Butler Shaffer, writing for LewRockwell.com, on The Exploitation of Soldiers:
It has been encouraging to observe, in recent months, the emergence of an apparent awareness among many American soldiers of the insanity of the war system, particularly as it has been playing out in Iraq. Soldiers have refused to obey orders that would send them on life-threatening missions; others have spoken out about the lack of adequate armor and protective equipment; still others have questioned the national purpose and/or morality of their participation in the killing of innocent people, particularly children. A number of soldiers have brought a lawsuit challenging the continuation of their service beyond the original commitment. Not surprising, National Guard officials announced that enlistments have fallen well below anticipated levels.
And they've been called whiners or disloyal by the pathetic and cowardly excrementals who scream for war, war, war while sitting safely on their comfortable couches. Or ignored by members of the 101st Keyboard Commandos – who, rather than enlisting and living out their desires for conquest and militarism, instead spend their time writing online columns in the danger filled environment that is TownHall.com.
Patriotic types ƒ€“ who see no further than beyond the fringes of their flags ƒ€“ have always been quick to condemn those who adhere to their deepest principles. Like the members of a crazed lynch mob, they fail to see dissenters as the protectors of the values that make a society decent and productive. It has been Americaƒ€™s loss, and Canadaƒ€™s gain, that men who insist upon the inviolability of their principles have been driven from the country. There is no more important time in the life of an individual or a nation than wartime for men and women to follow the bumper-sticker advice to "question authority."
Word.