[fizziwig]

A concientious objector is opposed to all war, not just a specific one. Very lame excuse. If he wants to oppose Iraq than so be it but he must be responsible for his actions.

[azhenfud]

A conscientious objector would not have joined an all-volunteer ARMED FORCE.

Many who legitimately object to war have the smarts not to join when there is a remote chance they'll be called on to fight.

I'd be willing to wager a donut the dude's not as passive as he makes out to be if one were to flail him silly.

[Tax-chick]

A concientious objector is opposed to all war, not just a specific one.

Exactly ... and traditionally, non-combat billets, including front-line medical service, were assigned to those with consistent pacifist religious convictions who had been drafted into the military.

A devout Quaker or Mennonite wouldn't engage in fistfighting over girlfriends, either. I wonder if this machito makes a habit of principled nonresistence in his personal life? (/sarcasm)

It appears that an attempt is being made to expand the definition of "conscientious objection" so that it can be used to reject any assignment a service member doesn't like. Bad idea!