Benderman got 15 months for refusing to kill. A convicted murderer walks.

[Tom Joad]

This man is a genuine American hero. After witnessing first-hand the war crimes being carried out with the full knowledge of the Pentagon. Kevin Benderman, U.S. Army Sergeant, refused to redeploy to Iraq.
He was sentenced to 15 months for his "crime" and sits incarcerated at Ft. Lewis, as this Welshofer gets to walk after his crimes.
"In the six months he spent in combat in Iraq in 2003, Benderman said, he was badly shaken by what he witnessed. He saw a young Iraqi girl with her arm horribly burned and blackened, standing helplessly on a roadside as Benderman's convoy rushed past. He saw dogs feasting on civilian corpses that had been dumped into pits. He saw young U.S. soldiers treat war like a video game, he said, with few qualms about killing or the effects of the invasion on ordinary Iraqis." From the LA Times

Read about Kevin and other heroes, paying a heavy price for doing the right thing. These are the kind of heroes you should tell your kids about.
Real War Heroes

Now we read that Welshofer, who followed orders and tortured and killed an Iraqi (nothing unusual, unfortunately... and this is done to civilians as well as those involved in the insurgency against occupation)will not be given one day of jail time. Despite being convicted of this viscious crime. It is true that Welshofer was only doing what he was told, however that is not an excuse. Read the Nuremberg Prinicples.
Specifically:
Principle IV. The fact that a person acted pursuant to order of his Government or of a superior does not relieve him from responsibility under international law, provided a moral choice was in fact possible to him.
From the Nuremberg Principles

What can you do? Support Benderman and these other resisters in word and deed. Besides the list Tomjoad.org, you may also visit Courage to Resist, that is organizing to assist those troops that refuse to kill. Letters of support are appreciated to folks like Benderman are appreciated. They are also noticed by those in authority.

Kick this post as a tribute to Kevin Benderman, Army SPC Katherine Jashinski, the first woman to publicly declare resistance to participation in the Iraq War, those who have fled to Canada to resist unlawful participation in an illegal war.

[nofurylike]

1. kick for Benderman, Jashinski and those other great heroes! eom

[nofurylike]

2. thank you, Tom Joad, for posting this. outrage!!! eom

[BrotherBuzz]

3. SGT Kevin Benderman and his wife Monica used to post here at DU

Anyone heard from them lately? For that matter, has anyone heard from Tinoire?
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=104&topic_id=3701519&mesg_id=3701519&page=

[Tom Joad]

5. Go here to see Kevin and Monica's website

http://www.bendermantimeline.com/

[Catrina]

6. I was in touch with Monica until a few months ago, when family

illness kept me from doing much online for a while. I know she would be really happy to see this thread and to know that people have not forgotten Kevin, now that the story is no longer in the news.

People can get in touch with her directly by email here:

http://www.topia.net/kevinbenderman.html

I know she would love to hear from people, and I think letters can be written to Kevin through Monica.

Amnesty International did get involved in Kevin's case and you can find links to what they are doing in the link above.

I wondered about Tinoire also ~

[Catrina]

4. Yes, thank you for posting this. We should not forget those, like

Kevin, who really needs much support right now. His wife Monica also needs support at this time. All the erroneous charges trumpted up by the military against Kevin, were thrown out by the judge, except one, 'missing movement'. But yet, he got this long sentence, which most experts say was unprecedented.

They wanted to make an example of him to show others what could happen to them if they refused to fight in their illegal war.

He took his oath seriously ~ and he is a true hero ~ :patriot:

I hope when he gets out of prison, he will serve his country in a different capacity ~ this is the kind of leader we need.

[ClayZ]

7. K and R

http://www.tomjoad.org/WarHeroes.htm

Snip>
Every War has its heroes, those who take risks to protect the values we cherish; this war is no different.
We honor those soldiers who risked loss of liberty, economic deprivation, and social ostracism. Each of these men and women of the military have at some point refused orders in this immoral, illegal, unjustified war the United States is currently waging in Iraq, or the occupation in Afghanistan. They obeyed their conscience over illegal orders.
Snip>
Patriots! ! ! :patriot: :patriot: :patriot:



:kick:

[malmapus]

8. Sgt. Kevin Benderman and Monica

It has been said before, but will say it again...

