College Democrat sees no conflict in his activism, Iraq deployment

[MaineDem]

Alex Cornell du Houx is a college student, a native Mainer, a volunteer and a Democratic activist.

Within a few months he'll be working in demolitions in Iraq

-snip-

He's also had to gradually scale back his involvement in the Maine College Democrats and College Democrats of America, something he's been immersed in over the last two years. In that time, he's whipped up support behind a range of progressive causes, from the campaign against overturning Maine's new anti-discrimination law to Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry's run at the presidency.

It would be an understatement to say he's been vocal in his opposition to some of President Bush's policies.

http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/mondaymag/stories/051114ellis.shtml

I worry about this fine young man. He's been an asset to the Democratic Party and now he's a pawn in an illegal war. We will worry about him constantly until his return.

Godspeed, Alex! We'll be looking forward to updates from your mother.

[Danger Duck]

1. Does he think he's a pawn in an illegal war?

Your terminology is probably insulting to your friend.

[welshTerrier2]

2. it may be insulting ...

and true at the same time ...

[MaineDem]

3. Strictly my opinion...I don't know his

I applaud his service, without saying!

I worry about how his activism may be used agaisnt him. And I do think all our military are pawns in this illegal war, regardless of their dedication.

[erpowers]

4. If They Do

If anyone especially the young or college Republicans try to use his activism against him then we should call them out on their acitivism for the war and their unwilling to go fight the war they claim to believe in.

[Danger Duck]

6. I've got two cousins in the war,

both called up from the reserves. I disagree with a lot of the Presidents rationale for the war, but I don't like to denigrate the troops. I've posted previously about the semantics of a legal and illegal war, and my conclusion is that those who call it illegal are jut rabble rousers. It's a distinction without a difference. If it's illegal, who cal hold us accountable? Will we prosecute ourselves for fighting an illegal war? The United nations selectively enforces some of its own mandates and decrees, and ignores others. And essentially, somewhere, every war is illegal, in that it essentially disregards sovereign nations and the law of any land.

I prefer to just call it war, and refer to the soldiers as soldiers. Would you call your friend a "pawn" to his face? And if he really feels like a pawn in an "illegal" war, why is he fighting in it? Wouldn't it be more honorable to object? Risk going to jail then killing innocent people? Or is avoiding a consequence like that more important then the lives of others in Iraq?

A soldier is not a mindless drone. I would hope, and pray, that they feel a commitment to the cause, and understand why they are in Iraq. If they truly believe that the war is immoral and that we're an invading empire with evil intentions, how dare they fight and kill for such reasons.

Anyway, I hope your friend returns safely, or doesn't go at all.

[Danger Duck]

8. Ahhh.

The military could give a damn about political affiliation. They won't use anythign against him, unless he does something stupid over there. It's jsut a big fraternity, with guns.

[Epiphany4z]

5. I worry for anyone going

However he gets to make the choice and it is not so bad having a bright active Dem actually there to hear , see and know what it is really about . Kerry volunteered all those years ago. Perhaps someday this kid will for some office against some repub who never served.

Hopefully by then we will be able to better take on the not so swift boat types better.

[zbdent]

7. Definition of Irony

A College Dem activist who fulfills his obligation and is deployed to Iraq

VS

A bunch of College Republicans who support the war and the pResident but don't want anything to do with actual military service because they "do shit" . . .

[formernaderite]

9. I don't get it....how old is he?

Looks like he joined the military after Bush's election. Why would someone do that?