What are your thoughts that ROTC is a bunch of criminals and should be banned in Brown University?

2015-02-15T19:10:58-05:00

A Brown University student says the ROTC is guilty of “state-sanctioned violence” and its cadets are “criminals,” in a column published earlier this month.

The column, written by Peter Makhlouf, was written following the Feb. 3 decision by Brown University’s faculty to create a partnership between the school and the Navy and Air Force ROTC programs

Makhlouf is calling for the campus to ban the ROTC programs.

“By outlawing ROTC and its byproducts on our campus, we have the opportunity to maintain and strengthen a tradition of refusing to capitulate to the increasing demands of military engagement in today’s global agenda,” Makhlouf wrote in The Brown Daily Herald.

“It’s a bit disillusioned to think that Brown students should be exposed to every potential career — even more unthinkable to assume that they should be exposed to all potential military careers,” he wrote.

“Name just one criminal act committed by the ROTC?"
- Thomas Mag Malaglowicz

The piece continues: “Admittedly, Brown is more active than most schools, though the overwhelmingly centrist nature of our campus’ political discourse should be further reason for opposing military presence. The push for normalizing militarism on our campus needs to be opposed because Brown students are so often unsure of their political leanings.”

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The stand by Makhlouf, who expects to graduate in 2016, earned him criticism from readers who posted comments to his Op-Ed.

Rae Shue wrote: “As one who served, I have this to say to you: those of us who have served or are serving made the choice to serve. We did this because there are evils out there that must be fought and only a select few will answer that call. We serve so you can choose not to. We sacrifice our present and future so you don't have to.”

Many commenters slammed what they deemed Makhlouf’s poor grammar and writing style, while others challenged his facts.

“Name just one criminal act committed by the ROTC. Take your time...I'll wait,” wrote Thomas Mag Malaglowicz.

And Daric Wade wrote, “You completely misunderstand the term "military science", as applied to ROTC. Military Science courses are designed to teach the "science" of military leadership, decision-making, and tactical thinking, in very basic forms, not to invent new weapons. Nobody's building a death ray at Brown.”

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2015/02/15/brown-university-student-wants-rotc-criminals-banned-from-campus/

Brown University student wants ROTC ‘criminals’ banned from campus

A Brown University student says the ROTC is guilty of “state-sanctioned violence” and its cadets are “criminals” in a column published earlier this month.

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Feb 15 at 2015 7:14 PM

2015-02-15T19:14:21-05:00

Well, I disagree.

Response by CW5 Jim Steddum made Feb 15 at 2015 7:15 PM

2015-02-15T19:15:29-05:00

It is one students opinion. I have friends that go to Brown. They say there is a lot of history that is behind this one persons campaign. But, there are large group of students that have little to no understanding of the significance of the military nor of the benefits of having ROTC on their campus.

Response by TSgt Joshua Copeland made Feb 15 at 2015 7:17 PM

2015-02-15T19:17:09-05:00

You can't fix stupid.

Response by PO2 Jonathan Scharff made Feb 15 at 2015 7:52 PM

2015-02-15T19:52:19-05:00

...years later, self-labled extreme liberal Peter Makhlouf, now a state Senator from California, votes to send the military all over the globe policing, nation building, and other ridiculous engagements while restricting their ROE so that they are not effective...when questioned about these restrictive ROE's, Senator Makhlouf responds, "They should all be arrested and executed!" He further adds, "I have voted to cut the funding for every military branch, from general funding to pensions and certainly the VA! We should close down the VA! Hey, they volunteered...let them take care of themselves!" /s

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Feb 15 at 2015 8:02 PM

2015-02-15T20:02:00-05:00

Well, LTC Private RallyPoint Member, I'm sure that Peter Makhlouf thinks he's quite the intellect. Frankly, he's just proved the contrary. Bravo.

Response by CPL Aaron Cottingham made Feb 15 at 2015 9:28 PM

2015-02-15T21:28:36-05:00

This is just a rant at best, just pushing of a personal opinion. At least the honesty of anti-military was stated. Simple outcry to phase out military in our country.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 15 at 2015 9:53 PM

2015-02-15T21:53:24-05:00

The death ray thing made me laugh.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 15 at 2015 10:48 PM

2015-02-15T22:48:03-05:00

http://www.browndailyherald.com/2015/02/05/makhlouf-16-rotc-return-criminals-2/

Here is the full article.

I will say that the kid seems to be off in left field, in a different stadium. As most of the Brown University people posting in the comments say that this guy is so far off the left wing he is building a new part of the plane.

