Objecting to the Objector

GOPUSA.com ^ | January 18, 2005 | Robin Mullins Boyd

[Chickenhawk Warmonger]

Objecting to the Objector By Robin Mullins Boyd January 18, 2005

The Savannah Morning News recently ran a front page article about another one of the "poor" soldiers that has been so damaged by our military system that he has filed for conscientious objector status. The article stated that Sgt. Kevin Benderman had served one tour in Iraq but refused to serve another. He filed for conscientious objector status just weeks before his unit was deployed to Iraq.

The article got me thinking about objecting to things that I disagreed with. If a soldier can claim offense to his conscience, then what about us average citizens? So here is my list of items that I am filing conscientious objector status to:

I object to any soldier that voluntarily enlists for military service then whines that he has to fight in a war. No one held Mr. Benderman's feet to the fire to enlist. He was not drafted or ordered to sign up. Serving in the military is a choice.

I object to any soldier that has received military benefits for 9 years but when it comes to fulfilling his duties, he says no. What other profession can you get away with collecting pay but refusing the work?

I object to a system that allows a soldier who "objects" to the War in Iraq to receive an in-country assignment while his case is reviewed. Meanwhile the members of his unit are fighting in a war. The guilt factor alone would drive me crazy. The people that he worked with day to day are now in harm's way while he sits at his base.

I object to someone that thinks that all our military does is teach kids to kill. Our military has kept this country safe for 200 years. The gangbangers on the streets did not receive military training but they sure know how to kill.

I object to treating someone that refuses to do his or her job as thoughtful and insightful. I don't recall any boss giving me an "attaboy" for not completing an assignment.

I object to a soldier that decides he is an objector just weeks before he is deployed with one of our elite fighting units, the Third Infantry Division. Especially when for months it has been public knowledge that the 3rd I.D. was scheduled to be deployed.

I object to a newspaper in a military town like Savannah giving front-page coverage to someone that denigrates the military's service. The community would be better served with articles on the soldiers that are returning to Iraq for their second term and fighting for our country.

I object to a story about a conscientious objector making the news while the soldiers in our community are being actively deployed. What about the family members of the soldiers leaving? What about those that have lost family members in the war? What about those working FOR the support of our soldiers?

Don't get me wrong. I appreciate the service that Mr. Benderman gave during his first deployment. But he has tarnished that service with his pitiful excuse for objecting. "Seeing kids drink out of puddles" and "buildings destroyed by bombs" offended his sensibilities? Too Bad. My sensibilities were offended after September 11, 2001 when I saw buildings destroyed by terrorists and the tears of our citizens forming puddles.

Instead of broadcasting the plight of this soldier (and I use the term soldier loosely here), we should be focusing on the sacrifices that our soldiers have given for our country. After all, if it was not for our soldiers, there would not be a country for Mr. Benderman to object fighting for.

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Robin Mullins Boyd was born and raised in Pooler, GA. She has been a Registered Nurse for 23 years with her primary focus in the Home Health field. Robin is not bashful about expressing her opinions - as evidenced by the 12 Letters to the Editor published in the Savannah Morning News over the past year. She has also published op-ed pieces on America Online's Opinion Page and several other Internet magazines. Robin's first book, Warmongers And Traitors - Thoughts on the War with Iraq, was just released by PublishAmerica.

[HMFIC]

Miss (not a typo) Bendermann would not make a pimple on the ASS of an AVERAGE MARINE!

[HMFIC]

Miss (not a typo) Bendermann would not make a pimple on the ASS of an AVERAGE MARINE!

[camle]

CO status has been around for a long time. my ex's stepdad was a CO during WW-II. such a mild mannered fellow ( who puts up with the MIL) can easily be understood to be genuine - he's quite a nice guy actually.

[TexasTaysor]

I had an uncle by marriage that was also a CO, but that was during the time of the draft. This is a different time and the write is correct, I'm offended by someone who joins the military and then refuses to fulfill their duty and fight for their country when they should have know upon joining and training that it was a possibility they'd be deployed.

[odoso]

Those who slant everything in this way ( and they're known to all of us ) would be out of jobs and have no place to go in society. Everything they touch turns to failure. They are failures in life, societal sponges, hitching a free ride, living off the accomplishments of others. They are more cowardly and lowly than those they write about...

I give you the members of MSM. Traitors to this nation.

... and for every disgrace to our nation reported, there are thousands of hero's going unreported. - And they're known to all of us as well. God Bless each and every one of our loyal, honorable and brave soldiers!

[pabianice]

Liberal Liar Bullshit Alert!

[devildogoz]

As a Marine currently flying a second Afghan tour, I can tell you that this guy is a loser. Take a look at some facts; he is a Bradley Fighting Vehicle mechanic, not a grunt, MP or aviator, out in contact..... guess the action in the motor pool is getting pretty heavy! Also, don't wan't to make it worse over there? Good, be a man, suck it up, deploy with your unit and do a staff job instead of screwing over some other soldier. The Army didn't give him a stateside job while processing this either, he has officially 'missed movement' and is AWOL.

[Wristpin]

It's very difficult to prove CO status after being involved in hostilities. Essentially this guy is trying to pick and choose his conflicts.

Additionally, the initial paperwork one fills out joining the military asks: Are you a CO?

I agree if he truly became converted to a CO he should have applied for reassignment immediately after returning to the US. This guy is basically a Deserter being coached by ANSWER I suspect.

[odoso]

Yes, your right, it's difficult to prove, at best... My post was mostly intended to express my extreme disdain for MSM in America. How many of those scumbags should be in jail this very moment for treason? Quite a few I should think.

[Wristpin]

The undermining of the war has been systemic and intentional. I've heard more about Kerry's thirty year ol falsified medals than about the countless acts of heroism that must have occurred in Iraq.

When the MSM asks: Do you like the direction the country is headed? I say NO! Not because of Bush, but because we just had 87 Senators vote to send our military into Iraq knowiing there would be casualties. Most of the Dems switched to undermining the war to help the party. That's immoral IMHO.

[sr4402]

I can tell you that this guy is a loser. Take a look at some facts

Here is the fact I latched onto:

He filed for conscientious objector status just weeks before his unit was deployed to Iraq.

The looser signed the papers before thinking about it. He signed his life over to the government and now he wants to cry. Boo... Hoo...

Another loser tastes the dust of reality.

[Chickenhawk Warmonger]

Here's some updated info on Sgt. Benderman...Interesting that his op-ed is on AL-JAZEERAH!!!

Why I Refused a 2nd Deployment to Iraq By Sgt. Kevin Benderman Al-Jazeerah, January 10, 2005 www.aljazeerah.info.

One Man Has Stopped Killing: Hope for More to Do the Same
By Monica Benderman
http://oldamericancentury.com/voices_007.htm

A MATTER OF CONSCIENCE
By: Sgt. Kevin Benderman
http://oldamericancentury.com/voices_006.htm

A Man of Integrity: Sgt. Kevin Benderman
By: Jack Dalton
http://oldamericancentury.com/dalt1043.htm

A little note of vanity - I was interviewed on WMET's The Passion with Shmuley Boteach today about this article.