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Getbig Main Boards => Politics and Political Issues Board => Topic started by: Dos Equis on August 31, 2010, 04:53:18 PM
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I happened to be standing next to a couple old vets when this story came on and they were pissed. One of them said "lock his *** up." I agree.
Muslim Soldier Refuses to Deploy to Afghanistan
A U.S. Army soldier wants to leave the military service as a conscientious objector based on his beliefs as a Muslim, but he says he’s concerned he may be deployed to Afghanistan anyway.
Pfc. Naser [sic] Abdo, 20, an infantryman assigned to the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Ky., said Monday that if the military orders him to deploy, he will refuse to go despite the fact that it may result in a military charge against him.
Rick Rzepka, a Fort Campbell spokesman, said Abdo’s deployment has been deferred, but the military could deploy him while a decision was being made on his request.
According to Army regulations, a soldier’s submission of a conscientious objector application will not preclude the soldier from deploying. Abdo’s unit, the division’s 1st Brigade Combat Team, has already deployed to Afghanistan. He was assigned to the brigade’s rear detachment, which remains at the installation during deployments. Read more...
http://www.thefoxnation.com/muslims/2010/08/24/muslim-soldier-refuses-deploy-afghanistan
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Pfc. Naser [sic] Abdo,
what will team nasser have to say about this
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I wouldnt go either. Doesn't sound like a good place to spend Christmas.
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So he joined the military while the US was in the midst of two wars in Muslim countries and didn't expect to get deployed? Seems pretty foolish. He had to have enlisted with no intentions of fighting over there then.
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Send his ass to jail for however long the Military Code of Justice demands. We have a volunteer army. If he doesn't like it, he shouldn't have enlisted in the first place.
I do not want him to be deployed if he's going to be dead weight or a potential saboteur for his Islamic brothers at arms. I would just send him to jail and then dishonorably discharge him. To do otherwise puts the rest of the men and women serving in harms way.
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So he joined the military while the US was in the midst of two wars in Muslim countries and didn't expect to get deployed? Seems pretty foolish. He had to have enlisted with no intentions of fighting over there then.
Have you been in the military BF?
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He said he doesn't want to kill fellow Muslims. ::)
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I happened to be standing next to a couple old vets when this story came on and they were pissed. One of them said "lock his *** up." I agree.
Muslim Soldier Refuses to Deploy to Afghanistan
A U.S. Army soldier wants to leave the military service as a conscientious objector based on his beliefs as a Muslim, but he says he’s concerned he may be deployed to Afghanistan anyway.
Pfc. Naser [sic] Abdo, 20, an infantryman assigned to the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Ky., said Monday that if the military orders him to deploy, he will refuse to go despite the fact that it may result in a military charge against him.
Rick Rzepka, a Fort Campbell spokesman, said Abdo’s deployment has been deferred, but the military could deploy him while a decision was being made on his request.
According to Army regulations, a soldier’s submission of a conscientious objector application will not preclude the soldier from deploying. Abdo’s unit, the division’s 1st Brigade Combat Team, has already deployed to Afghanistan. He was assigned to the brigade’s rear detachment, which remains at the installation during deployments. Read more...
http://www.thefoxnation.com/muslims/2010/08/24/muslim-soldier-refuses-deploy-afghanistan
My initial thought is: what's the difference between him as a Muslim citing religious reasons versus a christian doing the same thing?
Is the fact we are a volunteer army have anything to do with it as far as the law is concerned?
when did the guy enlist?
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The guy is 20 so 2007/2008 depending if his parents let him go when he was 17. My guess, joined to get the college money then found out he would actually have to fight. He's a fucking punk, and now is hoping that the story is public he will get a free pass.
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The guy is 20 so 2007/2008 depending if his parents let him go when he was 17. My guess, joined to get the college money then found out he would actually have to fight. He's a fucking punk, and now is hoping that the story is public he will get a free pass.
Well that kind of kills it right there IMO.
It would be different to me if he enlisted in 1999
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My initial thought is: what's the difference between him as a Muslim citing religious reasons versus a christian doing the same thing?
Is the fact we are a volunteer army have anything to do with it as far as the law is concerned?
when did the guy enlist?
I would have the same opinion if he was Christian, Jewish, Catholic, atheist, etc.
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Well that kind of kills it right there IMO.
