There is nothing to think about, he did not follow orders so put him inthe brig and give him a D D. No more need to be said

I think he is lazy worthless piece of hippie propaganda garbage. I am suprised he hasn't applied for "FREE" welfare and "FREE" foodstamps. He wants something for free and doesn't want to do the work to get the money/education that he got out of the military. How is this an illegal war? How is President Bush a war criminal? Two things that have yet to be answered and never will be answered.

As a former member of the USAF, And someone who voted for Bush, I have a couple of opinions here. 1st, since I am no longer in the military, I can act upon my opinion of this war/or the commanders of Our Military. (FYI) In recent times my opinion of Pres. Bush has indeed faltered. However, when you go into the military, you say and ultimately live and breathe by the oath you have taken. Among other things in the oath, you SWEAR TO OBEY ANY ORDERS GIVEN BY A COMMANDING OFFICER. This does NOT leave open any space for opinion or morality. You simply DO WHAT YOU ARE TOLD, PERIOD!! I go into such detail because I feel that the civilian public has no idea what we as Soldiers, Airmen, Seamen, Etc. Have sworn to do. When we took our oath, we sacrificed our own democracy and opinions so you as civilians could have them, along with all the other benefits you get as an American. And by doing so, swear to do anything, even if we are fundamentally against it, or disagree. Mr. Watada has not only disobeyed his orders, but disgraced his/MY military by doing so. At this Point, If I was still in, I wouldn't want to go over either, but darnit, that's what I would have done if that's what was needed to keep war off of my own shore. His actions have shown cowardice not courage, and he should definately be CM'd. In closing, the men and women of our armed forces deserve to be portrayed and supported better than Mr. Watada has done. If he were in my command, he'd be the first one I'd shoot when we landed on enemy soil, as he is more dangerous than the enemy.

greteboyce 02-05-2007, 9:56 AM
Re: LT Watada
Having been married to a Viet Nam Vet and born in Europe at the end of WWII in a Nazi occupied country, Norway. I find Lt. Watada's behaviour totally disgracefull. My former husband and his brothers served in Viet Nam, though this was not a popular war, in those days they were drafted. My former husband was a college graduate and right after graduation was inducted. He served as an officer and followed orders based on his commitment to this country. He received honors, had questions, but he had sworn a loyalty to this country. I cannot believe people now a days. Lt Watada had a choice, with these beliefs he now professes, he should never have enlisted, nor accepted to be a commissioned officer. I find it disgraceful to our country and to our troops now risking their lives. He used the military to make his individual stand and to me, that is borderline of treason. What if our officers in fighting for our freedom and served in WW II had been such cowards, we never would have the wonderful freedom we now have. Yes, I am a US citizen and proud of it. How soon we forget WWII and Pearl Harbor, and such a short time ago, Sept 11 when thousands of our civilians, fire fighters and police were slaughtered within our own country.

Respectfully, Grete Boyce

As a proud member of the armed forces with over 16 years of service, and the father of a Marine in Iraq. I am disgusted with this man. The military is not a democracy. We dont vote on what we think is right or wrong, we dont pick and choose what we want to do or not do. This man took an oath when he put that uniform on. If he feels that he no longer has to live up to that oath, then remove him from service and place him in prison where he belongs. And to all the other anti war supporters "If you cant stand behind our troops, feel free to stand in front of them". God bless america and god bless our men and women who proudly serve in the United States Military.

Even though I am a military wife, I understand and agree with the anti-war protesters in that I feel Bush lied to the country. HOWEVER, the Lt. Watada situation is not about the legality of the war. The question is 1) Did Lt. Watada miss movement? and 2) Did he participate in contact un-becoming an officer? Not is the war legal? Lt Watada is not a hero, he is a soldier who mistakenly thought he could pick and choose where he could deploy to.

As I drove my husband back to his car on Fort Lewis today a protester yelled at him "DON'T GO!". If every military personnel "didn't go" to work, would she be one of the first repsonders should an attack on our country actually take place? I doubt it! We still need our military and Lt Watada spit in the face of every soldier who serves, even if they disagree with the war, in order to maintain security. In the event of a real threat to our country we do not have the time to decide who really wants to fight and who doesn't.

No one forced him into the military; therefore, he should stand by his decision and the oath he took. He should be removed from service and placed in prison. He certainly does not belong out there with the men and women risking their lives every day. I have two grandsons in the military and I would not want him in their units. He would be a risk to their lives.

Let's look at a couple of things:

Watada excused himself from the Iraq war with the excuse that it's illegal. This implies that all the fallen Iraqi war vets as well as those who made it back are war criminals. What arrogance!Perhaps he should join that church that protests at military funerals.

Second, Muhammad Ali refused to serve in Vietnam having not taken the oath of enlistment and had to go to prison. Matada refused to serve in Iraq having taken the oath of enlistment. How much more, then, should he go to prison. If Muhammad Ali had to so should he.

Third, does this little man think that he has more authority than the President and the US congress to declare the war illegal? Since when does personal opinion supercede law?

This man did not miss a movement as if he were late for a train or something, he deliberately deserted his unit which the men under his command did not do. Perhaps it's best that he did not go. Men like Matada get their troops killed.

I find this whole situation nauseating. They should just throw his sorry butt in prison! What a waste of time and money. Didn't I hear that he re-enlisted AFTER we were already in Iraq? He is just copping out and he should be punished. If eveyone in the military were to pull that crap, our whole nation would be in danger. I am a proud military wife of a deployed soldier and I'm damn proud to say that my husband is currently fighting the war on terrorism in Iraq. He is helping those citizens gain the freedom they have so desperately needed for many many years AND keeping us safe here in the United States. If it weren't for our troops, those protesters would NOT have the freedom of standing outside the gates of our base we call home.

Conviction, is a poor excuse for cowardice. Bottom line is; he signed a contract, swore an oath to protect and serve, so help him God. Throw his butt in Leavenworth, for the minimum of the remainder of time left on his commitment to the Army.

Sorry to any militaries that read this, but war, any war, is just not right! The government tells our boys and girls to go fight someone else's war and they do, not wanting to disrespect their country. We have good ideals for the rest of the world, we need to let them accept them without force or lobbyism. We need to let them either kill each other, or step up and learn to govern themselves in their own way. If they want to become a democratic society we should be willing to help, but only in that capacity, and without military presence. We already have done Viet Nam, why do we need to do this again, at the cost of billions to our economy and our taxpayers dollars? Thanks, George, long live Watada!

Watada says this war is illegal. Hmm. On 10 October 2002 the US House of Representatives voted 296 to 133 in FAVOR of a resolution authorizing the use of force against Iraq. On 11 Oct 2002 the US Senate voted 77 to 23 in FAVOR of using force against Iraq. If you check the US Constitution, Congress has the authority to declare war and it did. Watada supporters say "Bush Lied, Kids Died!" What did he lie about? Weapons of Mass Destruction? Hmm again. On 21 June 2006 Director Of National Intelligence John D. Negroponte released part of a report indicating that over 500 chemical munitions had been found in Iraq. Did not even the United Nations tell Saddam he couldn't have those? Watada is a disgrace to the US Armed Forces. His supporters are uninformed, ignorant and disregard facts. I'm glad the president doesn't make national policy based on his feelings, but rather on fact.

