Members of International A.N.S.W.E.R.;
Signatories of Not In My Name; and
Citizens of the United States of America:
With the impending military action in Iraq I felt compelled to write this letter. As a member of the United States military I regret to inform you that, regardless of your race, sex, color, creed, age, national origin, political ideology, or any other delimiter, the actions that will take place against Iraq will be fully, undeniably, and irrevocably IN YOUR NAME. Despite of your signature on a piece of paper, this statement remains true.
In my fifteen years of service in the U.S. Navy (8.5 years active duty, balance reserve) I have raised my right hand six time to swear "that I will support and defend the constitution of the United States". That wonderful document which covers us, protects us, enables our way of life. The constitution provides our rights, sets our standards of law, and importantly in this context gives the President of the United States the power to set the foreign policy.
The constitution also provides the method of electing the President, and designates him as Commander in Chief of the military. I have also sworn "that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States", I do not have to like the president, I do not have to agree with his policy. I have served under four men holding that office, and made no distinction between them. When the President sets the military in action he does so by the power given him by the constitution and the people of the U.S. As a service member the President through the constitution ultimately directs my actions, the resulting action is therefore proscribed by the constitution. If you consider yourself a citizen of this country willfully covered by the Constitution, all military action is therefore In Your Name.
I know you might disagree with that statement, you may not like that statement, but the members of the armed forces will proudly serve in the name of all Americans. We will continue to provide you with security, with your freedoms, and your rights even if you do not like how, when or why we do.
Respectfully,
Stanley J. Wolczyk III
Petty Officer First Class U.S.N.R.
~*~
Remember this one from the OIF thread, Dolly?
What I want to say about ANSWER will get me in trouble. ANSWER'S blood $$$ - the lies of both Osama and Saddam they parroted contributed to the death of Iraqi children, civilians at ground zero, 911, US Soldiers - gave France and Germany, our free press (and other weak 'authorities' around the world) an excuse to pull promised support in Iraq - both troops and $$$ - just before we went to war. If ever a case could be made for fraudulent fundraising and sedition...it's ANSWER. Where's the UN, Amnesty Int'l, Congress, AP - so-called 'human rights" advocates? We know.
PJ O’Rourke - "the US Marine Corp has done much more for world peace that all the Ben and Jerry’s ice cream ever sold." - God and Terrorism
The Scourge of Yazid, thank you! Sorry about the allergies. You'll get that fourth one next time, I'm sure.
I envy Catholics the rite of Confession. I want to join you in battle on the front lines! (Our schools really do neglect the basics! (Ping me when you find the answer.))
I do admire all the work that you've done in defense of the brave men and women who are defending this nation, both at home and abroad.
I have a friend, Eric Kim, who is serving in the U.S. Army at this very moment. In fact, there's a personal essay (Nectar of the Gods) that mentions him, which I've posted on my profile page.
I enjoyed the time I spent last week waging war on the Islamofascist's home front allies, in this case, the vile human detritus that tries to pass themselves off as peaceful demonstrators.
I take personal pride in the fact that I was able to chase Leslie Cagen-the headmistress of United for Ignorance and Oppression-into her rat's warren, though she didn't acknowledge me directly.
I have to thank you for posting that letter from a brave Marine, it really is inspiring, when you think about it.
Keep up the good work, Ragtime Cowgirl!
-good times, G.J.P.(Jr.)