Conduct Unbecoming - Cindy Sheehan

[Sapphire Blue]

Conduct Unbecoming
by Cindy Sheehan

I don't know Lt. Ehren Watada, but I know his mother and spoke at length with her back in May in Hawaii about how Ehren morally did not want to go to Iraq and how he was being harassed by other members of his unit for his beliefs that the war in Iraq was wrong and that he didn't want to kill innocent people for BushCo.

Ehren tried everything he could within regulations and legal means to be excused from going over to the war crime in Iraq and becoming a war criminal himself, but nothing worked, so he refused to be deployed with his unit.

Today he was charged with missing movement, contempt towards officials, and conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman. Conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman! Are they kidding me? Are they kidding the world and hiding behind an ancient code while they are pretending that anything about Iraq or our government is "gentlemanly?"

How about looking at the Commander in Chief of our armed forces, George Bush, for one? George Bush is a dry drunk who runs our country like he ran all of his failed businesses---with an attitude that if he screws up, his daddy, or his daddy's friends, will bail him out. He has already said that the problem of Iraq will be solved by "future presidents" which absolves and excuses him from cleaning up the murderous mess that he has made.

Continued @ http://www.commondreams.org/views06/0707-24.htm

[INDIA]

1. GOOOOOOOOOOOO CINDY!!!!

Yeah!

[Imajika]

2. Watada is no hero...

He joined a VOLUNTEER army, failed to do his duty, should be courtmartialed, jailed then dishonorably discharged. I don't care what his feelings are about Iraq or when he discovered them, when he VOLUNTEERED to join the all VOLUNTEER military he gave up his right to pick and chose what deployment orders he wishes to follow. Pretty open and shut case really.

And spare me all the illegal war stuff. Under United States law, there is nothing illegal about US military operations in the Iraq. Watada answers to the US Government, not the UN.

[flyarm]

3. what about his oath to defend the constitution from

enemies foreign and domestic...i would say the president started an illegal war based on nothing but lies..and that is a domestic enemy! defending the constitution is just that..article 1 section 10 last paragraph...there was no imminent threat from iraq..and they did not attack us!


I, ___________________________________, do solemly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed overme, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God.

In the National Guard (Army or Air)

I, _________________________________, do solemly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States and the State of ___________________________________ against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the Governor of ________________________ and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to law and regulations. So help me God.

Note: The last words, "So help me God," are optional, depending on the individual's personal religious preferences.


fly

[Imajika]

6. Nope...

..the Executive, Legislative and Judicial branches of the United States Government are all in agreement that military operations in Iraq are quite legal.

Watada does not get to decide whether his deployment is legal, that is what the 3 branches of government do. Individual service personnel do not get to pick and chose their deployment orders. Once they VOLUNTEER for service, they give up that freedom.

Your argument just doesnt fly....fly :)

[William Seger]

17. Nope

Article VI of The United States Constitution states that the "Constitution, and the Laws of the United States which shall be made in Pursuance thereof; and all treaties made or shall be made, under the Authority of the United States, shall be the Supreme Law of the Land." The United Nations Charter is a treaty. The "Executive, Legislative and Judicial branches of the United States Government" may all be in "agreement" that George Bush is a godling king who can wipe his ass on the Constitution, but that doesn't make it legal.

[Lost-in-FL]

4. Exactly, he is unpatriotic.

:eyes:


So when a soldier disagree with bad policies of the Military-Industrial Complex, they will tell them that "they joined an all volunteer ARMY and STF up". $$$$$$ Wonder why the White House won't go for a Draft. Because the military would stand up against their government so keeping an all Volunteer ARMY would keep money on Corporations like Halliburton et al.

War is business, it is not about freedom.

[Imajika]

7. Didn't say that...

"Exactly, he is unpatriotic."

...just said he should be arrested, courtmartialed, jailed and dishonorably discharged.

Watada may or may not be unpatriotic - I have no way of knowing what is really in his heart. I do think Watada is irresponsible though.

[Lost-in-FL]

10. Irresponsible for what?

For looking closely to the policies in Iraq? I know he is a soldier and he should follow orders, but why? When the current members of this administration deflected the military years back. Look at *, what moral argument he has to tell this officer that he is wrong when he went AWOL?