It would be different to me if he enlisted in 1999
Why?
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Why?
Because he'd have a more credible reason. Now, of course the actual law and the oath/agreement he signed has bearing on the whole thing. I don't believe a person can or should just opt out based on religious beliefs, especially in a volunteer army.
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Because he'd have a more credible reason. Now, of course the actual law and the oath/agreement he signed has bearing on the whole thing. I don't believe a person can or should just opt out based on religious beliefs, especially in a volunteer army.
What would be the credible reason? That he joined during peace time and we went to war after he joined? The whole purpose of the Army is to prepare for war (and fight if necessary).
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What would be the credible reason? That he joined during peace time and we went to war after he joined? The whole purpose of the Army is to prepare for war (and fight if necessary).
His reasoning was after the fact. He joined while at war in Afghanistan/Irag, a war we are fighting against mostly professed religious radicals. It makes his argument moot.
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His reasoning was after the fact. He joined while at war in Afghanistan/Irag, a war we are fighting against mostly professed religious radicals. It makes his argument moot.
Yes, but what difference would it have made if he joined before the war started? Even if he joined in 99, it wouldn't have been with an agreement that he wouldn't deploy to Muslim countries. The oath is fight all enemies foreign and domestic.
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So he joined the military while the US was in the midst of two wars in Muslim countries and didn't expect to get deployed? Seems pretty foolish. He had to have enlisted with no intentions of fighting over there then.
I'm betting he took the GI college money and paychecks and all that good stuff.
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ya this dude joined up while we were already in afghanistan knowing that there was probably a good possibility that going in as an infantryman you would see some type of time in the middle east.
dont even give this moron the choice to go anymore just charge him and throw him in jail
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he was probably one of those d-bags who vandalized school buses or some silly shit like that... but thanks to political connections, was allowed to join the military to avoid going to jail. some kinda trash.
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Yes, but what difference would it have made if he joined before the war started? Even if he joined in 99, it wouldn't have been with an agreement that he wouldn't deploy to Muslim countries. The oath is fight all enemies foreign and domestic.
it doesn't make a difference it what should be done. It does make a difference in the credibility and or integrity of his argument. In this case he's completely full of shit. If he had signed up in 1999 there might be some credible truth to his objection.
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His reasoning was after the fact. He joined while at war in Afghanistan/Irag, a war we are fighting against mostly professed religious radicals. It makes his argument moot.
Don't kid yourself. America is not fighting religious radicals. That's the propaganda that's fed to the public domestically. America is fighting political factions in the ME and those who want their country back, and want the invaders out. As for the soldier who is refusing to deploy... what the heck was he thinking when he enlisted? Did he think all those bodybags contained opium or heroin instead of dead bodies? OK probably some of them did... but geez. it's not it's been well publicized for the past 7 yrs that there's a war going on in Afghanistan and that Bush and his ilk were pushing a 'crusade'. Or did he just wke up to the BS & propaganda he previously bought into?
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It doesn't matter. It's voluntary. Signing up for military service means that you are committed to fighting anywhere, whoever, and for whatever reason you are ordered to, or face prison.
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Don't kid yourself. America is not fighting religious radicals. That's the propaganda that's fed to the public domestically. America is fighting political factions in the ME and those who want their country back, and want the invaders out. As for the soldier who is refusing to deploy... what the heck was he thinking when he enlisted? Did he think all those bodybags contained opium or heroin instead of dead bodies? OK probably some of them did... but geez. it's not it's been well publicized for the past 7 yrs that there's a war going on in Afghanistan and that Bush and his ilk were pushing a 'crusade'. Or did he just wke up to the BS & propaganda he previously bought into?
Still lying and spouting off propaganda to defend Islam, eh? Shut the fuck up, googly-eyes.
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Still lying and spouting off propaganda to defend Islam, eh? Shut the fuck up, googly-eyes.
You are one bad ass warrior man. Are you gonna be the first dude on your street to kill a Muslim overseas and restore our honor?
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You can't use the religious belief excuse, like Ali did in Vietnam....he was avoiding service all together and said that fighting any war was against his religious beliefs.....this turd, volunteered. Just court-martial him, send him to Leavenworth and leave him in the general population....justice would be served.
