Army Officer Expected To Refuse Iraq Deployment

[deadparrot]

SEATTLE -- An Army lieutenant in Washington state is expected to go public Wednesday with his refusal to deploy to Iraq.

Attorney Eric Seitz told Seattle's KOMO Radio that Lt. Ehren Watada opposes the war and first asked to be re-assigned and also asked to be allowed to resign his commission. Seitz said after both requests were denied, Watada told his superiors he wouldn't go to Iraq.

Two anti-war groups said the soldier will announce his refusal at a news conference in Tacoma, Wash.

A Fort Lewis spokeswoman had no comment.

http://www.wpxi.com/news/9332298/detail.html

[benburch]

1. Sir, I salute you!

You are a true Patriot and a credit to your Service.

[President Kerry]

2. This will have little effect until hundreds of others do the same.

Kudos to Mr. Watada for acting on his conscience.

[niallmac]

6. Sometimes one man or woman displays a spark of courage that ignites

a firestorm.

[IndianaGreen]

3. A profile in courage

Several British officers have refused to go to Iraq, and Blair threw the book at them!

[Benhurst]

4. I pray someday Blair will have the book thrown at him at the Hague. And

the same for his nasty little master, too.

[IndianaGreen]

7. A Nuremberg-style trial of US and UK war criminals is the only way

to cleanse and purify our nations' souls from the innocent blood that has beed spilled by this war of aggression against Iraq. Having the leaders swing at the end of a rope after they are sentenced to death would send a clear message to any future President or Prime Minister that they are ultimately responsible to a court of law for their crimes.

[Bonobo]

5. Let's give a nod to Japanese culture.

They're not all whale-eaters you know... :P

[Quetzal]

8. His father, Bob Watada, was also the head of the

Hawaii State Campaign commission. He put both Democrats and Republicans in jail for campaign finance violations.

Lieutenant defies Army over 'illegal' war

In one of the first known cases of its kind, an Army officer from Honolulu is expected to refuse to go to Iraq this month with his unit, citing what he calls the "illegal" and "immoral" basis of the war, his father confirmed.

The officer, 1st Lt. Ehren K. Watada, 28, son of former state campaign spending commission executive director Bob Watada, is believed to be one of the first military officers to publicly take steps to refuse his deployment orders.

"My son has a great deal of courage, and clearly understands what is right, and what is wrong," Bob Watada said yesterday. "He's choosing to do the right thing, which is a hard course."

Watada declined further comment until a news conference planned for 11 a.m. tomorrow at the state Capitol. His son is with a Stryker unit out of Fort Lewis, Wash., and is expected to participate by teleconference.

http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060606/NEWS01/606060344/1001

[Sherman A1]

9. There is a poll here as well

If you have time it needs a little help