Captain Mark Kelly, Stand Down, Sir.

 If you live in America, you have no doubt seen or at least heard about the presumptuous video circulating on social media. The participants in the mentioned video included five other lawmakers, four US Representatives, one other senator and Senator Mark Kelly. Those six "spoke directly to members of the military" in the video, telling troops "you can refuse illegal orders." 

Here in America we have become somewhat 'accustomed' to weird behavior from members of Congress, at times. Weird behavior is OK, under most circumstances. This is a free country and there is certainly no law against "being weird." Of course, when it comes to members of Congress we expect a little more in terms of decorum. But even members of Congress have the same rights to free speech as every other American. 

The video in question though, is a patent exhibition of aberrant, arrogant and perhaps seditious behavior. For six members of the United States Congress to make a video and allow it to be circulated on social media while making blatant statements directly to members of our armed forces that it is acceptable to "refuse illegal orders" is nothing less than profane. Lesser adjectives cant even begin to describe such absurdity. 

What descries Captain Kelly's participation in this folly is his background and 'alleged' credibility. Captain Kelly has a distinguished military background. Make no mistake about it, active and retired military members such as Captain Kelly deserve the respect of every single American. All of them, including Captain Kelly certainly have my respect. His participation in this video and his statements however, deeply erode his credibility. Captain Kelly is a well-educated and highly intelligent individual. He is assumed to be capable of sound and reasonable judgment. His participation in this video brings that last assumption into question. 

Personally, I have blood-kin relatives who have given their lives in defense of our country. I have blood-kin relatives who have flown numerous combat missions, just as Captain Kelly has. None of those relatives ever had any doubt in their minds that every member of the military followed the chain-of-command, from the Commander-in-Chief on down. To do otherwise would lead to severe consequences. Captain Kelly knows this too. He knows it well. 

I thank you and commend you on your service to our country Captain. But regarding this matter, I suggest you stand down. If you choose to obfuscate your position and not atone for your statements, you should be subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice and be court martialed. Just like every other American, Captain Kelly, you must "keep it between the white lines" or suffer the consequences.