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Benefit dinner with Stephen Funk, G.I. facing military tribunal. 7/30
Benefit dinner with Stephen Funk, G.I. facing military tribunal for protesting war. Wednesday, July 30 from 6:30 PM to 9 PM at the Berkeley Unitarian Universalists Fellowship Hall, 1924 Cedar at Bonita.
Benefit dinner with Stephen Funk, G.I. facing military tribunal for protesting war
Wednesday, July 30
6:30 PM to 9 PM
Berkeley Unitarian Universalists Fellowship Hall, 1924 Cedar Street at Bonita (near MLK). 15 minute walk from Downtown Berkeley BART--walk north on Shattuck and left on Cedar.
Mediterranean dinner catered by Bacheeso's Garden Bistro. $10 minimum dinner donation requested. This is a benefit for Stephen Funk’s legal defense--so bring your checkbook. Hosted by the Not in Our Name Project, 510-444-6466, with local poets, artists, and musicians.
Meet US Marine Lance Corporal Stephen Funk and find out how he found the courage to resist. In April Stephen held a press conference in front of his reserve post in San Jose to declare himself a conscientious objector, and to voice his objections to the pending war on Iraq. He appeared on BBC television and national and international newspapers covered his press conference.
"I spoke out so that others in the military would realize that they also have a choice and a duty to resist immoral and illegitimate orders... In the face of this unjust war based on deception by our leaders, I could not remain silent," declares Stephen.
The day after our dinner with Stephen, he will return to Louisiana to face a military tribunal and two-years in the brig for "desertion". Stephen had delayed reporting for activation for 43 days to complete his conscientious objector paperwork.
If you are unable to attend this benefit dinner, please send checks payable to the "Stephen Funk Legal Defense Fund", 1230 Market Street #111, San Francisco CA 94102.
Of the millions of people worldwide who protested the war, maybe no one put more on the line than this 21-year-old Filipino brother. Now its time for us to fight for him! On August 11, the scheduled start of his trial, a "Free Stephen Funk" protest vigil will held at Castro and Market, San Francisco at 5 PM.
For more information about Stephen Funk, including where to send letters on his behalf, to contribute to his defense online, and for up-to-date information, visit http://www.notinourname.net/funk
"I refuse to surrender my dignity, I refuse to kill... The military demands obedience, but I will not obey"
-Stephen Funk
Wednesday, July 30
6:30 PM to 9 PM
Berkeley Unitarian Universalists Fellowship Hall, 1924 Cedar Street at Bonita (near MLK). 15 minute walk from Downtown Berkeley BART--walk north on Shattuck and left on Cedar.
Mediterranean dinner catered by Bacheeso's Garden Bistro. $10 minimum dinner donation requested. This is a benefit for Stephen Funk’s legal defense--so bring your checkbook. Hosted by the Not in Our Name Project, 510-444-6466, with local poets, artists, and musicians.
Meet US Marine Lance Corporal Stephen Funk and find out how he found the courage to resist. In April Stephen held a press conference in front of his reserve post in San Jose to declare himself a conscientious objector, and to voice his objections to the pending war on Iraq. He appeared on BBC television and national and international newspapers covered his press conference.
"I spoke out so that others in the military would realize that they also have a choice and a duty to resist immoral and illegitimate orders... In the face of this unjust war based on deception by our leaders, I could not remain silent," declares Stephen.
The day after our dinner with Stephen, he will return to Louisiana to face a military tribunal and two-years in the brig for "desertion". Stephen had delayed reporting for activation for 43 days to complete his conscientious objector paperwork.
If you are unable to attend this benefit dinner, please send checks payable to the "Stephen Funk Legal Defense Fund", 1230 Market Street #111, San Francisco CA 94102.
Of the millions of people worldwide who protested the war, maybe no one put more on the line than this 21-year-old Filipino brother. Now its time for us to fight for him! On August 11, the scheduled start of his trial, a "Free Stephen Funk" protest vigil will held at Castro and Market, San Francisco at 5 PM.