The only thing that I see bad with this soldier is that he is leaving behind people who although sharing the same disgust for the current policies are still there keeping a watchfull eye. They may be the ones who could stop this war. As an officer he has the power to bring change into the military. Of course, I do not understand his moral argument, the reason why he is AWOL beside the poor policies in Washington.


The "unpatriotic" thing was trying to be sarcastic. You did NOT said it.

[Lost-in-FL]

13. But also...

He could be right in his argument. He could be like the soldier that jumps to a granade to save his fellow soldiers. Only time will tell.

Just becuase the Pentagon send a soldier to lets say, Colombia, to kill all indigenous people does not make it right. If he thinks is ilegal he can argue that.

[Joanne98]

5. What about immoral?

[Imajika]

9. Should have thought of that...

...before he VOLUNTEERED in the all VOLUNTEER US armed forces in the run up to the Iraq war in 2003.

You just don't get to pick and chose your deployment orders. I don't care if he later did some reading and decided the war in Iraq was wrong. Those are the sort of things a person has to work out before the VOLUNTEER.

Some soldiers with Serbian roots probably thought the wars in Bosnia and Kosovo were immoral. Some soldiers with Somali roots may well have thought the deployments to Somalia were immoral. It all doesn't really matter. You VOLUNTEER for the VOLUNTEER US armed forces, you follow legal deployment orders. Period. You think your gonna have a problem with that - don't join. Refuse to follow legal deployment orders and you should pay the consequences.

[Joanne98]

15. It took a while for people to find out Bush lied about EVERYTHING!

Not that I or anyone on DU didn't know the pig was a LIAR, but some people gave him the benefit of the doubt. The DOD should just let the people who want out go. This "war" is over anyway.

[Lost-in-FL]

19. Unfortunately that is not the way it works

They can't just say "I am leaving". They need to do things like Lt Watada and hope for the best. In his case, to serve a short sentence. I agree with him, the military have to stand up for what they believe but I hope he is prepared for the consecuences.

At the end soldiers should not compromise their integrity or their moral courage. And that is something they are thought in military training.

[Joanne98]

25. This is why people won't let their kids join anymore..

Nobody trusts a military that follows an evil commander and that rah-rah, we are so clean-cut and shiney crap isn't washing. Bush has ruined the Pentagon's reputation. They'll be lucky if they ever get it back. Too bad nobody DEFIED orders because 5 years from now when country after country is demanding that the US close their bases to protect their scared citizens, they will be sorry.

[Lost-in-FL]

26. Not only Bush, this has been happening for years.

But we are at the point of no return (if we allow it) If you have 1 hr and 40 minutes watch this video

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1422779427989588955&q=%27why+we+fight%27

[Lost-in-FL]

27. I am a Vet

And was the best that ever happened to me. There is lots of great people with the greatest of intentions, but they are kept isolated from what is going on on purpose.

[ismnotwasm]

36. My daughter left after nearly 9 years

In the army. She had done one year deployment in Afghanistan. (As well as Korea) She had reenlisted. They lied to her. She pulled everything she could to get out because her unit was returning to Iraq, after Afghanistan in less than a year.
From what I understand, is the military promises nearly anything to get you to reenlist.
She only reenlisted for a specific set of circumstances which included a new, smaller unit that would not deploy for 3 years. She is a single mother. She pulled her family care plan (Me) And was let out. The army treated her poorly, she had to fight for basic courtesies when getting out. She felt completely unsupported. The lies they were, of course unapologetic for.

Funny she knows she did the right thing, but feels guilty she is not in Iraq. She told me NCO's are getting out in droves. And the NCO's are at the heart of the army. She told me story after story about the military, especially Afghanistan, most of which chilled me to my bones.

[Ghost in the Machine]

8. we have a winner!

.... of the "Most Idiotic Post of the Year" Award. I'd expect a post like this in freeperville, but not here.

Tell me, are you in the new age limit (42) to sign up for duty? Go do it if you are, hero. And yeah, I'll spare you all the "illegal war stuff", since you were obviously spared other things (intelligence, compassion, common sense) at birth.

Go sign up, hero!

