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Japanese-American veterans groups attack Watada
Associated Press ^ | Aug. 23, 2006 | Associated Press

Posted on 08/25/2006 2:43:32 PM PDT by george76

Nine veterans groups in California are criticizing 1st Lt. Ehren Watada for his decision to disobey deployment orders to Iraq.

Watada is trying to "make himself a martyr and a hero," said Robert M. Wada, a charter president of the Japanese American Korean War Veterans.

He said Watada's actions disrespect a legacy of military service by Japanese-American soldiers dating back to World War II.

"No Japanese-Americans did anything like that and that is why Japanese-Americans are so upset," Wada said.

"He is doing something that has never been done by Japanese-Americans."

The groups expressed their outrage at Watada in a public statement Monday.

Watada, 28, a graduate of Hawaii Pacific University and Kalani High School, refused to deploy to Iraq on June 22 with his unit based at Fort Lewis, Wash. He is now awaiting the finding of a hearing held last week that could lead to his court-martial on charges of conduct unbecoming of an officer, missing troop movement and contempt toward officials.

"No one refused to go just because they didn't believe in the war," Wada said. "We went to Korea, and we didn't know what the hell we were there for. ... But nobody refused to go."

But Bob Watada, the lieutenant's father, said his son is grateful for the veterans who fought in previous wars and he isn't dishonoring their legacy.

(Excerpt) Read more at mercurynews.com ...


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Extended News; Government; US: California; US: Hawaii; US: Washington; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: american; americannisei; army; article88; bobwatada; corruption; desertion; ehrenwatada; honolulu; iraq; iraqwar; japan; japaneseamericans; japanping; johnkerrywannabe; nisei; robertmwada; sepku; seppuku; stryker; veterans; wada; waronterror; watada; wot
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1 posted on 08/25/2006 2:43:33 PM PDT by george76
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To: george76
"My son is doing the same thing, fighting for the Constitution, fighting to preserve civil liberties," Bob Watada said. "He is standing up for our Constitution and all the principles it stands for."

Nice try, pop. I'm sure the Constitution gives a specific out to someone who wants to renege on his oath. Just what Amendment is that, again?

2 posted on 08/25/2006 2:46:30 PM PDT by hsalaw
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To: george76

"My son is doing the same thing, fighting for the Constitution, fighting to preserve civil liberties," Bob Watada said. "He is standing up for our Constitution and all the principles it stands for."

his civil liberties stopped the moment he joined. he's now subject to the UCMJ and should have the book thrown at him (making sure the book is securly affixed to an anvil)..


3 posted on 08/25/2006 2:47:26 PM PDT by GeorgiaDawg32 (I'm a Patriot Guard Rider..www.patriotguard.org for info)
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To: george76

Put him in the brig, try him. He is refusing a direct order to report to his assignment.

It is just like desertion. Doubly bad, for as a commissioned officer, he has learned different.


4 posted on 08/25/2006 2:47:28 PM PDT by truth_seeker
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To: hsalaw

"It is not for us to question why, but to do and die," said Ron Oba, the president of the 442nd Veteran's Club of Honolulu.

"That addresses the entire Watada case."


5 posted on 08/25/2006 2:48:08 PM PDT by george76 (Ward Churchill : Fake Indian, Fake Scholarship, and Fake Art)
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To: george76
But Bob Watada, the lieutenant's father, said his son is grateful for the veterans who fought in previous wars and he isn't dishonoring their legacy.

That is a matter of opinion. And the opinion of someone who raised a son so poorly interests me not at all.

6 posted on 08/25/2006 2:48:09 PM PDT by magslinger (If at first you don't succeed, squeeze, squeeze again.)
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To: truth_seeker

Article 88 ?


7 posted on 08/25/2006 2:50:58 PM PDT by george76 (Ward Churchill : Fake Indian, Fake Scholarship, and Fake Art)
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To: george76
From what I understand this guy enlisted after the Iraq war began. He knew exactly what he was getting into. I think he went in planning to make a name for himself on the left. After all he'll probably end up with a book deal.

Sort of reminds me of the openly gay guy yesterday who brought the media with him when he tried to enlist, knowing full well that he would be unsuccessful. I truly wish the military would have accepted that guy though, just to see him pee in his pants when they said "welcome to the army!"
8 posted on 08/25/2006 2:51:37 PM PDT by Republican Red (Everyone is super stoked on Gore, even if they don't know it)
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To: george76
The poor guy is going to experience real "culture shock" and "weather shock" --- going from Hawaii & Washington to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas..