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My thoughts are that he joined up while we were fighting where we are fighting now. There is nothing new that has been revealed to him to support his position. I don't want him deployed at this point because he is untrustworthy. He should be courtmartialed and sentenced according to the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
Someone asked earlier, what's the difference if he joined up at peace time or when we were at war. I did 10 yrs in the military. I got out partly because when I joined in 1982 I had the ridiculous belief that others held life in as high regard as I did and that we would be sent to war as a last resort or to immediatly defend ourselves. When we started getting involved in things I felt weren't for national security and weren't valid reasons to go to war I decided the military was no longer for me. I got out when my enlistment was up. I would have no problem dying for my country. However I have a huge problem dying for unclear, arguably meaningless reasons. While I understand we are a volunteer army, I hesitate to judge someone who doesn't want to participate in what they may feel is an unjust or improper use of the military. The obvious flaw in my thinking is that it is impractical to poll the military and find out if they support a particular armed action. In a perfect world, our Government would 1. Have sons and daughters of their own involved in any armed conflict they put us in, and 2. Sacrifice american military lives only as a last resort. This isnt a perfect world and the youth of today need to understand if they join the military, there is a pretty good chance they may go to war over things that don't make a lot of sense. If they are okay with that, then sign on the dotted line.
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My thoughts are that he joined up while we were fighting where we are fighting now. There is nothing new that has been revealed to him to support his position. I don't want him deployed at this point because he is untrustworthy. He should be courtmartialed and sentenced according to the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
Someone asked earlier, what's the difference if he joined up at peace time or when we were at war. I did 10 yrs in the military. I got out partly because when I joined in 1982 I had the ridiculous belief that others held life in as high regard as I did and that we would be sent to war as a last resort or to immediatly defend ourselves. When we started getting involved in things I felt weren't for national security and weren't valid reasons to go to war I decided the military was no longer for me. I got out when my enlistment was up. I would have no problem dying for my country. However I have a huge problem dying for unclear, arguably meaningless reasons. While I understand we are a volunteer army, I hesitate to judge someone who doesn't want to participate in what they may feel is an unjust or improper use of the military. The obvious flaw in my thinking is that it is impractical to poll the military and find out if they support a particular armed action. In a perfect world, our Government would 1. Have sons and daughters of their own involved in any armed conflict they put us in, and 2. Sacrifice american military lives only as a last resort. This isnt a perfect world and the youth of today need to understand if they join the military, there is a pretty good chance they may go to war over things that don't make a lot of sense. If they are okay with that, then sign on the dotted line.
Excellnt post and I feel much the same way. As a former military member also, we were often asked to do things that we might not have thought were totally necessary, but then again everybody always thought they knew more than they did about the why of decisions. You either accept the conditions of your contract, or get out. Simple as that.
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Just out of curiosity, why is this guy being called a Muslim soldier, I was under the impression that he would be an American soldier.
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if u r in the military...you GO! otherwise you shouldn't have siigned up...
i hope those soldiers r punished
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it doesn't make a difference it what should be done. It does make a difference in the credibility and or integrity of his argument. In this case he's completely full of shit. If he had signed up in 1999 there might be some credible truth to his objection.
Don't understand what you mean about the credibility of his argument if he joined before 99. How would his argument have been more credible?
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Don't understand what you mean about the credibility of his argument if he joined before 99. How would his argument have been more credible?
Because in 99 we weren't at war with a Muslim country. In 2007 we were at war with the same people we are at war with today so his argument is without merit.
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My thoughts are that he joined up while we were fighting where we are fighting now. There is nothing new that has been revealed to him to support his position. I don't want him deployed at this point because he is untrustworthy. He should be courtmartialed and sentenced according to the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
Someone asked earlier, what's the difference if he joined up at peace time or when we were at war. I did 10 yrs in the military. I got out partly because when I joined in 1982 I had the ridiculous belief that others held life in as high regard as I did and that we would be sent to war as a last resort or to immediatly defend ourselves. When we started getting involved in things I felt weren't for national security and weren't valid reasons to go to war I decided the military was no longer for me. I got out when my enlistment was up. I would have no problem dying for my country. However I have a huge problem dying for unclear, arguably meaningless reasons. While I understand we are a volunteer army, I hesitate to judge someone who doesn't want to participate in what they may feel is an unjust or improper use of the military. The obvious flaw in my thinking is that it is impractical to poll the military and find out if they support a particular armed action. In a perfect world, our Government would 1. Have sons and daughters of their own involved in any armed conflict they put us in, and 2. Sacrifice american military lives only as a last resort. This isnt a perfect world and the youth of today need to understand if they join the military, there is a pretty good chance they may go to war over things that don't make a lot of sense. If they are okay with that, then sign on the dotted line.
