A Veteran’s Letter to the President: "You suck."
03-10-2006, 04:16 PM
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A Veteran’s Letter to the President: "You suck."
The following is quoted entirely from http://www.pierretristam.com/Bobst/C...JD030806.htm#1
A Veteran’s Letter to the President
“I Return Enclosed the Symbols of My Years of Service”
[Joseph DuRocher was for 20 years the elected Public Defender of Florida’s Ninth Judicial Circuit, covering Orange and Osceola counties. Since retirement, he’s been writing and teaching law at the University of Central Florida and the Barry University School of Law. He was a commissioned officer in the U.S. Navy in the 1960s, serving as a Naval Aviator in the Atlantic, the Caribbean and the Mediterranean. On Monday, Mr. DuRocher returned his Lieutenant’s shoulder bars and Navy wings to President Bush, and enclosed the following letter.]
President George W. Bush
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, D.C. 20500
Dear Mr. President:
As a young man I was honored to serve our nation as a commissioned officer and helicopter pilot in the
U. S. Navy. Before me in WWII, my father defended the country spending two years in the Pacific aboard the U.S.S. Hornet (CV-14). We were patriots sworn “to protect and defend”. Today I conclude that you have dishonored our service and the Constitution and principles of our oath. My dad was buried with full military honors so I cannot act for him. But for myself, I return enclosed the symbols of my years of service: the shoulder boards of my rank and my Naval Aviator’s wings.
Until your administration, I believed it was inconceivable that the United States would ever initiate an aggressive and preemptive war against a country that posed no threat to us. Until your administration, I thought it was impossible for our nation to take hundreds of persons into custody without provable charges of any kind, and to “disappear” them into holes like Gitmo, Abu Ghraib and Bagram. Until your administration, in my wildest legal fantasy I could not imagine a U.S. Attorney General seeking to justify torture or a President first stating his intent to veto an anti-torture law, and then adding a “signing statement” that he intends to ignore such law as he sees fit. I do not want these things done in my name.
As a citizen, a patriot, a parent and grandparent, a lawyer and law teacher I am left with such a feeling of loss and helplessness. I think of myself as a good American and I ask myself what can I do when I see the face of evil? Illegal and immoral war, torture and confinement for life without trial have never been part of our Constitutional tradition. But my vote has become meaningless because I live in a safe district drawn by your political party. My congressman is unresponsive to my concerns because his time is filled with lobbyists’ largess. Protests are limited to your “free speech zones”, out of sight of the parade. Even speaking openly is to risk being labeled un-American, pro-terrorist or anti-troops. And I am a disciplined pacifist, so any violent act is out of the question.
Nevertheless, to remain silent is to let you think I approve or support your actions. I do not. So, I am saddened to give up my wings and bars. They were hard won and my parents and wife were as proud as I was when I earned them over forty years ago. But I hate the torture and death you have caused more than I value their symbolism. Giving them up makes me cry for my beloved country.
Joseph W. DuRocher
A Veteran’s Letter to the President
“I Return Enclosed the Symbols of My Years of Service”
[Joseph DuRocher was for 20 years the elected Public Defender of Florida’s Ninth Judicial Circuit, covering Orange and Osceola counties. Since retirement, he’s been writing and teaching law at the University of Central Florida and the Barry University School of Law. He was a commissioned officer in the U.S. Navy in the 1960s, serving as a Naval Aviator in the Atlantic, the Caribbean and the Mediterranean. On Monday, Mr. DuRocher returned his Lieutenant’s shoulder bars and Navy wings to President Bush, and enclosed the following letter.]
President George W. Bush
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, D.C. 20500
Dear Mr. President:
As a young man I was honored to serve our nation as a commissioned officer and helicopter pilot in the
U. S. Navy. Before me in WWII, my father defended the country spending two years in the Pacific aboard the U.S.S. Hornet (CV-14). We were patriots sworn “to protect and defend”. Today I conclude that you have dishonored our service and the Constitution and principles of our oath. My dad was buried with full military honors so I cannot act for him. But for myself, I return enclosed the symbols of my years of service: the shoulder boards of my rank and my Naval Aviator’s wings.
Until your administration, I believed it was inconceivable that the United States would ever initiate an aggressive and preemptive war against a country that posed no threat to us. Until your administration, I thought it was impossible for our nation to take hundreds of persons into custody without provable charges of any kind, and to “disappear” them into holes like Gitmo, Abu Ghraib and Bagram. Until your administration, in my wildest legal fantasy I could not imagine a U.S. Attorney General seeking to justify torture or a President first stating his intent to veto an anti-torture law, and then adding a “signing statement” that he intends to ignore such law as he sees fit. I do not want these things done in my name.
