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Originally Posted by debaser
I see where you are coming from, and I respect your views. However, in this case Bush and the law are one and the same. You won't find anyone who feels more strongly that the war in Iraq is a mistake than me. This point is irrelevant. Bush is the CIC, we go where he says to, period.
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I hope not. Breaking the Constitution, UCMJ, or any treaties that the US has signed is illegal, whether the President wants you to or not. Your allegiance to the President is commendable, but he/(she?) is not the ultimate authority. If President Bush made the determination that you should be quartered by civilians during a time of peace, he would be giving an unconstitutional order. You would be required to disobey that order. Similarly, the invasion of Iraq was in direct violation of the UN Charter, which is a legal US treaty. Since this treaty does not override any part of the Constitution, it is 100% legal. So, by my understanding, a military officer has not only the right, but the duty to refuse the order to deploy in Iraq.
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Originally Posted by debaser
The most basic duty of the military is to follow the legal orders given it by the chain of command, which is ultimatly the voting citizens of the country.
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The Germans chose Hitler to be their leader, but I'd not want our military to unquestionably follow him.
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Originally Posted by debaser
The military is reponsible for jus in bello not jus ad bellum.
This is getting a bit far afield. Why not start a new thread...
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Justice in war and not laws of war...well it's not that cut and dry. You're right, I don't want to run off with the thread. If you want to continue elsewhere, I'll follow.