Watada obeyed his conscience. He did what he believed to be the right thing. What can be greater than that?
2007-02-08 13:15:24 · 10 answers · asked by Einstein 1 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
Well who can prove that it's really his conscience or an excuse in the attempt to save is butt for disregarding his orders? Also, if he's doing the "right thing" that would infer that our troops over there are doing the wrong thing. Should the charges against Lt. Watada be dropped and charges be brought all the troops who followed their orders?
I'm pretty sure their consciences feel pretty darn good after handing out food and water to hungry and thirsty families, or giving soccer balls to children, or rescuing kidnap victims, along with all the other hard work they're putting into bringing some resemblence of peace and order to people victim to the violence of the insurgients.
The people we're fighting over there have made it clear they want western society destroyed at any cost and in that makes them a threat. With all the ultimatims Bush gave before actually going in and years of UN weapons inpector dodging by Hussein, it's not unreasonable to think that WMD's have been moved or hidden. The war was voted and approved by Congress based on evidence given to them at the time. It's not Lt. Watada's place to deem it otherwise.
The army makes it no secret of their extension of authority before you get in. It's also no secret that going to war is always a possiblity when you enlist. Lt. Watada new the commitment he was making and he failed on it as he did the members of his unit that were under him. The enlisment contract doesn't doesn't have a difference in opinions clause and if you don't think you can follow through, then don't sign. If you do, be ready for the consequences when you break it.
2007-02-08 14:19:22 · answer #1 · answered by Χαλαρά 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is not only your conscience, you must obey but, the oaths you have taken in good faith. When your conscience causes you to forgo your oaths, you must be prepared to face the consequences of your beliefs.
If you made the decision to join you must have at some point realized that it may involve warfare. It is not only that you chose to join but decided to be an officer, that comes with responsibilities as well as benefits. If when you joined you made it clear that you would not fight then perhaps it would be acceptable. But to decide when it is your turn to go, that you can not fight. This is like I enjoyed the service at the restaurant but, I don't want to pay. You enjoyed the song, pay the piper.
Your conscience is a product of your fear. As an officer, fear is acceptable but must be mastered, so you can lead others.
2007-02-08 21:42:34 · answer #2 · answered by Old guy 124 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You should obey you conscience, yes, but as the other poster said, you need to listen to your conscience before you take the oath. I don't know if he is a coward, as the possibility of several years in Leavenworth would scare me more than a year in Baghdad, but I suspect he plan this as a political statement long ago, which is dishonest if true.
2007-02-08 21:44:35 · answer #3 · answered by Chance20_m 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If he was obeying his conscience why did he take an oath he had no intention of keeping. Thus, he lied and broke his word, so now wouldn't he have a guilty conscience? I don't know about you, but my conscience doesn't make me lie.
2007-02-08 22:53:00 · answer #4 · answered by kc 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Perhaps. But there are those who do not seem to have a conscience. That could not be their higher duty.
There are those who rape, kill, steal, lie etc & when caught have no regret for having done those things. Hitler nor Stalin could have had no a conscience. They showed no remorse for the millions that were killed in their name.
My choice for the right thing would be compassion & love of others.
2007-02-08 21:51:01 · answer #5 · answered by geegee 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. Obeying one's own conscience will result in behavior that benefits everyone.
2007-02-08 21:18:58 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The oaths Watada has taken can not be followed because, like many of us, he believes to be an illegal one. I believe the war to be an atrocity and one that was brought on by war mongers in the White House.
2007-02-14 16:07:31 · answer #7 · answered by Russel J 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He should have examined his conscience before he joined the military and said, I solemnly swear.........
He is a coward.
2007-02-08 21:35:55 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
your duty is to keep any oaths you make.
2007-02-08 21:19:28 · answer #9 · answered by Stand-up Philosopher 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
true
2007-02-08 21:17:43 · answer #10 · answered by glamour04111 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