This guy has balls

[Katahu]

This one is soooooooooooooo political!

+1 to the 100,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000th power

I agree with Beef as well. Recruites are warned, either by recruiters or by films in tv and theaters, long before they sign the dotted line, that the moment you sign is the moment you are paid to do as you're told and not to think.

But still, even while in the military, and this is true, many high-ranking officials and supervisers will tell you to question an order if that order contradicts ethics. In the USAF, we are encouraged to stop sexual harassment and many other things.

Alright, I'm out of here. That's as far as I can say concerning this.

Here's my card. Call me if you need me to use my syringe case.

[beefhole]

Just like to make it clear to everyone we're, right now, discussing universal military stuff and avoiding the explosive politics of that article

Yes, questioning orders that go against basic ethics is a necessity sometimes.  But literally refusing to deploy?  That's unacceptable.

[Saitek]

Now if I had posted this Mark would have killed it instantly, then marmaladed me, before tieing me to the propeller of his spit and maxing the throttle.  ::) Oh well I'm a naughty boy and need more moderating I guess.  :-X

[C]

I think this thread is becoming a good example of how to keep a thread sensible...

I understand exactly where people are coming from with regards to the "when you sign on the dotted line" argument. However, people's views change, and this was a well educated chap who obviously had the credentials to have entered Sandhurst (the British Army's Officer training college) when he finished school - not something you see everyday in the ranks of the armed forces, and particularly the infantry.

To be fair to him, I think he was right and putting his hand up and indicating his views - there would be nothing worse than fighting alongside someone who morally or otherwise was questioning whether he should be there...

[beefhole]

I think this thread is becoming a good example of how to keep a thread sensible...

I think it's being kept sensible because noone has brought up the inflamatory part of the article yet *crosses fingers*

[Woodlouse2002]

I think it's being kept sensible because noone has brought up the inflamatory part of the article yet *crosses fingers*

You mean the bit where he says...... *BANG* yelp!

[Ijineda]

Ok this is political, but its not closed down, so I will add my opinion.

Its clear that in every war there are war crimes. and also the so much praised USA are committing them. I wont go into details but this guy is so damn right; for me, a real hero.

[C]

I think it's being kept sensible because noone has brought up the inflamatory part of the article yet *crosses fingers*

Exactly...

[Smoke2much]

That may change.  I think that the best bet is to get a tin hat on, remember that people have strong feelings over this and respect their views even when they are diametricaly opposed to your own.

Should be fun.

[congo]

I wish I had the courage he had. If I did, I wouldn't have just deleted the page I just wrote in response.

What a horrible situation where a great soldier must end his career like that, though possibly better than a bullet. I hope he can live in peace with his decision, some would not want that.

Of course, if an Iraqi bullet HAD pierced his brain before he got home to tell us how he felt, he would be a great British war hero and we would be none the wiser now would we?

[eno]

If this guy had been in anything other than the S.A.S. then it would have almost certainly had a different outcome. The S.A.S. operates on a rather more flexible structure than the majority of the army. Hence the reason he got the glowing discharge.

[C]

The S.A.S. operates on a rather more flexible structure than the majority of the army. Hence the reason he got the glowing discharge.

This shows a slightly differing situation...

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/hampshire/4808862.stm

[Radopilot]

This guy has balls

Very appropriate title...
(for above post) great heres the smoking gun or the match we all fear, my only comment, that comment was just plainly incorrect.

yea..... *runs*