Posted on 05/28/2004 3:45:53 PM PDT by demlosers
He'll go to prison and those responsible in the chain of command who are hiding the truth will draw a free pass. What else is new?
His "lawyer" states as much.
Horton who is a lawyer and performed legal services for him stated "Furthermore, the command gag order may not have been lawful, Horton said. " And the Sgt himself states, "“My career is over, I thought, ‘Now I can talk’ — almost like it was meant to happen.” . He knew he was not supposed to talk. Service personnel are bound by UCMJ not by the laws of New York, New Jersey, etc. when they are on duty in a foreign land. It is not against the law to report illegal activity to the proper authorities, but he also stated, "If I reported everything I heard, I’d be reporting people every day,” Provance said. “I did not know what was legal. I’m not an interrogator." He disobeyed a lawful order. Had he suspected any breach of law, there are legal channels available for its reporting.
TADSLOS wrote: "It's not his perogative to play sorjourner of "truth" to the media."
Well said! Who does this guy think he is, anyway? It's almost as if his attitude is, "I'm the only honorable person in the military who wants to do the right thing about Abu Ghraib. Since my chain of command and the people doing the investigation are corrupt or inept, I'll go to the press to get the results I think are best!"
I have faith that the vast majority of military members are trying to do the right thing about Abu Ghraib. I say again, Provance is an ass!
What happens in Abu Ghraib stays in Abu Ghraib.
Not when idiot commanders don't confiscate all cameras.
Sakic wrote: "He'll go to prison and those responsible in the chain of command who are hiding the truth will draw a free pass. What else is new?"
Provance will most likely not go to prison for going to the press. Most likely, he will be treated fairly by the very chain of command you deride. My guess is, he will be demoted at most (which would be entirely justified).
Also, what makes you so sure the chain of command is hiding anything? Just because they didn't run to the press, like a Sgt we know, doesn't mean people aren't providing all sorts of Abu Ghraib information to the investigators working the case. What do you want? Do you expect the military to constantly brief the media on every step of the investigation?
Yes, you do cede certain rights when you join the military. Your First Amendment rights are seriously curtailed. You are not permitted to criticize the President or the civilian leadership of the military. You can not campaign for political candidates.
The SGT is correct when he claims his Army career is over. He disobeyed several lawful orders. He will certainly lose his security clearance permanently as he has demonstrated and acknowledged that he can not be trusted to keep his word.
And I have to question his judgement since he has taken all of these action based on hearsay evidence of abuse by unnamed parties.
---That's why it's called a sacrifice.
No that's called lunacy.
Rights are inalienable AFAIC.---
Sounds like you might be happier over at DU. They don't understand duty, honor and sacrifice either.
I'm just not a hypocrite, and I believe in absolutes.
Calling for folks to fight for something that the very act of fighting for denies them?
It's the military not a democracy.
I seem to remember a saying that went something like this.
The US Military is in the business of preserving the Constitution......not practicing it.
(Or something along those lines. Feel free to correct me if necessary.)
Of course I could be wrong. Just the way I think it will play out.
Actually you do, and you do so willingly (he volunteered fro the Army). This was the same as a judge issuing a gag order on an on-going case, and the witnesses ignoring the judge and talking to the press. He is guilt and shold pay the price.
What would a soldier do with rights anyway? You can't eat them or fire them out of your weapon. You can't smoke them and they won't keep you warm.
How about these absolutes?
Faith in the integrity of your fellow soldiers?
Respect for your chain of command and the officers appointed over you?
Service before self?
Honor, integrity, and respect would require Provence to work his concerns through his chain of command. Running to the press was an insult to his fellow soldiers, because he didn't feel they would do the right thing about Abu Ghraib (nor did he give them a chance to do the right thing).
Speak for yourself please.
He might go to prison, but it's unlikely. Someone (maybe you) made a good point about him losing his security clearance. That could prevent him from serving in his present job, but I'm not certain if a clearance is required for all military specialties. Also, the clearance could be reinstated after an investigation.
Part of his discipline would no doubt depend on his past service as well as his future behavior. If he shuts his mouth and admits his mistake, it could go much easier on him. At the very least, I think he'll be demoted. If he refuses to shut up or admit he's wrong, he could be booted from the service.
He pretty much deserves whatever he gets, because he violated a LAWFUL order (and it's clear he both understood the order and willfully violated it). A military member is not required to obey unlawful orders, but the burden of proof falls on the junior member.
Officers have a lot of leeway concerning lawful orders. They can pretty much restrict you from doing all sorts of things if they feel it will harm good order and discipline. Ordering you to not talk about an investigation while it is underway is a no-brainer.
I think you pegged it. anglophile, member since yesterday, seems to now be banned.
You absolutely do. Many people don't realize this, but it's a fact...
BTW, welcome to FR
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.