Patriots in every sense of the word :patriot:

[monicab]

9. THANK YOU from Monica

Thank you for this. Kevin and I appreciate the support. You know - the act itself is easy, because we know it's right. What is difficult is watching what could be made right so simply, being turned into such a complex wrong.

We almost have to resign ourselves to the fact that we will get through this - but there are many who will not. We also must believe that the only way for the situation to right itself is when enough people come to their senses, and that will not be done by trying to force them to see what they are not ready to see.

We asked ourselves -- how can people in this country allow someone who admits to brutalizing others have their freedom? This man will no longer be in the military, but he will be free in our society, and he will be talking to others about his feelings. He will be able to influence others -- the remorse he claimed did not seem real - and others will learn from this.

This is a very difficult time - but it is a time that Kevin and I can learn from. He talks about his time at Ft. Lewis. He sees those that are incarcerated and is frustrated because they have so little awareness of what is really happening. He tries to talk to them, but aches for conversation that has meaning. I tell him -- what he is doing does have meaning. Even those who don't seem to be listening now - one day, they will look back and remember him, and know that what he told them influenced them.

What we do share now, is so much time to reflect and learn from what we read, see and hear from those we come in contact with. We have the opportunity to absorb the thoughts of others - and to learn what is inside the hearts of people who somehow feel compelled to tell us their stories and to explain their positions. Many talk - we do our best to listen. It is a time of learning.

When this madness of ours has been rectified - and Kevin is home - we have every intention of using all that we have learned to apply it in real life. We have a plan already in the works - and we will take everything we have been given in the way knowledge, understanding and insight into what makes Americans do what they do, and we will use it as best we can to encourage people to become more aware of what life is all about.

We know that we cannot change people. They have to change themselves. Waiting for them to change is very frustrating. But having the opportunity to share our experiences, to find ways to address the challenges of facing the confusion in others with persistence at finding exactly the manner of presenting thoughts that will reach them individually, is a gift that helps us realize that we can make a difference, and we can turn this madness into something very positive.

[Catrina]

10. Hi Monica ~ it is so nice to see you here again

It must be extremely difficult for you both, but as you say, Kevin's conscience is clear and nothing in the world could compensate a man of his principles, had he followed those illegal orders to return to Iraq.

Please tell Kevin he is in our thoughts and prayers ~ he is an example to others. I hope you are doing alright. How is the little puppy, btw?

You have so much support, and I heard today that Bush is losing the military support. Polls now show that close to 50% no longer support him ~

Is there any chance at all that Kevin's sentence might be reduced? Is he filing an appeal? Or is the military still making that difficult for him to do?

Take care of yourself also ~ this is a stressful time for you, but soon, Kevin will have those meaningful conversations and we will all be listening to what he has to say.

[Catrina]

11. Meant to say ~

:kick: and recommended for a true hero

[monicab]

15. Kevin's Case

Thanks Catrina.

You know -- we received over 17,000 handmade cards and letters from school students - ages 4 all the way to 24 -- from all over Canada during the holidays. Amazing. Kevin had to send 15 boxes of letters home from Ft. Lewis. They were inundated with letters from all over the world. He could not open them, the RCF command would only let him see them and put them in the boxes to send to me. We'll open them when he gets home. Needless to say -- it would be difficult to have a guest in our spare bedroom at the moment - can't find the bed.

As far as Kevin's case - I had to call the Commander of the Military Appellate Division to push him to find Kevin's Trial Record. He found it still at Ft. Stewart - but got it to his office in VA and assigned to an attorney who has said that Kevin's case is 40 in line to be filed. We'll push him anyway. He doesn't like me - he told Kevin that he's hearing from me a bit too often. OH Well. At least he calls Kevin - there are many at Ft. Lewis who have not even heard from him yet.

We also have a civilian attorney now on board. He is waiting to be sent the Trial Record - the military is not happy that he has been retained. Now they know they are being watched.

