Posted on 06/07/2006 12:48:06 PM PDT by Grendel9
SEATTLE - As thousands of Fort Lewis Army troops prepare to head back to Iraq, one of their officers is making a stand.
A lieutenant says he is going to refuse to go, saying it's an unjust war. Anti-war groups are rallying to his defense.
Lt. Ehren Watada of the Stryker Brigade writes, "I refuse to be silent any longer. I refuse to watch families torn apart, while the President tells us to ‘stay the course.’ I refuse to be party to an illegal and immoral war against people who did nothing to deserve our aggression.
"I wanted to be there for my fellow troops. But the best way was not to help drop artillery and cause more death and destruction. It is to help oppose this war and end it so that all soldiers can come home." - signed LT.
(Excerpt) Read more at komotv.com ...
Two points. This traitor is an officer. Second, he will go to the brig in Quantico.
Sorry. He will go to Levenworth. I thought he was a Marine.
So just when did the LT decide this was an illegal and immoral war? Before or after he took an oath as an officer of the United States Army?
Throw the UCMJ at the POS.
866. ART. 86. ABSENCE WITHOUT LEAVE
Any member of the armed forces who, without authority--
(1) fails to go to his appointed place of duty at the time prescribed;
(2) goes from that place; or
(3) absents himself or remains absent from his unit, organization, or place of duty at which he is required to be at the time prescribed; shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.
887. ART. 87. MISSING MOVEMENT
Any person subject to this chapter who through neglect or design misses the movement of a ship, aircraft, or unit with which he is required in the course of duty to move shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.
888. ART. 88. CONTEMPT TOWARD OFFICIALS
Any commissioned officer who uses contemptuous words against the President, the Vice President, Congress, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of a military department, the Secretary of Transportation, or the Governor or legislature of any State, Territory, Commonwealth, or possession in which he is on duty or present shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.
889. ART. 89 DISRESPECT TOWARD SUPERIOR COMMISSIONED OFFICER
Any person subject to this chapter who behaves with disrespect toward his superior commissioned officer shall be punished as a court-martial may direct.
809. ART. 90. ASSAULTING OR WILLFULLY DISOBEYING SUPERIOR COMMISSIONED OFFICER.
Any person subject to this chapter who--
(1) strikes his superior commissioned officer or draws or lifts up any weapon or offers any violence against him while he is in the execution of his officer; or
(2) willfully disobeys a lawful command of his superior commissioned officer;
shall be punished, if the offense is committed in time of war, by death or such other punishment as a court-martial may direct, and if the offense is committed at any other time, by such punishment, other than death, as a court-martial may direct.
That's okay, we don't need or want him there anyways. How about a nice comfy 4x4 "office" instead?
This doesn't sit well with fellow soldiers.
"We're here to serve our country and fight and that's his job," said Private Nathan Hanson.
"It's his duty."
Anti-war protestors... are rushing to his aid.
Tie him down next to a fire ant hill.
This pantywaiste doesn't deserve to be in uniform. It makes me sick. Too bad George Patton isn't alive.
This coward joined the military in 2003 after graduating from Hawaii Pacific University. He was sent to OCS and has been collecting his paycheck all that time. His military obligation ends in December of 2006.
His anti-American attitude seems too well organized to be a simple case of "tail-between-the-legs". I understand he also has a website.
All this smells to high heaven. I believe he should receive a DD and get the max. punishment allowed by the UCMJ, and pay back all his military pay which he received dishonestly.
This kid is a coward, a cheat and a lier and doesn't deserve to wear the uniform of the United States military.
Court martial?
And isn't THAT the question of the day?!
I hope none of ya'll think I agree with what he's doing, I was just putting a couple of questions out there as to why he's trying to get out of doing his duty.
You don't really believe that dribble do you?
NO, he is a chicken turd.
No I do not. He is a coward.
He's made it clear why he wants out.
Lt. Ehren Watada of the Stryker Brigade writes, "I refuse to be silent any longer. I refuse to watch families torn apart, while the President tells us to ‘stay the course.’ I refuse to be party to an illegal and immoral war against people who did nothing to deserve our aggression.
He's a coward at best. A traitor at worst.
Or more likely, just another loser who signs up with the military for the bennies without any intention of actually "serving".
Sounds like he should be guest of honor at a blanket party.
This "kid" is a confirmed
Liberal Democrat! And he'll
be speaking out against the
Bush Administration.
Step ONE, yes.
You know there was a time when a dishonorable discharge meant something. Now he will hit the talk show circuit.
He should be put in Leavenworth and his salary withheld until every dime is paid back.
No, I think he is a total coward who doesn't deserve to wear the uniform of our Armed Forces. I was just wondering if recent events may have been the catalyst for what he's trying to pull.
No he is a POS. Better to find out now he is a coward than on the battlefield.
The maximum punishment allowed under The UCMJ is death for his actions.
"Fort Lewis Soldier Says He'll Refuse To Go To Iraq"
Fort Lewis Soldier Says he needs to spend a long time in prison thinking about his decision.
The time to declare CO status is before accepting commission, not after finding out you've been deployed. Prison is too good, this is simple cowardness/desertion. People used to be shot for such.
Me too. But they don't like 56 year old retired business men.
Ping
Ping
Realize that there are over probably 50,000 or more officers in the US Army.
One guy yelling: "I don't wanta go!" is not the norm. Of course the MSM will run to this, of course the anti war pundit will embrace him, but silently THOUSANDS of officers’ pack their backs and go to Iraq or Afghanistan every month.
Frankly, if he is a LT, he came in when the war was already in progress. He was probably still in college when Iraq was building up or at least on the horizon.
Bottom line is: Some want the college money and the paycheck, but do not want to deliver.
The Hawaii State Senate tried to investigate him on accusations that he selectively enforced the law and engaged in bounty hunting. He is known for rendering fines, in a high profile way, for very minor infractions which could well be honest mistakes, at just the right time in an election. He is even quoted as saying that is a politician receives a fine there is a public perception that they did something illegal.
His father was also a member of the Peace Corps.
Lt. Watada is the son of a political operative with his own political ambitions. Ambition alone was not going to get him anywhere but this carefully crafted ploy will earn him a name in the Kerry mode. He joined the Army AFTER the occupation of Iraq, knowing full well that the occupation would last for years, and that in his given field he could well expect at least one set of orders to the area. His actions were deliberate and calculated. All Hail the new John Kerry.
It would be next to impossible to prove THAT in a Courts Martial. I hope the Army facilities this SOB's ambition, and gives him the maximum sentence possible on all counts. Nothing less then reduction in rank to E-1, forfeiture of all pay and allowances, and ten years at hard labor (ten hours a day, seven days a week) and a dishonorable discharge! Of course, as soon as the next Democrat gets in the White House he will be released and receive a full pardon and restoration of his rights and benefits as a veteran.
He's simply a coward.
How would Patton have handled this I wonder?
The idea that he's just refusing? He isn't even bothering to leave and go AWOL? They should just pick him up and forceably put him on the plane to Iraq. Then he can go AWOL over there.... :)
I was about to say, can't he go to Leavenworth? We used to live there while Dad went to War College. They REALLY do make little rocks and move sand. The mild offenses wash officer's cars. We had clean cars.
10-1 this guy got his college paid for by us and the Army.
Works for me!!
All long term male prisoners regardless of branch go to the Disciplinary Barracks at Fort Leavenworth. Long term female prisoners go to the Navy Consolidated Brig in San Diego.
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