I Hereby Resign in Protest Effective Immediately

[DissidentVoice]

127. Thank you...just conflicted

I have flown as Observer (navigator, guy in the right-hand seat) on operations looking for downed aircraft - that is fulfilling.

Providing a structured environment where young people can be in a safe environment and not be bullied - that is fulfilling.

I love airplanes; virtually anything about them. I always have.

CAP is not like the Air National Guard, where you CAN be called upon to be an instrument of your government's will and you can't do FA about it. We can quit any time and we are forbidden to use weapons. We are also forbidden from direct support of law enforcement because of the Posse Comitatus Act. We are not subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) and have never been allowed to discriminate against membership because of race, religion, sexual orientation, etc.

The Coast Guard Auxiliary is kind of like that too, except in a maritime environment (also, no cadets).

I came from a military family. My stepfather served in West Germany when the Soviets sealed off the East. My uncle was in the Air Force around the time of the Berlin Airlift; I think he took part.

I grew up just as the Vietnam Veterans were coming home. I could see both sides of the story. It was immoral as hell that our government got us involved over there and got so many killed, and that the draft was massively unfair. However, those that just did their bit, came home and wanted to move on with life didn't deserve the treatment they got.

I am a Lutheran and firmly believe in the Augustinian doctrine of "just war." If we are attacked, defending ourselves is just. Stopping an Adolf Hitler is just. Deposing Saddam Hussein was not, especially since we propped him up for so many years.

However, I also have relatives who are Mennonites and will not take "the sword" under any circumstances. One of my uncles did Alternative Service during the Korean War working in a VA Hospital in Seattle and did it conscientiously. I think that is one thing that helps me see the pacifist side of things...too many are too quick just to dismiss them as "cowards" or whatever, when the fact is that it is damn tough and courageous to maintain such beliefs, especially with a rah-rah, rally round the Flag, bomb the hell out of them, Administration is in office.

One thing is for certain...we sure as hell didn't listen to Dwight Eisenhower when he warned us about the Military-Industrial Complex. Hardcore right-wingers now dismiss Ike's admonition...after all, what did a five-star General know that Karl Rove, et. al., didn't?

Thanks for allowing my silly rant.