USA: The way to Sesame Street but no way out from Leavenworth jail?

By Joanna Rosamond

According to Article 3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: "Everyone has the right to life, liberty and security of opinion". There is no clause as an exception to the rule; no exclusion policy for soldiers ...Self-defense is not only a fundamental human right, but also the most basic human instinct. It seems that the Obama administration has the ambition to demean soldiers by robbing them of human rights and even of human reactions to danger. SROE has been morphing into an exercise in absurdity, self-preservation into premeditated murder. Since when "acting reasonably in pressure situations" means getting killed? Can a soldier be charged for having the hypothalamus? What is the next stage of the straightjacketing: a maximum behavioural disruption?  Army Ranger 1^st Lieutenant Michael Behenna and Sgt. Derrick Miller "dared" to react in self-defense. If they got killed, "geniuses" of political correctness would find fault with them anyway, and offend their memory with a debate about merciful treatment for their murderers. Both Miller and Behenna are described by those who know them as excellent soldiers. Their potential and their time are being currently wasted in Leavenworth jail.

Should an Obama's bodyguard react if a "freedom fighter" went for his gun? As a commander -in- chief, Obama owes soldiers a good example, so the guard must not commit "premeditated murder"; let's just adopt the "see what happens" attitude... The eerie administration is very concerned with the quality of treatment for the enemy combatants but it seems that solitary confinement, temperature extremes or use of forced positions are not considered a torture if used against "own" soldiers. Torture is not only inhuman treatment during detention (PFC Corey Clagett); an unjust arrest induces multiple traumatic stressors and psychological suffering. U.S.Army Master Sergeant John Hatley was treated to a Kafkaesque trial and his conviction is entirely based on a ...testimony. Did John win" Let's jail the best soldier" lottery?  It's clear that CID proved one more time that they have both the carte blanche and mala fide. What is Leavenworth? A detention camp for above average soldiers? Violation of human rights of soldiers is blatant. Shouldn't the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff be raising an alarm?

During the Distinguished Civilian Service Award Ceremony for Hillary Clinton, (JCS, Washington, D.C.Thursday, Ferbuary 14, 2013) General Dempsey calls her "enormous champion of military servicemen and women and their families". He continues: "Maybe you can add a Tony or an Oscar to your Grammy award. (Laughter)But before you go, I'd be honoured if you would allow me to add to the list of your distinctions with the award of this Joint Staff Medal". An Oscar for...Benghazi? The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff undoubtedly loves Hollywood style, which results in nicknames like "Marty-Boo-Boo" and "General Kardashian". On April, 20, 2012 the nation's highest ranking military officer "joined forces with Rosita the Muppet" and sang "Can you tell me how to get, How to get to Sesame Street..."Meanwhile, the tune of jailed soldiers remains:" Can you tell me how to get out, How to get out of Leavenworth prison?"

Pentagon Channel wanted to know Gen.Dempsey's definition of leadership (Washington, D.C. Thursday, October 25, 2012).He stated that "/.../clearly, leadership is the acceptance of responsibility for an outcome." Who can be satisfied with such an outcome? The enemy combatants?

Joanna Rosamond