This is the first installment of “The Other Side,” a monthly piece where I take a position many of you hold, sometimes one I hold myself, and build the strongest case against it that I know how to build.
I have no doubt that trump himself is behind the scenes in pushing this situation.
I get the point that as a soldier takes the oath to support and defend the Constitution, and to obey the orders of the officers appointed over him. Nothing in that oath, or even in the code of military regulations, requires any soldier to sacrifice his conscience. It is clear that Major Watson followed his conscience, and I understand that his stance will cost him dearly; yet, he has a conscience, and it makes me wonder how many of his fellow officers in all branches of the service have abandoned theirs, all for the so-called 'commander-in-chief' who has never had a conscience in the first place.
I totally get where you're coming from, Rock. The reason my team and I researched and shared this post is because what's being reported as fact by too many respected reporters and journalists fails to report what actually happened. What I try to do here on my Substack is always pull back the curtain and share the facts, and yes, sometimes along with my opinion, as to breaking political news stories. Our actions have consequences, whether we're in the military or not, and I simply wanted to share the facts in an objective way. I'll be doing this with a new and different story once a month at the end of the month, because I want to remind the community to always do its due diligence in how they read and interpret social media posts and reported news. I I appreciate your comment.
I had wondered about whether “truth” mattered in “contemptuous” as it does in libel or slander. Also whether a demand to” impeach, convict, remove” a president is necessarily “partisan” ( in many cases, as the present, the next president would be of the same party.).
I need to read this a few more times but I love the general approach ( arguing a point widely viewed one way) and this one in particular led me to upgrade to paid.
I truly appreciate your thoughts and comments, Barbara. Welcome to the inside and I hope you grab your complimentary PDF copy of my book, Privacy in America. See https://mitchthelawyer.substack.com/perks
My thoughts are that now, more than ever, it's important that everyone do their due diligence when relying upon what they see on their computer, on their phone, and on the television. Reporting facts that by their very nature, "upset and motivate the reader" is one thing. Misreporting facts to inflame the reader is another thing that needs to be called out. In addition to my usual content here on the platform, I'll be presenting a counter-argument at least once a month on breaking political news stories that many are getting wrong. Just like I would in trial with a judge and jury. Enjoy the rest of your day!
I wish him the best too, Cornelia. Unfortunately, there is a lot more to the story than what some very well-respected reporters and journalists are reporting. I thought it would be a good idea to pull back the curtain and share all the facts, both good and bad.
Thank you for doing so. Here too. As I try to do each and every day in court, during interviews, with my support of groups like the ACLU, and here on Substack. But when we do support a person or cause, it's important to know the facts. Anyone reading this new post will be armed with all the information so if they decide to advocate on Air Force Major Watson's behalf, they can do so with all the facts. Being informed is power. Being misled is an opportunity to lose credibility and be painted into the wrong corner.
So it's OK for the president to make illegal orders, including murder, but it's not OK for a soldier to follow his conscience? You've convinced me of nothing.
I'm not trying to convince you of anything. I simply shared a post disclosing what the facts are. Of course, it's not okay for Trump to make illegal orders. That's not what the post is about. The post is about sharing the full story so that when we advocate for someone or something, we know all the facts. If you came into court with your comment on behalf of Watson, you'd lose 10 out of 10 times. He's be found guilty by every jury in the country. It literally has nothing to do with the charges that are being brought against him. And that's the point of my post. I'm extremely vocal against Trump, his administration, and all of those who enable him. Don't confuse my objectivity on this story with my passion for seeing Trump leave office in disgrace. At the same time, I am not going to simply look the other way when a massive amount of misinformation is being shared on social to persuade rather than to inform. It's not OK.
It seems to me a vile exchange for our service members to make in serving and possibly dying for our country while giving up their First Amendment rights.
It's an interesting issue indeed, Susan. But here's the thing, look at what he's being charged with (all detailed in the post). That's the point of my story. It's not about his First Amendment rights and that kind of reporting by reporters and journalist is misleading everyday Americans. Look, I wish nothing but the best for Watson but speaking of the First Amendment since you brought it up, as I mention in the post, the First Amendment, law is clear, and has been for decades, that service members do not carry the civilian First Amendment protection you and I carry, and that is settled ground. It’s been worked out over years of Supreme Court cases like Parker v. Levy, Brown v. Glines, and Goldman v. Weinberger, which treat discipline inside the ranks as something this country needs more than it needs the freedom of one officer in uniform to say whatever he wants on a national stage.
