Army "Birther" Trial Begins
The Army lieutenant colonel who refused to deploy to Afghanistan because he won't accept orders from President Obama, whom he considers unqualified to be commander in chief, has pleaded guilty to one charge against him. Lt. Col. Terrence Lakin pleaded guilty to not reporting to Fort Campbell, Ky., for his required deployment to Afghanistan.
Lakin, a doctor and 17-year soldier, believes Obama wasn't born in the United States, and therefore does not meet the constitutional requirements to be president. He could face up to 18 months in prison, but NBC News cited sources who said that instead of jail time, it's "likely" the court will order Lakin discharged from the military. At the hearing, Lakin told the court that he still believes that questions surround Obama's presidency but that he should not have refused to deploy during his protest.
"I believed there was a question that needs to be answered to ensure a valid chain of command," Lakin said, "But I had asked every question, done everything else I could short of disobeying orders, without success."
Question: Should Lakin be punished for his refusal to deploy based on the fact that he doesn't believe that President Obama is entitled to be Commander in Chief?
The Army lieutenant colonel who refused to deploy to Afghanistan because he won't accept orders from President Obama, whom he considers unqualified to be commander in chief, has pleaded guilty to one charge against him. Lt. Col. Terrence Lakin pleaded guilty to not reporting to Fort Campbell, Ky., for his required deployment to Afghanistan.
Lakin, a doctor and 17-year soldier, believes Obama wasn't born in the United States, and therefore does not meet the constitutional requirements to be president. He could face up to 18 months in prison, but NBC News cited sources who said that instead of jail time, it's "likely" the court will order Lakin discharged from the military. At the hearing, Lakin told the court that he still believes that questions surround Obama's presidency but that he should not have refused to deploy during his protest.
"I believed there was a question that needs to be answered to ensure a valid chain of command," Lakin said, "But I had asked every question, done everything else I could short of disobeying orders, without success."
Question: Should Lakin be punished for his refusal to deploy based on the fact that he doesn't believe that President Obama is entitled to be Commander in Chief?
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