Updated
Lieutentant Ehren Watada has said he will refuse to go to Iraq when his Stryker Brigade is deployed.
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.
His name had been kept a secret until now, but Lt. Watada’s father confirms that his son is taking this bold step and told the Honolulu Advertiser newspaper that he’s proud of his son.
Fort Lewis says since the lieutenant hasn’t done anything official yet, there’s no violation. But should he decide to go ahead with this, he could be charged with ‘desertion’ or more likely with ‘missing the movement’ of his unit.
It’s happened before with a sergeant who refused to go. Sgt. Kevin Benderman was sentenced to 15 months for refusing to go to Iraq.
Lt. Watada asked for reassignment and tried resigning his commission, but the Army refused. His attorney tells us from Hawaii that Watada is not against all wars, just this one.
This is more than just one man refusing to deploy. It’s a coordinated effort by the anti-war left to undermine our troops, our war effort, and President Bush, and Lt. Watada is its pawn. Take a look at this website. It’s the public relations effort that will make sure Lt. Watada gets as much press coverage as possible:
Tomorrow, Wednesday, June 7th U.S. Army First Lieutenant Ehren Watada will become the first commissioned officer to refuse deployment to the unlawful Iraq war and occupation. He will announce his intention to disobey the illegal order to deploy to Iraq in coordinated press conferences in Tacoma, Washington and Honolulu, Hawaii.
People are encouraged to sign a petition that says the war in Iraq was preemptive, deceptive, and illegal. Read the petition and note how the deaths in Haditha, which are still being investigated, are referenced:
Thank you Lt. Ehren Watada for standing up for international, US and military law by refusing to deploy to Iraq in support of the ongoing illegal war and occupation.
From the preemptive invasion based on deception, to the deaths of tens of thousands of Iraqi civilians and nearly 2,500 U.S. troops, to the infamous Abu Ghraib torture cells and the recent Haditha massacre, no more evidence is required of how very wrong this war is. In light of these facts, we appreciate your decision to now follow your conscience.
We agree with you Lt. Watada, it is past time for US forces to leave Iraq. We salute your true leadership in these dark times, and believe that we can all learn something from your courage.
Here are the organizations behind this “campaign.” Lt. Watada is facing prison time, and to the left, he is simply a means to an end.
Leaning Straight Up outlines the consequences that await Lt. Watada for refusing to deploy. Then again, if Rep. Murtha could pull a few strings…
Jay at Stop the ACLU picked up on this story as well and says this:
I’m sure the left will prop this guy up as a shining example to his fellow soldiers. Right? It was bravery not cowardice, right??
Update: The Army Times covered Lt. Watada’s intentions. Here’s part:
Robert Arakaki, the 83-year-old president of the 100th Infantry Battalion Veterans group, who saw combat in Italy in 1945, yesterday said Watada “owes the country a lot.”
There “should be some kind of good explanation” for why Watada wants out, he said, and Arakaki takes issue with claims of an immoral and illegal war.
“Who determines what is legal or illegal? Him or our government? Not him,” Arakaki said.
Retired Navy Cmdr. Jack Miller, past president of the Hawaii chapter of the Military Officers Association of America, said “there’s always been the problem of following orders. This time is no different.”
“Being a Vietnam veteran, we went through this,” said Miller, 72. “The rest of the load had to be shared by those willing to follow orders and serve their country.”
Dependable, loyal officers are needed, and “if one doesn’t fit that qualification, a bad apple will contaminate the barrel. He (Watada) should be punished in some way,” Miller said. “You don’t want someone over there in Iraq who’s not going to willingly follow orders. That’s dangerous.”
Update II: Nathan Goulding of NRO’s Media Blog reports on Lt. Watada’s father’s leftist views of President Bush.
I decided to find out if Lt. Watada or his father have had any associations with anti-war groups or anti-war movements. After a short time on Google, this turned up–a posting on a forum at the University of Hawaii:
During the past year, [Bob Watada] confided to me his opposition to the War in Iraq.
