Al Lorentz is an almost 20 year veteran of the US armed forces, and is currently serving in Iraq. He recently posted an essay critical of the war in Iraq to the internet, and now faces a possible jail sentence of up to 20 years if convicted on charges of disloyalty and insubordination. Apparently the law he is being investigated under has not been used since the Vietnam War.

According to the UCMJ [Uniform Code of Military Justice], examples of punishable statements by military personnel “include praising the enemy, attacking the war aims of the United States, or denouncing our form of government with the intent to promote disloyalty or disaffection among members of the armed services. A declaration of personal belief can amount to a disloyal statement if it disavows allegiance owed to the United States by the declarant. The disloyalty involved for this offense must be to the United States as a political entity and not merely to a department or other agency that is a part of its administration.”

His essay is called “Why We Cannot Win“.

[Also found via TRU - they have lots of other interesting posts as well]