Marine Lt. Col. Stuart Scheller

Recall the on-going case of Marine Lt. Col. Stuart Scheller. He is the Marine officer who called out his higher authority publicly on their actions regarding Afghanistan.  He is calling for them to resign, and be prosecuted.  He himself has tendered his resignation, and refused an order to stop speaking publicly.  He also made himself available for arrest after refusing.

His commander did the expected thing, and tossed him into prison for disobeying an order.

I have a few thoughts on this, to be taken for what they are worth, which is not much.

I applaud and honor the officer for standing up for what he thinks is right, and it happens I agree with him on his points.

I understand the actions of his superior officers in placing the Lt. Col. under arrest.  They have little choice, and all involved know it.

I think the decision to arrest the officer will have consequences far larger than him spending some time in the brig.  It serves to bring his case, his voice, and his charges well into the light.... and perhaps that is part of why he was arrested.  I have to wonder if his commanding officer is aware of the likely reaction, and is pushing for exactly that.  The arrest took a fading news story few paid attention to, and put it squarely in the limelight for all to ponder.

The optics of an administration, and lets face facts... this has every appearance of being a political action straight from the top... putting dissenting and accusing voices in prison is about as third-world as it's possible to get.  It's not the action of a confident and competent leadership.  It's the hallmark sign of a corrupt, incompetent, and frightened administration.

I expect to be seeing the Lt. Col.'s name on a congressional ballet come next election, and probably an easy win for him.