Kucinich Announces Support For "Appeal For Redress"

[katinmn]

http://www.commondreams.org/news2006/1025-06.htm

Kucinich Announces Support For "Appeal for Redress"; States, "No One Speaks With More Moral Authority" On Need For Troops To Come Home

WASHINGTON - October 25 - Ranking Member of the House Government Reform Subcommittee on National Security, Emerging Threats and International Relations, issued the following statement today in support of "Appeal for Redress" a group of active duty military personal who are calling for the US to end the war in Iraq:

"No one speaks with more moral authority or understanding of the complexity of Iraq then the brave men and women who serve in our Armed Forces and who have done tours of duty in Iraq. The men and women who have joined this effort have demonstrated courage and bravery and represent the very best of our nation.

"These soldiers cut through the political spin and false rhetoric to deliver a stark and important message: It is time to end the war in Iraq and bring our troops home with the honor and dignity they deserve.

"I am proud to stand with the courageous men and women of Appeal for Redress and will continue my efforts to end the grave misadventure in Iraq and bring all our troops home."

###

[Erika]

1. Dennis has a conscience. A Peace Department.

He's one great guy.

[Mnemosyne]

2. k and r! n/t

[burrowowl]

3. K&R!

Go Kucinich!

[mvd]

4. Here here, Dennis!

:toast:

[Desertrose]

5. Well done, Dennis.

He's always on top of the important things... :)

You go Dennis!!!!

DR

[Tom Joad]

6. Will even 10 congresspeople join him? I doubt it...

because they are either cowards or...
in support of the fundamental values of expanding and keeping US empire. Most want to "complete the job" in Iraq, though most want it "managed" the war better than Bush has done so far.

My November 8th nightmare... not the election is stolen, but that even with Dems in a majority things continue as usual.

[katinmn]

7. I have not heard of any other member of Congress supporting these soldiers

I hope there are some but it being so close to the election, I'm not holding my breath. :-(

[spacemanspiff]

18. I think there are 7O something members of the Out of Iraq Caucus

...that should also be in support of these soldiers. They should hold a press conference or something.

The troops signed on was up to 350 last I read
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=2486359&mesg_id=2486359

[spacemanspiff]

22. bumped off the greatest page already?

:wtf:

[Vidar]

8. K&R.

[originalpckelly]

9. Absolutely horrible. How reckless are people willing to be...

in order to stop the war? If we lose America in the process of stopping a war, what is the point of stopping the war?

You have no fucking clue how bad all of this really is. MY GOD PEOPLE! Have you never paid any attention to the traditions of our nation? MY GOODNESS! This is scary shit, active duty members of the military should not be voicing political opinions.

This is what brought down the Roman Republic, so you can understand why I am just a tad bit worried.

If we are willing destroy our system of government just to get our way, there is no fucking hope for this country. GOD I THOUGHT PEOPLE ON OUR SIDE WOULD NEVER DO SOMETHING SO RECKLESS!

[G_j]

10. lose America ??

It has already been lost with international war crimes etc.

destroy our system of government? huh?



I support every member of the military to voice an opinion, that could possibly help SAVE us.
btw, the Roman empire needed to fall.

[originalpckelly]

11. No, I'm not talking about the Roman Empire...

I'm talking about the Roman republic. You see it became an empire only after the military (Julius Caesar) finally took over for the last time.

Rome became truly evil when it stopped being a Republic with the rule of law, and became an empire with the rule of man.

But I know you don't care about learning from history, to avoid repeating mistakes. No all we care about is ending the Iraq war at all costs. I cannot believe people who claim to be liberals would ever allow such a thing.

How could someone ever be willing to risk a military dictatorship? Maybe this fucked up nation doesn't deserve to continue on, with people on the right willing to torture and the let the President get away with murder, and people on our side willing to let this nation become a fucking military dictatorship, no one is defending America.

[G_j]

12. how do you know

what I care about?

"But I know you don't care about learning from history"

now there is a mystery!