Points from a pacifist:

1) This war with Iraq IS illegal. We CANNOT forget that it is entirely based upon a BLATANT LIE told to the U.N. by our so-called "President" and his administration. Obviously the REAL motive behind it - Bush's long-standing vendetta against Saddam Hussein stemming back to when Hussein attempted to have Bush's Daddy killed - wouldn't have gone over very well with the U.N.

2) One of the warmongers interviewed on the news was asking something about what would we (the U.S., presumably) do if everyone in our military started opting out of other wars or countries. That's utterly irrelevant here; this situation deals with THIS war, and THIS war is ILLEGAL.

3) As for the warmongers' general attitude that our soldiers, regardless of their morals, should stay put, shut up, and just "DO WHAT YOU ARE TOLD, PERIOD!!"... Well, that attitude is far too Nazi-ish for my liking. After all, it was the Nazi soldiers who, when explaining why they participated in the abominable massacre of over 11 million men, women, and children, said, "I was just following orders".

4) Watada is sticking to his beliefs and morals despite what has now become a nationwide controversy, and despite what will undoubtedly be a heavy price for him to pay in the outcome of the trial. We should ALL have such inner strength and integrity.

Peace,

Debra Green

I am interested in knowing how Lt Watada became a US Army officer.
Was it through Government
subsisized schooling, ie West Point, College ROTC etc or is he a 90 day wonder.
Are you deliberatly choosing to not reveal this info?

Watada is a coward. Sean Penn and all of the cowards in Hollywood who support Watada get to speak their peace because of military men and women who protect these freedoms. Make him payback every penny us taxpayers paid to give him an education and strip his degree. Throw him in prison he is un-American and a taxpayer thief.

Lt. Watada did not swear an oath to the Commander in Chief. Lt. Watada swore an oath to the Constitution of the United States of America! So did George W. Bush! So did Judge Head! Lt. Watada is denied his Defense by this Military Judge. Lt. Watada is required to uphold the Constitution. The refusal of the Military Judge to allow Lt. Watadas Defense based on the Constitution, is a Judicial Misconduct! Congress must bring forth a Congressional Order, to bring Lt. Watada before Congress and hear his case, a case, which is based on the Constitution of the United States of America, Associated Treaties and Laws!

I think he should be hanged with shaun penn and all the rest of the liberal media..

Lt. Watada has what the rest of the military needs. Common sense. He is the new military, the one that doesn't permit talking heads to tell them what to do without recourse and accountability for their statements. Those against the stance of this brave soldier, do not realize that he is standing up for the many other enlisted men and women that don't have the strength, authority, parental support or education that he does. My heart goes out to the family, but because of Lt. Watada this egregious misuse of American power may not recur anytime soon, and more of our brave military people can make it 'back home' to protect Americans, which is indeed what they bargained for.

I am a retired Army Infantry Officer who completed 32 yrs of service and served in two wars. I am now 61 years old and have seen and observed much over those years. Although I may not agree with the decision of this officer a point does need to be made. This officer knew when he chose this course that he was going to spend time in Leavenworth (Federal Prison). This officer did offer to serve in combat in Afghanistan so he is not a coward! I respect this officer's courage to stand on his convictions. Let us not forget all those who deserted the US Army in the 60s & 70s and were later pardened by a sitting President! Who deserves the most respect???

Frank

Watada should not have joined the armed services with the attitude, "I'll decide what's best." The military isn't a scouting group out for a hike. Four years in prison is just about right for someone as arrogant as he seems to be. I can imagine him in WWII: "The Nazis are just fighting for what they think is right. I'm going home."

The fact that Sean Penn is one of the protesters shows me that I MUST be on the correct side in hoping Lt. Watada goes to prison for a long time. Watada and Penn (and his Hollywood ilk) haven't a clue.

Another poster suggests that Mr. Watada has more strength and education than the poor soldiers in Iraq. Yet another slam from a mean-spirited, liberal. Maybe it's their nastiness and poor grasp of reality in the world that makes me proud to be part of the "right wing conspiracy."

Let al-queda do what they want. Why can't we just all get along?

To be honest, I'm not real happy with the goings on in Iraq, But listening to your story I was sickened. Where exactly would Lt. Watada be if our fathers and brothers decieded not to go to Vietnam or Korea!! If he dosn't believe in the war he should'nt have enlisted. He wasnt forced!! My DAUGHTER enlisted in the Army when she was still 17 and in school! She is 19 now and would trade her job and high heels for combat boots and her M-16 to make sure she and her sisters have their freedom!! As my daughter, PV2. Lindsey Goodrow, told me,"No one wants to go, but if we all stayed home, They would have WON in the first month and we wouldn't be worried about things like our own opinions

As a former Army Officer and a two time combat vet I am ashamed of 1LT Watada. As a leader he has shown extremely poor judgement, and I have to question his reasoning for even joining the service. His father was a war protester in the 60's and 70's and choise to join the Peace Corp instead of doing his service. So did 1LT Watada join to follow his fathers foot steps in being a war protester, and choise to go thise route in order to bring discredit upon the military? 1LT Watada is no hero... The true hero's are the men and women who have served this nation with pride and honor.

Larry

he stand up and said no and i am proud of him and the war we are in is againts the law we should not be in there. so want to thank him to stand up for him self!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lt Watada is following a course based in Law. We can be glad that we have such a Soldier. I am sure that many of the people sending comments, would not like to be subject to the ill will that they project onto this Officer, by judgements based on hate, not Law. No man is above the Law. We are a Nation of Laws, not Men. Lt Watada has the Constitutional Right to be heard fairly.

Calling Lt. Ehren Watada a "weasel" does not come close to descibing this exemplary young American whose education taught him to think for himself and whose search for the truth has led him to a small courtroom at Ft. Lewis, WA.

First of all he was told in his own Officer Training that he needed to study the history of the nations where he and his troops would be deployed. When he knew that he would be going to Iraq, he took them seriously and did just that. It is true that Education is liberating and what he found out about Mesopotamia, the cradle of our civilization itself, about the reasons for why US Soldiers would be sent to Iraq, and the entire issue of WMDs began to work on his intelligence. At first he found it difficult to believe that it would be possible that his Commander-in-Chief would ever send young men and women into harm's way. This just could not happen it seemed to him. Yet, the occupation continued, the information that came from Fox News and from Air America and Democracy Now! were in direct conflict, and he continued to read and to ponder.

Finally in January 2006, he discussed his thoughts with his parents who were admitedly afraid for him. He spoke with learned people who helped him think about what he believed and where this might lead him.

And, he spoke with military personnel who also counseled against him standing up against the might of the Pentagon which, if we are honest with ourselves, is paid for by us taxpayers, yet the huge profits go to the Corporations in almost every state of the union.