I don't know if anyone has been reading about what is happening at Ft. Lewis. Congresswoman McKinney's office is very active in Kevin's case, and hopefully investigations will be opened soon. We are hoping to encourage an early release - and most definitely will be pursuing an appeal of the conviction. The Trial Record clearly shows prosecutorial misconduct, Undue Command Influence on the part of the Convening Authority (Installation Commander) for the court martial, and perjury in the testimony of the government witnesses.

I am going to see if I know how to link an article to this so that people can learn more about Ft. Lewis - and also provide a link to a radio interview I did with Karen Kwiatkowski which was a 2 hour discussion of all of the specific mishandling of Kevin's case and the command indiscretions.

Naturally, Kevin's case is what I have to focus on, but in the process, we are learning about the abuse and mistreatment of so many soldiers and their families. We have heard from over 500 in the past year, and have tried to use our resources to refer them to the places where they can receive the help they need. The madness continues at Ft. Lewis, and Kevin sees it firsthand.

Thank you again. We do appreciate everyone's support and encouraging words.

Monica

[monicab]

16. Thanks Catrina

I am going to forward an email to you with links to the radio interview I just did, and an article about Ft. Lewis. If you wouldn't mind posting them for me. GGRR... I'd appreciate that.

Puppy Willow, is getting big - and can be quite a handful. Kevin and I believe she was intended to give us laughter. White Lab --- and can jump 6 feet at only 9 months old. She jumps the fence and sits on the other side. When I get after her she simply jumps back in - smiling a puppy smile the whole time. She is the reason our chicken, Maude, now sleeps on the roof of the house. Chicken flies to the peak to perch, then walks to the edge and looks over to make sure Willow is nowhere around before she "flutters" in a rather ungainly fashion to the ground and runs for her coop and the chicken feed.

Thanks for your help, Catrina.

Monica

[Catrina]

17. Aww, she sounds wonderful, Monica ~

poor Maude ~ *lol* ~ hopefully they'll become friends eventually, after Puppy Willow calms down a little ~ :-)

I remember you said that Kevin gave you the puppy ~ what a wonderful, thoughtful human being he is!

Just got your email and am posting the links. It's really easy, actually. All you have to do is post the full URL as you did in the email, and it will appear as a link on DU.

Sat., January 14, 2006: Playlists: M3U | RAM (Individual MP3s: Hr1 Hr2 )

Guest: Monica Benderman, wife of "Prisoner of Conscience" Kevin Benderman. Sgt. Kevin Benderman is a Conscientious Objector to war. His public statement to this has angered the US Army. Conscientious Objection is not something the Army wants soldiers to be aware of. It is not something the Army wants soldiers to consider. It is the worst enemy of the United States Army. But it is a legal enemy, legally accessible to any soldier who wants to take the arduous path to his own peace, and ultimately wage war with the mighty military machine.

www.BendermanTimeline.com -


This is the second link. I just read it and this is unbelievable!! What on earth is going on in this country? What the article doesn't say, is this only happening since the Bush administration took over, or was it happening before? I am in tears for those poor men (and I presume, women).:cry:

......

Retired U.S. Army Col. Larry Wilkerson, who served as former Secretary of State Colin Powell's chief of staff, told CNN that the practice of torture may be continuing in U.S.-run facilities. He said and I quote: "There's no question in my mind that we did. There's no question in my mind that we may be still doing it," Wilkerson said on CNN's "Late Edition."

Lt. Colonel Wilkerson, visit Fort Lewis right here in America and see for yourself. Sir, make a surprise visit today. And being of military you should know the Art of Surprise, sir.

http://choiceamericanetwork.blog.com/415550/

[monicab]

18. Radio Link

http://mp3.rbnlive.com/Karen/0601/20060114_Sat_Karen.m3u

This is the address for the interview - I can't remember if the timeline site has it or not.

As far as the Ft. Lewis RCF - this first article just scratches the surface.

It's just beginning - there is so much that needs to be changed.

The soldier who was strapped to the chair for 4 days - was a 19 yr. old Iraq war veteran from the CA National Guard. The reason for the abuse - he challenged the command to follow the rules. Because he is 19, and because they didn't see that he had the resources - they thought they would shut him up.

