User login |
Do we really hold all service members to the same standards? Obviously not.
by Eli Wright | Wed, 06/06/2007 - 12:36am
The following exerpt is re-printed from www.thankyoult.org: "In 2003-2004, Lt. Gen. William Boykin made over 23 public appearances in evangelical churches while in uniform and sometimes at government expense. He equated the fight against Islamic extremism in the Mid-East as a fight against Satan and he referred to Allah as idol worship. The Dept of Defense considered Boykin’s remarks “freedom of speech,” even after his words angered the Muslim community in the U.S. and heightened the fear of U.S. foreign policy among Muslims worldwide. General Boykin is still on active duty, still making public appearances and is head of Pentagon intelligence. Has the military asked if General Boykin’s public comments are placing American soldiers at risk?" So, let me get this straight... A General Officer making hateful and prejudicial comments while in uniform is protected by the First Amendment, but honorably discharged Marines Adam Kokesh and Liam Madden are being prosecuted for exercising their right to free speech by speaking out against an immoral war? This is an obvious case of double-standards and preferential treatment towards senior officers. The Marine Corps is wasting their time and our money to harass Adam and Liam for speaking the truth. They didn't make disrespectful comments toward the faith of others, they spoke out in support of bringing their comrades home, yet the military tries to prosecute them under the UCMJ, which they are not even subject to. It's time for the military to exercise some of the integrity and honor they claim to stand for and stop trying to silence our voices when we stand up and speak out for what is right. Maybe they should be prosecuting Gen Boykin for conduct unbecoming of an officer. The more they try to silence us, the louder we will speak. The views expressed here are the views of individual members, not Iraq Veterans Against the War as a whole. IVAW does not endorse any statements or opinions from servicemembers which may be regarded as derogatory or prejudiced in regards to race, class, gender, homophobia or prejudice based on sexual orientation. To view our code of conduct, click here. |