[originalpckelly]

13. Sure as hell seems like no one cares about this stuff...

I have posted so many times about this, but every single time I get angry responses! All people want is political blood, and they don't care how they draw it, even if it means stabbing our nation to death.

It isn't just you, everyone who is interested in politics is making exceptions for extremely bad behavior, stuff that will eventually destroy this country.

When I ask you if you want a military dictatorship or not, you probably would say that you would never want one here in America because you love freedom.

However, when I disagree with letting the active duty soldiers be involved in politics, you don't see the connection between a military dictatorship and letting the military be involved in politics.

But I assure you, one will follow the other.

Sorry to unload on you, but this is a very discouraging thing to see progressives indirectly argue for a military dictatorship.

[katinmn]

15. The soldiers are acting within the law and within DOD guidleines

Here are the pertinent sections, easily accessed on the website:
http://www.appealforredress.org/php/legal.php

Rights Under Law
THE RIGHTS OF MEMBERS OF THE MILITARY

Members of the military have rights under the U.S. Constitution, laws passed by Congress, and the military's own regulations. Military regulations give you important ways to voice your opinion about what's going on in Iraq. They also impose important limitations. People in the military don't have the same constitutional right to express themselves as civilians do.

The military regulation that covers protest and dissent by members of the military is

DoD Directive 1325.6—

"Guidelines for Handling Dissident and Protest Activities
Among Members of the Armed Forces.”

The command may prohibit members from distributing written materials on base, other than through "official outlets," without prior approval. However, the command may not prevent you from distributing printed material simply because it is critical of government policies or officials.

DoD Directive 1325.6 says it is DoD policy to preserve military members' "right of expression… to the maximum extent possible, consistent with good order and discipline and the national security." Members of the military may attend demonstrations but only in the United States and only when they are off base, off duty, and out of uniform.

THE RIGHT OF SERVICE MEMBERS TO COMPLAIN AND REQUEST REDRESS

Article 3.5.7 DoD Directive 1325.6 provides the right of service members to complain and request redress of grievances against actions of their commanders. (IMPORTANT NOTE: A redress is not to be confused with a petition. The action taken here by individual service members is an Appeal for Redress to End the War in Iraq.)

DoD Directive 7050.6—

“Military Whistleblower Protection Act”

DoD Directive 7050.6, otherwise known as the Military Whistleblower Protection Act, provides for the following rights:

4.1 Members of the Armed Forces shall be free to make a protected communication to:

4.1.1—A Member of Congress
Articles 4.2-4.4- Military members are protected against reprisals for such communication.

If the command tries to retaliate against you for exercising your free speech rights, get some legal assistance. Talk with a civilian military counselor and/or a civilian attorney familiar with military law. You may be able to file a complaint under Article 138 of the UCMJ1. You may be able to file a complaint under the Military Whistleblower Protection Act. There may be other legal channels. An attorney or counselor can help you file a complaint or communicate with your command about the problem.

[G_j]

17. thank you

very informative post

[G_j]

16. you are right

in that I don't see any connection at all between a "military dictatorship" and soldiers voicing their opinions. I think that is way far fetched and really don't understand where you are coming from.

I haven't seen your other posts so I can't comment on them.

[Karenina]

20. There ARE historical precedents

for soldiers laying down their weapons, none of which I recall have led to military dictatorships. I hope the numbers of active duty involved in thes Appeal TRIPLES over the weekend. They are using the proper legal tools available to them.

[katinmn]

14. Do you know what habeas corpus is? Do you know what we lost?

Do you realize we have leagalized torture? Just what kind of system are you wishing to uphold?

Do you know the Constitution, the Bill of Rights are of no consequence to this regime in power?

You want to preserve their government, YOU go to Iraq. I'm sure one of the soldiers would gladly change places with you.

[upi402]

19. Imagine Kucinich as President

President Kucinich
:patriot:
and prisoner 58134 has been refused early release to Crawford Texas again.

[LWolf]

21. kick n/t