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 ...
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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.
Thanks for the update Chief.
To me, this sort of behavior is of the lowest type. It breaks through all barriers of decency, professionalism, honor, integrity, patriotism and other virtues. Scum is appropriate and you are right- He should get the book thrown onto him. He should spend time at Leavenworth and be released dishonorably with a federal felony record.
Knowing promotion times and his rank I could only assume he came in with Iraq already in the sights, but you just validated what I was assuming - Complete POS! It disgusts me to think he wears the same uniform I use to. It reduces the value of the uniform and rank I once held. It makes the profession I chose to be in look bad. They should publicly rip that unit patch, rank, and American flag off his uniform in front of all his peers, even subordinates. He raised his hand and “swore” to do things that he now feels are irrelevant in light of his greater plans for himself.
If I were on his panel I would do all I can to crush him for eternity. His decision is planned and calculated. His deceit and disloyal behavior was not out of some quick decision he had no control over, but rather planned and deliberate. His arguments are now nothing more than false moral pretences to justify something he probably knew he would violate when he raised his hand. He is a leader in an organization where human lives depend on those making decisions. Units train as cohesive units and certain people have specialized skills. When a “leader” plays games, subordinates bleed in this occupation. What he did is not something you can wish away. Like a pedophile, people like this need branded for life. He is a deserter. That is a word which should follow him for the rest of his life.
If it can be proved that he joined the ranks in order to cause a public scene, there is a reasonable case for Treason here.
There is a difference between free speech and actively undermining your own country's defense during a time of war. If we don't get serious about these sort of matters, this country doesen't have a chance in hell of fighting a major war any more. From the NYT, Cindy Sheehan, Joseph Wilson, Code Pink and the freaks protesting the funerals, if we allow this treasonous and seditious malignant cancer to destroy our own defenses, we don't stand a chance of keeping our place in the world. It takes sacrifice to live in our way of living.
So true, and it appears that he is an Infantry Officer as well. I know there are a lot of Infantry (Queen of Battle) Officers who would like to skin this coward alive.
What I think is most interesting is his timing. Ft. Lewis has already sent their Strykers overseas, as is well reported in the media, and the troops are getting ready to leave any day now. This Pussy Willow waited until the last possible minute, to see if there would be a last minute change in deployment orders for the unit. The previous Stryker Unit from Ft. Lewis took a beating over there, but did a great job of hunting down and killing the terrorists and making it a much safer place for the following unit. Furthermore, this Pussy Willow sounds like he's an artilleryman, he may see some action but not nearly the action an Infantryman sees. I agree with so many of you, he's a coward and a disgrace to all who do wear and to all who have worn, the uniform proudly and with honor. Too bad for him that he's a waste. Leavenworth is too good for this so called officer.
Formation to deploy is set at WED at 1300 HRS - how much do you want to bet?
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