US soldier disputing Iraq war legality turns himself in

[NNN0LHI]

http://jurist.law.pitt.edu/paperchase/2006/08/us-soldier-disputing-iraq-war-legality.php

US Army Sgt. Ricky Clousing, an Iraq war veteran, turned himself in at Fort Lewis on Friday after absconding from Fort Bragg in June 2005 because he no longer wanted to participate in what he says is a war with "no legal basis to be fought." Clousing's lawyers have said they attempted to contact both Army bases last fall, but neither claimed responsibility for him. If Clousing is found to be a deserter or absent without leave he will be sent back to Fort Bragg for appropriate proceedings. Clousing was deployed to Baghdad in December 2004 after training as an interrogator for the 82nd Airborne, and while there said he witnessed the unprovoked killing of an Iraqi man by US troops at a checkpoint. When he raised the issue with superiors he said he was told he "needed to shut up," according to AP. Clousing has declined to seek conscientious objector status {Selective Service backgrounder} as he says he is not inherently opposed to all wars.

[Peace Patriot]

1. Another amazing hero, among the people who have the most to lose--

their freedom, their careers, their lives--those who face immediate dire consequences for their moral courage.

Sgt. Clousing, you have my love and prayers! You give us all the most precious thing of all--hope!

I urge your lawyers and other supporters to apprise us here of how we might help. It cannot be easy to subject yourself to the proceedings of an illegitimate government embarked on an illegal war. If truth and justice had sufficient power in our society, you would be receiving a medal for your patriotism, from the people of this country--not a court-martial. Bush & Co. should be getting the court-martial.