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

11. He also has a right to disobey an illegal order

If the courts think that this mess in Iraq is legal, then they can go ahead and courtmartial him and discharge him. But he has a right, in fact, a duty, as an officer NOT to obey an order he feels is illegal. He also has to be willing to face the consequences. I think he is. In my mind, he is a patriot for taking the stand he is taking.

[William Seger]

18. Ditto.

[gaspee]

20. Agree

He might have to do time, but that's the risk he's willing to take. That's pretty damn brave, if you ask me. And yeah, he volunteered, but he volunteered to uphold the constitution-- which has been used as toilet paper by this administration.

[Lost-in-FL]

22. Defend the Constitution and...

obey the President. Soldiers are not members of Congress and they do have to follow what the Commander in Shit tells them. But in order to defend the Constitution or do what's moraly right, they have to disobey orders, like killing Innocent civilians even if asked by the President. That is how the military is and Lt Watada understand that and he is willing to defend his point which is very brave of him.

Defend the Constitution against all enemies "FOREIGN AND DOMESTIC". That is what all a soldier need to know very well.

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

34. It IS brave. That's something a lot of DUers don't appreciate ENOUGH, I

think.

I often see the sentiment posted, demanding that the soldiers do the right thing, refuse to deploy or whatever.

Whether or not this is the right thing, you are asking someone (many or most who have families) to do something that risks potentially years of imprisonment, and making it difficult or impossible to find a job.

Though exceedingly unlikely, I think it's actually conceivable that one could be executed for something like this if it was pursued under a cowardice beef.

I doubt if many people here on DU have faced a similar choice and taken such a risk, and no, I don't view spending shorter amounts of time in prison over some beef being picked up protesting as remotely the same thing as far as what is risked.

I think that what the LT is doing is exceedingly brave, but I don't fault every other soldier and Marine who does not do the same thing.

[Lost-in-FL]

37. Right on!

[INDIA]

12. Hey!

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO CINDY!!!!

[Marr]

14. The fact that he's willing to be courtmartialed rather than return to

fighting an immoral war for an immoral administration is what makes him a hero.

[KingFlorez]

16. Blah, blah, blah

The war isn't legal, so don't try and defend. Why should someone fight for a cause that is illegal? They have a right to reject that.

[gaspee]

21. Clueless

Wars of invasion are illegal under the UN charter. The US is a signatory on the treaty establishing the UN. The war IS illegal and no Vichy government in Iraq is going to change that. Open your eyes.

[Lost-in-FL]

24. And the UN will enforce the law

with US weapons. :eyes:

[SoCalDem]

23. I agree.. He apparently joined AFTER 9-11, ...BUT

he cannot pick and choose his assignments, and once Afghanistan as on the back burner, his "in for a penny", turned into a pound..

He's acting on principle, and that's a good thing, but he has to just accept the punishment like a man, and not ask for special consideration.. He was not drafted, and he was not a goofy teenager.

The military code of conduct is what it is, and it's less likely to change now, than at any other time, so he has to just follow his conscience, and accept what comes his way..

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

28. But he was correct in going through all the channels

open to him. I believe there are others who have refused to go whom the military allowed to leave the service, but I don't know their specific circumstances.

[me b zola]

29. The UCMJ is clear about the obligation to refuse an illegal order

Watada has clearly stated that he feels that to deploy to Iraq would mean he would be following an illegal order. He is then legally bound to refuse that order.

I do not condem any GI for serving in Iraq, they have been placed in a horrible position and are serving the best that they can under a most unhonorable civilian leadership. I do, though, support Watada and am in awe of the courage that he is exhibitting and applaud his courage and leadership.

It is a tough call for service members to make, whether to go to Iraq or not. People ultimately chose what they feel is the best decision for them, but either way there are consequences. I wish them all well.

[proud2BlibKansan]

39. So invading a foreign country is okay under US law?

A foreign country that had NOT attacked us, was NOT a threat and where our military has KILLED tens of thosands of innocent civilians?

You're kidding, right?

[ConsAreLiars]

41. What a bunch of BS

You believe that if someone signs up to save lives and then is ordered to kill innocents, that they should follow those orders. That is beyond bizarre, that is insane.

