Why shouldn't a soldier who refuses to serve in Iraq base his decision on the legality of the war?

Question

That's what Ehren Watada tried to do, and the judge says the legality of the war is irrelevant.

Irrelevant???? Soldiers are legally responsible for any crime they commit obeying an illegal order.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ehren_Watada

But bumpcopoop, during the Nurmerburg trials the U.S. and other countries agreed that the legality DOES matter.

If you're really an Army Specialist, you should get as educated about this as Lt. Watada is.

andy g - he wasn't even ALLOWED TO ARGUE the legality of the war. The judge didn't rule the war is legal - he said it doesn't matter!

Answer 1

Indeed! Does the non-excuse of "following orders" of Nuremberg still apply?

Answer 2

He's a soldier. All a soldier can do is follow orders. Opinions don't count. A soldier has no soapbox to speak from (not allowed). Killing for war don't mean you are a murderer unless it's actually the on purpose killing of innocents.
It's a tough call though, when the hostiles look and dress like civilians and the civilians don't like soldiers either. No soldier is happy being at war but that's their job. Kill or be killed. Maybe Watada should have joined a monastery instead of the military.

Answer 3

Because the order to report to a certain place at a certain time is a legal order. That is the order he is essentially being charged with disobeying. Although I agree that the war in Iraq was a horrible mistake. The orders for an individual to go to Iraq and serve is legal.

Oh and to the Specialist above me. When you serve you are sworn to uphold the constitution not the President.

Answer 4

You have to show where the "illegality" is first!

Military personnel are sworn to obey the orders of those that command!

An example of an "illegal order" would be telling a soldier to kill women and children that were clearly not combatants.

Because the government of the United States is acting under it's laws and those International Laws, and the cooperation of the United Nations....I'd say the dude's gotta go to fight!

When you remember why the United States is in Iraq in the FIRST place....maybe you'd understand current events a bit better!

It's sad how fast we forget those 3,000 who lost their lives to terrorists on 9/11 in less than an hour! It's sad how quick we are to degrade the honor of those 3,000 who've given their lives, over the past four years, for the freedoms of those in a nation that cannot provide for itself. It's sad to see that one would not wish to help those who beg for the same freedoms of speech you so quickly put to print here but can't!

To me...Lt Watada is just seeking notoriety and maybe just a bit cowardly!

Answer 5

He is a traitor.

Why do you support Muslim riots?

"by: longhaired_freaky_person 05/04/06 "
"Now it is obvious how foolish conservatives were to criticize France or Islam for the events last summer."
"WORKERS WANT JUSTICE ALL OVER THE WORLD"
http://news.messages.yahoo.com/bbs?action=m&board=37138459&tid=apiraq&sid=37138459&mid=1899774

Answer 6

Because the war is legal (the UN is a joke) and when joining the military, a contract is signed to fulfill duty in peace and wartime. To bad many people do not know how to read/educate themselves.

Answer 7

Violation of Military Code. They need to be shot, preferably televised as a warning to other malcontents and malingerers.

Answer 8

No one asked Watada to commit any crime. And there is nothing illegal about the war; the action was authorized by Congress. The judge was entirely correct; Watada knew what he was getting into when he signed up, and broke his word.

Answer 9

Because he doesn't have authority to judge, but a duty to serve. Particularly since he had signed up to do that. He knew if the time came he was not going to get to 'pick' the war he wanted.

Answer 10

when you join the military you are the property of the united states goverment.you follow orders not debate them. what you preach would cause chaos and a breakdown in order.