I have no problem "judging" anyone who voluntarily joins and then tries to quit when the shooting starts. There is an older, long thread about one such coward (Watada) who avoided combat because he thought the war was "unjust." I don't buy this at all. As I said earlier, the primary purpose of the Army is to prepare for war. Everyone knows this going in, whether they acknowledge this fact or not. If you join, and the shooting starts, you fight. Quitting isn't an option.
I have no problem with anyone who gets out after their term is up, for whatever reason. But if you don't want to fight, don't join.
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Because in 99 we weren't at war with a Muslim country. In 2007 we were at war with the same people we are at war with today so his argument is without merit.
That doesn't make his argument credible at all. He didn't sign up with some exception in his enlistment contract that he would only fight against non-Muslims.
This is beyond absurd. Imagine some guy refusing to fight because he doesn't want to shoot fellow Christians.
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I have no problem "judging" anyone who voluntarily joins and then tries to quit when the shooting starts. There is an older, long thread about one such coward (Watada) who avoided combat because he thought the war was "unjust." I don't buy this at all. As I said earlier, the primary purpose of the Army is to prepare for war. Everyone knows this going in, whether they acknowledge this fact or not. If you join, and the shooting starts, you fight. Quitting isn't an option.
I have no problem with anyone who gets out after their term is up, for whatever reason. But if you don't want to fight, don't join.
Well, having been in a situation myself, where I was having a real problem with what my government was starting to use us for, I am probably a little more lenient with someone not wanting to participate. Like I said, it wasn't about possibly getting shot, it was the reason behind me being in a place where I could get shot..
But for someone who joins during a conflict... wth where they thinking? And yes, NOW I am fully aware that if I joined the military today, I could be fighting in a foreign land over the treatment of sea turtles or some other ridiculous reason and wouldn't be under the impression it would be for a good reason. I thought we learned from Vietnam but for the millionth time in my life, I was wrong..
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That doesn't make his argument credible at all. He didn't sign up with some exception in his enlistment contract that he would only fight against non-Muslims.
This is beyond absurd. Imagine some guy refusing to fight because he doesn't want to shoot fellow Christians.
I think we are misunderstanding each other. (probably me using incorrect words) His argument isn't valid weather he joined in 99 or 07 because he still is obligated to go to war. His argument is "genuine" if he signed up in 99, it's not genuine when signing up in 07
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Well, having been in a situation myself, where I was having a real problem with what my government was starting to use us for, I am probably a little more lenient with someone not wanting to participate. Like I said, it wasn't about possibly getting shot, it was the reason behind me being in a place where I could get shot..
But for someone who joins during a conflict... wth where they thinking? And yes, NOW I am fully aware that if I joined the military today, I could be fighting in a foreign land over the treatment of sea turtles or some other ridiculous reason and wouldn't be under the impression it would be for a good reason. I thought we learned from Vietnam but for the millionth time in my life, I was wrong..
I understand what you're saying, and I've served too. I just don't think it matters whether a person joins in peace time or during a war. The Army is all about war (preparing for it and fighting it). The risk a person takes when they take the oath is the CIC might order participation in conflicts that are disagreeable. What burns me up is the cowards who allow their fellow service members--and in the case of Watada--their subordinates to go in harm's way while they stay home.
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I think we are misunderstanding each other. (probably me using incorrect words) His argument isn't valid weather he joined in 99 or 07 because he still is obligated to go to war. His argument is "genuine" if he signed up in 99, it's not genuine when signing up in 07
Got it. Thanks.
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I understand what you're saying, and I've served too. I just don't think it matters whether a person joins in peace time or during a war. The Army is all about war (preparing for it and fighting it). The risk a person takes when they take the oath is the CIC might order participation in conflicts that are disagreeable. What burns me up is the cowards who allow their fellow service members--and in the case of Watada--their subordinates to go in harm's way while they stay home.
What ever happened to Watada?