For more information about Stephen Funk, including where to send letters on his behalf, to contribute to his defense online, and for up-to-date information, visit http://www.notinourname.net/funk
"I refuse to surrender my dignity, I refuse to kill... The military demands obedience, but I will not obey"
-Stephen Funk
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that's worth a check, considering how much else actually goes toward killing.
Stephen Funk
joined the military on his own, there is no draft
he asked to enlist, went through boot camp (and was ok with the military) when called to service he deserted!
he will return to Louisiana to face a military tribunal and two-years in the brig for "desertion".
two years, that's it only two years ?
and he is still sniveling?
he should be happy with this slap on the wrist!
joined the military on his own, there is no draft
he asked to enlist, went through boot camp (and was ok with the military) when called to service he deserted!
he will return to Louisiana to face a military tribunal and two-years in the brig for "desertion".
two years, that's it only two years ?
and he is still sniveling?
he should be happy with this slap on the wrist!
The UCMJ (Uniform Code of Military Justice) requires that one disobey an illegal order.
In fact the invasion of Iraq and most probably, including the past 12-years of bombing of Iraq, violate numerous articles of chapters VI and VII of the United Nations Charter, and therefore in violation of International Law.
Further while the United Nations Charter is a 'treaty' and therefore under Paragraph 2, Article VI of the Constitution of the United States, as stated:
"
2. This constitution, and the laws of the United States which shall be made in pursuance thereof; and all treaties made, or which shall be made, under the authority of the United States shall be the supreme law of the land; and the judges in every state shall be bound thereby, any thing in the constitution or laws of any state to the contrary notwithstanding.
"
Therefore the deployment to the Middle-East, with the intent to invade... Is illegal, and in violation of U.S. Law.
The Military Oath
The following oath is taken by all personnel inducted into the armed forces of the United States, as found in the US Code, Section 502.
I, _________, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God.
In light of the above:
a. The 'Chain of Command' of a soldier is dutibound to the individual soldier not to issue an illegal order.
b. The UCMJ (Uniform Code of Military Justice) requires that one disobey an illegal order.
c. By ordering the military to commit a 'Breach of International Law', the command structure itself is in violation of the Constitution of the United States, and therefore defineable as a 'domestic enemy'.
You decide!
In fact the invasion of Iraq and most probably, including the past 12-years of bombing of Iraq, violate numerous articles of chapters VI and VII of the United Nations Charter, and therefore in violation of International Law.
Further while the United Nations Charter is a 'treaty' and therefore under Paragraph 2, Article VI of the Constitution of the United States, as stated:
"
2. This constitution, and the laws of the United States which shall be made in pursuance thereof; and all treaties made, or which shall be made, under the authority of the United States shall be the supreme law of the land; and the judges in every state shall be bound thereby, any thing in the constitution or laws of any state to the contrary notwithstanding.
"
Therefore the deployment to the Middle-East, with the intent to invade... Is illegal, and in violation of U.S. Law.
The Military Oath
The following oath is taken by all personnel inducted into the armed forces of the United States, as found in the US Code, Section 502.
I, _________, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God.
In light of the above:
a. The 'Chain of Command' of a soldier is dutibound to the individual soldier not to issue an illegal order.
b. The UCMJ (Uniform Code of Military Justice) requires that one disobey an illegal order.
c. By ordering the military to commit a 'Breach of International Law', the command structure itself is in violation of the Constitution of the United States, and therefore defineable as a 'domestic enemy'.
You decide!
If you are punished for changing your mind and disagreeing, then its really not a volunteer army,
is it?
These types make the best warriors when they
believe in the fight. It takes guts to say no
to the machine.
is it?
These types make the best warriors when they
believe in the fight. It takes guts to say no
to the machine.
Sorry Mr. Funk, this is a no brainer. The military of country was set up to protect it's citizens from other nations who would cause harm to us. The military offers a number of inducements to join which I personally think are great. Nevertheless, there is a cost! If you as a member of the armed services of the United States are called upon to go to war, participate in a "police action," participate as a UN "Peace Keeper," you are required to go. You MAY NOT pick and choose after you have signed up. You made your choice WHEN you signed up. Doing so is like playing on a sports team and you discover you are loosing and want to change the rules so you can win. Same thing Gore tried to do in Flordia during the presidential elections... duh...
