Lieutenant Watada's War Against the War

This is a story that isn’t getting nearly enough attention. While media outlets all over talk about the supposed death of a propaganda figure [Zarqawi], ‘support’ for the troops has never been needed more, especially for one Lt. in particular. In a balls to the wall move, Lieutenant Watada is speaking the truth and unless we help draw attention to what he’s saying, he’ll be drowned out in the daily media blitz. If Watada’s words are spread, it may encourage other officers to speak up (AKA mutiny), moreover it may draw attention to the illegality of this invasion and bring people to their senses. As it stands now, he’ll be just another dissenting voice, full of potential, yet never heard.

In a remarkable protest from inside the ranks of the military, First Lieut. Ehren Watada has become the Army’s first commissioned officer to publicly refuse orders to fight in Iraq on grounds that the war is illegal. The 28-year-old announced his decision not to obey orders to deploy to Iraq in a video press conference June 7, saying, “My participation would make me party to war crimes.”

An artillery officer stationed at Fort Lewis, Washington, Watada wore a business suit rather than his military uniform when making his statement. “It is my conclusion as an officer of the armed forces that the war in Iraq is not only morally wrong but a horrible breach of American law,” he said. “Although I have tried to resign out of protest, I am forced to participate in a war that is manifestly illegal. As the order to take part in an illegal act is ultimately unlawful as well, I must as an officer of honor and integrity refuse that order.”

A native of Hawaii who enlisted in the Army after graduating from college in 2003, Watada differs from other military personnel who have sought conscientious-objector status to avoid deployment to Iraq.

Watada told Truthout’s Sarah…

Posted by alpinestar
I have lived many lives in many countries. an alchemist on a constant quest for truth. my destiny is as of yet unclear, but i am still immature. i only want to learn as much as i can before i die. minimalism, naturalism and a few other isms define me ...