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| According to Navy regulations, Jonathan Hutto is allowed to run his antiwar campaign, but it must be done on personal time, out of uniform and off base.
(Stephen M. Katz/The Virginian-Pilot) |
By Louis hansen
The Virginian-Pilot
NORFOLK - Jonathan Hutto graduated from Howard University with a degree in political science and a résumé of social activism.
He worked for the American Civil Liberties Union and Amnesty International after college. He whipped up grass-roots protests against police departments and college administrators.
One day in 2003, broke and seeking direction, Hutto enlisted in the Navy.
The Navy couldn't have known it then, but they know it now: They had signed up a sailor strongly opposed to the Iraq war.
Seaman Hutto pleated his uniform, memorized naval history and won sailor of the quarter among his junior enlisted shipmates.
Then he appeared on CNN, the BBC and in the pages of The Washington Post and The Navy Times.
But he wasn't reciting the Sailor's Creed.
Hutto was organizing again. This time, against the U.S. involvement in Iraq.
"We're not trying to embarrass the military," Hutto said during an interview last week at a local restaurant. "At the same time, we live in a democracy."
Hutto, 29, lives and works aboard the Norfolk-based aircraft carrier Theodore Roosevelt. When he enlisted, the Navy trained him as a photographer. He writes for the ship newspaper and anchored its shipwide television broadcast.
Off-duty, he shifts between the campus of Old Dominion University and the cafés and bookstores in Ghent. Armed with a laptop and cell phone, Hutto leads a group of volunteers in an online campaign against the war.
Supported by antiwar military family and veterans organizations, Hutto and a handful of other service members created a Web site called An Appeal for Redress. Activated in October, it allows active-duty and reserve troops to e-mail their representatives in Congress for U.S. withdrawal from Iraq.
Their message: "Staying in Iraq will not work and is not worth the price. It is time for U.S. troops to come home."
Hutto said the site has attracted about 1,200 responses. Volunteers have verified messages from about 700 service members, he said, from the lowest ranks up to O-6 - Navy captain or full colonel in the other services. Soldiers have been the most vocal, followed by the Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps.
Hutto and Marine Sgt. Liam Madden, a campaign co-founder, said response has been mostly positive, although some e-mailers accuse them of being anti-American.
Rodney Green, an economics professor at Howard University in Washington, mentored Hutto when he was elected student body president as a junior in 1997.
Hutto fought and beat the administration's effort to close off a public street in the middle of campus, he said.
Green, who protested the Vietnam War while serving in the Army, was at first surprised Hutto enlisted. But on the other hand, he said, "He's a leader."
Hutto declined to apply for officer candidate school, and enlisted instead.
From boot camp to the ship, Hutto said, "It's been drilled into you - you don't have any rights." Or, as he said one veteran sailor told him, "The only right you have is to get to work and get fed."
"I never really accepted that," Hutto said.
Hutto believed the service would teach him focus and discipline and would help him pay back his student loans. He opposed the war when he joined the Navy, but kept it private.
In June, Hutto organized a lecture at the Norfolk YWCA by University of Notre Dame professor David Cortright, an antiwar activist and author of "Soldiers in Revolt."
A few active-duty service members then met for a late-night discussion at a Norfolk home. Cortright, Hutto, Madden and about 10 other service members talked about the war.
In the quiet confidence of a private home, dressed in civilian clothes, the group came to a painful but certain consensus: Iraq was bad and getting worse.
They wanted to know what else they could do.
Although the men worried about their careers, paychecks and families, Hutto and Madden were willing to become the public face of troop dissent.
"Nothing will really happen until people speak up," said Madden, a 22-year-old stationed at Quantico who served one tour in Iraq. Madden opposed the war before and during his deployment, but kept his feelings to himself.
Cmdr. Chris Sims, spokesman for Atlantic Fleet Naval Air Force, said Hutto has not violated Department of Defense or Navy regulations. Sailors may freely speak with the media when off duty, he said.
Others are angry.
The terrorists "love this attention," said Tom Miller, a Navy veteran and Michigan resident whose son, Army Capt. Tom Miller II, was killed in August 2005 by small arms fire in Iraq.
"My son was so patriotic," he said. "Where are we going to fight these people, these terrorists?"
After the Web site was publicized two weeks ago, Hutto's supervisor pulled him aside and laid out the Navy's ground rules: The campaign had to be done on personal time, out of uniform and off base.
Hutto, who studied military rules and consulted lawyers before launching the campaign, agreed.
Said Green, "He's always been clever that way."
Hutto is a finalist again for sailor of the year, yet he still raises some eyebrows with the photos of Malcolm X, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and Che Guevara at his desk aboard ship.
The campaign has "struck a good nerve," Hutto said. "Democracy, to me, has to be across the society."
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Who cares what this guy thinks?
