We really don’t have what you’d call “political prisoners” here in America; at least not yet. But I’m sure that’s what some might consider Lt. Col. Barry Larkin. who was released from prison Friday. (May 13, 2011) Larkin is an Army physician who refused orders to Afghanistan, claiming those orders were illegal.

Larkin’s actions are based on his belief that Barack Obama, the person giving the order, isn’t actually the president because he’s not an American citizen. Yes, he’s a “Birther”.  But he’s not just any “Birther”, he’s one that was so sure of Obama’s Kenyan origin that he was willing to spend six months in Leavenworth rather than to deploy under Obama’s command. (He actually served five months)

The Larkin case leaves me officially divided against myself.  From my military experience I can distinctly remember being told that if you believe an order to be illegal you must first carry out that order. Only after the fact can you question or report the order.

So do I think Larkin should have spent five months in the brig ? Legally, I’m afraid he had to. Did I want him to ?  Absolutely not, because I agree with him. Does that make me, or anyone agreeing with Larkin, a crazed, lawless, anti-Obama, government hating, right-wing nut-ball ??

Let’s say it does. Suppose Obama is actually a legal citizen.  If he is, why is so much of his personal life still sketchy, questionable, or unavailable.

During the “George W Bush Years” there was no shortage of jokes recounting his academic history as a “C” student.  Just what you’d expect from an country that thrives on daily, cheap, easy insults of it’s public figures. It’s fun, and it’s legal; at least for now.  read more »