Gay Marine To Be Court-Martialed (AWOL)

[foreigncorrespondent]

(New Orleans) A court-martial will begin Monday for a gay Marine Corps reservist who wants conscientious objector status and is accused of skipping out on 47 days of training in defiance of orders by his commander.

During his absence Cpl. Stephen Funk was highly critical of military at peace rallies in San Francisco called to protest the war in Iraq.

Funk maintains he is being put on trial because of his anti-war stand, and because he's gay, not because he was AWOL.

"People go AWOL all the time and they don't get court-martialed,'' said Funk's attorney, Stephen Collier.

"He's a conscientious objector who went public with his beliefs, and that's something that should be respected, not retaliated against.''

http://www.365gay.com/NewsContent/080803courtMartial.htm

I find this sickening, considering that loser who sits in the Oval office was AWOL and never been charged. Bloody discriminating bastards!

[rook1]

1. Why

would a conscientious objector join the military?unless he was a man of the cloth. There are about three issues here...let's see which one rises to the surface.My money is on the gay issue...any bets?

[Christian73]

2. You can be a conscientous objector

to a particular war or conflict. It isn't the same as being a peacenik.

[foreigncorrespondent]

3. He was a conscientious objector...

...to the war in Iraq ONLY.

The important issue here is, this guy objected to serving in the war for oil. He attended peace rallies in San Francisco, he is gay, and he is being an example of.

What can we do about it? (Genuine question)

[Best_man23]

4. If I was this Marine's Attorney

I would be half tempted to call Dumbya to testify as to what it means to go AWOL and not be court martialed.

[PartyPooper]

5. Bush's AWOL and desertion should be brought up in Cpl. Stephen Funk's case

if at all possible. It's probably not likely-due to statute of limitations and political, military "chain-of-command" protocol-but, it certainly would be appropriate if it were!

And, it's my understanding that the Dutch and the Belgian armed forces are fully accepting of gays in their ranks. Why can't the U.S. be just as accomodating? Aren't these European countries part of Bush's "coalition"? At least, I'm pretty certain the Dutch are involved in some capacity. And, I'm sure there are other countries with gays serving, too. Our American military service personnel deserve no less consideration and respect!

I hope this guy is fully exonerated with charges dismissed. He is a very courageous American. We should all salute him!

[foreigncorrespondent]

8. Don't forget Australia and The U.K.

They both allow gays and lesbians to serve in the military, as well.

[PartyPooper]

10. Thank you! Once again, Hooray for Australia and the UK!

:loveya:

[hadrons]

6. I guess a gay Marine isn't worth ...

getting shot at by the BFEE

[are_we_united_yet]

7. I just can't stand it!

This administration has got to go!

[w4rma]

9. Support C.O. Stephen Funk

MARINE CHALLENGES IRAQ WAR
...
Send donations for Stephen's legal defense and letters of support to:
The Stephen Funk Legal Defense Fund
1230 Market Street Box111
San Francisco, CA 94102
San Francisco, CA 94102
email: [e-mail]
Assisted by former Military Resisters: Aimee Allison & Erik Larsen
http://www.rcnv.org/rcnv/sfunk.htm

Guardian article about "Marine Who Said No to Killing"
http://www.guardian.co.uk/antiwar/story/0,12809,926963,00.html

Free Stephen Funk
...
"I had figured out that war itself was immoral and could not be justified. Yet everyone told me it was futile to try to get out. We were trained to be subordinate in our thoughts, words, and actions. It's hard to go up against all that, even when you know you are right..."
USMC 4th FSSG, New Orleans
June 26, 2003
...
http://www.notinourname.net/funk/

Stephen Funk: Bay Area Conscientious Objector
Funk Speaks in San Francisco Prior to Court Martial
...
http://www.globalexchange.org/update/press/896.html