"The military offers a number of inducements to join which I personally think are great."
great inducements. that's one way to describe the thousands of military recruiters combing the highschools of this country pimping their deadly game on 16 and 17 year old kids who've already been robbed of a decent education and any fair chance to succeed in this society by the rotten, filthy, debasing, mind-robbing "education" system. drug dealers offer another government job with "inducements to join" which some find "personally great" in these situtions.
however only the exceptionally smart and courageous find the strength to say no from the get; or get out as soon as as they see the light. stephen funk is one such courageous young man. he desereves everyone's support for doing as much, and for setting an example for others.
he may be setenced to "the brig" for years for taking his stand. but the only thing worse than dying for an unjust imperialist war, is killing for an unjust imperialist war. thank you, stephen for refusing to do either. uhuru!
great inducements. that's one way to describe the thousands of military recruiters combing the highschools of this country pimping their deadly game on 16 and 17 year old kids who've already been robbed of a decent education and any fair chance to succeed in this society by the rotten, filthy, debasing, mind-robbing "education" system. drug dealers offer another government job with "inducements to join" which some find "personally great" in these situtions.
however only the exceptionally smart and courageous find the strength to say no from the get; or get out as soon as as they see the light. stephen funk is one such courageous young man. he desereves everyone's support for doing as much, and for setting an example for others.
he may be setenced to "the brig" for years for taking his stand. but the only thing worse than dying for an unjust imperialist war, is killing for an unjust imperialist war. thank you, stephen for refusing to do either. uhuru!
If our troops refused massively to fight unjust wars, I would have not spent the best years of my youth in Viet Nam's rice paddies for NOTHING. I got shot twice, fought my ass off and believed my superior officerswhen they told me we were fighting for freedom. Now I tell this to every youngster I know: unless the U.S. is being actually invaded by foreign ground troops, STAY CLEAR from recruiters! It's not worth it. Ask our boys who are dying in Iraq without proper armor, boots, food or even ammo. No one ever refused to fight against Hitler or Tojo, but now the enemy is in the White House. Hurrah, Funk!
Lance Corporal Stephen Funk, the Northern California reservist who missed movement and declared he is gay, would have us believe that he is being
court-martial for being a conscientious objector. Although, this might make great press in defense of cowardice, the truth is he is being court-martial for
missing movement and desertion (AWOL over 30 days).
Some say it would have been easier for Funk to state his homosexuality to get out of serving in Iraq, but let's face it, that would have meant coming out.
Not until it was clear that declaring conscientious objector status wasn't going to be enough from keeping him from deploying he decide to declare his
homosexuality.
Funk is not a hero. The true heroes are those who served, no matter what their sexual preference. Funk made sexuality an issue and hid behind it.
Harvey Milk said, "You got to give them hope." Funk took the hope away from Gay and Lesbian service members by his actions. He gave credence to those
who would say that Gays don't have what it takes to serve their country.
"NO SUPPORT FOR FUNK"
Julio Sosa
SSG US Army 1974-1984
court-martial for being a conscientious objector. Although, this might make great press in defense of cowardice, the truth is he is being court-martial for
missing movement and desertion (AWOL over 30 days).
Some say it would have been easier for Funk to state his homosexuality to get out of serving in Iraq, but let's face it, that would have meant coming out.
Not until it was clear that declaring conscientious objector status wasn't going to be enough from keeping him from deploying he decide to declare his
homosexuality.
Funk is not a hero. The true heroes are those who served, no matter what their sexual preference. Funk made sexuality an issue and hid behind it.
Harvey Milk said, "You got to give them hope." Funk took the hope away from Gay and Lesbian service members by his actions. He gave credence to those
who would say that Gays don't have what it takes to serve their country.
"NO SUPPORT FOR FUNK"
Julio Sosa
SSG US Army 1974-1984
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