To Whom It May Concern

The Little Soldier That Wouldn't

When you join the American military, you join a prestigious organization with more than 250 years of history, from before the Revolutionary War to the current conflicts in the middle east. Americans do not have a right to serve in the military, it is a privilege for those who meet the physical requirements, those who are able to withstand the mental stress that comes from combat situations.

There is no draft right now, no one is holding a gun to someone’s head and making them join the military, to raise their right hand swear they will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic. Part of the oath one swears when entering military service is to “…bear true faith and allegiance and obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over you.” With this in mind when I see a member of the military refuse to perform his military service as a “conscientious objector”, it makes me extremely angry.

Oh, you have no problem joining the military, accepting a paycheck, using the G.I. Bill to pay your way thru college, but you want to pick and choose your fights based on what you believe in? The military doesn’t work like that, the whole premise to military service is that you follow your orders, regardless of personal preference. In some countries, you are required to serve in the military, and refusing to serve means you are summarily executed. How interesting that here in the United States you have jackasses that volunteer for military service, and then refuse to serve. Maybe a few executions would help eliminate this sort of thing, hmm?

The military is there to protect your rights as a citizen of the United States. For those who would defend the so called “conscientious objector”, you should really get your heads examined. You are allowed to believe whatever you want in this great country, but you damn sure should understand that without the military, you wouldn’t have that ability. Yes, you have every right to talk ignorant shit about how “you shouldn’t have to fight if you don’t want to” and other such nonsense, but don’t forget to thank those of us in the military for protecting your right to believe such moronic rubbish.

It’s even more disgusting to me when officers, the men and women responsible for leading young soldiers into battle, decide they don’t want to fulfill their obligations. Take 1st Lt. Ehren Watada for instance. This piece of crap says “Oh, I’m not a conscientious objector, I just don’t want to fight in Iraq because the war is illegal.” Uh, wrong you sorry sack of shit. The legality of the military actions within Iraq are under the determination of the U.S. Government, not you, and certainly not any of your loopy screwball anti-war buddies who are backing you.

Watada could face up to six years in prison if found guilty of one count of missing a movement and four counts of disobeying an order. He should get a mandatory 10 year sentence at Ft. Leavenworth assigned to hard labor breaking rocks with his bare fists. It’s time to make an example of these people who join the military then refuse to serve. Unfortunately Watada will probably get a year or two in some country club. Turning your back on your obligations is becoming a real epidemic in this country, people just don’t want to be held accountable these days.