Some of the words of Lieutenant Ehren Watada.....
"I took an oath to the US Constitution, and to the values and the principles it represents. It makes us strongly unique. We don't allow tyranny; we believe in accountability and checks and balances, and a government that's by and for the people. The military must safeguard those freedoms and those principles and the democracy that makes us unique. A lot of people, like myself, join the military because they love their country, and they love what it stands for."
"It is my conclusion as an officer of the armed forces that the war in Iraq is not only morally wrong but a horrible breach of American law," he said. "Although I have tried to resign out of protest, I am forced to participate in a war that is manifestly illegal. As the order to take part in an illegal act is ultimately unlawful as well, I must as an officer of honor and integrity refuse that order."
"My participation would make me party to war crimes."
2007-05-07 17:56:08 · 10 answers · asked by Peace Warrior 4 in Politics & Government ➔ Other - Politics & Government
Those are some respectable words....
Soldiers have to defend the constitution above all else. Soldiers have to defend your rigths above all else. This guy tries to make a stand and gets treated this way. The war in IRAQ was not sanctioned by the U.N. Rmeber when france and germany would not back the U.S. We needed the approval of those 2 countries in the U.N. to be sanctioned. The war in IRAQ is not a U.N. led war...its a U.S. led war. WE SHOULD NOT BE IN IRAQ...afghanistan...yes...we should be fighting terrorism...not ref'n a civil war...
2007-05-07 18:00:36 · answer #1 · answered by MekTekPhil 4 · 0⤊ 3⤋
Actually its funny as heck.
He joined the Army after the invasion of Iraq.
Why would he do that, if he thought the Army was in an illegal war?
He said he would gladly go to Afghanistan, but not Iraq.
When, from a legal standpoint, the Iraq war had far more legal justification than Afghanistan.
But, what he completely forgot about, was starting in June 2004.
The US involvement in Iraq has been sanctioned by the United Nations.
So, with Congressional approval and UN approval, his words that the Iraq war are illegal, are laughable at best.
To many people tend to forget that the UN Security Council voted 15-0 to create a US lead multinational Force in Iraq in June 2004.
This UN Multinational Force was re-approved in 2005 and 2006 by the UN Security Council.
UN Security Council resolution 1546 (2004)
extended by
UN Security Council resolution 1637 (2005).
and extended again by
UN Security Council resolution 1723 (2006).
2007-05-07 18:34:29 · answer #2 · answered by jeeper_peeper321 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do you follow an order you know is morally wrong, or do you take a stand at peril to your career and personal liberty? That is the question. Abu Graib gave us several examples of the first choice, and I expect we'll hear a lot more of these stories before all is said and done in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. You've presented us an example of the latter choice. There are a few more below. This is what courage looks like.
2016-05-18 00:15:29 · answer #3 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I respect the guy's opinion about the war but he forgot about the part where his oath talked about obeying the lawful orders of senior officers.
Just because you participate in a combat action, it doesn't make you a "party to war crimes". In fact, he could have used his deployment as a way to better represent our soldiers to the Iraqi civilians.
I think that maybe he was just unhappy that he would have to go to a combat zone and is trying to use this as a way to get out of his obligation to the US.
2007-05-07 18:07:33 · answer #4 · answered by tipp10 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
America is a unique place, indeed. I don't know of anywhere else that a coward can be labeled a hero.
I didn't want to deploy, either, but I did it.
Oh, and I didn't hear those words coming out of 1LT Watada's mouth when he joined the army, during the war in Iraq.
2007-05-07 18:03:24 · answer #5 · answered by DOOM 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
This guy deserves a court martial, he for one is saying a war which is against Tyranny, which the bible is against, aka gods word and judge of all what is right and what is wrong.
2007-05-07 18:07:32 · answer #6 · answered by bushroxursox 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You don't get to pick and choose your wars, Lieutenant. Remember? That was on the papers when you signed up. Enjoy Leavenworth.
2007-05-07 18:07:24 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It seems to me that the Lt. was just following the lead of our mighty leader, GWB. He too, chose not to go to war when he went AWOL in order to avoid a possible assignment to Viet Nam.
Good for the Lt., he learned his lesson well.
LOL!
2007-05-07 18:09:31 · answer #8 · answered by paxromano 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Oh I heard something about a Deserter, cowardly, trader, pansy@ss, wimp,alternative live style, Lt. awhile back
2007-05-07 18:01:16 · answer #9 · answered by BUILD THE WALL 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
What an effing hypocrite. If he gets his commission yanked and sent to Leavenworth he will be getting everything he deserves.....
2007-05-07 18:54:02 · answer #10 · answered by gregpasq 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