I have no doubt that trump himself is behind the scenes in pushing this situation.
I get the point that as a soldier takes the oath to support and defend the Constitution, and to obey the orders of the officers appointed over him. Nothing in that oath, or even in the code of military regulations, requires any soldier to sacrifice his conscience. It is clear that Major Watson followed his conscience, and I understand that his stance will cost him dearly; yet, he has a conscience, and it makes me wonder how many of his fellow officers in all branches of the service have abandoned theirs, all for the so-called 'commander-in-chief' who has never had a conscience in the first place.
I totally get where you're coming from, Rock. The reason my team and I researched and shared this post is because what's being reported as fact by too many respected reporters and journalists fails to report what actually happened. What I try to do here on my Substack is always pull back the curtain and share the facts, and yes, sometimes along with my opinion, as to breaking political news stories. Our actions have consequences, whether we're in the military or not, and I simply wanted to share the facts in an objective way. I'll be doing this with a new and different story once a month at the end of the month, because I want to remind the community to always do its due diligence in how they read and interpret social media posts and reported news. I I appreciate your comment.
I had wondered about whether “truth” mattered in “contemptuous” as it does in libel or slander. Also whether a demand to” impeach, convict, remove” a president is necessarily “partisan” ( in many cases, as the present, the next president would be of the same party.).
I need to read this a few more times but I love the general approach ( arguing a point widely viewed one way) and this one in particular led me to upgrade to paid.
I truly appreciate your thoughts and comments, Barbara. Welcome to the inside and I hope you grab your complimentary PDF copy of my book, Privacy in America. See https://mitchthelawyer.substack.com/perks
My thoughts are that now, more than ever, it's important that everyone do their due diligence when relying upon what they see on their computer, on their phone, and on the television. Reporting facts that by their very nature, "upset and motivate the reader" is one thing. Misreporting facts to inflame the reader is another thing that needs to be called out. In addition to my usual content here on the platform, I'll be presenting a counter-argument at least once a month on breaking political news stories that many are getting wrong. Just like I would in trial with a judge and jury. Enjoy the rest of your day!
Thank you Mitch. Interesting article! I wish Major Watson the best. He deserves our support.
I wish him the best too, Cornelia. Unfortunately, there is a lot more to the story than what some very well-respected reporters and journalists are reporting. I thought it would be a good idea to pull back the curtain and share all the facts, both good and bad.
Thank you for doing so. Here too. As I try to do each and every day in court, during interviews, with my support of groups like the ACLU, and here on Substack. But when we do support a person or cause, it's important to know the facts. Anyone reading this new post will be armed with all the information so if they decide to advocate on Air Force Major Watson's behalf, they can do so with all the facts. Being informed is power. Being misled is an opportunity to lose credibility and be painted into the wrong corner.
So it's OK for the president to make illegal orders, including murder, but it's not OK for a soldier to follow his conscience? You've convinced me of nothing.
I'm not trying to convince you of anything. I simply shared a post disclosing what the facts are. Of course, it's not okay for Trump to make illegal orders. That's not what the post is about. The post is about sharing the full story so that when we advocate for someone or something, we know all the facts. If you came into court with your comment on behalf of Watson, you'd lose 10 out of 10 times. He's be found guilty by every jury in the country. It literally has nothing to do with the charges that are being brought against him. And that's the point of my post. I'm extremely vocal against Trump, his administration, and all of those who enable him. Don't confuse my objectivity on this story with my passion for seeing Trump leave office in disgrace. At the same time, I am not going to simply look the other way when a massive amount of misinformation is being shared on social to persuade rather than to inform. It's not OK.
It seems to me a vile exchange for our service members to make in serving and possibly dying for our country while giving up their First Amendment rights.
It's an interesting issue indeed, Susan. But here's the thing, look at what he's being charged with (all detailed in the post). That's the point of my story. It's not about his First Amendment rights and that kind of reporting by reporters and journalist is misleading everyday Americans. Look, I wish nothing but the best for Watson but speaking of the First Amendment since you brought it up, as I mention in the post, the First Amendment, law is clear, and has been for decades, that service members do not carry the civilian First Amendment protection you and I carry, and that is settled ground. It’s been worked out over years of Supreme Court cases like Parker v. Levy, Brown v. Glines, and Goldman v. Weinberger, which treat discipline inside the ranks as something this country needs more than it needs the freedom of one officer in uniform to say whatever he wants on a national stage.