Ehren Watada coward or hero??

Question

Now I know he may be considered a hero to some of you confused people, but for the record Ehren Watada is a coward and a deserter. I sincerely hope he is charged with every possible violation of the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

I refuse to give him the honor of addressing him as Lieutenant. He no longer deserves that title or prestige. How can you turn your back on the men you lead, especially as an officer.

As a veteran U.S. Marine that served in Iraq twice in the Infantry, we all have our own personal feelings in regards what is going on in this war, but REGARDLESS of those feelings they do not supersede your orders, obligation, and oath of loyalty you swore in carrying out the orders of your superiors and defending this nation against all enemies foreign and domestic.

You do not get to choose the mission, the mission chooses you. If every service member got to question the political correctness of an order, you would then have an unprofessional and undisciplined force.

During WWII if you refused orders you probably would have been shot and killed, and most of all labeled a coward.

Answer 1

I do not believe that a rational person can call Ehren Watada a coward and leave it at that. A coward is a person who is afraid to fight, and Lt. Watada clearly does not fit that mold. In numerous interviews, Watada has stated that he could not in good conscience use the conscientious objector status defense because he has no reservations about picking up a weapon and defending his country. He told his COs that he would was not averse to being deployed in Afghanistan, because he feels the war there is just, but the war in Iraq is not. However, the military refused his request on the grounds that soldiers do not get to pick their areas of deployment.

Watada also cannot be called a coward because he is putting himself and his honor on the line publicly. Soldiers who go AWOL and flee to another country can be considered cowards. However, instead of running away, Watada choose to stay on base and face a court martial in a system where the odds are unfavorably stacked against him. (His main argument is that the war is illegal, but the judge will not let his defense team testify that the war is indeed illegal.) He has everything to lose- pay, benefits, honor, by staying on and going through with the hearing. He faces being labeled a pariah amongst his own ranks, all because he is doing what he feels to be right.

Watada is by no means deserting his fellow troops by taking a stand against the war. Watada’s hopes his stand will prevent other soldiers from being sent to fight and die in an unnecessary war against a country that posed no real danger to the United States in the first place. He is doing more for his troops by following his conscience rather than meekly obeying orders.

It is people like Watada who keep the United States army a professional and disciplined force. We do not want our soldiers and officers to carry out immoral atrocities while conducting the war. In the heat of the moment, things have the potential to go terribly awry. (Think of the My Lai massacre during the Vietnam War) Even in non-combat settings, abuse by the military happens. (Think of Abu Gharib prison) Questionable orders should be questioned. To stifle dissent runs the risk of turning our military into an uncontrolled organization that does as it pleases without regard to basic human rights.

That being said, I cannot in good conscience label Watada as a coward.

Answer 2

It really frustrates me when a person enlists, and reaps all the benefits that come with enlistment (education, home loans, etc.) then when it comes time to be deployed they are suddenly against the war. I am saying this from the outside, I am not an active duty member of the military. I am going to enlist though, and if it comes time for me to be deployed I will do so without a complaint because every person knows what they are signing up for. It makes me sick in all honesty.

Answer 3

I like the way you ask a question when you're mind's already made up.

I have mixed feelings about Ehren Watada. I think that it's a little odd he didn't protest the war BEFORE he got his orders. I think he's mostly looking for a respectable way to refuse to deploy. I can understand his fears, but like you said, he took that oath and he ought to stick to it.

My husband is in the Army, and I think we're all embarrassed of Watada's actions. Some say he's a hero, but it's only because they are also too scared to go overseas and fight for our nation. They don't care what goes on in the world, as long as they don't get shot at for it.

Thank you for your service. I can't imagine how hard it must have been for you to leave your friends and family and serve over there, but I'm grateful that you did! Thankfully there's more people like you than like Watada in this country.

Answer 4

Coward to some can be hero to others. It all depends on whose side you are on.

However, this is NOT a chat board, this is Yahoo Answers.

P.S. I vote coward.

Answer 5

can't say without being in his shoes and you have made up your mind. he is not refusing based on feelings,he is basing it on the constitution,that he swore to uphold. whether right or wrong the military will not let him get by with it,it would open a door they want to remain closed.

Answer 6

not only is he a coward but he let his men underneath him down which is a worse offences scum like this should be shot

Answer 7

he is an Officer, he should go and do his time then complain. Like John Kerry did. If this was his second tour I might sympathize.

Answer 8

He took a stand against an illegal and ill-conceived war, and for facing the full might of the unconstitutional UCMJ, I think he's a hero.

Answer 9

He is not a lieutenant hes a warrent officer

Answer 10

He is a coward that should be executed upon being found guilty.