2007-02-08 17:14:02 · 6 answers · asked by qwertyness85 2 in News & Events ➔ Other - News & Events
The war was going on before he accepted his commission. He swore to obey the orders of the President of the United States. Policy is not made by him nor does he have the right to decide which orders he follows. He turned his back on his company, his country, and his oath. I hope he gets put away for a long time.
There is a time and place if you wish to protest a war. Lt was not in the right time nor the right place to do so.
2007-02-08 17:26:18 · answer #1 · answered by Thegustaffa 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
He was wrong. I think 4 years in Leavenworth is too short of time.
The military can not have its troops acting like little battle field lawyers. Nor can it allow low ranking officers such as a stupid FIRST LIEUTENANT acting as if they are the moral authority and judge over national policy. Had he been a 3 or 4 star general, it would be different. If he wanted to question the orders of the Captain over him, that would be different.
But the bottom line is he refused to go as ordered, he is getting court martialed and he will serve prison time.
2007-02-09 03:17:25 · answer #2 · answered by forgivebutdonotforget911 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I can see a soldier refusing to shoot innocent people or something like that, but a soldier refusing deployment because of immoral foreign policy will have tough time winning his case. If court finds that Watada is right by saying Iraq war is illegal, that just might make other 140,000 soldiers and entire US government all criminals.
See my point? If Watada is right, everybody;soldiers, gov, tax payers...etc might be implicated in a criminal act, Iraq War.
I was surprised his trial ended in mistrial. Implication of his trial could be huge. I agree with his philosophy, but I think he made a mistake by refusing to deploy along with thousands of others who already are committed to the war.
2007-02-09 02:52:42 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
No. Nobody is forced to join the military in the USA. Military personnel does not get to pick an choose what wars to fight. He is wrong.
2007-02-09 01:34:42 · answer #4 · answered by scarlettt_ohara 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
He took an oath when he was commissioned. He violated it.
Obviously I think he was legally in the wrong. I also disagree with the politics that led him to his refusal to fight in Iraq.
So my answer is no.
2007-02-09 01:17:52 · answer #5 · answered by Warren D 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
I believe you have to follow your convictions, no matter the consequences, if you are not true to yourself then you cannot consider yourself a person.
He was right to do for himself what he thought was right.
2007-02-09 01:22:41 · answer #6 · answered by SammySenrab 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