http://rawstory.com/news/2007/Vets_protesting_war_Thats_not_honorable_0605.htmlVeterans protesting the war? That's not honorable, military says Nick JulianoPublished: Tuesday June 5, 2007
Military 'pussed out,' says anti-war veteranAn anti-war veteran who wore his uniform during a protest of the Iraq war would not receive an honorable discharge from the military reserves under recommendations delivered by a Marine Corps panel Monday night.
In a case that former Marine Sgt. Adam Kokesh and his supporters say could become a landmark in defining the free-speech rights, the panel recommended that Kokesh receive a general discharge under honorable conditions from the Individual Ready Reserves. The panel stopped short of recommending the "other than honorable" discharge that Kokesh appeared before the panel to protest.
Kokesh said the military recommended the general discharge, which allows him to keep benefits afforded to veterans, in an attempt to make the case disappear. Kokesh and his supporters say that will not happen, and he said he is willing to take the fight all the way to federal court if necessary.
"They pussed out and took the easy way out. They could've taken a firm stance one way or the other," Kokesh told RAW STORY Tuesday. "If they really believed in what they believed, (an other-than-honorable discharge) would've been appropriate."
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When he was informed in an e-mail from a superior officer of the possible violation of uniform code, Kokesh was offended at what he viewed as an attempt to silent dissent among veterans. He replied to the e-mail and expressed his opinion that the military should have more important things to worry about and signed off with an expletive.
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