Kevin is challenging the command. Kevin KNOWS the rules, and he knows his rights. He also knows that the other soldiers there need to learn that they have the right to expect respect - they may have committed a crime, but if the RCF is to be the true "corrections" facility it claims to be, it needs to demonstrate by the actions of the command what it wants the inmates to learn.

[renate]

19. Monica, that's beautiful

My favorite part: "the act itself is easy, because we know it's right."

The quiet bravery and strength in those words is so inspiring.

Thank you.

[TygrBright]

20. Monica, I'm typing with tears in my eyes...

...because extraordinary courage and gallantry always do that to me. Kevin's action is so exemplary of everything I expect from the men and women who serve in America's military and take the oath to defend me and my home and, most important of all, MY CONSTITUTION.

The Constitution that promises everyone in U.S. jurisdiction the respect and preservation of their rights. The Constitution that guarantees freedom and political self-determination for Americans by separating and limiting the powers of our democratically-elected leaders. The Constitution that lit a beacon of liberty and hope for the entire world at the dawn of the nineteenth century. The Constitution that makes America what it is.

And America is not a place where tyrants can order our soldiers to commit atrocities. It's not a place that demands blind obedience to leaders, or a place that demands our public servants and guardians desecrate their consciences to obey their superiors. Those things are not America-- they are the things we expect our military to preserve us from. They are the things we have many times sent our soldiers to free or preserve others from. THAT is what I expect of every soldier, sailor, airman, corpsman, and guardsman serving our country, no matter what the cost.

That's why being a soldier demands such courage, such dedication, such commitment.

It just shames and saddens me that the courage and dedication are demanded, not by the threat of a foreign enemy, but by OUR OWN LEADERS.

It doesn't seem possible today, perhaps, but I believe that someday his name will be on the shining roll that inspires young men and women, just enlisted, as they learn about the honored traditions of American military service. Someday, perhaps, a base, or unit, will take the name, "Kevin Benderman" to keep the memory of his contribution alive. By his actions, he has demonstrated the ideal of American military service, the commitment it demands in the face of powerful challenge, and the courage to rise to meet that challenge and preserve that ideal. Without men like Kevin to keep that ideal bright, our military risks a terrible loss of honor.

Please thank him for me, Monica. And know that the efforts of you and Kevin on behalf of America's men and women in uniform are in my thoughts and prayers.

appreciatively,
Bright

[monicab]

21. Thank you to everyone

I will print messages from this thread and put in a letter to Kevin. He will appreciate all of the comments and kind support -- as do I.

Just know that we believe -- it's worth the fight.

[Catrina]

22. What a great post, TygrBright

You are so right ~ and it is so sad that those who exemplify what we expect soldiers to be, are now being persecuted, while those who do the opposite, are held up as shining examples.

But I think you are right ~ when all the truth is known about this war and those who started it, Kevin, and Pablo Paredes and all those who saw how wrong it was, and stood up for their beliefs will be seen as the heroes they were, standing up for the Constitution, and for the oath they took.

I'm sure there are others who know they are being asked to do wrong, but do not have the courage to do what Kevin has done ~ I don't blame them, I'm doubt I would either.

I hope that justice is served to those who put them in this awful situation, and the Iraqi people. At the beginning of this war, I never expected that the soldiers themselves would come to see how wrong it was. Kevin and the others, and all the veterans who are now speaking out, give me hope that all is not lost.

Monica, thanks for the radio link.

I am still in shock over that report on Fort Lewis. Everytime I think I can't be shocked anymore, it just gets worse.

Tell Kevin hello and we look forward to seeing him come home soon where he belongs ~

I have a question ~ if this war is declared illegal, as it should be, imo, would those soldiers who took a stand against it be vindicated?

[me b zola]

12. The culture of life shows it's true face once again

My best wishes & thoughts are with the Bendermans.

[Tierra_y_Libertad]

13. Killers get monuments. Peacemakers get prison.

[bigtree]

14. .

[FreedomAngel82]

23. This is so disgusting

:cry: