Liberal Soldier Defends Himself: Leonard Clark

Leonard Clark, member of the 860th MP Company of the Arizona National Guard stationed in Iraq, (and a subject of many previous diaries here at Booman Tribune) continues to defy the threats and intimidation of court martial from his superiors.  His latest emails posted yesterday explain why:

July 5th, 2005
The evil of the mind is conquered by the goodness of the heart

Folks, I have decided to write you this email in response to those who are wondering in their own views why I am apparently violating the “rules”. Since I don’t have much time here is the gist of it: I believe American soldiers (my brothers and sisters) are being killed needlessy over here in this lie we call “the Occupation of Iraq”.

More after the break . . .

To me it is a great offense to the laws of humanity to have American soldiers die needlessly in a place far from their native home when this evil practice could be stopped. When should a person, a human being if you will, speak out? Well, for me these fellow soldiers are my loved ones, and if I were ever going to speak out about anything it would be to save the lives of those I love. To have human beings sacrifice their lives for a lie is a violation of their human rights, and so there you have it – I believe that not only are my human rights being violated but those of my fellow soldiers as well.

To me it is no different than knowing that people are being murdered and that a fellow human being has the supreme moral obligation to prevent these murders from taking place. These are not the actions that an unreasonable person would take but to the contrary – ones that a very reasonable and humane person would take.

I know now in my gut that I have angered and scared very poweful people. Now, I know that I will probably pay the price but I am a human being first, and to me it is then condoning a war crime to stand by and let what I am seeing with my own eyes and other soldiers’ eyes take place over here in Iraq. I am being threatened for these reasons that I have stated: the evil that is in the minds of men being conquered by the good that is in the hearts.

Leonard Clark
soon to be a prisoner of conscience
P.S. If I am cut off with communications with my wife and daughter
please tell my friends to tell them that I will always love them
and to trust in GOD.

Leonard also tells us in another email he is attempting to go to the Inspector General and acquire legal representation.  Please go to his blog and offer him your words of support.

And while there, be sure and check out his other posts and audio files if you haven’t done so before now.  Hearing him describe his life in Iraq is very powerful.

Thank You All.

Author: Steven D

Father of 2 children. Faithful Husband. Loves my country, but not the GOP.