Marine Reservist Obeys Conscience does Not ship Out with Unit

[justint]

Best Line from this article is:


"They don't really advertise that they kill people," Funk said. "I didn't really realize the full implications of what I was doing and what it really meant to be in the service as a reservist."

WTF???? This guy really needs to think things through a little better before committing to things. At least he is showing up and ready to take his punishment.


from San Francisco Chronicle

 

[Alistar7]

think this is a repost, I quoted that same line myself.

If that guy made it to 18 yrs of age and still didnt realize the Army sometimes killed people we are much better off without him. However I would have stuck his butt in Kuwait, a country away from the front line and his fragile "Conscience" and made him to do kitchen or latrine duty...

 

[rudder]

They don't really advertise that they kill people," Funk said. "I didn't really realize the full implications of what I was doing and what it really meant to be in the service as a reservist."


I would believe him if he had signed up for the coast guard, but he joined the Marines.

 

[Conky]

The guy is a coward, plain and simple.

 

[Alistar7]

Originally posted by: Crazyfool
The guy is a coward, plain and simple.

maybe we should deport him to France to live with all the deposed dictactors and pedophiles?

 

[Insane3D]

Originally posted by: Crazyfool
The guy is a coward, plain and simple.

When are you heading over tough guy? Maybe the guy didn't want to kill people...what a pussy! While I agree he really should pay more attention when enlisting to the armed forces, he was a reservist. He probably figured we wouldn't be going to a war anytime soon and he would be ok in the reserves. They do whatever they can to sign you up at these recruiters stations...I've seen it first hand. The woman POW who was just rescued was in the military to pay for her eduction and become a teacher.

 

[Conky]

Originally posted by: Insane3D

Originally posted by: Crazyfool
The guy is a coward, plain and simple.

When are you heading over tough guy? Maybe the guy didn't want to kill people...what a pussy! While I agree he really should pay more attention when enlisting to the armed forces, he was a reservist. He probably figured we wouldn't be going to a war anytime soon and he would be ok in the reserves. They do whatever they can to sign you up at these recruiters stations...I've seen it first hand. The woman POW who was just rescued was in the military to pay for her eduction and become a teacher.

If they'd send me, I'd go and fight proudly.

And ANYBODY who joins the military hoping for a free ride and not expecting combat is not very intelligent.

 

[Alistar7]

Originally posted by: Insane3D

Originally posted by: Crazyfool
The guy is a coward, plain and simple.

When are you heading over tough guy? Maybe the guy didn't want to kill people...what a pussy! While I agree he really should pay more attention when enlisting to the armed forces, he was a reservist. He probably figured we wouldn't be going to a war anytime soon and he would be ok in the reserves. They do whatever they can to sign you up at these recruiters stations...I've seen it first hand. The woman POW who was just rescued was in the military to pay for her eduction and become a teacher.

yup, and still had the honor, courage, and convinction to carry out her duty. I guess you feel you should just get a 4yr job with free college, but never have to fuflfill your obligation, indeed, the very reason you are being given such extras.

He still enlisted on his own free will...

The important thing to remember is the humanity of the US govt. and military though.
Notice the stark difference in how Iraqi citizens are treated if they don't fight.

 

[Looney]

What kind of idiot would join the marines if they didn't want to fight? Coast Guard, National Guard, hell, even the navy would have been a better alternative.

 

[Insane3D]

I agree with you guys...he didn't use very good judgement joining the Marines if he didn't want to fight. In reality however, it is not always so black and white. I just think it's a bit harsh to call the guy a coward just because he didn't want to kill anyone. He didn't say he was afraid of being killed, he just didn't want to kill others. Maybe he has a strong religous conviction that makes him feel that way. We really don't know..

 

[mastertech01]

He really didnt grasp the concept when he went through basic combat training. He just thought it was advanced video gaming being provided on behalf of the US government at a cost of approx 30,000 dollars plus the cost of individual training so he could hold down a pair of boots to the earth while collecting pay and benefits for being brave enought to pretend to be a rough tough lean mean video gamer.

Dont worry, the men who must do battle do not want him with them, to possibly toss a grenade in thier tent while they sleep because his conscience objected to his presence there.

 

[FuzzyBee]

If you sign up for the military, you should be prepared to go to war.
If you go to war, you should be prepared to die in war.

If you aren't ready for that, you shouldn't sign up.

 

[Insane3D]

If you go to war, you should be prepared to die in war.

He wasn't afraid to die in the war...he didn't want to kill others.

