Another Voice: Ehren Watada

[PassingFair]

US Army First Lieutenant Ehren K. Watada
The court martial against Ehren Watada, who refused to fight in Iraq because he said the war was illegal, ended unexpectedly Wednesday in a mistrial.

'That I joined the military and I had only one duty and that was to obey what I was told, regardless of how I felt inside. It really hurt me for a long time because I imprisoned myself by telling myself I didn't have a choice. It didn't matter that I might be sent to prison. I was already in prison, my freedom was already gone. When I told myself that I do have a choice, I have a choice to do what is morally right, what is in my conscience, and what I can live with for the rest of my life even though that comes with consequences, I do have that choice. When I realized that, and when I chose what was right for me, I became free again. And I think everybody has to remember that and to realize that is what is important in life.' 'To stop an illegal and unjust war, the soldiers can choose to stop fighting it.' 'If soldiers realized this war is contrary to what the Constitution extols — if they stood up and threw their weapons down — no President could ever initiate a war of choice again.' 'Should citizens choose to remain silent through self-imposed ignorance or choice, it makes them as culpable as the soldiers in these crimes.' 'We all take part in it — if you pay your taxes, you're taking part in this war. 'We all have a responsibility, as they determined after Nuremberg, whether you're the lowest soldier or the highest ranking general, or just a regular civilian, we all have responsibility...to resist and refuse enabling and condoning this criminal behavior.' Words of Ehren Watada speaking at the Veterans for Peace annual convention in Seattle. Photo: ThankYouLt.org

[Cha]

1. Such a Sweetie! Lt Watada

will go down in History as one of the brave ones.

[oldtimecanuk]

2. Wow, I love this man for his conviction.... That posting is so moving and ...

truthful, honorable, and just...... Ehren K. Watada you have my full support, even though that probably isn't a whole lot at this time. I am going to move forward with the above post and do whatever I can to get this to anyone and everyone that I know, and hopefully we can get every member of the US armed forces to say, hey this "FUCKING" was is Bullshit and it is illegal...... I'm at work, please don't disturb....

ww

[countmyvote4real]

3. I would like to know where any POTUS Dem candidates stand on Lt. Watada.

Do they support his stance? Will they pardon him if he is eventually convicted of anything (related to this disobedience?)

Are his actions a threat to their CIC status?

Does he really have a right to address his misgivings?

I want to know the future CIC will say on record.