Soldier balks at deploying; says Obama isn’t president

Ledger Enquirer ^ | Tuesday, Jul. 14, 2009 | Lily Gordon

[NMEwithin]

U.S. Army Maj. Stefan Frederick Cook, set to deploy to Afghanistan, says he shouldn’t have to go. His reason? Barack Obama was never eligible to be president because he wasn’t born in the United States. Actually, Obama was born in Hawaii in 1961, two years after it became a state. Cook’s lawyer, Orly Taitz, who has also challenged the legitimacy of Obama’s presidency in other courts, filed a request last week in federal court seeking a temporary restraining order and status as a conscientious objector for his client. In the 20-page document — filed July 8 with the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Georgia — the California-based Taitz asks the court to consider granting his client’s request based upon Cook’s belief that Obama is not a natural-born citizen of the United States and is therefore ineligible to serve as commander-in-chief of the U.S. Armed Forces. Cook further states he “would be acting in violation of international law by engaging in military actions outside the United States under this President’s command. ... simultaneously subjecting himself to possible prosecution as a war criminal by the faithful execution of these duties.” Cook, a reservist, received the orders mobilizing him to active duty on June 9. According to this document, which accompanies Cook’s July 8 application for a temporary restraining order, he has been ordered to report to MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Fla., on Wednesday. From there, the Florida resident would go to Fort Benning before deploying overseas. A hearing to discuss Cook’s requests will take place in federal court here Thursday at 9:30 a.m.

[Joe 6-pack]

It’s all about the legitimacy of the orders. In PFC New’s case the question revolved around the content of the order and whether or not his oath bound him to follow the order, and in MAJ Cook’s case the question is obviously whether or not the person giving the order has the legal authority to do so.

[Calpernia]

Thanks.

[Marty62]

Yes Dan Rather found that out the hard way.

[AbeKrieger]

I could not agree more. Like or dislike, suspicions of eligibility or otherwise, Obama is the Commander in Chief and soldiers are duty bound to serve.

[BILL_C]

“how difficult would it be for the POTUS to get a well made forged copy of his birth certificate?”

In this other case the United States has forged information for the President and it has now been recently proven that they did. The G men are not nearly as good as you think they are.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBpHSyuueMU

[armymarinedad]

While I understand his point he probably would have been called to active duty if Bush was still in office. This isn’t the right time or place for such a protest and reflects poorly on him and his unit.

You are absolutely correct. The Major has no concrete proof his orders are illegal. It is a partisan political argument with many here. I fought this battle on an earlier thread. Peoples emotions are clouding their better judgment.

[TSgt]

In my opinion, what reflects poorly on the military and those who took an oath to protect and defend the constitution against all enemies foreign and domestic, is not people like this... The fact that damn near every last member of the military is derelict in their duty to fulfill their oath reflects poorly upon them.

Comments from a prior-service veteran such as this are despicable.

[mdmathis6]

God writes his birth certificate into our hearts!

[theknuckler_33]

"Is it possible that well educated officers in all 3 branches (I count marines under the department of the Navy) are so f-—ing dense that they cant recognize WTF is happening and has been happening?"

or... God forbid, they don't see things the same way you do.

[stuartcr]

Seems pretty different to me.

[Riodacat]

George Washington would be proud to lead such a man.

Ummm,, don't thinks so.
George Washington would probably court martial any officer who refused to fight at a time of war - and the officer would probably receive the death penalty.

[BILL_C]

Obama is tearing our country down - everyone is wringing their hands in despair & doing nothing to stop him.

South Caroling Governor (before his love affair became public) was fighting the Federal takeover of the state, we have a Major who is willing to defend the Constitution, we have Sarah Palin attacking the POTUS Fraud in the Washington Post today on his Al Gore inspired CAP AND TRADE.

WE need a spark and then it will hit the fan. We are going to get CHANGE but not the change the Anti-American POTUS impostor talked about. Go ahead, declare martial law, that will be your last official act.

[bossmechanic]

“I think the troll pods hatched overnight”

You sure hit that right. Being local to Columbus, GA and well familiar with the original article, I was amazed at the number of ACORN fed Obamobots that hit that site.
Typical one line slams having no basis in fact and much hate for any birther.
They are very organized. We cannot let the subject drop until proof of elligibility is supplied and confirmed.

[pappyone]

Well, if this Major missed movement, he would be dealt with on an individual basis. Your reference to “just give him a discharge” misses the extent of punishment a discharge can bring with it. Loss of rank, loss of security clearance (limits jobs available outside the service), loss of egilibility for federal civilian service just to name a few. A lot of people just don't understand how the UCMJ restricts just what a service member can and can't do or say.
The cause may be noble, but as a service member his options for dissent are limited.

[Joe 6-pack]

There are a number of differences in the cases which will figure into how they are handled (New was active duty, Cook a Reservist, New was enlisted, Cook holds a commission, etc.), yet at their core, they focus on soldiers declining to follow orders they percieve of questionable legitimacy.

[pappyone]

Sounds like you have a good understanding of the UCMJ.

[TSgt]

You are absolutely correct. The Major has no concrete proof his orders are illegal. It is a partisan political argument with many here. I fought this battle on an earlier thread. Peoples emotions are clouding their better judgment.

It's easy to cheer someone else's martyrdom when you are not the one making the sacrifice.

[myself6]

>>>”The mission always trumps your political views.”

WRONG ANSWER!!!

The constitution, freedom and liberty ALWAYS trump EVERYTHING else, that is... if you choose to live up to the oath you took. A military members PRIMARY mission is to ALWAYS protect and defend the constitution. This primary MISSION takes precedent over anything else that soldier, sailor or airman does or is ordered to do.

What made our military so great was that it was made up of free sovereign citizens who swore an oath to freedom and liberty rather than a government, office or person.

Now... people like you demand fealty to the “king”.
Heh... F—k that...

[LADY J]

"If he wants to throw his military career away to prove a point then fine. I hate der führer more than you but would still serve if called. I was called to active duty during Clinton’s impeachment and still served. The mission always trumps your political views."

I can't believe you said that. He is very brave to "throw" his military career away to prove a point. Some men/women love their country more than self & step up to defend it.

Clinton's impeachment, that you deployed under, is totally a different matter. He was a legal CIC until he left office.

[jongaltsr]

I was called to active duty during Clinton’s impeachment and still served. The mission always trumps your political views.

Apples and Oranges. We are not talking about disagreement in policies and parties but the LAW. It is something called the Constitution of the United States of America.
If you don't get that point, then you had better study before making any more comparisons.