He likened Bush Two to be equal to Adolf Hitler.
Although I don’t have any strong feelings about the subject, I generally side with the national political establishment.
In recent years, I’ve been mildly criticizing the truth about how Europe began conquering the Planet starting in the 15th Century.
Of course, America’s empire is just an extension of Europe’s exploits.
When I was just out of high school, Robert taught me frosh college economics at Kapiolani Community College on Pensacola Street.
This appears to have been posted by someone named Mike G. H. Chun. Sadly, it seems you can’t trust anyone these days. If Mr. Watada’s Bush/Hitler sentiments are accurate, this could help illuminate why he’s so proud of his son for opposing the war.
Update III: Michelle Malkin has learned that the proprietor of Lt. Watada’s website is none other than Cindy Sheehan supporter Jeff Paterson of Not in our Name:
Domain ID:D123530763-LROR
Domain Name:THANKYOULT.ORG
Created On:31-May-2006 18:02:32 UTC
Last Updated On:31-May-2006 18:30:39 UTC
Expiration Date:31-May-2007 18:02:32 UTC
Sponsoring Registrar:Nettuner Corp. dba Webmasters.com (R1310-LROR)
Status:CLIENT UPDATE PROHIBITED
Status:TRANSFER PROHIBITED
Registrant ID:WM06053189dd
Registrant Name:Jeff Paterson
Registrant Organization:Not in Our Name
Michelle reminds us that “Paterson is ‘a former Kane’ohe Bay Marine who refused to board a transport in 1990 heading to the Gulf War and now works as an anti-war activist with the organization Not In Our Name.'”
Update IV: Dan Riehl has more on the politics of Bob Watada, Lt. Watada’s father.
I am a RPCV 1964 Peru. Last year I visited Peru twice and wherever I went, friends, relatives, and people of all walks of life expressed disgust with “Bushy” and it was impossible to disagree. Their perception of the USA is like a “Rambo”. “Have gun, am right.” Whatever good the Peace Corps did forty years ago in developing good will has now been destroyed. We eliminated the myth that we were CIA henchmen out to get the communistas.
We are now obsessed with a “terrorist” behind every tree, as we were obsessed with a “communist” around every corner forty-five years ago. We need to start somewhere to make a change. Bob Watada
You people are brilliant. Your collective command of tangential information and the word COWARD! never fails to astonish. It sure is easy, though, calling a soldier names from the comfort of your couch, beer/nachos in hand. One might go so far as to say it’s a cowardly thing to do in itself, at least unless you yourself are prepared to register for the same pointless and self-defeating combat. Regardless, no one has any claim on this boy’s life, not the state, not the military, and least of all the snitty fools (myself now sadly included) who waste their time posting responses to responses to responses to a poorly read blog.
The war has been a waste of life and of money, and the sooner he leaves military service, the better. So he took an oath. Bully for him. That doesn’t mean you all get to sit on your asses in Wichita and Biloxi being pissy because he refuses to die for you. (If only the dead in Iraq–now numbering well over those dead on 9/11?–had actually been dying for a good cause…) Sure, it does mean he has to go to prison for a little while for defrauding the government, but better that than serving the policy of a corrupt waste of skin like W. Of course, if he were cleverer, he’d just walk down the street hand-in-hand with a buddy of his and get discharged for being queer. No prison time then… just the satisfaction of knowing you live in a country so caught up in irrational fear that it’s tough enough to take out foreign dictators without provocation but can’t bear the thought of a same-sex kiss. War, moralism, and debt… sounds like fascism to me.
Stay focused everyone… His decision NOT TO GO to fight for his country is a good thing. Considering his backbone (Or lack of) he most certainly would have jeopardized the lives of TRUE soldiers. How the Army missed the yellow strip on his back during the physical is beyond me and the army should be investigated by the MSM,post haste!!
Ugh
Or catch a lucky piece of well aimed schrapnel like Kerry..
