Dear University Community,
In my previous post (attached below) I indicated my concern for the message
that we send to people who choose to fight for us. Here is another reason.
We as a nation are incredibly fortunate to have a military that is in
essence non-political. It does not make social or economic policy for the
nation, nor does it decide upon national objectives. Politically oriented
militaries typically result in dictatorial military governments (I bet you
can name a few). This makes the military into a tool.
Is this good or bad?
Pretty much any tool can be used for good or ill. A hammer can be used to
kill a person or it can be used to build a house. A military organization
can be used to destroy freedom (see the dictatorships of the world) or to
protect and promote it (UN peacekeeping missions, election monitoring
missions, and humanitarian aid and relief missions).
When a person kills with a hammer we don't prosecute or denounce the
hammer, we prosecute and denounce the wielder of that hammer. My plea to
you is that we not denounce our military, our tool, but support it.
Denounce the policy decision maker if you so choose.
I now change my references to the military from "it" to "them" because the
military is composed of people, most of whom believe in what they are
doing, or did at one time, and people typically require support when they
are under extreme stress and are having to make incredibly difficult
decisions. I'm not necessarily talking about admirals and generals, I'm
talking about Joe and Jane Average Enlisted Person or even junior officers.
The majority of those in the military. The ones who can actually get killed.
If you wish to denounce someone, make sure its the right person for the
right reason according to your beliefs.
Please don't ask all the people whom you pay to risk their lives to regret
their decision. Ask the ones who sent them.
Support your local hammer.
Thank you for your time and attention.
Stephen Leather
--
Stephen P. Leather
Library Associate II
Course Reserves Coordinator,
Access Services Dept.
Lupton Library
423-425-4501
[log in to unmask]
And since so many others here have a quote: "TANSTAAFL"
>Dear University Community,
>
>I was honorably discharged from the U.S. Navy just over a year ago. I am
>not fond of life in the Navy and I am definitely not fond of this war or
>the decisions that brought us here. That is for personal reasons (I have
>friends on the USS Abraham Lincoln right now) but mostly for political and
>economic reasons.
>
>When the nation flies the flag at half staff, it is flown at half mast on
>all U.S. Navy ships and on U.S. military bases and embassies overseas. I
>disagree with this war but I DO NOT WANT ANY KIND OF MESSAGE SENT TO MY
>FRIENDS THAT WE DO NOT SUPPORT THEIR ACTIONS!!! That smells of the
>treatment that Vietnam Veterans received upon their return. If anyone can
>explain to me why that treatment was not reprehensible and inexcusable,
>please do so. (I do not condone all actions taken in war, so there is no
>need to address the wholesale slaughters of children and villages with me.
>They were the actions of a few, and in many cases were the result of
>decisions of more senior personnel and policy makers.)
>
>After the conflict is concluded will be an appropriate time to lower the flag.
>
>Thank you for your time and attention.
>
>Stephen Leather
>
>--
>Stephen P. Leather
>Library Associate II
>Course Reserves Coordinator,
>Access Services Dept.
>Lupton Library
>423-425-4501
>[log in to unmask]
>
>And since so many others here have a quote: "TANSTAAFL"
>
>
>At 01:54 PM 03/21/2003 -0500, you wrote:
>>I agree. The nation SHOULD be in mourning for the loss of life and the
>>moral high ground.
>>
>>Lala
>>
>>At 12:56 PM 3/21/03 -0500, Harman, William wrote:
>>>Lower the flag:
>>>
>>>for those wishing to support our presence in Iraq a flag at half-mast
>>>would express real grief regarding the deaths already sustained and
>>>anticipated of Americans and innocent Iraquis; for those against the war,
>>>a half-mast flag would express the shame and sorrow felt over our nation's
>>>disregarding all rules of just war and international legal procedures at
>>>the U.N.
>>>
>>>
>>>-----Original Message-----
>>>From: Frances Fuller <[log in to unmask]>
>>>To: [log in to unmask]
>>>Date: Fri, 21 Mar 2003 12:31:50 -0500
>>>Subject: Re: [UTCSTAFF] U.S. Flag
>>>
>>>Here, Here! Good observation!
>>>
>>>At 12:18 PM 3/21/2003 -0500, Julie Karst wrote:
>>> >Has anyone seen a U.S. flag at half-staff today? With the news of U.S.
>>> >casualties, I think we should honor the brave soldiers who are serving our
>>> >country by flying our flags at half-staff. A couple months ago, flags
>>> were
>>> >lowered to honor the astronauts, and I think our armed forces who are
>>> >defending our country deserve the same respect.
>>> >
>>> >Julie Karst, CPA
>>> >Senior Auditor, Audit and Consulting Services
>>> >The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
>>> >[log in to unmask]
>>> >(423) 425-4532
>>>
>>>Frances Fuller
>>>Administrative Support Assistant
>>>III http://www.utc.edu/~careered/
>>>Center for Community Career Education
>>>University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
>>>615 McCallie Ave., Dept. 3053
>>>Chattanooga, TN 37403-2598
>>>
>>>Ph: 423-425-4475
>>>Fax: 423-425-5282
>>>
>>>
>>>William Harman, Head
>>>Department of Philosophy and Religion (# 2753)
>>>The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga
>>>232 E Holt Hall // 615 McCallie Avenue
>>>Chattanooga, Tennessee 37403
>>>(423) 425-4336 // fax (423)425-4153 [PLEASE NOTE PHONE NUMBER CHANGE]
>>>
>>>Residence: 936 Mountain Creek Road, A-3
>>> Chattanooga, Tennessee 37405
>>> (423) 876-3471
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