In 1968, a young officer also challenged this juggernaut. He lost his Court Martial, he lost his Appeal, but the Supreme Court ruled that a member of the Military does not lose his First Amendment Right of Free Speech. This is the essence of Lt. Ehren Watada and is the reason that every patriot needs to understand why his decision to not deploy to Iraq and to question the right of the Military to force him and many other soldiers to deploy to an Emperialistic Occupation, rather than to defend the nation against a foreign enemy, is the essence of each of us who are citizens and those who reside in this country. It is at the core of our Democracy. And, that is why many of us went to Fort Lewis today to say to the nation, "How much will you sacrifice for your country?" Lt.Ehren Watada is willing to sacrifice his freedom, which in my opinion would be taken away from him illegally. And, the question still remains? How much will George Bush sacrifice? How much will Dick Cheney sacrifice, and how much will you sacrifice?

"I DO SOLEMLY SWEAR(OR AFFIRM)THAT I WILL SUPPORT AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES AGAINST ALL ENEMIES, FOREGIN AND DOMESTIC, THAT I WILL BEAR TRUE FAITH AND ALLEGIANCE TO THE SAME; THAT I TAKE THIS OBLIGATION FREELY WITHOUT ANY MENTAL RESERVATION OR PURPOSE OF EVASION; AND THAT I WILL WELL AND FAITHFULLY DISCHARGE THE DUTIES OF THE OFFICE ON WHICH I AM ABOUT TO ENTER , SO HELP ME GOD."
There is nothing in this oath to obey the orders of the President of the United States, now does it?!
All wars the United States of America has been engaged in, since WWII, that Congress did not declare as such are unconstitutional, all of them. e.g. Korea and Vietnam.
Even the 'War Powers Act' is unconstitutional, since it is a compromise to the US Constitution.
The US Constitution and Bill of Rights are the supreme law of the land and any subordinate law that conflicts with or infringes upon it is unconstitutional and demands disobedience at the appropriate level.
Therefore, as for me I would disobey the order to deploy to Iraq, until such time Congress declares WAR on "Islamic Jihad" and then bring the fight to them.
I might add the name "The War on Terror" is so PC, terrorism is a tactic.

JH
Former USAF NCO

Reminds me of Clinton, who's vows were as important as Watada's oath, in that they only need apply as long as they don't interfere with his personal desires. What a turd!

Every soldier has an obligation not to follow orders he believes are illegal. Since the Iraq War is a patently illegal war, any order to deplay to Iraq is also illegal. Lt. Watada had a duty to refuse to deploy. It may have been inappropriate to remark upon it to the press, as a member of the military, but I'm not sure I agree with that rule, since it violates individuals' rights to free speech. Since speaking about intelligence operations or revealing operational details can be construed to be treason, additional restrictions seem superfluous. I applaud Lt. Watada's courage to stand up for his beliefs and convictions and lament that there are so few others who know what the President can legally ask them to do and what he cannot.

CONGRESS GAVE BUSH APPROVAL TO INVADE IRAQ TO REMOVE WEAPONS OF MASS DESTRUCTION AND FREE THE IRAQI PEOPLE FROM HUISSAIN........THE WAR BEING WAGED NOW IS ILLEGAL BECAUSE BUSH HAS NOT RECEIVED CONGRESSIONAL APPROVAL FOR THE ACTIVITIES OUR MILITARY IS NOW ENGAGED IN.

Lt. Wataba is doing what he has to do and none of us really have any right to judge him even though some of us want to applaud him and others want to hang him. He knew he would be called a coward, a traitor, un-American, and even the more creative though somewhat more vulgar names some of you have written. But he took a stand anyway. He is standing where his life has led him and is following it through. Not a lot of us have that kind of integrity. Many of you say he isn't following orders. The same crummy history never seems to change until someone doesn't follow orders. George Washington and the colonists didn't follow orders. They started their own country. Rosa Parks didn't follow orders and neither did Martin Luther King Jr. Jesus wasn't too good about following orders either. He was always pissing off the religious leaders of his day. Oh, and the Germans. Now they were good at following orders and look where it got them. Think about it. I say more power to the lieutenant.

LT Watada is a soldier. The US taxpayer has paid for his training and is currently paying his salary. Since he is refusing to serve, he is no longer performing to military standard. He should be made to repay all the money spent on him during his training and any school expenses the military paid while he was receiving his education.

HE'S A COWARD! My nephew had been deployed to Iraq since the first invasion and has completed two tours and currently serving his third. I have an additional nephew who is a Captain in the Military and has departed for his first combat tour. Lt Watada is setting a poor example for the enlisted and is a disgrace to his fellow officer.

John (US Army Veteran)
Chehalis,WA

Lt Watada is a traitor!! He should be hanged with Jane Fonda. His troops are better off without him

Lt.Watada is a hero. He is bravely holding his superiors accountable to the law, which they have not been strong enough to uphold themselves. For him to be unable to present his legitimate argument in court is yet another example of the corruption that is eating away at this great country. Thank God our founding fathers were more like him than like those in charge today.

Lt. Watada is getting his 15 minutes of fame for possibly 20 years in prison! He may have liberal politics planned for the future and is attempting to devlope his constituant base. He has taken lots of tax payer money and benefits, it's time for him to earn it...unless lack of commitment, lack of honor and irresponsibility are what the new military is all about! A great roll model? Not hardly!

"I, (state your name), having been appointed an officer in the Army of the United States, as indicated above in the grade of Second Lieutenant, do solemnly 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; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office upon which I am about to enter. So help me God. "

The Lt. took the oath and where I come from a man's word is his bond. His job is not to be a politician or activist, his job is to lead men!

LT Ehren Watada's Trial

I am a retired military officer and believe that Lt Ehren Watada is absolutely wrong in his conduct as an Officer and his refusal to deploy.

The Officer's Oath of Office sets an incredibly high standard of personal committment and responsibility to our Nation. Of necessity it requires the subordination of personal rights and liberties for Duty, Honor and Country.

Clearly Lt Watada has failed the parts of the oath that require true faith and allegiance to the Constitution, freely taking his obligation as an Officer without mental reservation or purpose of evasion, and well and faithfully discharging his duties.

The Uniform Code of Military Justice which is approved by Congress sets the standard for good order and discipline within the Military Services. It has a number of Articles under which Lt Watada could be charged for his conduct. He can consider himself lucky that he is only being charged with one count of Failure to Deploy and two counts of Conduct Unbecoming an Officer.

Lt Watada should be aware that the Officers select to judge him will measure him against the standards required by his Oath of Office and the UCMJ not his personal beliefs. He will be convicted and can count on serving four years in confinement at Ft Leavenworth.

This should be enough time to reflect on his failure as an Officer and the disservice he has committed to his Soldiers, his Commanders, the United States Army and the Nation.

