U.S. Army Sergeant Won’t Serve in ‘Illegal Iraq War’.

[kpete]

U.S. Army Sergeant Won’t Serve in ‘Illegal Iraq War’.

On Thursday, a group of U.S. soldiers spoke before members of Congress about the failings of the Iraq war and the immeasurable toll it has taken on Iraqis and American troops, including Sgt. Matthis Chiroux, who announced to the assembled group of legislators and fellow veterans that he refused to be “part of the problem” by serving in Iraq.

Chiroux joined the US army straight out of high school nearly six years ago, and worked his way up from private to sergeant.

He served in Afghanistan, Germany, Japan, and the Philippines and was due to be deployed next month in Iraq.

On Thursday, he refused to go, saying he considers Iraq an illegal war.

“I stand before you today with the strength and clarity and resolve to declare to the military, my government and the world that this soldier will not be deploying to Iraq,” Chiroux said in the sun-filled rotunda of a congressional building in Washington.

“My decision is based on my desire to no longer continue violating my core values to support an illegal and unconstitutional occupation… I refuse to participate in the Iraq occupation,” he said, as a dozen veterans of the five-year-old Iraq war looked on.

more at:
http://www.truthdig.com/eartotheground/item/20080516_us_army_sargeant_wont_serve_in_illegal_iraq_war/

[sfaprog]

1. I'm suprised the illegality of the war isn't used more as a defense

much the same way "just following orders" didn't stop Nazis from being prosecuted for war crimes. Simply claim that you refuse to commit a crime.

[silverweb]

2. Bravo!

That's courage!

May Sgt. Chiroux serve as an encouraging example so that many, many other members of our military follow his example and refuse en masse to follow illegal orders to deploy to the illegal debacle that is Iraq.

[Dogtown]

3. I'm speechless

in admiration.

[RaleighNCDUer]

4. Not to worry.

In another month it will be the illegal IRAN war.