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What ever happened to Watada?
They dropped the charges. Case is over. He's free. Probably hiding from me, because he knows I'll punch him in the face if I ever see him. >:(
I suspect he'll make a public appearance over here at some point.
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My thoughts are that he joined up while we were fighting where we are fighting now. There is nothing new that has been revealed to him to support his position. I don't want him deployed at this point because he is untrustworthy. He should be courtmartialed and sentenced according to the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
Someone asked earlier, what's the difference if he joined up at peace time or when we were at war. I did 10 yrs in the military. I got out partly because when I joined in 1982 I had the ridiculous belief that others held life in as high regard as I did and that we would be sent to war as a last resort or to immediatly defend ourselves. When we started getting involved in things I felt weren't for national security and weren't valid reasons to go to war I decided the military was no longer for me. I got out when my enlistment was up. I would have no problem dying for my country. However I have a huge problem dying for unclear, arguably meaningless reasons. While I understand we are a volunteer army, I hesitate to judge someone who doesn't want to participate in what they may feel is an unjust or improper use of the military. The obvious flaw in my thinking is that it is impractical to poll the military and find out if they support a particular armed action. In a perfect world, our Government would 1. Have sons and daughters of their own involved in any armed conflict they put us in, and 2. Sacrifice american military lives only as a last resort. This isnt a perfect world and the youth of today need to understand if they join the military, there is a pretty good chance they may go to war over things that don't make a lot of sense. If they are okay with that, then sign on the dotted line.
Nice post.
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They dropped the charges. Case is over. He's free. Probably hiding from me, because he knows I'll punch him in the face if I ever see him. >:(
I suspect he'll make a public appearance over here at some point.
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My thoughts are that he joined up while we were fighting where we are fighting now. There is nothing new that has been revealed to him to support his position. I don't want him deployed at this point because he is untrustworthy. He should be courtmartialed and sentenced according to the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
Someone asked earlier, what's the difference if he joined up at peace time or when we were at war. I did 10 yrs in the military. I got out partly because when I joined in 1982 I had the ridiculous belief that others held life in as high regard as I did and that we would be sent to war as a last resort or to immediatly defend ourselves. When we started getting involved in things I felt weren't for national security and weren't valid reasons to go to war I decided the military was no longer for me. I got out when my enlistment was up. I would have no problem dying for my country. However I have a huge problem dying for unclear, arguably meaningless reasons. While I understand we are a volunteer army, I hesitate to judge someone who doesn't want to participate in what they may feel is an unjust or improper use of the military. The obvious flaw in my thinking is that it is impractical to poll the military and find out if they support a particular armed action. In a perfect world, our Government would 1. Have sons and daughters of their own involved in any armed conflict they put us in, and 2. Sacrifice american military lives only as a last resort. This isnt a perfect world and the youth of today need to understand if they join the military, there is a pretty good chance they may go to war over things that don't make a lot of sense. If they are okay with that, then sign on the dotted line.
Excellent post!
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They dropped the charges. Case is over. He's free.
Hahahah! I knew it! I knew he'd win! Good for him!!
(http://www.jaguarenterprises.net/images/an374.gif)
Probably hiding from me, because he knows I'll punch him in the face if I ever see him. >:(
(http://www.jaguarenterprises.net/images/rotflmao.gif)
I suspect he'll make a public appearance over here at some point.
Now that combat missions are officially declared over in Iraq, you could be right.
I understand you disagree with Watada's choice to take a stance and oppose his deployment, but given all the facts in the case, you certainly cannot call him a coward. He was more than willing to deploy to Afghanistan, just not Iraq. I think it took far more courage to go up against the juggernaught he faced as a result of his refusal to deploy. I understand you don't like it, ...but the man was no coward. He was strong, courageous, and principled... character traits hardly in abundance these days, ...and to be admired when found.
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Hahahah! I knew it! I knew he'd win! Good for him!!
(http://www.jaguarenterprises.net/images/an374.gif)
(http://www.jaguarenterprises.net/images/rotflmao.gif)
Now that combat missions are officially declared over in Iraq, you could be right.
I understand you disagree with Watada's choice to take a stance and oppose his deployment, but given all the facts in the case, you certainly cannot call him a coward. He was more than willing to deploy to Afghanistan, just not Iraq. I think it took far more courage to go up against the juggernaught he faced as a result of his refusal to deploy. I understand you don't like it, ...but the man was no coward. He was strong, courageous, and principled... character traits hardly in abundance these days, ...and to be admired when found.