This guy is using his status as an active duty military member to promote his anti-war cause. Question authority, do what feels right, express his opinion..blah blah blah. Who cares what this guy thinks. He signed up to do a job and have his arch enemy the President as his boss. Quite frankly I wonder about his abilities to execute orders and be an effective sailor. I don't care about squared away appearance and flawless uniforms..these do not make a Sailor of the Year. Maybe he doesn't feel like accomplishing the mission today because of his personal convictions. I'm sure he thinks his Chiefs or maybe even the Commanding Officer should check with him before making/executing policy. He's so smart and the rest of us are just stupid lemmings who need him to lead us to victory. Self before service and personal agenda are all I see here, and his petition will go nowhere. He should not re-enlist.
Shades of Duty
It is always the right time to do the right thing. It is our responsibility as Americans to question the government, especially when their glaring errors are costing lives.
freedom????
men are not diturbed by events
men are disturbed by their opinions of events
"Education is not a substitute for intelligence"
Before you enlist, you must make a decision. You make this decision from having a choice. Once you have decided on your choice, sorry folks it's over, finished, kaput, its a done deal. "Duty is the sublimest word in our language. Do your duty in all things. You cannot do more. You should never wish to do less"! Remember "peoples" are destroyed from with-in. Maybe we should check for subversives with-in the whole military.
Very Sad
If this person did not want to support his President, then he should not have volunteering signed up for the Navy. He's deffinitely doing the military a disservice.
What is a soldier's duty?
Silly me. I thought a soldier's first duty was to uphold the Constitution of the United States. You know the document I am talking about - the one with the all those Amendments that guarantees stuff like freedom of speech. And you know, I looked real close at those Amendments, especially the first one, and it doesn't say anything like, "You have these rights, unless you are in the military." Seaman Hutto is following his conscience, obeying lawful orders and regulations and enjoying his First Amendment right. You are free to disagree with him. You can start your own website and write "Blood makes the grass grow, kill, kill. kill." But you can't silence any American who disagrees with you. History is full of military types who turn facist and overthrow legally elected governments. They worry me a lot more than a Seaman with a website. I suggest some of the military types posting here try to remember the values they are supposed to be defending.
It's a matter of ettiquette and morals.
We (as Americans) should never bite the hand that feeds us. My wife and I are both retired military both served proudly during Desert Storm. We never once questioned what our part was in that Victory. We never waffled when it was time to do our part. We supported ALL our "Commanders In Chiefs" without reservation or regard to political party even though we are both Republicans. All Mr. Hutto is accomplishing is furthering the terrorist agenda. Dissent of this sort should not be tolerated however he has found his little loop hole and is exploiting it. Mr. Hutto either by design or ignorance will undoubtedly make this war worse for the service members and show that the deaths thus far have been fruitless. Mr. Hutto has the right to do what he does because it was afforded him by those who have and will die for freedom. The question for Mr. Hutto isn't wether he can do what he does but more wether he should do those things. I think he just needs his morals and self discipline adjusted.
Lemmings
As the mother of a soldier in Iraq, I support our troops in Afghanistan and Iraq, they didn't get us into this mess! However, I don't support the lying president who did. It was a deadly lie that there were WMD in Iraq, propagated by the most corrupt white house ever. And it's our service members, particularly our soldiers who are paying the price with their lives and limbs, while the president and his cronies rape this country financially. Osama Bin Laden bombed the World Trade Centers, not Saddam Hussein Who bombed the USS Cole, not Saddam Hussein. This president has our blood on his hands! Seems that the killing of thousands of our citizens and the unmitigated lying to us, and the world, qualifies this president for impeachment. And for those who blithely follow the leader without questioning why, check out the meaning of lemming. As for Seaman Hutto and those like him, I hope they keep speaking out and against an amoral president.
Well planned.
This sailor joined for 3 hots and a cot, free medical and dental plus free training and he gets paid well paid for by the US Taxpayer. Now when it's time to go to work he all of a sudden bulks.
Re-think the priorities
When I joined the military, I knew that I could be sent to fight somehwere, whether I liked it or not. The last I checked, it was still the same way. Now, what part of the agreement that you signed did you not understand? As far as berating the president, he is your commander in chief. It is sad indeed that they actually allow immature children in the military these days.
People, get over yourselves
This young man had every right to do what he needed to do. My husband is a proud sailor and even though he has spent time deployed to that area, He also does not agree with this war. What many of you seem to be forgetting is that this man is not criticizing the Navy, he is criticizing the President, something that each of us is entitled to do. Get off your high horses. I can't tell you how many young people join the service today just to be able to go to school. Simply because you disagree with the mission, does not make you any less of a reliable person. An honorable person is one who can do his job despite his aversion to it. How dare anyone come down on this young man for voicing his opinions while doing his job. Our proud servicemen and women are over in Iraq because of a LIE. I don't hear anyone shouting "IT'S TIME TO LEAVE AFGHANISTAN" By the way, your tax dollars are also paying for this LIE, I don't hear you complaining about that.
So why are serving in our armed forces?
