Soldier explains refusal to return to ‘insane’ Iraq war

[truthpusher]

http://www.pww.org/article/articleview/6340/1/248

Soldier explains refusal to return to ‘insane’ Iraq war

HINESVILLE, Georgia (AP) — A young girl clutching her arm blackened by burns, dogs feeding off bodies in mass graves — the images still haunt Sgt. Kevin Benderman 15 months after he came home from Iraq.

Witnessing the brutal reality of war, Benderman stunned his commanders when he sought a discharge as a conscientious objector after 10 years in the Army.

(snip)

“Some people may be born a conscientious objector, but sometimes people realize through certain events in their lives that the path they’re on is the wrong one,” Benderman said. “The idea was: Do I really want to stay in an organization where the sole purpose is to kill?”

(snip)

An officer called him a coward. His battalion chaplain shamed him in an e-mail from Kuwait. That’s because Benderman, whose unit just deployed for a second combat tour in Iraq, refused to return to war.

more here:

http://www.pww.org/article/articleview/6340/1/248

[alittlelark]

1. I REALLY REALLY support this particular troop!!

He is a brave and honorable man!! :yourock:

[goddess40]

2. me too, I wish more had the brains and the courage to do the same

these are the real, brave men and women that stand up to their govt and tell it that is is wrong!

[renaissanceguy]

19. Just like how it was in Vietnam.

This is the next generation's Vietnam. Be prepared for a draft.
http://www.cafepress.com/liberalissues/479704

[goddess40]

21. I'm ready - I put up flyer's before the election warning about the draft

and when ever I run in to a bush worshiper with high school kids I ask which branch of the military their kids are going into.

[confuddled]

5. There is another piece on this same consciencious hero

at
http://www.indiemediamagazine.com/article.php?story=20050118053049807
It includes his email address.
Also saw elsewhere that he is facing charges.

Sorry,I can't get the whole URL to happen. The article is titled "A Matter of Conscience". Email address is: [e-mail].

[insane_cratic_gal]

6. we really want the chaplain's email!

I hope the freepers don't start harassing him.

That whole anti american bullshit they type safe and sound from their office or living room.

[confuddled]

7. The freepers are already swarming him

He indicates he's gotten lots of email calling him a coward (among other things, I'm sure). Just thought some words of encouragement from us might help.

[renaissanceguy]

16. Yes, he is a true hero.

He wanted to serve his country honorably. And he realized that this was a mistake, a lie.

Shame on those officers who call him a coward. THEY are the cowards because they cannot face reality and admit a huge mistake.

http://www.cafepress.com/liberalissues.16781662

[HysteryDiagnosis]

3. In a democracy, you don't have to kill foreigners if you don't want to...

or am I imagining things??

[barb162]

10. I think you are incorrect on that.

Once you join up I think illness or being an objector are the only 2 ways out.

[Postman]

4. Chaplain should be ashamed to be a chaplain...

can you imagine a supposed "man of God" trying to shame a man because he is laying down his sword.

YOU ARE A FUCKING DISGRACE

[daleo]

12. Beating swords into plowshares

I recall a book that mentions this. Perhaps the chaplain might be prevailed up to give it a look.

[renaissanceguy]

18. For people who take the bible literally,

the neocons sure do a good job of picking and choosing what parts apply to whom. Perhaps they forgot one of the Big Ten.
http://www.cafepress.com/liberalissues/479742

[IndianaGreen]

25. These chaplains are all Christian fundies and they are doing their job

which is to indoctrinate the troops with their filthy and twisted version of Christianity, and to serve as spies for their superiors by reporting any weakening in the troops' morale.

[Voltaire99]

8. Good luck--and may others follow his shining example. (n/t)

[diamond14]

9. An AMERICAN HERO ! May many others follow his strong leadership

and may the CHURCHES of America rise up to support those who REFUSE TO KILL......


bush* and his cabal are UN-christian, immoral, and UN-American....


it's about time that somebody called bush* on it....

[renaissanceguy]

17. Yeah, real Christians and any ethical person

would not support this war under any circumstances.

http://www.cafepress.com/liberalissues/479742

[Supersedeas]

23. Sgt Benderman, we salute you sir.

Your actions truly honor American ideals of justice and compassion.

[Zhade]

11. HERO.

NT!

[truthpusher]

13. kick for the Hero! n/t

[jasop]

14. The word "Hero" is barely enough to desribe him n/t

[zann725]

15. Bravo to Benderman!

n/t

[leftchick]

20. This guy needs to be on TV!

I don't watch the news anymore but this fellow needs to share the reality of war with the clueless ameriKans who do. What a hero!

~snip~

He said he has his reasons, reflecting on time in Iraq.

Benderman told of bombed out homes and displaced Iraqis living in mud huts and drinking from mud puddles; mass graves in Khanaqin near the Iranian border where dogs fed off bodies of men, women and children.

He recalled his convoy passing a girl, no older than 10, on the roadside clutching a badly injured arm. Benderman said his executive officer refused to help because troops had limited medical supplies.

“Her arm was burned, third-degree burns, just black. And she was standing there with her mother begging for help,” Benderman said. “That was an eye opener to seeing how insane it really is.”

[porkrind]

30. But TV is just where the establishment doesn't want him.

It might make the public think. Kudos to Sgt. Benderman, and my heart breaks for that 10 year old girl. :(

I also don't watch the corporate news anymore. Good for you. :)

[0007]

22. Real Hero's can stand and tell the world

Bravo

[truthpusher]

24. kick

[Just Me]

26. "Freedom" and "liberty", by example. Those who condemn this man,...

,...also condemn "freedom" and "liberty".

Sgt. Benderman,...you may find yourself aggressively attacked by those who have NO substance faith or belief in democracy or freedom or liberty,...

However, the great majority of humanity want at least the freedom to live,...and you know that. The great majority of humanity is in you corner, your space.

I acknowledge your choice to embrace human worth.

I also reject/oppose those who haven't a freakin' clue about real courage,...the courage to take a stand for life without which "freedom" or "democracy" has no worth.

[Just Me]

27. "Freedom" and "liberty", by example. Those who condemn this man,...

,...also condemn "freedom" and "liberty".

Sgt. Benderman,...you may find yourself aggressively attacked by those who have NO substance faith or belief in democracy or freedom or liberty,...

However, the great majority of humanity want at least the freedom to live,...and you know that. The great majority of humanity is in you corner, your space.

I acknowledge your choice to embrace human worth.

I also reject/oppose those who haven't a freakin' clue about real courage,...the courage to take a stand for life without which "freedom" or "democracy" has no worth.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

28. Good for him!

May there be thousands more like him.

But I'm not surprised at the treatment he's getting.

Recall how Kerry was vilified for speaking out against the Vietnam War.

An even earlier example is that Japanese veterans of WWII who confess to having committed atrocities get hate mail, including death threats, from former buddies.

[truthpusher]

29. He's been officially charged...

http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=10000087&sid=aQL7aI9UATAo&refer=top_world_news