No NO! Charges were dropped?!!! All those morons that made that decision were clearly wrong and hate America. Fucking cowards should be punched in the face! :P
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No NO! Charges were dropped?!!! All those morons that made that decision were clearly wrong and hate America. Fucking cowards should be punched in the face! :P
I think that the charges were dropped in order for the case to go away quietly.
If he had defended, there would be too many questions asked, and the answers would not sit well with those looking to quell this type of revolt, insubordination, or refusal to follow orders in the military.
It's the equivalent of arresting and charging those who give credence to or believe various 911 CT's.
No one in their right mind would dare to charge someone for claiming thermite was used to detonate those buildings. They'd rather the official story of 19 men with box cutters being controlled by a guy in a cave. Having a public spectacle of one guy defending his stance vis-a-vis thermite, is a spectacle they don't want the American public watching. His defense might make too much sense, and result in people calling into question, previously held beliefs and/or assumptions, and not to mention questioning the official "story" handed to them.
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Hahahah! I knew it! I knew he'd win! Good for him!!
(http://www.jaguarenterprises.net/images/an374.gif)
(http://www.jaguarenterprises.net/images/rotflmao.gif)
Now that combat missions are officially declared over in Iraq, you could be right.
I understand you disagree with Watada's choice to take a stance and oppose his deployment, but given all the facts in the case, you certainly cannot call him a coward. He was more than willing to deploy to Afghanistan, just not Iraq. I think it took far more courage to go up against the juggernaught he faced as a result of his refusal to deploy. I understand you don't like it, ...but the man was no coward. He was strong, courageous, and principled... character traits hardly in abundance these days, ...and to be admired when found.
Yawn. He's a treasonous yellow-bellied coward. He didn't "win." ::) The prosecutors screwed up. His first trial ended in a mistrial over prosecutorial mistakes. After the 08 election, the Obama administration ended the case.
I'm glad he's no longer in the Army. My only regret is he didn't spend time in prison. But I wouldn't want to be in his shoes. He sent his subordinates to war while he sat behind a desk. I believe in karma.
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No NO! Charges were dropped?!!! All those morons that made that decision were clearly wrong and hate America. Fucking cowards should be punched in the face! :P
Nah. Just Watada should be punched in the face.
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I think that the charges were dropped in order for the case to go away quietly.
If he had defended, there would be too many questions asked, and the answers would not sit well with those looking to quell this type of revolt, insubordination, or refusal to follow orders in the military.
It's the equivalent of arresting and charging those who give credence to or believe various 911 CT's.
No one in their right mind would dare to charge someone for claiming thermite was used to detonate those buildings. They'd rather the official story of 19 men with box cutters being controlled by a guy in a cave. Having a public spectacle of one guy defending his stance vis-a-vis thermite, is a spectacle they don't want the American public watching. His defense might make too much sense, and result in people calling into question, previously held beliefs and/or assumptions, and not to mention questioning the official "story" handed to them.
Bwahahahaha! The mind of a CT nut is just comical. :)
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U.S. Soldier, Citing His Muslim Religion, Seeks Conscientious Objector Status
By Joshua Rhett Miller
Published September 02, 2010 | FoxNews.com
Pfc. Naser Abdo, 20, filed for conscientious objector status in June, claiming his faith and the military simply don't mix. The Texas native says he's endured harassment and discrimination due to his religious beliefs since joining the military last year.
A Muslim soldier from Texas who joined the U.S. Army last year now wants to leave the military, claiming he is a conscientious objector whose devotion to Islam has suffered since he took an oath to defend the United States against all enemies.
Pfc. Naser Abdo, a 20-year-old infantryman assigned to the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Ky., filed for conscientious objector status in June because his faith and the military simply don't mix, he told FoxNews.com. The Army has deferred his scheduled deployment to Afghanistan.
"Islam is a peaceful religion, it's not a religion of warfare," Abdo said. "And it's not a religion of terror. As a Muslim, we stand against injustice, we stand against discrimination, and I feel it's my duty as an individual to do this."