Semper Fi
9 posted on 08/25/2006 2:54:11 PM PDT by river rat (You may turn the other cheek, but I prefer to look into my enemy's vacant dead eyes.)
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To: GeorgiaDawg32

Article 88: Disrespect Towards Officials

Article 94: Mutiny or Sedition


10 posted on 08/25/2006 2:55:17 PM PDT by george76 (Ward Churchill : Fake Indian, Fake Scholarship, and Fake Art)
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To: river rat
His new home ?


11 posted on 08/25/2006 2:56:22 PM PDT by george76 (Ward Churchill : Fake Indian, Fake Scholarship, and Fake Art)
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To: hsalaw
I heard a recording of one of his statements on the radio. It was so loaded with leftist garbage that it sounded like it had been written by a college campus commie wearing a Che t-shirt. The recording by itself would buy him an Art. 88 conviction for contempt of the executive branch.

Anybody know his commissioning source?

12 posted on 08/25/2006 2:59:40 PM PDT by USNBandit (sarcasm engaged at all times)
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To: george76

Aspiring Democrat politician


13 posted on 08/25/2006 3:03:47 PM PDT by Chuckster (Neca eos omnes. Deus suos agnoset)
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To: Republican Red
From what I understand this guy enlisted after the Iraq war began. He knew exactly what he was getting into. I think he went in planning to make a name for himself on the left. After all he'll probably end up with a book deal.

You're probably spot-on.

14 posted on 08/25/2006 3:10:34 PM PDT by Riley (The Fourth Estate is the Fifth Column.)
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To: george76
Art 94...(1) with intent to usurp or override lawful military authority, refuses, in concert with any other person, to obey orders or otherwise do his duty or creates any violence or disturbance is guilty of mutiny;

I think the sticking point on Mutiny would be that he didn't do this in concert with other military members.

He is definitely going down for Art 88 Contempt, 87 Missing Movement, 133 Conduct Unbecoming. I don't know if you can charge him with Failure to Obey a General Order and Missing Movement, although his missing movement was definitely planned.

If the Army really wanted to go after him they would get the Feds to seize his computer and see if there is any hard evidence of this being planned from the time he decided to enter the military. If he entered via OCS and signed after the OIF commenced then we know this stunt was the whole reason for joining. Then you get him for Art. 83 Fraudulent Enlistment, 81 Conspiracy, 107 False Official Statement, and throw in 134 just for fun.

15 posted on 08/25/2006 3:17:17 PM PDT by USNBandit (sarcasm engaged at all times)
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To: USNBandit

Darn, you're good.


16 posted on 08/25/2006 3:19:14 PM PDT by DuncanWaring (The Lord uses the good ones; the bad ones use the Lord.)
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To: GeorgiaDawg32
his civil liberties stopped the moment he joined.

His civil liberties may have stopped, his Constitutional rights did not.

Of course none of them apply in this case. No right to desert, no right to refuse to go. Heck there's not even any real question of any illegal orders. The Congress authorized the use of force, twice. Once right after 9-11 and again just before we took down Saddam's "forces". So he's just a left winger, from a wing family, trying to score left wing points.

The only question I have is why he ever joined and took a commission in the first place. Just to make such a point?

17 posted on 08/25/2006 3:20:27 PM PDT by El Gato
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To: magslinger; kcvl

"Watada has said he did not apply for status as a conscientious objector because he isn't opposed to war in principle, just the war in Iraq."



ht to kcvl


18 posted on 08/25/2006 3:25:02 PM PDT by george76 (Ward Churchill : Fake Indian, Fake Scholarship, and Fake Art)
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To: USNBandit
If the Army really wanted to go after him they would get the Feds to seize his computer and see if there is any hard evidence of this being planned from the time he decided to enter the military.

Good point. I would also like to know of communications with the aclu, codepinko, moveon, commies-are-us, etc.

19 posted on 08/25/2006 3:26:20 PM PDT by Jacquerie (All Muslims are suspect.)
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To: USNBandit; CWOJackson

Article 83—Fraudulent enlistment, appointment, or separation (he was fully aware of Iraq BEFORE he accepted his appointment).

Article 88—Contempt toward officials (an individual charge every time he opens his mouth).

Article 87—Missing movement (could only be imposed once his unit leaves and he refuses to go with them).

Article 132—Frauds against the United States (he took his oath knowing full well that he could be assigned to Iraq...with no intention of complying).

Article 134—Disloyal statements (an additional charge every time he opens his mouth).

Article 134 - (False pretenses, obtaining services under)(again, he knew about the Iraq situation before accepting his appointment).



ht to CWOJackson


20 posted on 08/25/2006 3:29:11 PM PDT by george76 (Ward Churchill : Fake Indian, Fake Scholarship, and Fake Art)
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