main excerpts...

As a civilian, I trust that I have some immunity to the charge of "expressing contempt toward Bush". Otherwise, I'm certainly in trouble.

That's true. You're not an officer in the US Army. In the Army though, It doesn't matter -who- your superiors are, you're required to show -respect- and compliance, if not agreement.

Anyone remember during the previous administration when a soldier refused to wear the blue helmet and serve under UN command because he signed up to serve the US and not the UN? I don't remember much sympathy from the left during that case.