What's your take on the verdict in the 'birther' doctor being court-martialed?

[CurtEastPoint]

Per CNN: Lt. Col. Terrence Lakin is a poster soldier for the so-called birther movement, but for 17 years prior to his court-martial proceedings, the flight surgeon served around the globe, racking up a chest full of medals.

Military prosecutors allege that the Colorado native intentionally missed a plane in April after disobeying four lawful orders from superiors. Lakin has said he refused to deploy to Afghanistan until he sees proof that President Obama was born in the U.S.

The Uniform Code of Military Justice says the maximum punishment for both offenses -- missing his plane and disobeying lawful orders -- is a dishonorable discharge and up to two years in confinement. A guilty verdict could also result in forfeiture of his pay, which totals $7,959 a month, according to a charge sheet provided by a group sponsoring his defense.


Think the court will have the balls to do the right thing and kick his ass out?

[napi21]

1. I suspect that's a military court, so YES, he's gone, and most likely

without pension. That's the very FIRST THING the military bangs into you head. NEVER DISOBEY A DIRECT ORDER!

[edbermac]

2. He'll be court-martialed, jailed and fined.

And then make a boatload of money writing a book and being hired by FAUX News.

[Xicano]

3. Oh for fuck sakes!!

How many times has proof been shown now?

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

4. Tremulous acceptance.

:tinfoilhat:

[theothersnippywshrub]

5. Has he obeyed ANY orders since January 20, 2009? Has he given any orders since that date and

expected them to be followed? He is a dumb ass republican birther.

[xultar]

6. I thought it was courts martial. Anyway fuck his ignorant ass.

[SoCalDem]

7. What I predict

Forced retirement, loss of a rank & he keeps his pension.

Or the McChrystal solution..same as above except he does not lose a rank

[AnArmyVeteran]

11. You forgot the statue the tea baggers will erect in his likeness.

And of course he will become a regular on faux noise and right wing radio. He wll be a hero to those misfits.

[jberryhill]

16. A statue of a giant asshole?

That's going to be quite the statue.

[AnArmyVeteran]

17. LO-fucking-L!!! What a statue that would be!

It seems like it would be easy to sculpt too :).

[jberryhill]

19. Unless you want to deal with the resulting global bronze shortage /nt

[drm604]

8. The military can't ignore something like this while we're at war.

Especially given the current stop loss program with repeated rotations. There are probably a large number who would love to disobey deployment orders if they could do so with only minimal repercussions.

They will want to make an example of Lakin, especially given his high profile.

[BrightKnight]

13. Political games like that from a senior officer must not be tolerated

It is dangerous and it should be dealt with very severely.

[Bitwit1234]

9. He was absolutely stupid to disobey that order. After all it did not

come from Obama and he knew that pretty damn well. He deserves to loose his pension. Can you imagine any body ignoring an order and saying he did not trust Bush. The guy would be in shackles and locked in Leavenworth by now.

[More_liberal_than_mo]

10. The military sees this as what it really is,

the worst crime a soldier can commit, a purposeful failure to obey a lawful order. You really can't do worst than that in the Army. They will without a doubt give him the maximum punishment. Anything less would lead others to believe they could get away with not following orders.

[MadMaddie]

12. You are exactly right

It would create a breakdown of military command wouldn't it? That would be disasterous in the field of battle.

[cynatnite]

14. They'll treat this no differently than the others who refused to deploy...

no matter the reasons.

The military is very unforgiving when it comes to disobeying orders.

[ZombieHorde]

15. I respect his courage to stand for his beliefs, but he is a dumb-ass. nt

[nadinbrzezinski]

18. He is a Lt. Col... low enough in the food chain

so yes, if they find him guilty, they will want to make an example of him.

[Enthusiast]

20. He should be court-martialed for insubordination.

This should be a very serious charge in war time.