Miscellaneous

Get Up, Stand Up

Matthis Chiroux has been in the army for almost six years, having worked his way up to sergeant. He's done several foreign tours, including in Afghanistan, and he's slated to go to Iraq next month. Except he's not going because, as he explained to Congress last week, he believes we're involved in an illegal war:

I stand before you today with the strength and clarity and resolve to declare to the military, my government and the world that this soldier will not be deploying to Iraq,.... My decision is based on my desire to no longer continue violating my core values to support an illegal and unconstitutional occupation... I refuse to participate in the Iraq occupation.

His testimony followed that of several other Army and Marine folk who have already done Iraq tours and were there to tell Congress about the troubles this war has caused, from "lawless murders, looting and the abuse of countless Iraqis" to the breaking of soldiers upon their return, leading to anxiety and self-medication.

Chiroux isn't technically AWOL yet, since he isn't supposed to report again until June 15. But as of mid-July, he'll be deemed a deserter, and he's not planning to run off to Canada as others do, but intends to face whatever the Army throws his way. Good luck, buddy, 'cause I suspect you'll need it.

Full post as published by Quiz Law on May 19, 2008 (boomark / email).