Let me get this straight. The first time Watada became aware theat he MAY have to SERVE his COUNTRY is when he got his orders to deploy. He had no idea when he volunteered to join the ARMED SEVICES that he may be needed to use the training that he has recieved at a officer. I guess the oath he took was just a bunch of work he had to recite to get a free education and to travel the world at someone else expense. The words had no meaning to him. Only people with no moral upbringing and understanding would do something like this to his friends and colleagues. This is what he understand as a LEADER is to be. Boy. I sure his family have something to be proud of him. By the way, when is WATADA going to repay the American people for the money he STOLE for his free education, housing, and food while he SERVED his country ?

My family has served in just about every single war this country has been in. My great-grandfather, my grandfather, my father, my uncle, my husband and myself were/are all Disabled Veterans. We all gave our health in service to our country. I didn't get to know my great-grandfather or my grandfather because their service to this great country shortened their lives. My uncle was on the beach at Normandy. My father was in Korea. I had numerous cousins in Viet Nam. My family is large and has always had a tradition of service to this country.

Does anyone really think that my uncle WANTED to be on that beach in Normandy? Or my father in Korea or in the missile silos during the Cuban Missile Crisis? The fact is that when you join the military you both sign a contract and make a sacred oath. When they say 'jump' you jump. When they say "Go", you go. You signed away your right to protest or do anything else but obey. If people who join the military had been allowed to choose whether or not they deploy, we'd all be speaking German right now. Is military service dangerous to life and limb? You bet. But you know that when you sign the papers and take the oath.

LT. Watada is a coward and has comitted treason. He will be going to prison if there is any justice left in today's military. The deaths and injuries of the others who did obey orders and deployed in every war demand this man go to prison for his crimes against them and this country.

For what it is worth, I do NOT support this war in Iraq. I think it is a personal vendetta on the part of those in power right now. I also think it is a financial and political boondoggle that will cost the American taxpayer many billions of dollars and has already cost us much goodwill in other countries that will haunt us for generations. If I were still in the military, if ordered to go, I would pack my bags and report in on time to catch my flight. Because that was what I swore to do and that is what every person in military service swears to do.

They had to have a draft during Vietnam. In World War 2 everyone was enlisting because they knew they needed to. The bottom line is -- you only want someone who wants to be over there fighting by your side. He's an officer, right? Make him do dishes or scrub toilets or something. Don't make him go die for something he doesn't believe in.

Why did Watanda join the Army? Anyone who joined or re-enlisted after 9-11 knew there was a good chance that they would be sent to Iraq. It seems like he took advantage of the Army paying his way through college, but did not want to full fill his commitment to the Army by going to Iraq. Alot of other LT's full filled their commitments. What makes Watanda special?

ANYONE WHO IS A COWARD, SHOULD NEVER SIGN UP FOR THE MILITARY. I DIDN'T WANT TO GO TO VIET-NAM EITHER, BUT IT WAS NOT MY CHOICE TO MAKE, AS I HAD TAKEN AN OATH, WHICH PUT ME AT THE BATTLEFIELD.SOME PEOPLE UNDERSTAND DUTY AND HONOR, AND PUT IT ABOVE ALL ELSE. THIS IS THE REASON THAT "THE GREATEST GENERATION" SAVED US FROM THE WORLD DOMINATION AMBITIONS OF THE GERMANS AND JAPANESE IN WW2. NO,WAR IS NO PLACE FOR COWARDS TO BE, SO GIVE HIM HIS BRIG TIME AND A DISHONORSBLE DISCHARGE,AND SEND HIM BACK TO CIVILIAN LIFE,WITH NO HONOR AND NO GUTS.

I served in the first Gulf War back in "91". The war should have ended back then. I am proud to know that Watada is questioned his orders and sending a message to Washington D.C. This war is unjust, and our President should be held as a war criminal, along with Donald Rumsfeld. There is no PEACE in WAR - Watada is my Hero, I wish him well.

Send the traitor (PENN ) back to California

IF WATADA (AND THE REST OF THE RIFF/RAFF, THAT APPARENTLY DONT WORK AND CAN TAKE THE TIME TO PROTEST, INCLUDING SEAN PENN) CAN EXPLAIN TO EACH PARENT OF A SERVICE MAN OR WOMAN WHY IT IS THAT THEIR SON OR DAUGHTER HAD TO SERVE AND POSSIBLY DIE IN IRAQ, AND HE IS EXEMPT FROM THIS BY VIRTUE OF HIS INSIGHT, THEN MAYBE HE SHOULD BE PARDONED?? WHAT A CROCK. HANG HIM.

Watada is more of a Hero then those who are protesting him not going to war. If the individual protesting against Watada, are so willing fight or loose their lives a for a illegal war, then let them sign on the Dotted line for a President who is unworthy to be in office. Anyone who is PRO WAR should enlist to fight the Iraq war that they so-heartedly believe in. Let them die for a President who lied to the American people. Watada is not saying he does not love his country and would not fight for it, what he is against is fighting for an unjust, illegal war, and a president with his own agenda who lied like a toddler to the American people to get his own way. War is a sign of unsophistication and a nation unevolved. I love my country and my neighbors; however, I do not support the current administration. Good Luck Mr. Watada, God Bless.

Although I completely agree with Watada and his actions, the plain fact is, He broke the law and went against and oath that he swore. I do not feel he should be sentenced to the full extent of the law, but I do feel he should get a Dishonorable Discharge and pay back the money he received for education and his signing bonus with interest.

"I, (state your name), having been appointed an officer in the Army of the United States, as indicated above in the grade of Second Lieutenant, do solemnly 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; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office upon which I am about to enter. So help me God. "

Lt Watada is defending our CONSTITUTION against a DOMESTIC enemy!!! Doing exactly what he swore to do when he took his oath.
If more german soldiers were like him the Nazi holocaust would never have happened, and if fewer german citizens were like YOU (those who think he should follow orders blindly) the Nazi holocaust would never have happened, think about it...
Our leaders that lied to start this war are the criminals here, they are the ones wasting/stealing our money, they are the ones responsible for WAR CRIMES, they should be prosecuted. Rise up and do something to stop them, the germans failed to rise up against Hitler, you are failing to rise up against Bush. George Washington was a traitor too, he rose up against the LAW OF THE LAND, comitted treason against the british, why aren't you condemning him? Have you forgotten that this land was part of the british empire? He was a terrorist to them, yet a hero to us. Think outside the box, look at things from the other side! WATADA IS A HERO, defending our country and constitution, definitely not a coward.

For those that condemn him... You are very much like the citizens of Germany prior to and during world war II, You believe your country is good, your government is good, your leaders are good, that you are good, so much so that you delude yourselves with excuses for all the evil you see comitted by the very same entities. Your behaviour and language results in support of the evil and silence of the dissenters. You are not for democracy, you are for tyranny. You are not for freedom of speech, you are for silence. You are not for justice, you are for lynching. You are very much like the blind followers of Pol Pot during the war in Cambodia.
We, as a country, are not very different in mentality from the Germany of WW-II, we can very easily do what they did. Look what we did to many of our Muslim citizens after 911, did we learn from what we did to our Japanese citizens during WW-II? No! We are still the same, follow blindly, don't ask questions, be silent, don't step up to defend the rights of others, that's us as a country today... Keep it up and one day we will become a fascist country run by a few men and a few corporations, wait... we're almost there!!!!

