Fort Lewis Soldier Says He'll Refuse To Go To Iraq

http://www.komotv.com/stories/43774.htm ^

[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.

[Grendel9]

He'll undoubtedly be stripped of his stripes, have his pay reduced, and set down at a desk doing menial paper work with absolutely NO security info passing before his eyes. If he was against the war in Iraq, how come he didn't speak up and cite the conscientious objector ploy? More than likely his background as an Hawaiian native with strong Liberal leanings taught him by his father had absolutely NOTHING to do with his stepping to the mic at this particular time!

[ChinaThreat]

Two points. This traitor is an officer. Second, he will go to the brig in Quantico.

[GrandEagle]

Already posted here

[ChinaThreat]

Sorry. He will go to Levenworth. I thought he was a Marine.

[Rummyfan]

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?

[FearlessFreep]

Throw the UCMJ at the POS.

[Vn_survivor_67-68]

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.

[The Blitherer]

A lieutenant says he is going to refuse to go, saying it's an unjust war.

That's okay, we don't need or want him there anyways. How about a nice comfy 4x4 "office" instead?

[george76]

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.

[DTogo]

Uncle Sam can call me, I'll take this punk's place!

[GrandEagle]

willfully disobeys a lawful command of his superior commissioned officer
As I'm sure you are aware, there are times....
(This is not one of them though)

[ConorMacNessa]

Tie him down next to a fire ant hill.

[FearlessFreep]

This pantywaiste doesn't deserve to be in uniform. It makes me sick. Too bad George Patton isn't alive.

[RMDupree]

Another coward hiding behind the anti-war protesters' skirts.
He's a disgrace.

[GrandEagle]

This pantywaiste doesn't deserve to be in uniform.
No disagreement here....

[caisson71]

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.

[subterfuge]

Court martial?

[MissEdie]

Do you think it has anything to do with the fact our government is now prosecuting soldiers for doing their jobs? Maybe he's seen how our troops are being vilified in the press and he doesn't want the same thing to happen to him. Either that or maybe he's afraid if he shoots an Iraqi he'll be brought home and tried for murder.

[Grendel9]

And isn't THAT the question of the day?!

[MissEdie]

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.