Muslim GI says he won't go

[Star]

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/story/60088p-56254c.html

Muslim G.I. says he won't go

By MAGGIE HABERMAN

DAILY NEWS STAFF WRITER

Ghanim Khalil doesn't want to break the law, but says he may be forced to.

The 26-year-old Army National Guard reservist said yesterday that if he's called up to help fight Iraq in the coming weeks, he'll refuse to go.

"If I'm asked to go to the Middle East, I will not," Khalil, of Staten Island, said at a news conference yesterday before he headed over to the anti-war rally near the United Nations.

"I believe if this war occurs, it is a violation of human rights," added Khalil, a Muslim with Pakistani roots.

Khalil, a supply specialist, said he has been given no date for when his unit at the Marcy Ave. Armory in Brooklyn might be called up.

"I've been told that it's only a matter of time," he said.

Khalil sat with members of the advocacy group Citizen Soldier, some of whom are veterans of past wars who are opposed to another Iraqi conflict.

Khalil, who spent four years on active duty with the Marines, said some of his opposition stems from his religious beliefs.

"As a Muslim, I have objections" to the war, he said.

But he called his protests universal, saying people of all faiths have spoken out against Persian Gulf War II.

Khalil said he realized he could go to jail if he refuses to follow orders

[Lanakila]

There are muslims over in the Persian gulf in our military though. Some I personally know of. This war is not against the muslim religion, as Saddam wears that like a shirt. Its not anything sincere with him. The propaganda artists are working, and Saddam just loves all those protesters too. We need to stand united.

[Catsmeow]

It's funny this guy was a reservist and didn't mind collecting his weekend warrior pay for being held in "reserve" but now it's time to 'pay up'.

I come from a long line of military...father's retired Air Force, mother was active duty Air Force, I was active duty Air Force during Viet Nam, my husband was Coast Guard...and so on.

People become "Weekend Warriors"  {reserves} thinking one weekend a month brings in a few extra bucks. Time for them to honor their commitments and do what they promised to do.

[The Journey]

Well, he will be prosecuted under UCMJ and given the next 20 years to ponder his decision.

- Steve

[Catsmeow]

Steve:    :thumb:

[Work in Progress]

"I believe if this war occurs, it is a violation of human rights," added Khalil, a Muslim with Pakistani roots.

Um, he's kidding there, right? What 'human rights' would the allies be "violating"? The right to have illegal weapons of mass destruction?  :sarcasm:  :sarcasm:  Let's not violate human rights, Muslims are very sensitive to that. :sarcasm:  :sarcasm: I mean, after all, Muslims are real big on human rights - especially for their women, right?  :sarcasm:  :sarcasm:  And, Saddam Hussein is a great humanitarian, right?  :sarcasm:  :sarcasm:  :sarcasm:

What an embarrassment to the Marine Corp that they let this guy in. What a disgrace he is.

Cat - ICAM!

Twenty years? It's not enough.  

[Catsmeow]

This is what I mean, WIP...same thing.

He gets reservist pay and is more than happy to collect the $$$ while he sits on his XXXX  and then balks at doing what he's paid to do. Hello?

I remember when I was in Navy reserves, I got out pretty quick because I just hated it. Yes, I got my pay but they didn't give us anything to do. We just sat around and played cards.

I always tried to get them to give me something productive to do but the "guys" would laugh and say, "Hey, easy money...stop complaining".

Okay. I just got out. I didn't want "easy money"...I like to earn my keep. Besides, I'm not into fifty games of Spades. Get's old after awhile.

Sadly, I think some of these same guys in reserves just get too addicted to sitting around and doing nothing. Then they  get paid for doing nothing.

Ask them to earn a living and they whine.  Growl!  :angry:

[ted]

At least we won't have to worry about his internal conflict while we're over there. As someone who will soon be joining the fight in the desert, I'm glad he decided to show his true colors now instead of over there with a rifle in his hand.

t.

[Catsmeow]

Good point, Ted...

BTW, I just got through watching Dan Rather's interview with Saddam Hussein. Just wondering if anybody else saw this most fascinating interview.

[ted]

I saw just enough to know which side Dan Rather is on. Funny how he hasn't extended the same invitation for an interview to his own president!

There seems to be an instant reaction by the media to blame the US for any and all conflicts in the world. Maybe, if we gassed our own people and butchered thousands of innocent people, we could get the sympathy of the networks too.

t.