Posted on 07/05/2006 6:02:17 PM PDT by Sub-Driver
Army charges officer for refusing to fight in Iraq Wed Jul 5, 2006 08:28 PM ET
By Daisuke Wakabayashi
SEATTLE (Reuters) - The U.S. Army filed three charges on Wednesday against an officer who refused to fight in Iraq due to objections over the legality of the war.
First Lt. Ehren Watada, who supporters say is the first commissioned U.S. officer to publicly refuse to serve in Iraq and face a military court, remained at Fort Lewis base in Washington state when his unit shipped out to Iraq on June 22.
Watada called the war and U.S. occupation of Iraq "illegal" and said participation would make him a party to war crimes.
In a statement, the Army said it had charged Watada, 28, with missing movement, contempt toward officials and conduct unbecoming an officer.
"Officers are held to a high moral and legal standard. Acts contrary to this standard may be tried by court-martial," said the Army statement.
If found guilty of all charges, Watada could face several years in confinement, dishonorable discharge and forfeiture of pay, according to the Army. The missing movement charge carries the heaviest punishment of confinement of up to two years.
Watada's lawyer said he expected the missing movement charge, but was somewhat surprised by the decision to charge the officer with contempt toward officials and conduct unbecoming an officer, because it raises free speech issues.
"What he said about the war and the way the war began and the misrepresentations by the Bush administration are all true. Not only does he have a right to make those statements, he has an obligation to make those statements," said Eric Seitz, Watada's Honolulu-based attorney.
"The reasons why they are going after him for the things he said is because they want to muzzle him," Seitz said.
(Excerpt) Read more at go.reuters.com ...
So, why do these jerks sign up?
Any bets that this person does no time and becomes a lefty poster boy?
No, they are going to nail him, and well they should.
sigh i was hoping for a incitement to mutiny charge
I was with jerk like this guy. After a few months in the service he finally figured out that the Armed Services where there to "Kill people and break things".
He was well educated but was totally unaware of the real world.
I too wonder how this guy got to where he is.
His family background and education is the clue to why
I'm sure.
I doubt it. The lefties drop the Deserters and the ART 87 boys like hot rocks once they get convicted. He'll no longer be a "victim" to use in the media. Hopefully this is a felony conviction.
When an officer refuses to ship out, I would say that is conduct unbecoming , whether he spoke or not. Nothing to do with Free Speech. When you disobey an order that is contempt.
He is already a supporter of Code Pink and he is on the "Fasting" list.
Here's the link to the list.
http://www.codepinkalert.org/article.php?id=1030
They aren't trying to muzzle him. They are going to hold him accountable for his actions.
I hope they strip him of all rank, any retirement benefits, lock him up for a couple years and then dishonorably discharge him.
Better he jumps ship now than waiting until people are counting on him for real. Better he takes this stand than hiding on some logistics or headquarters post like so many dancers and prancers.
Two words. Free tuition.
"He is already a supporter of Code Pink and he is on the "Fasting" list."
Code Pink is open in its support for the "insurgents". So he is helping the people who are killing his fellow soldiers.
Hang that MoFo high!
One of the posts has already given the reason some of these clowns of questionable loyalty sign up....free tuition.
Another reason in Watada's case is that his dad is a very loose cannon in politics here in Hawaii...very loose.
Thanks for the informative correction.
Looks like I guessed right about his upbringing. I didn't
search his family name in HI. My mistake, but I had a long complicated day. Thanks for your info I'll search further for his background.
FYI: My Post#6 was before you had the advantage of Post#12.
No, as an officer he does not have this right.
"Loose cannon"?What a coincidence.Is he one of those polititians who want to leave the US?Maybe the kid wants to get into politics like his dad?
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