Free Republic

One very positive aspect of my public anti-war, pro-peace stance is that it has put me in contact with so many people all over the world. I believe that my willingness to share my heart and tragic story - and in the process, tell the truth - helps people open up to me in ways that they cannot do with another. In the past few days, I have been bombarded with horror stories about what our government is doing to innocent Americans. I was driving from one event to another the other day and I got a call from an...

SAVANNAH, Ga. - The Army said Friday it has denied conscientious objector status for a soldier who refused to deploy to Iraq for a second tour, saying he became morally opposed to war during the 2003 U.S.-led invasion. Sgt. Kevin Benderman, 40, filed his objector application Dec. 28, just 10 days before he skipped his unit's deployment flight. The Army mechanic faces a court-martial May 12 on charges of desertion and missing movement. The conscientious-objector denial came Wednesday from the Army's Headquarters Department, Fort Stewart spokesman Lt. Col. Robert Whetstone said. Benderman and his military attorney, Maj. Scott Sikes, did...

Sgt. Kevin Benderman faces a tougher battle in his bid for discharge as a conscientious objector. The Fort Stewart soldier learned Wednesday that the investigating officer considering Benderman's request is recommending against his application. Benderman, 40, is still in the early stages of the process that could lead to his obtaining conscientious objector status. Experts say it could take a year or more. But the negative recommendation now makes Benderman's task more difficult. Benderman said that the investigating officers' packet includes incorrect information and material that has nothing to do with his conscientious objector application. "I'm going to file a...

Feb. 25, 2005 - An Army mechanic who refused to deploy to Iraq for a second tour of duty will be court-martialed on desertion charges, officials said Friday. Sgt. Kevin Benderman, 40, missed his unit's deployment flight Jan. 7 after giving his commanders notice 10 days earlier that he planned to seek a discharge as a conscientious objector. Benderman said he had become opposed to war after serving in the 2003 invasion of Iraq. Fort Stewart commanders contend Benderman had an obligation to deploy with his unit, the 3rd Forward Support Battalion of the 3rd Infantry Division, while the Army...

FORT STEWART, Ga. -- An Army hearing officer has recommended a court-martial for a soldier charged with desertion after he refused to deploy to Iraq. In a Feb. 16 report, Lt. Col. Linda Taylor recommended that Sgt. Kevin Benderman face a general court-martial, the most serious type. The procedure requires approval from Fort Stewart's general court-martial convening authority. Benderman, 40, said he became opposed to war after serving in the 2003 invasion of Iraq. If convicted, he would face as many as seven years in prison, reduction in rank to private and a dishonorable discharge.

Thank You Liberals! By Robin Mullins Boyd January 24, 2005 What a month this has been! Just this week, we had the Confirmation hearings and the Inauguration. In the spirit of the week, I would like to extend my hand to the members of the Left and offer my thanks. Thank you first to Senator John Kerry. Thank you for demonstrating your true character when you attacked Condi Rice with reruns of your campaign statements. Thank you for voting against Rice's confirmation in your own mean-spirited show of poor losership. Thank you Senator Barbara Boxer. I did not think it...