I read a post from a soldier stating he was upset with our government and if things didn’t go his way, he would break the law. Here’s what he and others (who feel the same) should consider:
Throughout history, a few of those who serve in uniform have often thought that by having put themselves in harm’s way, they have paid a price that can never be repaid nor sufficiently honored. Therefore, they take what they think they have earned: a right to assume a position in society above the rule of law. Some examples of this are Manuel Noriega, Hugo Chavez, Timothy McVeigh, and others who commit to disobey the law at the conclusion of their service.
While I will support a veteran's right to politic, speak out, vote, run for office – and within the rule of law – agitate for his or her position, I would not support a soldier’s professed right (while on active duty) to speak out against the government that enlists him and that he is, in fact, a servant of. I also would not support a soldier’s disregard of any laws that are passed within our legal system.
What veterans sometimes fail to appreciate and understand is that all the senators, congressional representatives, the federal judiciary, and the executive branch are the embodiment of the Constitution to which veterans swore allegiance when they put on the uniform during their service.
We, as a people, elected our representatives. They speak and act for us. That's how our government works. I have listened to soldiers speak ill toward elected officials of both parties as if the elected officials, through some violent or illegal act, appointed themselves and are acting alone. They do not. If soldiers disagree with an elected official and those who stand with this official, then once the soldiers are out of the service, they need to act as leaders, confront those with whom they disagree through our rule of law, do the hard work that current elected officials did, and run for office. If soldiers politically criticize a governmental official, they are criticizing the American people and the Constitution. That is why soldiers on active duty cannot legally participate in some political activity.
Don't be veterans who would make themselves a dictator over one, like Timothy McVeigh, or a dictator over many, like so many third-world leaders. There is no honor in disengaging and making oneself an outlaw in a country where all are free to participate in our democracy. This takes greater courage. That is what a patriot does.
We don't live in a democracy because we get everything our way. If you are done with your "service," which is what it was – a "service" – then accept America’s gratitude and put away your attitude and assumption of soldiers who think they have earned an entitlement to political authority (I'm not talking about your benefits and being taken care of, if injured).
Be a citizen and a patriot, and work to achieve what you think is right within our system – as many have done: President George Washington, President Grant, President Roosevelt, President Eisenhower, President Kennedy, President Bush, Senator McCain, Senator Kerry, etc.
Loren M. Lambert © January 1, 2013
Throughout history, a few of those who serve in uniform have often thought that by having put themselves in harm’s way, they have paid a price that can never be repaid nor sufficiently honored. Therefore, they take what they think they have earned: a right to assume a position in society above the rule of law. Some examples of this are Manuel Noriega, Hugo Chavez, Timothy McVeigh, and others who commit to disobey the law at the conclusion of their service.
While I will support a veteran's right to politic, speak out, vote, run for office – and within the rule of law – agitate for his or her position, I would not support a soldier’s professed right (while on active duty) to speak out against the government that enlists him and that he is, in fact, a servant of. I also would not support a soldier’s disregard of any laws that are passed within our legal system.
What veterans sometimes fail to appreciate and understand is that all the senators, congressional representatives, the federal judiciary, and the executive branch are the embodiment of the Constitution to which veterans swore allegiance when they put on the uniform during their service.
We, as a people, elected our representatives. They speak and act for us. That's how our government works. I have listened to soldiers speak ill toward elected officials of both parties as if the elected officials, through some violent or illegal act, appointed themselves and are acting alone. They do not. If soldiers disagree with an elected official and those who stand with this official, then once the soldiers are out of the service, they need to act as leaders, confront those with whom they disagree through our rule of law, do the hard work that current elected officials did, and run for office. If soldiers politically criticize a governmental official, they are criticizing the American people and the Constitution. That is why soldiers on active duty cannot legally participate in some political activity.
Don't be veterans who would make themselves a dictator over one, like Timothy McVeigh, or a dictator over many, like so many third-world leaders. There is no honor in disengaging and making oneself an outlaw in a country where all are free to participate in our democracy. This takes greater courage. That is what a patriot does.
We don't live in a democracy because we get everything our way. If you are done with your "service," which is what it was – a "service" – then accept America’s gratitude and put away your attitude and assumption of soldiers who think they have earned an entitlement to political authority (I'm not talking about your benefits and being taken care of, if injured).
Be a citizen and a patriot, and work to achieve what you think is right within our system – as many have done: President George Washington, President Grant, President Roosevelt, President Eisenhower, President Kennedy, President Bush, Senator McCain, Senator Kerry, etc.
Loren M. Lambert © January 1, 2013
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