December 3, 2025
Writes Bill Madden:
Those attempting to persuade our military personnel not to follow illegal orders via national advertising will probably be found not guilty. Those arguing against this persuasive effort usually don’t use the word “illegal” when condemning the six former government employees and might be found guilty of using excessive rhetorical B.S. in the court of public opinion.
Refusing illegal orders in the military is difficult to do because they normally are generated high in the chain of command and very few officers in the chain really know what is or is not a legal order. Immediate superiors can be very demanding and the orders are usually given in high pressure environments. Refusing an illegal military order is tantamount to whistleblowing and, as much good as it does for the concept of truth, the whistleblower’s life is made miserable as a punishment for his honesty and a warning to others.
Please remember that Congressman Massie is on the president’s black list for his adherence to the Constitution. MTG is on Trump’s black list for attempting to enforce his campaign promises.
We have an even more important case of illegal government activity unfolding now with President Trump ordering the destruction of suspected drug running boats near Venezuela and also his threat to invade Venezuela without a declaration of war. If his activity is judged illegal, everyone from Trump to the enlisted man pushing to missile launch button will be guilty. But, of course, nothing will probably be done to hold anyone accountable as usual. If some token legal action is taken against Trump and the military, the only ones punished will be the lowest ranked officer and, maybe, his superior – like with Lt. Calley and the My Lai Massacre. We are a rogue nation being led by a choice of evils and his cabinet of neocon warmongers.