Makhlouf '16: ROTC: Return of the criminals

Brown has a rich “anti-military,” anti-war history — said with pride. But is our campus today as anti-war as it once was?

Response by SPC Neil Hood made Feb 16 at 2015 10:29 AM

2015-02-16T10:29:19-05:00

ROTC should be eliminated. OCS only.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Feb 16 at 2015 10:42 AM

2015-02-16T10:42:07-05:00

He's a "shock artist" writing for a student newspaper.

Things to consider, he's a male over the age of 18, in college most likely on some form of financial aid, which means he signed up for Selective Service. He's a hypocrite. Plain and simple.

He's the same kind of person who would have used every kind of available deferment to avoid the draft, not because of opposition to war, but because of opposition to Service. He is the kind of person who tears things down, rather than builds them. He has every Right to Speak, but he can't make anyone listen.

Take his article and wrap your freshly caught fish in it. That's what it is good for.

Response by SPC David S. made Feb 16 at 2015 2:56 PM

2015-02-16T14:56:50-05:00

I'm really surprised that Peter Makhlouf plays rugby at brown as he is really going against the grain when it comes to embracing the warrior ethos. As ruggers tend to like people who run at danger more so than those that run from it, the military community is one that is always welcomed to the sport of rugby.

As to his claims of state-sanctioned violence I think the comments from Thomas Mag Malaglowicz in response to Peter's op-ed summed it up best

"Name just one criminal act committed by the ROTC. Take your time...I'll wait”

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 18 at 2015 8:16 PM

2015-02-18T20:16:53-05:00

Hahaha. Good article. I'm glad the maklouf got slammed. What's an ignorant person. Maklouf just talks because he has a mouth!

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made May 17 at 2015 12:39 AM

2015-05-17T00:39:27-04:00

A throwback of the 60's anti-military rhetoric! I was in college ROTC in the early 70s. We had big demonstrations in spring of 70 and 72 (71 stayed quiet for some reason.) We had tomatoes thrown at us. I just held my head high and continued the march!

Response by PO2 Robert Cuminale made Jun 17 at 2015 10:01 PM

2015-06-17T22:01:06-04:00

The only reason the ROTC is now welcome at the Ivy League schools again is because that have capitulated to the Left's demands for recognition of the Gay Agenda. Welcomed that is by the schools' administrators but by a large contingent of the student body which still sees the military as the last bastion of social conservatism. Respect for order and love for their country by the military which serves without question is anathema to these Elitists. They see us a troglodyte throwbacks to preliterate cave man impulses. We're taught to kill and they all imagine we get a thrill from it when we can.

Training people to use guns, to kill. The old attitudes those of us saw returning from Viet Nam will never go away. The Elitist seems himself as above us and hates the life we've chosen. It's because we're ignorant. If only we had their education we'd think like them. And that is their real problem. We think and are not following lockstep in the agenda they don't realize they're part of.

Response by SSgt Terry P. made Aug 6 at 2015 6:51 PM

2015-08-06T18:51:43-04:00

Dang, LTC Private RallyPoint Member are " We" raising these idiots or importing them?

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Aug 6 at 2015 10:55 PM

2015-08-06T22:55:50-04:00

Some people are so obstinate they can't see the truth. America needs a military to protect itself and it's interests.

Response by SPC Sheila Lewis made Nov 10 at 2015 1:46 PM

2015-11-10T13:46:43-05:00

There are more people who are sure of their "political leanings" than most believe. Also, it is unforgivable to deny military options/opportunities to those who are interested.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Nov 10 at 2015 2:15 PM

2015-11-10T14:15:46-05:00

He is an idiot who does not realize that a strong military, society, and government is required to maintain a strong nation. The Military is one of the National Powers. The US military is the only reason the South China Sea is contested with China.

Response by LTC Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 23 at 2017 5:31 PM

2017-04-23T17:31:53-04:00

So, I went back to read the article this student wrote. Again, trying to look at the argument from his point of view. Based on the history of Brown University and their anti-military stance he has some points of favor.

However, he is miss educated on the policies of the military. Bottom line is we have no policy except to train, equip, and make ready forces ready to respond to the nations troubles. Military action is an extension of politics. Civilian leaders dictate the policy of the military services. Everything from the NDS to the NMS.

So, before these kids come out of their mouths with verbal diarrhea, they need to educate themselves on history both political and military before they start the blame game. If they want to see change their change needs to be directed toward the appropriate office. I suggest the write their Congress person or be quite sit in the corner and color!