Army Officer refuses to go to Iraq! What do you think?

Question

First Lt. Ehren Watada early this year submitted a request to resign, stating that he has serious reservations about the war in Iraq and feels he cannot participate in it. That request was denied but Watada's fight is not over yet

(CBS/AP) An Army officer who was born and raised in Honolulu is refusing to go with his unit to Iraq because he says the basis of the war is illegal and immoral.

First Lt. Ehren Watada, 27, is with the Stryker unit out of Fort Lewis, Wash. Watada is the son of former state Campaign Spending Commission Executive Director Bob Watada.

During a videotaped speech played at a press conference in Tacoma, Wash., Watada said, "My participation will make me party to war crimes."

"I feel that we have been lied to and betrayed by this administration," Watada said Tuesday in a telephone interview with the Seattle Times from Fort Lewis. "It is the duty, the obligation of every soldier, and specifically the officers, to evaluate the legality, the truth behind every order — including the order to go to war."

Answer 1

WOW, one in about 10,000. Sounds like it's anarchy in the streets as the entire military opposes the war. And a 1st LT at that. That's not even a real officer - the coward.

Hey I noticed you took down that phony pic from your avatar of the Purple Heart license plate you were pretending to have. Good move. Conscience get to you or was that advice from your "lawyer"? That was one of the most despicable acts I've ever seen a non military person do if you ask me.

And since you apparently don't have a valid email according to yahoo - I thought you deserved an answer I will answer your last email to me here. Just so we all understand, I'll include a copy of your note.

From: cantcu

Subject: Military..

Message: I was in the military for 8 years active! Wanna see my DD214?

Your remarks are libelous and if I were you, you better be damn careful where you tread because you are full of BS.

Kets compare our discharges. If you have one!!


MY RESPONSE

Let's see that 214. Scan it & email it to me. BTW, what did they suggest you do with it at discharge? What was that MOS again? What is "pinger" to a GI?

I notice it took a month to answer one of half a dozen questions I asked you. I suppose you had to Google it?

So sue me jack*ss. I can't wait till your attorney says you have no actionable damages. Let me put it into terms even you might understand.

As you're sniveling in her office, your attorney asks "Now, now little cantcu, what's the problem? You wipe your tears and reply, "This guy is saying I was never in the military. It's making me look like a real poser on a Q&A forum where nobody knows who I am". And then she says, "Hum, cantcu you've got a real problem. Since knowbody knows who you are, that's going to be a tough one."

Since you don't have a real job, as you hear it, you breakdown and start crying again because you were expecting a really big pay day.

Blubbering through your tears, you ask very eloquently, "Huh?" She relies "Yeah, sorry dumb *ss, its going to be hard to prove how you were liabled under an annonymous screen name." And you very eloquently ask once again but this time louder, "HUUUUUUHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!"

She's says, "Hit the road. Besides, you are a f*cking POSER." "Somebody get this poser out of here", she yells in revultion.

No charge for the legal advice, POSER.

Hold on, let me check that email account & pull up that 214. Is it there yet? Nope, didn't think so.

As for my service, US Air force AFSC 303X3. My squadron was responsible for more kills during Vietnam (it was a war right?) than any other military MOS or SC. Have an extra pair of clean pink panties with you sometime and we can talk about it.

Hmm, maybe that's why I find your POSING so reprehensible.

Answer 2

I think I am going to offend some and some will agree, here is my view. I say good for Lt. Ehren Watada! It's about time someone bucked the system. I think a huge amount of people will back him on that. The ones who firmly believe in this war should carry on, WE LOVE YOU!!! We THANK YOU!!! But I can't help wonder how many of our soldiers want to do the same thing. If it is there job and get a pay check then you should be able to quit that job and get another one. This may be a start of others who will follow. It is wrong to force anyone to go if they do not want to especially if they have been there for a while. Bush needs to pull out, or something it's definitely a matter of pride for him, no matter how many innocent people die!! Our children are getting killed over there, it's like there life was for nothing. And the effect it has on families, especially when you know your child was scared and did not want to go but had too.. No wonder the world is going crazy!!! They are probably tired of seeing death with no end in site. I don't blame them for wanting out. It was just handled all wrong from the start. I don't think he knows what he is doing. Someone else should take over, before we end up in war with the whole world. Looks like either way we are doomed, terrorist pick us off or or own leader get us blown up?????????

Answer 3

I think it is right for him to say no. The war has been going on since George H. Bush was in office that is about 15 years since it hit hard in 1991 but I don't see the purpose of turning man against man. When those soldiers come back they are mentally scard. NOT EVERYONE can cope with death especially when they are the one killing. If our government is based on the bible and the the bible says though shalt not kill then is are government setting us up or are they sinners to the best degree. Someone needs to tell bush that if he believes in the bible so much that he wants to ban gay marriage when he is sinning himself and no where in the bible does anything he says supports him.

Answer 4

Anybody in the military would say they have an oath to fulfill. The problem becomes when someone in the higher-ups decides to give an order that goes against that oath (e.g. torture, killing someone not considered an enemy) - do you follow the CO's order blindly or do stand by your principles? In this case, a person chose to stand by their principles. Who is anybody to say he's wrong? He didn't say he wouldn't fight in Afganistan, Iran, Kuwait, Zimbabwe, or anywhere else where he might be needed - just Iraq.

Let he who is without sin cast the first stone.

Answer 5

If he is going to refuse service, then he should be man enough to accept the consequences of his actions. He has taken an oath but that doesn't matter to him. I'm sure when he was being paid officer's pay, when he traveled to places and got all those military benefits, he was just fine. Now, because it doesn't fit into his morality, he refused to do his duty. Okay..... it's his choice, but don't go crying to momma when they throw the book at him.

TX Guy

Answer 6

As a soldier, I believe he has a duty to go, whether he believes in the war or not. If he doubted his ability to participate in any conflict of the government's choosing, he should have resigned already.

Answer 7

So send him to Afghanistan. Unhappy employees are not limited to just the private sector. Did the Lt voluntarily take the job and does he cash his pay checks?

Answer 8

Well all the college Republicans
refuse to go to Iraq also...
(They are Chickenhawk Jrs in trainning)

Gee wonder why no one wants
to give their lives for lies by the
CORRUPT Republican party?
I

Answer 9

He shouldn't have joined. He can't be selective now.