Aren't you ashamed of our voting system, it was and is manipulated and is very susceptible to election fraud, and in fact we have already been victims of election fraud, the very thing we accuse other countries of. Our triad of government, with separation of powers intended by the constitution, is being subverted, by political parties for the sake of power, intentionally, blindly, with no regard to the consequences. Look at the behaviour of congress and the executive branches, they both serve a POLITICAL PARTY FIRST, before the constitution, THAT IS TREASON. The supreme court is quickly following suit, with judges being appointed primarily on political party affiliation!!!

Remember, a country is only as good as it's citizens, citizens that uphold justice and fairness for ALL, not just for me while excluding you, and that protection also includes non-citizens. Do you think your government will treat you fairly if you were falsly accused ot terrorism today? Do you think you would get a fair trial? Do you think they even need to tell anyone why they arrested you and that they arrested you? Do you think they will release you if they have no evidence? Well, wake up and smell the coffee... they have blindly been given all these "so called" rights already, they already think they have the right to arrest anyone anywhere for any reason and hold them for any length of time and not tell anyone. They already think, have already done, and are currently doing these very things, with your tacit support.

The constitution can't defend itself, YOU must defend it!! Watada is defending it!!! Our real enemies currently are the ones destroying our constitution, they can do this because the majority of people refuse to speak up when the few brave ones that do question their actions are silenced.

In his oath he swore to uphold the constitution and obey those appointed over him... there he is a deserter in my mind and a coward.

"...and obey those appointed over him..."
Only if those people are also following their oath to protect the constitution. How can you obey orders that are unconstitutional? What if those above you command you to commit genocide? Are you the type to follow blindly? You think that absolves you of guilt and sin?

The president also swore an oath to uphold the constitution, which he has violated many times, there he is, guilty in my mind, the guiltiest of all since he is supposed to be the top of the pyramid.

The constitution is for everyone .. including the President .. however .. apperantly he thinks he is above the law.

I have been reading the various comments and I am just wondering how one comes to the conclusion that if someone is in support of Lt. Watada they must be rif raff, unemployed or uneducated. I think that it is a greater sign of uneducation to stoop to violence or call individuals on an opposing side names. I have tought my children, and I truly believe that it is a lack of intelligence that leads a person to such acts. If a person has a vocabulary larger then that of a five year old child, he or she should be able to make a point without having to curse and say, "neiner neirer boo boo".

When one enlists in the United States Military, active duty or reserve, they take the following oath:
I do solemnly 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 over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

National Guard enlisted members take a similar oath, except they also swear to obey the orders of the Governor of their state.

Officers, upon commission, swear to the following:

I do solemnly swear 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; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter.

Military discipline and effectiveness is built on the foundation of obedience to orders. Recruits are taught to obey, immediately and without question, orders from their superiors, right from day-one of boot camp.

Military members who fail to obey the lawful orders of their superiors risk serious consequences. Article 90 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) makes it a crime for a military member to WILLFULLY disobey a superior commissioned officer. Article 91 makes it a crime to WILLFULLY disobey a superior Noncommissioned or Warrant Officer. Article 92 makes it a crime to disobey any lawful order (the disobedience does not have to be "willful" under this article).

In fact, under Article 90, during times of war, a military member who willfully disobeys a superior commissioned officer can be sentenced to death.

Seems like pretty good motivation to obey any order you're given, right? Nope. These articles require the obedience of LAWFUL orders. An order which is unlawful not only does not need to be obeyed, but obeying such an order can result in criminal prosecution of the one who obeys it. Military courts have long held that military members are accountable for their actions even while following orders -- if the order was illegal.

"I was only following orders," has been unsuccessfully used as a legal defense in hundreds of cases (probably most notably by Nazi leaders at the Nuremberg tribunals following World War II). The defense didn't work for them, nor has it worked in hundreds of cases since.

The first recorded case of a United States Military officer using the "I was only following orders" defense dates back to 1799. During the War with France, Congress passed a law making it permissible to seize ships bound to any French Port. However, when President John Adams wrote the order to authorize the U.S. Navy to do so, he wrote that Navy ships were authorized to seize any vessel bound for a French port, or traveling from a French port. Pursuant to the President's instructions, a U.S. Navy captain seized a Danish Ship (the Flying Fish), which was en route from a French Port. The owners of the ship sued the Navy captain in U.S. maritime court for trespass. They won, and the United States Supreme Court upheld the decision. The U.S. Supreme Court held that Navy commanders "act at their own peril" when obeying presidential orders when such orders are illegal.

The Vietnam War presented the United States military courts with more cases of the "I was only following orders" defense than any previous conflict. The decisions during these cases reaffirmed that following manifestly illegal orders is not a viable defense from criminal prosecution. In United States v. Keenan, the accused (Keenan) was found guilty of murder after he obeyed in order to shoot and kill an elderly Vietnamese citizen. The Court of Military Appeals held that "the justification for acts done pursuant to orders does not exist if the order was of such a nature that a man of ordinary sense and understanding would know it to be illegal." (Interestingly, the soldier who gave Keenan the order, Corporal Luczko, was acquitted by reason of insanity).

Watada is a coward and a traitor. The President of the United States is the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces. Only Congress has the power to override the President.

Watada is no better than the anarchissts in Iraq that are destroying that country.

This is a country of law and Watada broke the law.

It is interesting that Lt. Watada is being court-martialed for defending the constitution while George W. Bush goes unpunished for undermining the constitution through suspension of habeas corpus and unwarranted wire tapping, not to mention lying to the American people about the necessity for this bloody, protracted war. Bush is the criminal here. He should be impeached. Watada is a role model. If I had kids I'd tell them to emulate him.

Bravo to Lt wantada, Awol dodger Bush and 6 deferrment Cheney have done the same thing we hung the Nazis for in 1945 at Nuremberg --Starting a War and Waging a war. Ibelieve all law is predicated on a basis of what is being done and not who is doing it. Bush,Cheney have 33 indictments for war crimes against them from the U.N.-- of course we dont pay any attention to that since we have vetoed over77 resolutions against Israel in the U.N.

After the WWII Nuremberg trials, there is no such thing as blind obedience to orders.

All you retired and active military folks need to calm down and relax a bit. If an Army commander said jump off a 20 story building - none of you would do that, even with proper protective gear.

Well, on second thought, and after reviwing some of your comments, maybe a few of you would jump.

U.S. Army management could have reassigned 1LT. Watada to other duties, but chose not to do that.

As an honorably discharged veteran I find it offensive that Army management is sensationalizing the Watada matter, AND wasting taxpayer dollars.

When he signed his enlistment contract he new he may have to go to war .He has been given hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of training and when it comes time for us tax payers to get some return on this investment he does not want pay up.He has let all the men under his command down. He should have to spend at least 20 years at Fort Leavenworth prison and should have to repay every penny that the tax payer has invested in him plus interest.

