lewis Stryker Brigade as it is deployed there this month.
"It's not that I disagree with this war. It's that this war is unlawful," Watada, who turns 28 today, said.
...His refusal to go to Iraq will also almost certainly lead to criminal charges and land him in jail.
Lt. Watada will no doubt be labeled a coward for his stance, a coward and a disobedient fool. What is somewhat surprising about his stance, however, is the fact that he is not suddenly claiming conscientious objector status (which would probably get him out of the trouble he is facing):
But Watada said he will not ask for conscientious objector status.
"I can't be true to myself and apply for something that I wasn't," he said. "I joined the military to fight wars when they are just."
It is this war that Lt. Watada objects to, and he is willing to accept punishment for his refusal to fight in it.
Foolish? Perhaps. Disobedient? Most certainly. But cowardly? Not in the least.
His principled stand is all the more remarkable when his status as an officer is considered. Whether one agrees with him or not, the fact is, one should admire the integrity with which he is acting. It's a shame that the Army will lose such an officer.
posted by Diane at 3:54 AM
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