Green Party backs recalcitrant troops

SACRAMENTO, Oct. 19 (UPI) -- California's Green Party gave an Army unit that refused to carry out a supply mission in Iraq some moral support Tuesday.

The Greens announced all of their candidates for Congress and the California Legislature supported the decision by a reserve platoon to refuse orders to conduct a fuel-supply mission in vehicles they claimed were too unreliable to drive unescorted into a dangerous area.

The Army hasn't decided what disciplinary action the 18-member platoon might face, however, the Greens said the soldiers were right in disobeying what they saw as an illegal order given during an illegal conflict.

The statement also said the incident reflected a cavalier attitude by a military leadership that treats its people like "cannon fodder."