If the kiss is between Zarquawi and Limp Laden thats fine..
War, Moralism and Debt! sounds like a depressed creation of GOD cryin for help?
“it absolutely makes me sick to see Col. Wright doing what she does today. She wasn’t much of a Major when I served under her as a 2nd Lt. and I remember one of the other Majors saying that she only got to where she was because of her sex and she was also a woman.”
OWN!!!
I hope that everyone here who has written in to complain about the anti war stance has enlisted or sent their child/husband/wife/parent to enlist. Unless you are willing to put “your money where your mouth is” then you should shut up! and respect people of conscious. As well I heard on the news today that the prime minister if Iran planned to allow women go to the soccer games to see the world cup and the mullahs stepped in and said NO. No rights for women. The US congress is foisting a RELIGIOUS view of marriage, right to life issues,etc and it is the REVERANDS yanking the governments chain. Reverands mullahs – whats the difference? Neither stand for tolerance and allowing individuals THE RIGHT TO MAKE PERSONAL CHOICES!! Everyone says they speak Gods truth. From my religious training I seem to remember that Jesus talked about free will and allowing people to choose Him or not. Mayhaps those that espouse their owm christianity should allow others what Jesus did – the right to live their lives as they saw fit and let God decide the consequences.
i’d almost feel somewhat sorry for the young watada, apparently having been pressured into this by his father. imagine having one of those angry and agressively “pedagogical” teachers/professors for a dad.
“but, dad…it’s fraud.”
“god dammit, ehren. are you going to turn your back on me and, what? go have your vapid mtv beachouse empty 20’s like all the other good aryan consumers in the dorms?”
but he was an adult when he signed up, so his choice to enlist after the onset of major hostilities solely as a ploy to create political theater is his to answer for.
i had always suspected such things were going on, but always figured it was somewhat improbable, because, who would buy it? i could be a couragious war resister of identical gravity if i so chose; if i could stomach fraud.
this leads me to wonder if the brain bugs of the social justice movement have a really potentially destructive legal strategy in mind.
can civil attorneys defend in military courts?
“…apparently having been pressured into this by his father.”
Where did you find that fact, jummy, or are you following the example of some bloggers here at Whizbang! and just making up a “fact” then commenting on it?
This individual, several months after the invasion of Iraq, enlisted in the Army of his own free will. He then applied for and was accepted to Officer Candidate School, again of his own free will. Upon completion of OCS, he was offered and accepted a commission in the US Army as an Infantry officer. He is a college educated person, theoretically at least, capable of independent thought and reasoning. I see no reason to suspect that he was brainwashed or coerced into becoming and officer in a combat arms unit. Certainly it was not because of coercive home rearing, since his father was apparently a Vietnam era protester.
There could, of course, be extenuating circumstances to which we are not yet privy. Therefore, I say let’s give this individual a fair trial under the Uniform Code of Military Justice. And then let’s punish him to the maximum extent of the law. If it turns out he became an officer to make exactly this type of move as an anti-war political demonstration, then I say hang him.
i said it appeared that way. which it does, considering that bob watada was publicly a very aggressive man and very likely his son’s primary political influence.
First: Lin – Go back to your Bible. Christ told the soldiers to go an “Be good soldiers.” And i seem to remember something to the effect of Rendering unto Ceasar that which is – you know the rest. So don’t slide that judeo-christian guilt crap at the readers of this blog – it won’t float.
Second: I am one of those people who have served and I have “put my money where my mouth is” and am telling you to do the same. Let’s compare DD-214s and then see what’s shaking.
Third: If the lieutenant wants to play the “illegal war” card then he better be able to discount not only the orders of his Commander in Chief but also the vote in the Senate and even the vote in the UN Security Council. An RAF officer in the UK tried to do the same and got convicted. He’s now doing hard time in the British equivalent of Leavenworth. There is a difference in an illegal order and an illegal war. He will be convicted on disobeying a legal order. And for those who will cry “Innocent until proven guilty” – his guilt came from his own lips.