The recruits say their idealistic expectations of military service -- travel, tuition and adventure -- jarred against the harsh realities of killing another human and ran afoul of deeply held religious, ethical or moral views.

 

[StormRider]

Originally posted by: Insane3D

If you go to war, you should be prepared to die in war.

He wasn't afraid to die in the war...he didn't want to kill others.

The recruits say their idealistic expectations of military service -- travel, tuition and adventure -- jarred against the harsh realities of killing another human and ran afoul of deeply held religious, ethical or moral views.

I'm not too sure about that. I think it's both.

 

[Alistar7]

Originally posted by: Insane3D
I agree with you guys...he didn't use very good judgement joining the Marines if he didn't want to fight. In reality however, it is not always so black and white. I just think it's a bit harsh to call the guy a coward just because he didn't want to kill anyone. He didn't say he was afraid of being killed, he just didn't want to kill others. Maybe he has a strong religous conviction that makes him feel that way. We really don't know..

You can find plenty of military chaplains, ministers, etc... who serve and fulfill their military obligation without impugning their moral values. There are probably thousands of things he could have done that would have never required him to kill an enemy combatant but still enabled him to contribute to the effort and fulfill his obligations.

They should make him pay back every cent he collected.

 

[Insane3D]

I'm not too sure about that. I think it's both.

Mo offense man...but how would you know? Do you know the guy?

 

[FuzzyBee]

Originally posted by: Insane3D

If you go to war, you should be prepared to die in war.

He wasn't afraid to die in the war...he didn't want to kill others.

The recruits say their idealistic expectations of military service -- travel, tuition and adventure -- jarred against the harsh realities of killing another human and ran afoul of deeply held religious, ethical or moral views.

He could have gone over and not shot anybody. Then he would have died in war.

 

[Alistar7]

"He wasn't afraid to die in the war...he didn't want to kill others."

He could have surrendered to Iraqi troops and allowed his torture to be used as justification for his comrades efforts..

Doesnt have to kill this way, still helps the cause, and he doesn't have to go through any undue "fear", since he's "not afraid to die"

 

[StormRider]

Originally posted by: Insane3D

I'm not too sure about that. I think it's both.

Mo offense man...but how would you know? Do you know the guy?

If you didn't want to go to war because you didn't want to die, would you admit it?

 

[dabuddha]

Originally posted by: Insane3D

Originally posted by: Crazyfool
The guy is a coward, plain and simple.

When are you heading over tough guy? Maybe the guy didn't want to kill people...what a pussy! While I agree he really should pay more attention when enlisting to the armed forces, he was a reservist. He probably figured we wouldn't be going to a war anytime soon and he would be ok in the reserves. They do whatever they can to sign you up at these recruiters stations...I've seen it first hand. The woman POW who was just rescued was in the military to pay for her eduction and become a teacher.

Regardless of what he "figured" or "thought," any idiot with half a brain should know what they're getting into when they join the reserves. They do not hold a gun to your head and force you to sign. This guy is a coward, plain and simple. And yes, I would have joined up as well a long time ago if they didn't deny me because of a medical condition.

 

[FuzzyBee]

Originally posted by: Insane3D

I'm not too sure about that. I think it's both.

Mo offense man...but how would you know? Do you know the guy?

Maybe the same way that you know that "He wasn't afraid to die in the war"

 

[Insane3D]

Oh man...you guys are harsh. Oh well...I guess I expected as much.

 

[FuzzyBee]

Originally posted by: Insane3D
Oh man...you guys are harsh. Oh well...I guess I expected as much.

It is the war forum, after all

 

[Insane3D]

If you didn't want to go to war because you didn't want to die, would you admit it?

I really don't know. If it came down to it, I would proudly fight for my country and die if need be. I am not religous at all, so I would not have any moral issues with killing someone shooting at me.

Maybe the same way that you know that "He wasn't afraid to die in the war"

I know this from his comments in the article..

 

[Alistar7]

Originally posted by: Insane3D

I'm not too sure about that. I think it's both.

Mo offense man...but how would you know? Do you know the guy?

Sorry Ammerican's do not like cowards.....

You seem to take everything he says as indisputable proof, his "objections" are all relevant to you, you are forgetting to believe any of it, you had to believe his underlying arguement...

"They don't really advertise that they kill people," Funk said.

His feelings were always this way, the war didn't suddenly prioduce this change. The level of stupidty it takes to not understand the marines soemtimes kills people is beyond my comprehension, my 6 yr old son knew this BEFORE the war himself. His training should have made it pretty clear, why did he wait until there was a possible dangerous situation to suddenly voice these objections?