Not only has Watada disgraced his service he has disgraced his "supporters". Most don't believe in the same things as Watada. They support him as anti-military, a "NO War" supporter, get out of Iraq, and bring home the troops activist. They support non-violence, hate the President, want peace, and don't like the establishment. He is none of these. He is only a, "I won't go to Iraq BUT I'll go where it is a little safer" coward. He will fight a war if, in his opinion, it is just. His supporters think he wants ALL war stopped. He took an oath, took payment for services, and tried to quit when things did not go his way. Give him a Dishonorable Discharge and send him home. He can work for mom and dad. Don't feed him for a four year jail term. He is not worth it. See if his "supporters" support him when he is out in their element. His supporters would be better off using their masses to lobby their Congressmen, Senators and the like. The military is run by civilians. It is in the Constitution you all talk so much about. Had you supported the military with taxes to operate while we were a strong military instead of cutting our strength, outsourcing our services and weakening our abilities, Sadam would have gave up without a fight. Because the United Nations, some minor cowardly countries (profiteers from Iraqi oil), and various American Persons did not show support, Sadam did not expect the USA to help the Iraqi people. We helped and Sadam is history. It does not make any difference WHAT Sadam was killing with as he killed MASSES of his people. Mass Dustruction did not need Massive Weapons. Sadam is gone, there are no weapons of mass destruction, and mass destruction is still happening. Send our Muslim Religeous Leaders to Iraq to teach them how to get along with each other like they do in the US of A and other countries. They do, don't they? God Bless Our Troops and God Bless America!!!

I dont think that Watada should go to prison for what he has done. I dont think that we should even be in Iraq anymore. We went there because they supposeably had WMD's and we found out that they didnt, AND we got rid of Saddam. Now why are we there? To help the people of Iraq? We have our own problems here in the states. Lets deal with OUR needs first.

In my opinion, Watada is an American hero - a whistle-blower. Even knowing he would face a court martial, he still had the courage to speak out against anti-American war activities. Who else but an eye-witness knows what he has seen? I applaud his courage and efforts.

I am an Iraq war veteran, and this young liutenants actions make me sick. I'm glad this coward wasn't an officer in the unit I went to Iraq with. I hope they make a statement out of him and lock him up for a long time.He should feel lucky, that they aren't seeking the death penalty, like they used to do deserters. These colors of ours may bleed, but they never run.

There's really not much to think about. He joind the service to serve our country. Then he chickened out when he found out this is the ultimate REALLITY SHOW. John Wayne said it best - YOU'RE A LOWDOWN, YELLOW BELLIED COWARD!

To those who are quick to judge - Boo, Hoo,
I am an Iraq vet too and I should have done the same thing as Lt. Watada. But no, I didn't because I was young and I didn't question anything, because I thought the officers were GOD - until I was ordered to do something that would have put my shipmates in harms way. If you feel so GUN HO about this war, why don't you go back in? If all of you Gun Loving, quick to judge, I'm better than you, why don't you freeken RED NECKS go down to your local military recruiter and enlist, or reenlist and quit complaining. Go! Now! I'm ordering you too. If you don't, that tells me you’re the coward, and willing to support our commander in chief - Monkey Boy Bush whose vocabulary is nothing more than "neiner neirer boo boo".

He is a piece of Shit! And Gary Belcher is a dumbass!

It's funny, if you went back to say, 1939 Germany and had a message board, would it sound kind of like this one...

"Who cares if you don't think rounding up the Jews is right? You signed up didn't you, now do your job! Stop thinking!"

What a bunch of freaks on this board...

If you're all so into the war, why aren't you volunteering. Bunch of hypocrite wastes...

Actually, that is exactly what Nazi germany said. We follow orders, we do what we are told. We were not doing anything wrong, because we HAD to follow orders. Although I think Watada was a bit nieve for signing up in the first place (did he think the military was really about peace or civility?) I greatly admire him for taking the stance he has taken. Right or wrong, he is standing for his belief against a tide (perhaps overwhelmingly so) of opposition against his stance.
Regardless of whether he is court martialed, I have a great deal of respect for anyone who is willing to make a stance that is almost violently opposed by the majority of people, including most of his piers. It takes integrity and back bone to stand against the tide, even when you know you are right.
I bow to Lt. Ehren Watada out of respect and with great honor. - Zeepy

As a 22 year Navy Veteran (and Vietnam) there is one outcome acceptable at the end of his court martial. He should never have enlisted but he did. Once you join (hopefully for love of country and patriotic reasons) you don't have the luxury of picking or choosing what wars you will attend. Having said that, In order to maintain good order and discipline he needs to be court martialed and locked away in Leavenworth for a minimum of 10 years at hard labor (busting rocks would be my sentence), along with a Dishonorable Discharge, end of story. Of course it won't stop there since he's become the "poster child" of the socialist left. I remember these free loaders from the days of Vietnam, and all the ugly looks vietnam vets received upon when stepping off the plane at SEATAC. This Watadism (cowardism) needs to be dealt with firmly and without fanfare. One the biggest irritants for me in this whole Soap Opera is "how the Media plays this act of cowardice as a patriotic act". I really question the media's patriotism in all of this as well as its failure to support the troops. It's a known fact that the left doesn't!

He disobeyed a LEGAL direct command and is using his petty political lies to try and wiggle out of his crime. Throw him in the slammer!

The war is illegal now as it was the day Watada enlisted. He made a choice to support the war effort.

If he had enlisted before the war, he should have petitioned to be a conscientious objector.

Now he is abondoning his post and his troups he vowed to lead. A Court Marshall is fitting for his crime.

Lt Watada is a hero & honest military officer. The Nuremburg trials set the precedent that "just following orders" is NOT a valid defense for war crimes & illegal military actions. He is 100% correct to refuse to participate in an illegal military OCCUPATION of a sovereign nation that WAS NOT a threat to the USA. The OCCUPATION of Iraq IS illegal. Congress did NOT declare war on that nation. BUSH & HIS Criminal neocon advisors deliberately falsified information to Congress & the American public. Watada is another patriot calling this pres to accountability for his lying & criminal actions deliberately demanding our sons & daughters, fathers & mothers to die for his hubris.

If you join the reserves or the military it is with the understanding that with the free training and benefits, you might be called into war. Look at out past history. Is this guy a moron? Gee, looks like he wants to be a fair weather officer. Refusing an order in a war time situation is treason and treason is met with harshly. so be it !!

