Double standards don't shock those in uniform. Especially not today, with our Army slogging through an occupation of a very hostile Arab country for its oil, and to satisfy a Bush-Cheney regional "strategery." Yeah, yeah, I'm sure we are really there to help a fledging democracy, and let a thousand flowers bloom. I mean, "Yes, Sir, I believe, Sir!" But the Army's charges against Lt Ehren Watada take the cake.
Of course missing a movement is common enough. Rarely punished by prison time, this charge was conveniently called up to send Iraq war veteran and Marine conscientious objector SSgt Kevin Benderman to prison . I guess -- as long as they show up to work -- what soldiers do in their free time is worthy of honorable discharges. Perhaps I am being too harsh on the good old U.S. Army, after all to its credit, it doesn't even like Don Rumsfeld.
Oops, perhaps I shouldn't have said that. In any case, I can say this, and all of us who wore a military uniform between 1993 and 2000 know exactly what I'm talking about.
This idea that a military officer or NCO isn't to show contempt towards officials is a good idea. It is also part of our duty, and our Uniform Code. It is common sense. It contributes to the ability of the military to do its job at all levels. No contempt at all must be shown to the President of the United States. Why shouldn't we charge officers and NCOs for this "crime?" Well, I'm not saying we shouldn't. However, I clearly recall hours and hours spent complaining and/or joking, with other officers, in uniform, out of uniform, in emails, you name it -- about a particular President of the United States.
He was a man with no military experience. A man who pretended to be what he perhaps was not. He didn't tell the truth. He behaved badly. He was making the military do things we didn't want to do. He was cutting our systems, programs, our people. Not killing them, mind you! He was trying to make us fight a stupid political war overseas that had no relationship to American security, and in fact was stretching us thin at a bad time, and creating new enemies.
The jokes were endless, the discussions animated, full of wonderful and often profane description. This "Commander in Chief" also used to put on a military jacket and visit the troops. But unlike the current president, Clinton had few defenders in uniform. A 1999 article in The Army Lawyer looked at this problem. Many are called it seems, but few are chosen. I mean chosen for prosecution under UCMJ Article 88 "prohibiting contemptuous speech against the president.
In fact, as of 1999, we had only one conviction for a violation of Article 88.
Turns out, it was in 1968. An off-duty, out-of-uniform Army Lieutenant showed up at an ongoing anti-war demonstration. He carried a sign that said "Let's Have More Than a Choice Between Petty Ignorant Fascists in 1968" and on the other side, "End Johnson's Fascist Aggression in Vietnam." His car had an Army sticker on it, and a gas station attendant noticed that, and turned him in to the base. The officer was convicted. His name was Howe, and his case, The United States vs Howe, will be used to prosecute Lt Watada.
Many worry that under the strutting George W. Bush, America has suddenly entered her fascist phase, and that there are no more heroes who will calmly stand up and be counted. Lt Watada's case, and the trial to come, will show us all that neither of these concerns has merit.