West Point cadets deserved due process: Column

There is a double standard plain and simple. People live in fear of being called names. "Think what we like or I will type nasty things about you and label you as a racist."

There is NO PLACE in the US Army for racism of any kind. The Black Power Salute is just as much black pride as a Southern flag is southern white pride. Just the term "White Pride" is enough to be crucified by the Army now.....Nothing...nothing at all should be ahead of being American, of being a SOLDIER...Being an American Soldier should be all the pride that they need. If that will not cut it, then be a Community Organizer, and let someone else be a military leader.

Regardless of my opinion, I am shifting concern from social issues (this photo, lifting of combat exclusion, et al.) to Russia annexing Crimea, China building new islands to push their territorial waters out, and how crazy North Korea is. I think more than enough attention and energy has been focused on this.

Regardless of our opinions, the decision has been made, and the two options we have are to salute and move out or quit. I chose to continue working.

What is your post even about? It seems to be about alarmism.

With respect to the article, due process rights protect individuals from arbitrary government action, not from "online detractors." This incident is more mole hill than mountain, but that doesn't mean what the cadets did was right. The outcome is probably the right one; no harsh punishment, just a learning point. But I certainly don't agree that COL Stephen Ruth and LT William Goodwin are telling us what to think, or that the article is evidence of an "increasingly brainwashed nation."