Active-duty military will speak out against the war on "Sixty Minutes"

CBS: GIs Petition Congress Over Iraq War
Law Allows Them To Denounce War And Remain Loyal
Feb. 22, 2007


(CBS/AP)

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"Just because we volunteered for the military doesn't mean we volunteered to put our lives in unnecessary harm and to carry out missions that are illogical and immoral."

Marine Sgt. Liam Madden

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(CBS) They say they are not disloyal. They say they are not shirking their duty and that they do not oppose war. But over 1,000 active-duty and reserve members of the U.S. military are against the war in Iraq and have said so in an unusually public way — by petitioning Congress last month.

Several of them appear to explain their actions to "Sixty Minutes" correspondent Lara Logan this Sunday, Feb. 25, at 7 p.m. ET/PT.

"I'm not anti-war. I'm not a pacifist. I'm not opposed to protecting our country and defending our principles," says Navy Petty Officer Jonathan Hutto, an Iraq war veteran who, along with another veteran, initiated the petition.

A 1995 law called the Military Whistleblower act enables military personnel to express their own opinions about Iraq in protected communication directly to Congress.

Hutto and others spoke with 60 Minutes while off duty, off base and out of uniform as conscientious citizens. "But at the same time, as citizens, it's our obligation to have a questioning attitude … about policy," Hutto tells Logan....

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/02/22/60minutes/main2505412.shtml

Geraldo was reporting from Baghdad where he stood with a bevy of soldiers who coincidently were all in support of the escalation.

As they voiced their desire for Congress to leave them there to "finish the job", I was reminded how the troops are forbidden to speak out about their personal feelings on the situation in Iraq.

I guess only if their opinion disagrees with King George II.

If you're not familiar with that time, you can refresh your memory by watching "Sir, No Sir".

If you've never heard of Smedley D. Butler, http://www.lexrex.com/enlightened/articles/warisaracket.htm">"War is a Racket" written in 1935 shows us nothing has changed. The old history thingie keeps rearing its ugly head.