Choice America Network

SUPPORT THE TROOPS? 

  PROVE IT!

By Monica Benderman

In 2003, 60% of the American public supported the invasion of Iraq.  Based on the information at the time, the majority of the American public "supported the troops" in their efforts to topple a radical, tyrannical government that purportedly threatened our American way of life.

United States citizens rallied as soldiers said goodbye to families, homes and peace to invade Iraq and bring "freedom" to its people and "security" to ours. 

Members of anti-war groups were ostracized and anyone who questioned the actions demanded of the soldiers was called "unpatriotic" and "unsupportive."  It was the duty and obligation of the American soldier to serve on the frontlines in defense of the freedom of the United States of America. 

OBLIGATION. 

Three years later over 60% of the American public now opposes the actions in Iraq.  Based on the information of this time, the majority of the American public no longer supports the war in Iraq, and activists are now working to topple what they consider to be another "radical, tyrannical government" that purportedly threatens our American way of life.

Activists rally together to encourage soldiers to say goodbye to careers, to leave their units and, in some instances, families and walk away from what these activists declare to be an illegal war.  They claim it is the responsibility and obligation of the American soldier to serve on the frontlines in a new war against the American government for misleading this country into an immoral and illegal action.

RESPONSIBILITY.

There are reportedly 40,000 military personnel now AWOL and Deserted from ranks in this country, each having broken several military regulations in the process.  They stay gone, knowing that to return means facing stiff consequences for having violated the law.   Peace activists are busy calling them back, seeking attorneys to defend their actions by citing the illegality of the war as justification. 

A Lieutenant now stands to be court-martialed for making his own assessment of the illegality of the war and speaking out against the decision of the government.  This Lieutenant made a public refusal to deploy, thus violating military law. 

These soldiers claim an allegiance to the Constitution of the United States of America - the LAW of our land.  Where is the allegiance when they are so willing to break the law?

ALLEGIANCE.   

Civilians continue to cheer these defiant soldiers on, encouraging them to break regulations, to risk their personal freedom in an effort to prove that our administration has broken the law.  Once again civilians have turned to the soldiers to rely on their courage to do what civilians are not willing to accept responsibility for -- fight for their freedom.

Civilians claim to "support the troops" and rally around those soldiers who speak out with the encouragement of eager by-standers - BY-STANDERS --- remember -- that is all they can be. 

Soldiers stand alone - no matter how many thousands of people circle them - soldiers who act on their conscience, stand alone.

Sgt. Kevin Benderman was just released from military prison having served a 15-month sentence for allegedly refusing to deploy on a second tour of duty in Iraq.  He used the legal means available to protest an unjust, immoral military action, and filed a Conscientious Objector application on moral and ethical grounds.  He not only listened to his conscience, but he acted on it, and defended the foundation of this country in his actions.  He broke no law, but spoke out against the immoral and unjust actions of those who chose to violate laws in an effort to punish him for standing up for his principles.  In his efforts, he defended the rights of soldiers to live by their conscience and make a moral choice to serve their country and participate in life as their own beliefs and values dictated.  His actions do not support breaking laws to defend one's conscience, they do support standing against those in positions of leadership who violate our Constitution, and facing the consequences that inevitably come for having done so.  It is by facing actions we know to be unjust with a firm adherence to principle and rule of law, that we can bring justice to those who believe they are above the law.

Sgt. Benderman stood alone.  He alone faced his command.  He alone faced the judge.  He alone faced the sentence. 

Supporters cheered, encouraged and at times assisted.  All of this was greatly appreciated, but in the end it was one man and one battle waged. 

It is time for the citizens of the United States of America to face their own responsibility. 

Activists claim this war is illegal.  THEN PROVE IT - in a Federal Court of Law.  Please.

It is past time for the citizens of this country to step up and act as responsible citizens.

A US military court is not the place to wage a battle over the illegality of the war. 

A FEDERAL COURT is.

A soldier sworn to defend his Constitution is not the party responsible for holding our administration accountable for allegedly corrupt actions.

THE UNITED STATES CITIZEN is.

Our soldiers have done enough.  It is time for the citizens of these United States to accept their responsibility as established by the Law of our land - our Constitution.

If soldiers are to be expected to refuse illegal orders, then it is up to the civilian attorneys, the United States citizens and the United States Congress to give these soldiers the legal justification to do so.  Organizations, attorneys, activists have produced countless pages of documentation citing hundreds of laws broken in the prosecution of this war, and yet they rely on soldiers in military courts to fight their battles. 

The battle a soldier wages when his conscience says "no more" is one of morality and ethics - and it is one man standing alone. 

Where is your courage, America?  Where is your adherence to duty, to responsibility, to allegiance to what is RIGHT? 

When will you step out from behind the banners, the yellow ribbons, the coffins, and boots and fight for your freedom and your rights? 

When will you lay down your signs of protest and pick up the Constitution and read it - then ACT on it?  When will you stop sending our soldiers to jail to defend what you believe? 

The war is illegal?  Then PROVE IT -- so the soldiers can come home - so those daring to stand up for their conscience and morality have the legal defense you claim exists? 

You say you "support the troops" -- then PROVE IT -- in a court of law, so that soldiers like Sgt. Kevin Benderman no longer have to stand alone.

Copyright 2006 Choice America Network

CHOICE AMERICA NETWORK