Abdo, the Texas-born son of a Muslim father and a Christian mother, said his relatives and wife stand by his decision and that he will likely refuse to deploy if his application for CO status is denied.
"I was more faithful to God before I joined the military and that's what kind of stirred me," he said. Military duties have really consumed every part of my day and did not allow me time to involve myself with the Islamic community to maintain what duties I felt that I owed God. This is really what made me come to the conclusion that I'm not ready to die....
"I knew that if I went to Afghanistan and, God forbid, something were to happen, that my faith was so weak that I wouldn't be admitted into heaven….
"The conclusion I came to is that I can't participate in the U.S. military, including any war it's involved in or any war it will be involved in in the future," he said.
Fort Campbell spokeswoman Kelly DeWitt said Abdo's deployment has been deferred, but according to Army regulations he may be deployed to Afghanistan at any time like other members of his unit.
"The Army recognizes that even in our all-volunteer force, a soldier's moral, ethical or religious beliefs may change over time," an Army statement read. "The Army and Fort Campbell has procedures in place for soldiers who declare themselves to be conscientious objectors and who apply for conscientious objector status."
According to documents obtained by The Associated Press, Abdo cited Islamic scholars and verses from the Koran as reasons to seek separation from the Army.
"I realized through further reflection that God did not give legitimacy to the war in Afghanistan, Iraq or any war the U.S. Army would conceivably participate in," he wrote.
J.E. McNeill, an attorney and executive director of the Center on Conscience and War, a Washington-based group that defends the rights of conscientious objectors, said it's difficult to predict the chances that Abdo's application will be approved. But on the surface, she said, it appears Abdo's case meets the standard for conscientious objector status.
"What he has to show is that he's opposed to war in any form," she said. "So the question is, is he opposed to any war or is he opposed to [Iraq and Afghanistan]?"
Applications for conscientious objectors -- defined by Army Regulation 600-43 as a person who is "sincerely opposed, because of religious or deeply held moral or ethical (not political, philosophical, or sociological) beliefs, to participating in war in any form" -- can take up to six months to process. Approval rates in the Army over the last seven years have averaged 58 percent. Across all U.S. military branches, 53 percent of conscientious objector status applications were approved from 2002 through 2006.
Of the 1.4 million enlisted U.S. military personnel as of Sept. 30, 2009, less than half of 1 percent identified themselves as Muslim, according to military statistics, and roughly the same rate of U.S. Army soldiers identified themselves as Muslim. Religious affiliation for military personnel currently serving in Iraq or Afghanistan was not available since servicemembers are not required to disclose that information.
Citing Army regulations, Abdo's attorney, James Branum, said Abdo will be interviewed by a chaplain and a psychologist prior to an informal hearing with an investigating officer, who will recommend whether to approve or deny the application.
If the claim is denied, Branum said Abdo could re-file with new evidence; seek to take the matter to a federal civilian court; refuse to deploy or drop the matter altogether. He acknowledged that Abdo could go to jail if he refuses to obey orders to deploy.
"We're trying to avoid that kind of showdown," Branum told FoxNews.com. "At this moment, Abdo is in a place where he's not going to violate his conscience."
Branum said he's received a "fair number" of emails regarding Abdo's case, some of which he said included death threats against the soldier and suggestions that his citizenship be revoked.
Abdo, for his part, said he has endured harassment, discrimination and intimidation due to his religious beliefs since joining the military, particularly during basic training at Fort Benning in Georgia. He also claimed to be the target of "resentment" from fellow soldiers due to his prayer schedule.
"Some of them would say I hate Jews, some of them even asked me, 'Would you kill your own family? Are you sure you're not on the wrong side?'" Abdo said. "It was daily. It was daily for sure."
A website detailing Abdo's situation has resulted in roughly 15 donations totaling about $250 for his legal defense. He's also received dozens of messages protesting his decision, which he said were "disgusting and hateful."
"You make me sick," read one message. "You make everyone I know sick."
Another message read: "I am not sure why you joined the Army to begin with, but as an Army Wife here at Fort Campbell, KY, I wouldn't want someone like you deploying with MY husband. It's good to stand by your religion and beliefs and I would be lying if I said I understood what they are, because I don't."
Abdo said he understands the dissension.
"By no means am I expecting a standing ovation," he said.
http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/09/02/muslim-soldier-refuses-deploy-afghanistan/