The soldier from Hawaii stationed in Seattle. Should he go to jail or not? I believe that he raised his right hand and should go to jail for refusing to go to Iraq. He should have measured the pros and cons of joining the service in 2003. What are your thoughts about this matter Lt. Ehren Watada?
2006-07-09 21:13:06 · 19 answers · asked by vote for pedro 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
When he joined, he knew we were out for a fight, obviously since it was post 9/11! He should be jailed, he didn't mind taking the paychecks, but now he doesn't want to do the work for them? what's up with that? Everyone in the country knew who our primary target would be, so it was soooo not a surprise! How lame.
2006-07-09 21:19:49 · answer #1 · answered by ? 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think he is a hero. My husband, a Senior Army Officer, also believes that the war in Iraq is unlawful, and a Soldier has no obligation to obey an unlawful command. My husband has served all over the World including N.I where he was blown off his feet by a bomb and shot at. He is no coward! but we were not brave enough to go against the grain and take a stand, so he has served two tours of iraq. Soldiers are not required to be automatons. They are meant to think. If an Officer commands his men to shoot each other, should they? If a Commander in Texas orders his forces to bomb Dallas, should they? No, of course not, and this man has stood up for what most of us are thinking, this is an illegal War and we should never have been there in the first place. If you have a problem with that, read The Geneva Convention.
2006-07-10 17:20:44 · answer #2 · answered by Kitty 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He took an oath to defend the United States against all enemys... he should go to jail or whatever punishment they give for people like him. Refusing to go to Iraq... why all of the boys who go do not really want to go but do so out of pride and love for this country. I will say to this Lt. Ehren Watada... if you did not wish to serve then why the heck did you join?
2006-07-10 05:42:09 · answer #3 · answered by thewindcries 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Only an idiot could raise his right hand, swear to join the US armed forces and then balk when it's time to go to war. You don't pick and chose your assignments as a soldier. Especially an officer. This is yet one more casualty of the constant state of election campaigning in America. Calling everything into question for political gain on one side and refusing to budge or acknowledge mistakes on the other out of concern for how it will appear. The two political parties in this country are tearing t apart for Senate and house seats.
2006-07-10 04:21:20 · answer #4 · answered by claymore 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As a now retired military officer and former B52 driver, I've seen many military people join simply for the opportunities, ie pay and benefits. Many never ever think that there may be a time when they are called upon to fight. I think this guy is one of these people. He joined the military for the wrong reasons and now is trying to keep from doing his duty or job. He should be prosecuted to the max so others that are "on the fence" for the same reasons won't try to do the same thing. We cannot sustain a viable fighting force if people are allowed to do these sort of behaviors.
2006-07-10 05:11:46 · answer #5 · answered by Billy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Jail, he should have at least the courage of his convictions.
Cassius Clay(Muhammud Ali) went to jail for refusing the draft during the Viet Nam Policing action that the revisionist insist on clling a war though the would not at the time because as war it would have been illegal. I have nothing but respect for his decision to face up for his belief and not duck out up here to Canada like so many senator's sons did.
2006-07-10 09:55:29 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
There cannot be two opinions about it. While we respect and honour the GI's Call of Conscience it has to be borne in mind that if he or anybody claims on his behalf that he belet off as it was at te dictates of his conscience we would be devaluing his daring. It cannot be that the GI was not aware of the consequences of his breach of militrary discipline. The fact that despite this he has resolved to follow his conscience means that he is quite prepared to face the consequences means he is quite prepared for them.Christ must not have been unaware of the serious repurcussions his sermons which ran counter to the laws of the time may one day bring upon him the disaster of carrying his own cross to the ground. And still he dared to follow the dictates of his conscience. If we dared which the contemporaries of Christ did not to rebel and overthrow Pilate by all means we should do so. But could we? The only thing left with us is to shed tears for the crucified Christ and fervently pray to grant us strength to stand and cry, 'Long live Christ!'
2006-07-10 04:45:06 · answer #7 · answered by Prabhakar G 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't agree with the war but if I was in the military I would go, it's my duty to do so regardles of what I think, although a soldier may refuse to so something illegal which is what he's doing by claiming it's an unlawful war.
2006-07-10 05:02:53 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
He went into a contract voluntary, he was not forced. Now he needs to take responsibility and finish. I do not believe he can be excused. There are many soldiers that want to be home and can't because they are deployed. He came with a clear state of mind and was not coerced. Too Late you can't change your mind when it gets though. What you think a Divorce from the military was going to save you or help you. Shame on him.. Coward
Macho you idiot we are a military family, with an already fulfilled assingment to Iraq... Another one coming within a year..
2006-07-10 04:22:01 · answer #9 · answered by Kelly,TX 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I currently serve in the Air Force and have been to the middle east several times since the start of the War on Terrorism. To me, he is only a coward, who needs to serve jail time. I myself took the oath to uphold the Constitution of the United States. This means wartime and peacetime. I am not saying war if fun, but it is my job, and I will continue to serve my country until retirement.
2006-07-10 04:53:31 · answer #10 · answered by foltz41042 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with you. He volunteered for service with full knowledge of the possibility that he may have to serve in a combat zone. His refusal to report for duty as ordered is no less than a criminal act in violation of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, on several counts. 1. Refusal to obey a lawful order, (Congress approval the use of military force in Iraq), 2. Insubordination 3. Conduct unbecoming of an officer, 4. aiding & abetting the enemy ( any conduct on the part of military personnel that can be used by the enemy for propaganda and which demoralizes the U.S. troops is aiding & abetting) 5. An officer on active duty making a public statement concerning military policy without proper approval is prohibited by law.
I say he should be court martialed, and punished to the max.
2006-07-10 04:31:52 · answer #11 · answered by tee_nong_noy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