And lastly: Do you people really want officers in the military to pick and chose what orders to obey? Think about it for a minute – Do you really? Because that is the way of the Praetorian Guard of ancient Rome. That is the way of the SS of Nazi Germany. Take a good look at that kind of history and then tell me that is the kind of military you really want. You can’t have it both ways.
Very nicely put Lin, God bless You..
lin: Your rant is devoid of logic. Of course Lt. Watada has the “THE RIGHT TO MAKE PERSONAL CHOICES”. He chose to enlist in the army; he chose to apply for Officer Candidate School; He chose to accept a commission as an Infantry officer; and he made all of these free will choices during the course of the war he now claims to oppose. Now he has chosen to defy his legal orders and make a political statement. He mhas ade his choices and now it is time for consequences.
Choices always carry consequences. Do not try to deprive Lt. Watabe of the consequences of his freely made choices. He has worked hard for those consequences and deserves them.
virgo: You are a fool.
i think lin’s 15. that’s what the fresh converts do: they say stupid stuff like, “doesn’t the bible say ‘thou shalt not kill?'”
Somehow I missed the history lesson where all the German and Italian peoples were rounded up and jailed in the 1930’s & ’40’s. Where did the armies come from? It’s hard to fight while confined in the gulag.
The Holocaust is “obscure” history now?
You ACTUALLY trying to argue that Germans weren’t routinely rounded up and jailed?
BWA HA HA HA HA!
BTW: this nation has a higher proportion of jailed population than any other nation on Earth, including China.
Well, we don’t do that whole summary execution thing that a lot of other countries do. I suppose you think this is some damning point or something, but you missed the mark.
Just becaise we aren’t goostepping already w/ the latest fashion armband does not debunk the fact that there are significant elements of fascist rule already in place.\\And the mentality on this blogsite reflects that that is quite ok w/ the members.
Ignoring that whole pesky “If you oppose fascists, you don’t remain free to do so” thing.
But, hey, I wouldn’t dare to question your patriotism here.
The shocking fact that…horrors! Ehren Watada has members of the LEFT!! {:O helping him out! Oh no!!!…accompanied by the bleats of lonely little armchair chickenhawks trying to puff themselves up, by casting slurs (i.e., he’s a coward, he’s worthless, and…my fave…he probably planned this before he enlisted, ROFL!!) on a hero.
A hero who volunteered for service after the invasion, drew a paycheck for months, and when asked to perform the duty for which he signed up for and was paid for — decided not to.
Yup, that’s heroism — to the left.
Yeah, that’s right: a hero. A guy who, IMO, deserves the JFK Award for profiles in courage.
Well, it’d make as much sense as giving Arafat the Peace Prize.
Well, luckily for the human race, there are ppl like him around, who will stand up and speak truth to power.
Jesus, you people actually USE that line? Wow.
And, unfortunately, there are people like you out there…folks who will defend the Powers that Be till your dying breath, even as the ship is sinking in the cold waters of Abramoff corruption
Missed that whole Jefferson corruption.
And Reid corruption.
Enron entanglements
Feel free to explain them. Go ahead and reveal what Bush or anybody in his administration did to help Enron when the problems arose. Clinton cabinet members BEGGED Bush’s people to bail them out.
widespread voter-fraud
Again, feel free to prove this somewhere.
and ensuring that the Geneva Conventions are a thing of the past.
You might want to peruse who is covered by the Conventions.
So, how does it feel, rooting for a wannabee despot? Nah, don’t bother, I really don’t want to know.
The only authoritarian here is you.
One might go so far as to say it’s a cowardly thing to do in itself, at least unless you yourself are prepared to register for the same pointless and self-defeating combat. Regardless, no one has any claim on this boy’s life, not the state, not the military, and least of all the snitty fools (myself now sadly included) who waste their time posting responses to responses to responses to a poorly read blog.
Shame he volunteered for the service.
