the courage to stand up against war crimes
My friend Matt Diaz--Lieutenant Commander & Navy lawyer--was acquitted Thursday of trying to “aid the enemy” but convicted on several counts of passing classified information. Harper's called him "the latest in a long line of military martyrs--including James Yee and Ian Fishback--who have suffered persecution for their opposition to the use of torture and other criminal practices in Guantanamo and other detention facilities." His conviction came the same day the House of Representatives, in the face of a veto threat from Resident Bush, voted to close the Guantanamo detention facilities.
On Thursday night, Matt emailed this video clip from a Dallas Morning News interview.
Or you can read the story at Harper's
People like Matt, who have too much integrity to obey orders that violate international humanitarian laws, who dare to tell the truth at risk of personal loss, and who are brave enough to talk about how scary it is to do so, deserve our respect and are examples of great courage.
On Thursday night, Matt emailed this video clip from a Dallas Morning News interview.
Or you can read the story at Harper's
People like Matt, who have too much integrity to obey orders that violate international humanitarian laws, who dare to tell the truth at risk of personal loss, and who are brave enough to talk about how scary it is to do so, deserve our respect and are examples of great courage.
posted by Contact at 12:53 PM
3 Comments:
I must say his courage is inspiring. He knew what he was doing could have huge repercussions on his career, yet he did what he felt was right. We need more people willing to stand up for the moral right. An added demonstration of his strength in character is his acceptance of his punishment. You are my hero Lt. Cmdr!
I received your book as a gift (How to become a famous writer before you are dead) from my sist-in-law Val. I love it! You are realistic in everything you say. I wrote a book 3 years ago and spent the last three years trying to find an agent. I am scared to "self publish" and really don't know what the hell I'm doing!
Ahhhh, the complexities of life that one must deal with when they grow up. Ten years ago I would have said, "well, why did you join the military? you know what it's there for and that's not a college education". Now days, I say that life is complicated. Within the structure he is working in, he is what we need more of: people putting it in perspective and challenging the status quo. "Sheep" mentality has been the cause much of the world's worst shames. Best of luck to him!
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