[Cleita]

30. Good for him. It's time to dump that antiquated code of

obeying orders even when they are immoral and evil. It's time for our military and our commander-in-chief to get results from their armies with leadership, with making the case that war is the only solution with each case presented. I don't think the joint chiefs would have agreed to war even with the number of lies told by BushCo if they could have said no.

[Lost-in-FL]

31. UCMJ is not what is wrong with the military

It is the current administration and their followers outside and inside the military. Remember, the ilegality of military tribunals in Guantanamo was proved last week all with the help of a Naval Officer. He's military career is over but shows his commitment to defend the Constitution.

Link http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/national/276109_swift01.html

[Disturbed]

33. Will any Court in the USA declare the Iraq Invasion Illegal?

It would blow my mind if that happened.

[Peace Patriot]

32. It would be best for our country if they all lay down their arms and

refuse to fight this illegal, immoral, corporate oil war. It has nothing to do with us, with the American people. It is not defending us in any way. It is only doing us harm. And the harm that it HAS inflicted--tens of thousands of innocent people slaughtered, and many tortured--and is still inflicting, with more deaths every day, is horrible.

It wouldn't hurt the U.S. Military in any way if every one of them said "No!" to the Bush junta. It would only do good. American soldiers know their duty, and if they are needed, and if they have to inflict harm, for a lawful purpose--such as the country being under attack, or as a UN peacekeeping force--they will do it willingly and without question. But to equate "discipline"--and the need to maintain "discipline"--with brainless, heartless obedience to unlawful orders that result in heinous acts is a grave misinterpretation of both U.S. and international law. That the U.S. government has acted with egregious unlawfulness is demonstrably true. That no one in this cowardly, toadying, Diebold-(s)elected government, and no one among its appointees, can or will stop this disaster, is our tragedy. That no other government is powerful enough to stop the Bush junta's Nazi-like actions, at the U.N., or in the World Court, or any forum, is the reality of the situation. Many would, if they could. They voted against it. They refused to give it U.N. sanction. They would have stopped us from invading, and they would stop us now, if they could. We have committed gross violations of the U.N. Charter and the Geneva Conventions.

For anyone to use this tragic and dangerous situation to say that a Lieutenant in the U.S. Army SHOULD mindlessly obey orders under these circumstances is wrong. Might does not make right. The fact that no one has been able to stop the Bush junta does not make their actions right or legal. The word "discipline" doesn't apply to this extremely unlawful, DISORDERLY situation, brought about by evil lies and unbelievable greed. That evil and that greed is the very definition of disorder and un-discipline. The Bush junta is undisciplined by patriotism and loyalty to the American people. They are undisciplined by law, by ethics, by morality, or any decent code of behavior. They are a disgrace to the nation. And anyone in the Military who disobeys them is a hero!

No more Nuremberg's! No more "I was just following orders." No more! Never again!

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

35. see my post 34 above...

[tblue37]

38. I don't think Bush is a dry drunk at all.

I believe he drinks and is on heavy prescription meds to keep him under control. I believe that the reason he spends so much time at his faux "ranch" is that is where he can get sloshed. I also believe that is why he didn't respond to the tsunami in a timely fashion. They had to have time to dry him out before he went before the cameras.

[Cleita]

42. It;'s also why he goes to bed at eight. He's probably passed out

by then. I really believe the reason he used to get all those marks on his face is because they had him on antabuse. Antabuse is a drug they give to alcoholics as a drink deterrent. What it does is make you really sick and break out in a rash if you take a drink while on it.

So they had him on the antabuse and he started drinking anyway, which made those marks on him that people noticed. So they took him off the antabuse and give him meds instead so he can get through the day. He goes up to the family quarters after spending a couple of hours in the Oval office and gets blotto. Since the combination of meds and booze give him the right buzz, he probably doesn't drink as much because he passes out sooner.

Does this sound as a plausible compromise that his handlers arrived at?

[Major Hogwash]

40. Great post. You watch, Watada will be proven correct years from now,

After all the other Iraq War veterans have PTSD so bad their marriages have crumbled and they can't hold down a job, Watada will be able to live with himself because his conscience is clear.

He didn't kill anyone unjustly.

And that's the very definition of honor and duty.

[lonestarnot]

43. Fucking serial killers usually don't clean up after themselves.