Originally Posted by dc_dux

Following this thread through 6 pages now, IMO, there are two common themes among the "pro-military" contributors:

* if someone opposes military policies, they are against the troops

* the right of assembly, speech and the redress of grievances ate "stupid" or worse, "treasonous", if such actions dont conform with their views

The citizens of Berkeley have every right to express their legitimate concerns about:

* a war they believe is illegal

* recruitment irregularities where from 1 ouf of 20 to 1 out of 5 recruiters engage in some type of illegal or unethical conduct and DoD does not have the mechanism in place to properly oversee the recruitment process

* the US military as the largest organization in the country to engage in discriminatory hiring (recruitment) practices

I would ask such "defenders of freedom".....if you are not fighting for the basic Constitutional rights of citizens to express these concern (or any concerns regarding the actions and policies of the government)......what the hell are you fighting for when you put on the uniform and take the oath of enlistment:

I, _____, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States......

You dont have to agree with every protest...I certainly dont.

But when you are disdainful of every citizens right to engage in such lawful exercises of speech....you are disdainful of the very Constitution to which you swore your oath of service.