After the war already started.
Do I ask what whackjob blog gave you your marching orders here?
I hope that everyone here who has written in to complain about the anti war stance has enlisted or sent their child/husband/wife/parent to enlist.
“SCREW INDEPENDENT THOUGHT! SCREW PEOPLE HAVING THEIR OWN VIEWS!!!!”
Unless you are willing to put “your money where your mouth is” then you should shut up! and respect people of conscious.
Considering that the Lt and I have equal amounts of experience under fire — he has no more right to speak on it than I do.
I also find it the APEX of irony that the left is basically supporting a mlitary junta. After all, the ONLY people allowed to lead the military — per the left — are former military men.
That whole civilian leadership thing probably was a bad idea, right?
The US congress is foisting a RELIGIOUS view of marriage, right to life issues,etc and it is the REVERANDS yanking the governments chain. Reverands mullahs – whats the difference?
The lack of burning, bloodshed, and beheadings for starters.
-=Mike
Thinking about this thread and the responses of those people who are obvilusly left or right (as if there are any moderates here), it comes back to the fundamental difference between the two ideologies… It seems to me that those of us on the right side of the spectrum value individual responsibility, i.e. He took an oath/signed a contract and we expect him to live up to it; you knew what you were getting into, be a man, suck it up and go serve your county like you promised, nay, SWORE, you would. Those on the left, however, seem to be willing to `let it slide` because they see his decision as the “morally correct thing to do”. It’s the same philosophy that lets a child rapist go with a slap on the wrist (probation) because he is too short for prison. “It’s obvioulsy not HIS fault, he’s short.” A bunch of whiners with a victim mentality…
Those on the left, however, seem to be willing to `let it slide` because they see his decision as the “morally correct thing to do”.
I’m on the left and I don’t say let it slide. He knew what he was getting into, and he knows the consequences of his refusal. Let him have what’s coming to him.
If I ever need a moron, I know where to go. A veritable repository of idiocy! And good on Lt. Watada for having the guts to believe in something other than “Bush good! Sand niggers bad!”
i would like people to try an ongoing experiment. whenever you’re reading a long comment thread at a conservative blog, hit ctrl+f and search for racial slurs. in probably every case, i’d wager, the commenter and context of the slurs so located come from progressives like rH.
you see, progressives aren’t anti-racist. they deal in racism as negative racists, saying “you hate” rather than “i hate” but differing little otherwise from conventional racists.
“If I ever need a moron, I know where to go. A veritable repository of idiocy!”
WOW! Me too! http://www.democraticunderground.com – They speak truth to power there!
the biggest enemy, domestic or foreign, of the US constitution now is the president. his powers are enumerated in the constitution, and he has sworn to support this law, which includes the tenth amendment:
“The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.”
the power to initiate war was intentionally withheld from the presidency by the founders, so that one man could not direct the country into disaster. congress has sole power in this regard, and any legal war fought by the US is declared by a large group of legislators, not blame shifted with a blank check (de facto illegal constitutional amendment) as the traitorous wimps did following 9/11.
under the constitution, the power to wage war is not transferable. only through the lawful amendment of the US constitution can that change. no such amendment exists. no law or other communication by congress supersedes the constitution. every war initiated by the president without a congressional declaration of war violates the supreme law of the land. congress has not declared war since 1941.
if ehren watada had betrayed his oath, he would have been embraced by the US military and his “brothers” and “sisters” in arms (fellow traitors trampling the constitution). now that he has chosen to stand up and honor the promise he swore, that same group will turn its back, attempting to destroy him. he has taken the more difficult path, yet he’s called a slacker. the UCMJ requires the following of only lawful orders, which no order requiring the further prosecution of an illegal war may be.
every real, honorable soldier such as ehren watada should be supported in full as this former republic unravels for the sake of usurpation and skullduggery, courtesy of brownshirt collaborators.
read and weep.
Guys. Don’t forget who gave Saddam those “WMD’s” in the first place…