Posted on 03/07/2006 6:20:50 PM PST by Former Military Chick
There were earlier threads about her. She joined because of financial reasons because she was in college. It didn't sound like she did it for her country or any kind of training. She became a CO when things looked like she'd be activated. That's the way I understood it.
I have no sympathy for her.
Simple solution to the CO problem - let them serve out the remainder of their enlistment, including ready reserve following release from active duty in solitary confinement in Leavenworth!
she wasn't drafted. She signed up - she made a contract...
I'd have absolutely no problem with her getting CO status if she had asked to be transferred to non-combat support duty, but she didn't. She asked for a discharge. It's clear that she just wants out, period.
She made a commitment and signed a contract. The Army has held up it's end of the deal and she should have at least tried to honor her side by finding a way to continue her service without compromising all her new found moral views.
Shoot her.
That is the key.
My Dad was a concientious objector in WWII and volunteered for the Navy. He never left the states, was a radio operator. Why? Because he knew he had to serve his country, but didn't think he could ever kill anyone himself.
Except me a few times...
ping
When my Aunt Died, she who collected everything Little Bill, found a Citation from President Grant that cast a different light on the subject.
Suppose we are talking about a pharmacist refusing to sell a morning after pill because it violates his/her religious beliefs?
Should you be fired because you won't do what you were hired to do? Should you quit?
If you get fired for not doing your job, do you sue?
This is just me, obviously... if I can't in good conscience do what I was hired to do, I should be looking for another position, whether within the same company, or with another company.
If I was fired, for refusing to do something I was expected to do, I probably would not sue. It would depend, obviously, and I can't say under what conditions I would sue. My tendency would be to walk away, and find another company more in line with my ethics.
Its legitimate to try to remain inside the company, and try to effect changes, and where you have to draw the line will be different for different people. It isn't only pharmacies, although that was your example. Many jobs, almost any job, you could find yourself expected to do something that violates your conscience. You should know where your line is, and let people know where the line is when you get too close. And then refuse to cross it.
Whether you have a cause for legal action will depend on the situation. For me, since I dislike the idea of suing just on general principles, I would do so only if doing so would help to change what I viewed as an immoral situation. Not for money; its not me. But, obviously, money is what gets people's attention. But in your example of the pharmacist, I doubt he has cause for a lawsuit.
Obviously, he has the right to act in the political realm, and he has the right to publicize his situation, and to try to get public opinion on his side. Any citizen has that right. Thats how things change.
To carry this thread one more step, I am as pro-military and pro-cop as they come. But when my son went into the military, I told him that he must always be prepared to put his conscience first. Never do anything you can't live with when you take the uniform off. You may have to resign your post, you may even have to do time in jail, so be it. But know where the line is, and don't cross it.
I repeated the advice when he got out, and went into law enforcement. Always know where the line is, and never cross it. Resign if you have to. Testify if you have to. Honor and conscience come first.
Absolutely right.
http://www.thehistorynet.com/vn/bltombennett/
http://www.metroactive.com/papers/metro/03.10.04/objector-0411.html
Two conscientious objectors that earned Medals of Honor.
Thank you. I appreciate it.
Wow, great post.
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