FlaSoxxJim Posted March 12, 2006 Share Posted March 12, 2006 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 US Navy. Before me in WWII, my father defended the country spending two years in the Pacific aboard the USS 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 US 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 Bash away. . . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YASNY Posted March 12, 2006 Share Posted March 12, 2006 A very eloquent statement made by a patriot and based on his expectations of what America should be, and his convictions about those expectations. I commend him for the depth of those convictions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kapkomet Posted March 12, 2006 Share Posted March 12, 2006 It's not about what these people say... it's the way they say them. In this case, he was very eloquent and thought out, well reasoned, and didn't have some political agenda to push. That's commendable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NorthSideSox72 Posted March 13, 2006 Share Posted March 13, 2006 It makes me sad to see him give up his medals. I think he should still hold those with the same pride - which should not be changed by any given administration. But I do commend him on a well-written letter, stating an obviously heart-felt belief. Where did the letter come from? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlaSoxxJim Posted March 13, 2006 Author Share Posted March 13, 2006 QUOTE(NorthSideSox72 @ Mar 12, 2006 -> 09:12 PM) Where did the letter come from? He's a Floridian. He shared the letter with his pastor and his pastor shared it with the media. I don't know if the author was aware of the pastor's actions at the time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevin57 Posted March 13, 2006 Share Posted March 13, 2006 His service speaks for itself and it should be commended. I trust that letters--and they are legion--that have a different perspective will receive equal respect. Certainly, Cindy Sheehan's viewpoint recieved the same attention that parents of other slain servicemen and women. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WCSox Posted March 13, 2006 Share Posted March 13, 2006 QUOTE(FlaSoxxJim @ Mar 12, 2006 -> 08:09 PM) He shared the letter with his pastor and his pastor shared it with the media. Oh, I'm sure that the media salivated when they read it and couldn't get it published quickly enough. :rolly Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlaSoxxJim Posted March 13, 2006 Author Share Posted March 13, 2006 QUOTE(WCSox @ Mar 12, 2006 -> 11:16 PM) Oh, I'm sure that the media salivated when they read it and couldn't get it published quickly enough. :rolly I've not seen it run very widely yet (though a blog or two has picked up on it today). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WCSox Posted March 13, 2006 Share Posted March 13, 2006 QUOTE(FlaSoxxJim @ Mar 12, 2006 -> 08:20 PM) I've not seen it run very widely yet (though a blog or two has picked up on it today). Just a matter of time, my friend... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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