Personelly I think you should be discharged from whatever unit you belong, NO YOU SHOULD BE DISCHARGED FROM THE MILITARY.......YOU AND YOUR COWARD FOLLOWERS!!! And why do we(The United States) allow this behavior, Because this country also has cowards lead it. Maybe you should be off picking flowers some place and skipping across a grassly meadow somewhere, instead of defending my counrty. Airborne All The Way HOOAH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
US Constitution or The UCMJ
I swore an oath at enlistment-All seven of them-4 navy, 3 Army. I signed my democratic rights away to serve under a different legal system. I did not use my "education" to grandstand in front of younger sailors/soldiers. While I applaud his conscience, he should have waited to be out of uniform-and that means staying till an honorable discharge and then getting out of the service. He is, in essence giving fuel to a fire we all know needs to be put out. However, he should wait and do it as a civilian. Thank you for speaking out Mr. Hutto, but don't involve the ACLU. There is no place for them in the Navy. You signed an enlistment contract and you gave up certain rights to live under another legal system. If you think you and the ACLU will impact the Navy-Think again!
A time and a place for everything
I am also in the Navy and part of the MC rating that SN Hutto is a part of. I don't know him personally, and for that, I am thankful. The war in Iraq and this 'news' story are not a debate about 1st Amendment or leftist vs. rightist. This is about some poor guy that wants some limelight. Pretty soon, this guy will understand that the Navy is the best thing that ever happened to him and he will regret his mistakes. He cannot be Sailor of the year, based on the fact that he isnn't even a petty officer. Why is it, that after nearly three years, he hasn't achieved that goal? Being Bluejacket of the quarter is easy enough when you have that much experience. My only hope is that he will be able to direct all of his energy into something positive after he has a dishonorable discharge from the Navy.
He knew the dangers when he raised his right hand and should fulfill his obligation respectfully instead of inciting negativities.
a true scrub
well why do ya think he joined the navy.free room and board,a pay check,free medicaine,possible pension,everything a typical welfare recipiant loves!yea this guy is a scrub!the govt.picks up his tab,while he is a know trouble maker to any form of authority,i'm sure you will not be asked to reinlist,why dont you do something worth while with your time jonathan,get a real job and stop grubbing off the very govt. you dispise.
No body gets it yet!!
It now has came on like a flash bulb in the night. Who believes that Mr Hutto enlisted in the Navy because he was broke? I believe it will be proved out that he is a plant within the military organization in order to undermine authority, break down morale, and cause dissention among the troop. If this is the case anarchy will ensue. From someone who enlisted during the cold war era, I classify this as nothing but as communism at it's finest. Mr Hutto is playing by all the rules. Squared away uniform, making sailor of the quarter and doing all the things that require keeping his nose clean in order not to be classified as a dirt bag and non conformist which will enhance his ability to forward this movement. If the leaders don't wake up and get control, they will wake up one day and ask, how did we loose control. The terrorist can sit back and see our military fall within with out having to do anything. This isn't about free speech etc. It is about patriotism.
Hutto had an agenda
He joined knowing he could position himself to protest. He is a user with a manipulating agenda.
I would have more respect for him if he DIDN'T join and protested.
His argument is understandable. His Mooching is wrong and is insulting to the men who joined to protect our country.
Throw the bum out. if he were in a private company he would be fired.
I "out-rank" you in so many ways!
Mr. Hutto...please, tell me...what did you do to earn your paycheck today?...you know, the one that uses my taxpayer dollar to put food in your mouth. I want royalties off of every book deal, interview and behind-the-scenes handshake that you make. What sustains you pains me.
It's hard to know what to say to those who are blinded by ignorance, anger, and manipulation. I have had family in the military for generations. No matter how hard it was to see them go, or never return, I knew they were fighting for what they believed in. Not this time! Some went in hearing one story and are now told their mission has changed, but it is for the good of the people. We just don't belong in this war anymore. It is hard to know things are bad there. I wish nothing but a better life for those people, but they are still stuck in the old ways and have maintained that so much that they believe it's thier duty to their god to act in war. We know it should not be this way, but That's like asking us to forget everything we ever learned about our religious beliefs...can you do that? The point is we are not getting anywhere...I mean you know it's bad when they are asking for their former leader back...come on! When will give in on our pride before it kills us.
Typical wingnut response
For a right wingnut, it is never enough to disagree with someone who doesn't share your narrow views. No, wingnuts must attack unbelievers with the most hateful invective imaginable. Seaman Hutto has broken no law, military or otherwise. Seaman Hutto is not a coward - in fact, he has shown great courage to expose himself to typical wingnut ravings. Seman Hutto has not put anyone in danger, nor have his words killed anyone. He is simply taking advantage of the right to free speech our Founding Father's gave him. If he had given up that right by joining the military, as some suggest, wouldn't he be in the brig right now? If believing in free speech and opposing an immoral war based on lies makes me a leftist liberal, well that's far better than being a poorly educated, narrow minded wingnut.