As a citizen, a patriot, a parent and grandparent, a lawyer and law teacher I am left with such a feeling of loss and helplessness. I think of myself as a good American and I ask myself what can I do when I see the face of evil? Illegal and immoral war, torture and confinement for life without trial have never been part of our Constitutional tradition. But my vote has become meaningless because I live in a safe district drawn by your political party. My congressman is unresponsive to my concerns because his time is filled with lobbyists’ largess. Protests are limited to your “free speech zones”, out of sight of the parade. Even speaking openly is to risk being labeled un-American, pro-terrorist or anti-troops. And I am a disciplined pacifist, so any violent act is out of the question.
Nevertheless, to remain silent is to let you think I approve or support your actions. I do not. So, I am saddened to give up my wings and bars. They were hard won and my parents and wife were as proud as I was when I earned them over forty years ago. But I hate the torture and death you have caused more than I value their symbolism. Giving them up makes me cry for my beloved country.
Joseph W. DuRocher
03-26-2006, 01:21 PM
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lots and lots of fail
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Originally Posted by benjamin
Until your administration, I believed it was inconceivable that the United States would ever initiate an aggressive and preemptive war against a country that posed no threat to us.
One guy's opinion = not even worth discussing or debating. I would feel the same way if all I did all day was jerk off and read left wing newspapers and watch NBC.
03-26-2006, 04:55 PM
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Push to shock!
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Originally Posted by 98CoupeV6
Joe needs to pick up a history book. The United States has used preemption since 1776.
Originally Posted by 98CoupeV6
One guy's opinion = not even worth discussing or debating. I would feel the same way if all I did all day was jerk off and read left wing newspapers and watch NBC.
03-26-2006, 07:57 PM
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Originally Posted by hitman619
I can bet there are many more service men and woman that feel the same way....
In 30 years Joseph W. DuRocher can have a failed Presidential campaign as well. Lets just hope he remembers then that he mailed in his medals and not someone elses.:shhh: :usa:
03-26-2006, 08:16 PM
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Originally Posted by Kestrel
There are only two wars offhand that I can think of, and both were wars of conquest: the Mexican American and the Spanish American wars. So, does that make Iraq a war of conquest?
So you jerk off and read right wing newspapers instead? :dunno:
So you jerk off and read right wing newspapers instead? :dunno:
03-26-2006, 08:20 PM
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Originally Posted by Duff Man
Well, i'd have to argue his argument thats solely placed on the current administration...lets not forget the war crimes of good ol' Reagon.
03-26-2006, 08:22 PM
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Originally Posted by DVPGSR
And I am certain there are far more that support the President and believe this is the right course of action.
In 30 years Joseph W. DuRocher can have a failed Presidential campaign as well. Lets just hope he remembers then that he mailed in his medals and not someone elses.:shhh: :usa:
In 30 years Joseph W. DuRocher can have a failed Presidential campaign as well. Lets just hope he remembers then that he mailed in his medals and not someone elses.:shhh: :usa:
Nearly three out of four American troops serving in Iraq think U.S. forces should withdraw within a year, and more than one in four say the United States should leave immediately, according to a new poll published Tuesday. "
http://www.zogby.com/SoundBites/ReadClips.dbm?ID=12711
"Nearly three out of four American troops serving in Iraq think U.S. forces should withdraw within a year, and more than one in four say the United States should leave immediately, according to a poll published Tuesday."
http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepu...-poll0301.html
"Seventy two percent of U.S. troops in Iraq believe the United States should pull out within one year, a column by Nicholas Kristof in Tuesday's New York Times reveals. The poll was conducted by Zogby International and is the first poll to examine the attitudes of those currently serving in the wartorn nation."
http://rawstory.com/news/2006/Poll_7...want_0228.html
And from the other side....a bit of a twist:
"BAGHDAD — Only a third of the Iraqi people now believe that the American-led occupation of their country is doing more good than harm, and a solid majority support an immediate military pullout even though they fear that could put them in greater danger, according to a new USA TODAY/CNN/Gallup Poll."
http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/i...ll-cover_x.htm
Far more support you say? From whom...might I ask?
WAIT WAIT!!...before you answer...
Last edited by Duff Man; 03-26-2006 at 08:30 PM.
03-26-2006, 08:28 PM
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Originally Posted by Duff Man
Far more support you say? From whom...might I ask?
Way to compare apples to oranges.:goodjob: