Seattle Times; Lt Watada's lawyers seek OK to put Iraq war on trial

[WebeBlue]

article in Seattle Times today titled Soldier's lawyers seek OK to put Iraq war on trial

The opening round in the court-martial of 1st Lt. Ehren Watada could be key to defense hopes of putting the Iraq war on trial along with this Fort Lewis Army officer who refused to deploy to Iraq.

At a pretrial hearing today, Watada's attorneys will try to persuade a military judge that they should be allowed to argue that the war is illegal, in part because it violates military regulations that wars be fought in accordance with the United Nations charter.Text

See also Seattle Post Intelligencer for another article; Anti-war camp gears up for Watada's trial

The anti-war movement is moving into position around Fort Lewis this month, preparing a series of activities and vigils for the impending court-martial Feb. 5 of Army 1st Lt. Ehren Watada.

Watada is the only U.S. military officer to publicly refuse deployment to Iraq, contending the war is unjustified. He has become a lightning rod for the peace movement since first going public with his objections to the war June 22, refusing to deploy to Iraq with a 4,000- member Stryker Brigade. Text

[Captain Hilts]

1. Won't work. He doesn't get a choice. nt

[LeighAnn]

6. Tell that to the Abu Ghraibies

They were told they should have disobeyed illegal orders to torture. I feel the same argument applies; if you are ordered to do something illegal, you have a responsibility to disobey that order.

[WebeBlue]

2. His service will be prison - to call attention to illegal orders Iraq

This isn't a 'rescue' of Lt. Watada, more to call attention to his deliberate actions to refuse deployment orders to Iraq. He has reviewed his orders and discerned them to be illegal as he believes the Iraq war is illegal. He is willing to give military service in a different manner to call attention to the issues facing us in Iraq. He knows he will serve prison time, it's a matter of how many years. The Citizen's Hearing that will take place in Tacoma, WA over two days Jan 20, 21 as a support action for Lt. Watada will, in fact, endeavor to put the Iraq war on trial. Read more at Citizen's Hearing website; www.wartribunal.org

[WebeBlue]

3. Army Subpoenas Reporters and Activists to Testify at Lt Watada Court Martial

more detailed information at this DU post Army Subpoenas WA activists To Testify Against Lt. Watada

[PoiBoy]

4. your link doesn't work...

n/t

[Mudoria]

5. Enjoy your time in prison..