I will call him Watada because he is not a man deserving to be recognized as a Commissioned Officer of the Armed Forces. I strongly believe that because he joined the Army following the begining of this war that his intentions were to protest the war publically. I have no doubt that this man has a wealthy family who probably told him that he didn't have to wory about a thing if he did this because they would take care of him. I believe this was his goal when he took the oath. This oath meant nothing to him. He has placed this country in grave danger because of his actions. I would go as far as to say that he was probably payed to do what he has done. I know that the terrorists are eating this up. The love the ignorance of the American people, they love watching us squabble like sibblings, and they love taking advantage of this weaknedd of ours. As any military member who has abandoned their unit, this man should go to prison for what he did. The military is required to be strong...steadfast...inorder to be victorious. If every soldier or even 1 of every 10 soldiers decided they wanted to lay down arms because they disagreed with what their Superior Oficers instructed them to do, we would never win a war. Face it, if we layed our weapons down and just walked out of Iraq, the WMD's would no doubt return, the good people over there would be slaughtered and the rest of the Free world would be in grave danger. The terrorists do not want to be left alone to mind their own business, they WANT and intend to forcefully impose their religion on the rest of the world and impose the Muslim Law on all Humans. We cannot stand for that, and by going in there to hold the terrorists at bay, we are prolonging our freedoms as well as our lives.

I have the perfect solution to end this war in Iraq.
1. We pull out our armed forces.
2. We glass pack that entire region (Nuke'em).
When I was in the Navy serving in the Persian Gulf (1991-92), our Top Gun fighter Pilots (VF-111 F-14) said, " I'd gladly fly 10,000 miles to smoke a camel".

For all of you that feel that Lt. Ehren Watada was wrong for his decision to not join in an illigal war that no person or persons in our government has a right to declare should read the constitution. The government only has the right to declare war is if and when the shores of the U.S. are invaded.

The only other instance is if a country is trying to take over the world as in WW 1 and 2

As for those that are speaking against Lt. Ehren Watada, maybe you should all volunteer yourselves and family to go to Iraq and fight for a President that has never been in this type of danger.

Only a fool would trust a corrupt government!!!

I'm glad that none of the people posting on this message board will actually make the decision on this topic. You're all way too fired up, too freaked out. Get some rest, exercise, smoke pot... whatever it takes. Stop worrying about this guy's business. Slow down.

DD FORM 4/1,JAN 2001 [ENLISTMENT DOCUMENT],
SEC. A: GENERAL I.D. OF THE ENLISTEE; SEC. B: AGREEMENTS TO WHICH OF ENLISTMENT,PARA 8, "I am enlisting/reenlisting in the United States (list brach)_____________ this date for _________ years and _________weeks beginning in the Regular component of the United States(list branch___________ for not less than ________years and ________weeks. ; SEC. C PARTIAL STATEMENT Of U.S. LAWS, Para 9.a. ...As a member of the Armed Forces of the U.S., I will be: Para 9.a.(4) Required upon order to serve in combat or other hazardous situations.; sec.D CERTIFICTION/ACCEPTANCE, Para 13a. My acceptance for enlistment is based on the information I have given in my applicaiton for enlistment. If any of that information is false or incorrect, this enlistment may be voided or terminated administravtively by the Government or I may be tried by a Federal,civilian, or military court and, if fund guilty, may be punished.
I CERTIFY THAT I HAVE CAREFULLY READ THIS DOCUMENT. AND QUESTIONS I HAD WERE EXPLAINED TO MY SATISFACTION. I FULLY UNDERSTAND THAT ONLY THOSE AGREEMENTS IN SECTION B OF THE DOCUMENT OR RECORDED ON THE ATTACHED ANNEX(S) WILL BE HONORED. ANY OTHER PROMISES OR GUARANTEED MADE TO ME BY ANYONE ARE WRITTEN BELOW. 13b. Signature of Enlistee, 13c. Date; SEC. E CONFIRMATION OF ENLISTMENT [OATHS], which were stated in previous blogs, Para E.18.a. Signature of enlistee, Para E.18.b. Date signed; ...

One can even see, that Lt Watada clearly knew what he was getting into when he enlisted back in 2003, and clearly he violated the contract of the enlistment.

Mr. Watada did in fact disgraced the uniform he wore, the Army, and the United States of America.

Theoldog, USN, Ret.

The LT just shows us were are kids are going in this world. A throw away world. We do as we see fit, we disregard our morals and principals. Our word means nothing to us anymore. The LT should buck up take his DD and serve his time. He is a poor example of a leader. Of course we all know that he will be some left wing liberals right hand man as soon as he gets through this ie Pelosi, Baxter, Kennedy and the others. What a shame. If you don't like what we do as a Country then do not serve in my Armed Forces. It is volunteer but it is not a volunteer to get out when you see fit because it doesn't suit your needs at the time. Be a man LT and do your time abide by the OATH you took. TOO LATE you get a go to JAIL card.

HE knew when he signed up that he could be deployed........yes that means he had prior knowledge,which means he had all the info,B-4 signing up.........BUT, he is a perfect example of this nations attitude of not wanting to take responsibility for our own actions......since he knew what he was doing when he singed up....then he knows what comes next.....or maybe they should make him pay back the govt.for the training he recieved...THAT WOULD BE SOOOOO FUNNY.....and a fair answer I think..

His superiors can't even keep track of over 300 tons of cash ... which got lost, stolen or otherwise misplaced ... 12 BILLION Dollars

SOOOOOOOO BILL CLINTON GAVE MEXICO 3 COUNT THEM....THREE BILLION DOLLARS at the end of his presidency to FIGHT DRUG LORDS......jeeeezus...this countrys goverment wipes its butt with 12BILLION dollars every minute.........that was obviously to pay some one off......why eLSE would they drop cash like that....this dude knows what the He!! is going on...if he didN'T agree then he should have kept his hand in his POCKET.......not to mention if you are so concerned with money being lost if he pays back his training you can take it off the tab...B}

400 million USD of that money probably went to the old Exxon Mobile CEO. More then 10% of this country lives belove the poverty level while about only 89% of the American Households were foodsecure for the entire year in 2002. This means that 11% of the people legally living here did not have enough food for all of their household members. 1 in 10 Americans looking for food ... and this number is even rising ... and you think that 12 Billion dollars is nothing.

HOW many of those people bought drugs insted of food???and alcohol?? ciggerettes?? take a poll on that....not a national problem unless these people have kids.....then they become a national problem,what we should be spending 12 billion on is birth control and pass it out like money....and as for watada....I helped pay for his training......I want my Money back......

I think he is a coward. As a former member of the United States Air Force and for those of us who have been to the war in Iraq, it is appauling to think that just because he thought that the war in Iraq was unjust, he opted not to go. We never had that choice during the first Gulf war. He took an oath as we all did when we "VOLUNTEERED" to join the military, and that was to defend our great nation from Forgein and Domestic enemies. He may not agree with President Bush and the way he runs the country, but like I stated earlier, he took an oath to defend the people of our nation.

I am also from Hawaii now living in the States, I must say when seeing this coward all over the news and that he is from Hawaii, I am embarrsed for the people there and embarrased to say that I am from there. We are brought up different there. (OHANA Style)= Hawaiian for family. We look at life in a way that we want to help everyone as if they were family. Joing the military, that is what we all become. Brothers and Sisters that are connected by "OATH" and "HONOR"

Where is his "OHANA STYLE" and better yet where is his honor. His punishment should be death because I think Leavenworth is too good for him.

