War veteran refuses 2nd Iraq deployment

[leftchick]

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/apwashington_story.asp?category=1152&slug=Objecting%20Soldier

SAVANNAH, Ga. -- A mechanic with nine years in the Army, including a role in the assault on Baghdad, has refused to return to Iraq, claiming "you just don't know how bad it is."

Sgt. Kevin Benderman, 40, said he became morally opposed to war after seeing it firsthand during his first Iraq tour. Now he faces a possible court-martial after failing to deploy Friday with his unit.

"I told them that I refused deployment because I just couldn't go back over there," Benderman said Wednesday. "If I'm going to sit up there and tell everyone that I do not believe in war, why would I go back to a war zone?"

Lt. Col. Cliff Kent, a Fort Stewart spokesman, said Benderman was being considered absent without leave because he had orders to deploy to Iraq while the Army processed his conscientious objector claim.

"He was AWOL from the unit's movement," Kent said. "Beginning the application process for conscientious objection does not preclude you from deploying."


Benderman has been reassigned to a rear detachment unit at Fort Stewart while his case is processed, Kent said. Kent said the Army has not decided whether to bring charges against him.

[fleabert]

1. a real patriot! good for him! nt

[leftchick]

2. "you just don't know how bad it is."...

If we had a REAL media in this country this fellow would be on all of the news shows telling it like it is. This guy is a real patriot!

~snip~

Benderman served in Iraq from March to September 2003 with the 4th Infantry Division based at Fort Hood, Texas. When he later transferred to the 3rd Infantry at Fort Stewart, Benderman said, he was already questioning the morality of the destruction he had witnessed.

"You can sit around your house and discuss this thing in abstract terms, but until you see and experience it for yourself, you just don't know how bad it is," he said. "How is it an honorable thing to teach a kid how to look through the sights of a rifle and kill another human being? War is the ultimate in violence and it is indiscriminate."

... my hero!

[Nevernose]

16. Just for the sake of argument:

If he belives that "How is it an honorable thing to teach a kid how to look through the sights of a rifle and kill another human being? War is the ultimate in violence and it is indiscriminate", then why did he join the frigging army?

[QC]

20. Read the article.

The part of the quote you left out seems to answer your question:

You can sit around your house and discuss this thing in abstract terms, but until you see and experience it for yourself, you just don't know how bad it is....

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

3. Benderman is showing real courage

and honesty. Hope he wins his CO status and takes to the road, telling people the truth about conditions in Iraq.

[dbt]

4. Coward! Slacker! I hope he gets the same justice that bu$h got!

:evilgrin:
dbt

[FlyByNight]

5. I hope his father is well connected and wealthy

:evilgrin:

[bowens43]

6. This man is a hero.

[flordehinojos]

7. the man has a conscience and i applaud him for it. consciences

and standing on principle are not exactly what the BUSHCOES want. I hope someone in the system is ready to stand with him. What would happen if people in and around Ft. Stewart were to stand in support of the man? Would the Bushcoes leave him alone?

[yorkiemommie1]

8. what if they gave a war and nobody came?

n/t

[GoldenOldie]

9. "What if they gave a War and Nobody Came"

Movie with this title was made at Fort Huachuca, Arizona, in the 60's or early 70's.

[clem_c_rock]

10. A real patriot

Refuses to fight in illegal wars.

[Barkley]

11. Resistance to the war is growing!

Good news!

Kent is making a difference.

I can hardly believe that they're drafting 40 year old men to Iraq

This is not right!

He's not like Bush who used his family's influence to avoid combat.

He's AWOL from his unit; its his legal right to apply for CO status.

Bush didn't go CO but he did go AWOL.

[NYC]

17. "late 60s and possibly older"

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x1146379

Army looks to retirees to bolster forces

At least 320 retirees signed up last year under this program. Probably more than 500 will go back on active duty this year, says Lt. Col. Karla Brischke, an Army personnel manager. Ages range from mid-40s to late 60s and possibly older...

[Barkley]

18. Army signing-up men ages Mid 40s to late 60s!?!?!?!

Unbelieveable!!!!

Thanks NYC so much for this information.

[0007]

12. Go Kevin Benderman Go - Your helping to bring the troops home!

Thanks.

[leftchick]

13. kick!

For my new hero Kevin!

:kick:

[raggedcompany]

14. kick

it's made the front page of CNN now.

http://www.cnn.com/2005/US/01/13/objecting.soldier.ap/index.html

[NYC]

15. More on Benderman:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x1142384

[malmapus]

19. Very few could understand what it takes to do what he did

He does have true strengh for taking that step, and that will be tested. I hope he holds his ground and comes through.

[JohnLocke]

21. "Conscientious objection does not preclude you from deploying"

Ah. Now that's settled... :eyes: