Does the history repeats itself?
It was December 1989 when in Romania the communist regime was brought down by the will of the people. The infamous dictator Ceausescu and his wife after holding the power for more then 30 years, were condemned to death by an improvised military court, in Târgovişte in December 1989. The sentence was carried out immediately in the same day. It was a turning point for the Romanian people as the entire communist block was in collapse.

Democracy had the opportunity to be installed, opening new healthy horizons for the people, for freedom of expression, travel abroad and growth. Romania entered the market economy and a fertile climate for the young to grow healthy and harvest the efforts of the sacrificed generations since the WW II.

In 1989, Alexandru Gheorghe was almost 5 years old. From a modest and lovely family of workers he grows up as an honest Christian. He sees in the Army the ideal form of organization where devotement, patriotism and the high degree of discipline are characteristics that match his ideals. After high school, he decides to enter the Military Academy. Due to high competition he applies as back-up option, to “Lucian Blaga University of Sibiu” faculty of Economic Sciences where he is accepted with 9.86 (out of 10). Being also accepted in the Military Academy with 8.86, he finishes his bachelors’ in the Military followed by masters’ degree. As an officer at Flotila 71 (Air Force) Câmpia Turzii, Romania, for the last three years he receives very good yearly reviews.

Is the Democracy Our Enemy?
Due to his discontent about certain activities in the military system, several times he addresses to his superiors, verbally and in writing. His discontent included the practice of officers’ advancement to very high levels just as a result of political decisions, this way hindering the performance and image of the army, undermining the motivation among other military officers striving to be advanced based on real merits.

Given the European Union recommendations issued since 2002 as to form a syndicate organization within the military, the lieutenant’s petitions perhaps were not very welcomed by his superiors. In the light of the recent events, Lt. Alexandru Gheorghe on January 23, 2012 joins the protesters in Bucharest, Piaţa Universităţii while wearing his army officer uniform. His voice was made public as he brought the media’s attention. In minutes he stole the hearts of the Nation.

Few days later the Army Ministry (MApN, Bucharest) issued a public statement discrediting the young officer. The statement produced lots of confusion in public’s perception as some known psychologists, using the media, rushed to label the officer as being a psychopath. Based on a order-citation issued by the military with accusations that in good part do not match the MApN public statement, he is tried by a “Trial Council” in essence illegally formed and not recognized by law, as the General (r) Ion Panaitescu acting voluntarily as his attorney mentioned in his defense letter and in press. The so called trial took place on February 6, 2012, in a fashion that is not far from the trial of Ceausescu in 1989 as Panaitescu mentioned. The Trial Council (illegally formed) ruled and proposed in the same day the exclusion of lt. Alexandru Gheorghe from the military. The Minister of the Army will have the last say. As an army veteran with 38 years of experience, Gen. Panaitescu is doing everything possible at no charge not only to defend Lt. Alexandru Gheorghe but also to defend the Romanian Army’s image. He dedicated his life to the army. He declared that he is committed to follow all the legal steps all the way to the European Court of Human Rights (CEDO).

The Old Roots
Denigrating intellectuals and eliminating people that stands out against the ruling government for a public interest cause has deep roots in the old time human behavior tendency to hold power. It was vastly used during the installation of the communist regime in the East Europe and continued later during the dictatorial era under Ceausescu when people were arrested, mentally and physically tortured, abused, assassinated. Family members were persecuted and often abused as well. Once the state of fear is installed the governing power can act as they wish. Personally I have hard time to accept that during our days such concepts and practices are still generalized in the civilized countries. Remainders of the old communist and dictatorial regimes isolated tendencies are possible to linger around.

To the Point
We can aim towards a sustainable development only by reaffirming the democracy, the social contract and the fundamental law protecting the Human Rights. If not absolutely nothing makes sense.

Acad. Adrian Toader-Williams