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Military failed to uphold Law of Land
By Greg Brown
Tom Baxter, a vocal opponent of the U.S. presence in Iraq and the local chapter representative of the Veterans for Peace and Vietnam Veterans Against the War, spoke to the Democratic Club of North Florida at its monthly meeting on January 29, 2007, held at the Amtrak Building on Railroad Avenue. Baxter, a veteran of the Vietnam War, gave witness to his personal opposition to the invasion, occupation, and presence of U.S. military in Iraq.
He described some of the legal frameworks the U.S. military is obligated to follow during war but has failed to do in Iraq. For example, according to the U.S. Army Field Manual, FM-27-10, Law of Land Warfare, occupying forces are obligated to maintain civil order. Baxter documented numerous examples that occurred early in the Iraqi occupation that failed to meet this basic obligation.
Occupying forces are also obligated to provide food and medicine to the occupied people. The U.S. has failed in Iraq at this as well, Baxter says, since acute malnutrition in Iraqi children has doubled since the U.S. invasion in April 2003. In Baxter's opinion, the invasion, occupation, and continued presence of the U.S. in Iraq have been complete failures and tragedies.
He expressed his frustration about what average individuals can do to change the course of U.S. policy in Iraq. Saying he is an eternal optimist, Baxter believes in the right to free speech and encourages all like-minded people to publicly speak out on their opposition to the war. One way is to participate in the Eternal Peace Witness in front of Florida's Old Capitol on Thursdays, 4 to 6 p.m., and Sundays, 12:30 to 2:30 p.m.
The Democratic Club of North Florida meets monthly to discuss with local representatives and experts on topics of importance to the community. The organization's next meeting is Feb. 19 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the LeRoy Collins Library and is open to the public. A panel of distinguished guests will speak about the history of "Breaking the Racial Barriers of the Tallahassee City Commission."
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