Military, Free Speech - Soldier Tests Limits

Response to "Soldier tests free speech limits, " @issue, July 9, AJC

"Remember, oath taken voluntarily

"As is typical with journalism on the liberal left, the AJC examines 1st Lt. Ehren Watada's story only from the perspective that holds the government at fault. The article fails to emphasize that the lieutenant voluntarily joined the U.S. Army. After 1973 all such affiliations have been totally voluntary. In the process, the lieutenant took an oath and pledged to obey the commander in chief and all officers appointed over him.
"And, yes, as the article obliquely mentions, behavior to the detriment of good order and discipline is a violation of the Uniform Code of Military Justice. But the most egregious violation of the code is failure to obey a lawful order. For this primarily, but the lesser violations as well, Watada must be subjected to a court martial.
"Personally, I think Watada is a coward. But since the AJC and its kind are against the war, it swings the emphasis of Watada's story over to freedom of speech.

"GORDON R. PRENTICE

Macon"