WATADA You are a "COWARD"

12 Billion would have helped with your education Johanna ... at least learn how to spell.

Has everyone lost their minds? Legal war, illegal war?!
He's a coward hiding behind someone elses agenda. Part of being a soilder is having to do things that are not easy, and things that they may not want to do.

is that an opinion????.....blah blah blah...is that better....he is a coward....seems to be contagious.......i beg pardun if its not spelt rite.....ya git my point doe......not to mention hair pulling,and cat scratching is kind of the last resort.for ignorant people isn't it??..c-ya..B}

As a retired Commissioned Officer, I have found the decision of Lt.Watada as a disgrace to the uniform he is hiding behind. He knew from day one what he was getting into with conflicts and wars. This is part of the classes he took to get his commission. When all the dust is settled on this Military Court case, he needs to pay back to the American People the money for the degree he received. He should not benefit from anything the Army has given him, and they should take back the degree too. I don't totally agree on this war, But it is not me who pays the price, but those who have already paid the price of our freedom. He was a leader who let his own Army people down. They went into battle without a leader, because of this many may come back alone.

WHO GAVE THE USA PERMISSION TO INVADE A SOVERNG NATION?
THE SAME REASONS USED BY HITLER TO INVADE POLAND WERE USED BY BUSH TO INVADE IRAQ! THE NATION WAS HOME TO TERRORIST THAT MAY ATTACK THE HOMELAND. REMEMBER WHAT WORLD WENT THROUGH BECAUSE HIS GENERALS BLINDLY FOLLOWED A LIE! ALLOW THIS MAN TO OPT OUT. THERE ARE ENOUGH RENECK,NEO-CON'S THAT WILL GLADLY STEP IN TO TAKE HIS PLACE READING THESE E-MAILS. T.BEESON USMCR

Why do you join the military knowing that there is a chance that you may be called to duty in a war type scenario? Look at all the vietnam vets who didn't agree with the vietnam war and others throughout history. When you join the military you take that chance, if you don't want to fight, don't inlist...and if there is a draft like in the 60's I guess you flee to Canada like others have. There is ALWAYS a chance for being called to fight...people need to think of the big picture before sighning up... it's not all "seeing the world"

you GOOOOOOOOO shellie.....maybe there is hope after all.

Debra Green is an idiot. The 'Lies' that were propagated at the begining of this war were that there were WMD's? Those 'lies' were then propagated by Hillary Clinton and the rest of the left side of American politics also. Everyone, including John Kerry, was convinced Sadam had them, and was calling for war. This coward simply had a bad dream about getting shot, and decided to start a popularity contest to keep from having to fight. That's treason. In a time of war. I vote to shoot him.

Thank GOD that President Bush had the guts to liberate the enslaved and persecuted people of Iraq! He is a true hero and deserves all of our support.

Liberating Iraq is the most noble thing that the USA has done since we liberated Europe from Hitler!

YAY!!! THE HOUSE HAS BLOCKED THAT IDIOT FROM SENDING MORE TROOPS!!! READ IT AND WEEP FASCIST SUPPORTERS!! THIS WAR IS WRONG AND YOU'VE ALWAYS KNOWN IT!!!!!!

- NO WONDER THE WATADA CRAP WAS DEEMED A MISTRIAL.

Well, Hachiko I'll tell ya who authorized going to war with Iraq.

The U.S. Senate of 107th Congress - 2nd Session on October 11th, 2002, 12:50a.m., House Joint Resolution 114, with the passing vote of 77 to 23. Senator Cantwell [D-WA],voted Yea and Senator Murray [D-WA], voted Nay.

Then the House of Representative followed and passed the same measure with vote of 296 to 133.

It was the United States Government approved the action against Iraq ! Not Pres. Geo. Bush.!!

Theoldog, USN, Ret.

For all of you out there- the title of H.J. Res. 114, is "A joint resolution to authorize the use of the United States Armed Forces against Iraq."

Theoldog,USN,Ret.

WHATs REally FuNNY...is that some moron,thinks that ALl this PoStUrInG that his beloved democrats are doing..actuALLY MeANS SomThInG....YOUR so silly.....

Sending Watada to prison is not going to solve anything.

It was possible to hear President George Bush talking about developing a bipartisan strategy for his war in Iraq. But when the Baker-Hamilton Commission issued its bipartisan recommendations, Pres.Bush ignored them and it is clear that Bush no longer listens to the people.
The longer we continue our occupation of Iraq, the more enemies we create in the Arab World. We are spending hundreds of billions on a war that has created deficit and continues to create more terrorist and alienated other nations. It is time for Congress to show some backbone and get us out of this disastrous war.

"Thank GOD that President Bush had the guts to liberate the enslaved and persecuted people of Iraq! He is a true hero and deserves all of our support."

Why isn't Bush then invading China, North Korea, Cuba, Myanmar or other countries like that?

PS .. how many of your pro war monkeys have signed up yet to serve ?

Once aGain,The qUestion is not weather we agree WIth the WAr.....but if some one who has..with all the information...signed up to the military...should be able to be a diserter....cowardice is like the plague...it will spread like wildfire.....now....do you want people..AT ANY TIME....weather here or abroad...who you as the working public,don't force to be there... want people that you are counting on and paying,to be safe....to be able to decide on a whimsey...that they don't want to follow orders??simply because they don't agree on the jobs that they are given??? weather or not people sign up is a personal choise......nOOOOOT one i would make......BUT IF I DID......Iwould know that the only way out is death,discharge,or retirement.......hell EVEN I KNOW THAT...he made his bed now he has to lay in it.....it's called TAKING RESPONSEABILITY FOR YOUR ACTIONS....i don't know if you would know anything about that!!!

Perhaps if a few Germans had defied illegal or immoral war orders,as Watada has, their rain of terror would be cut short as ours should be.
Lee Brooks
Olympia

please dont try and make a connection between refusing to go to war and slaughtering innocent people. Because as far as I know the military isn't shoving large quantities of people into gas chambers.

But the military is killing innocent people... OUR OWN TROOPS!

True our own troops are under friendly fire.......name one war that was friendly fire free.....we are also bombing the english...to bad war dosn't mean perfect......

So far the war on home-based christian extremism has been friendly fire free ...

Lt. Ehren Watada Man of Moral Character!

“Moral cowardice that keeps us from speaking our minds is as dangerous to this country as irresponsible talk. The right way is not always the popular and easy way. Standing for right when it is unpopular is a true test of moral character.”
Margaret Chase Smith
United States Senator
I believe the decision by Lt. E. Watada( United States Army) was one of moral character; a man has a right to speak freely when he sees a wrong being committed. I can see why he made this decision; although as a former Marine I would never allow the men and women I trained and served with go into combat without me (It is a Marines way of thinking). It is obvious the U.S. Army was not expecting Lt. Watada’s defense of the two charges of Conduct Unbecoming an Officer and a Gentleman. There is no part of the oath taken by any officer or enlisted man or woman, when joining the Armed Forces of the United States that says one cannot speak freely of what they believe is right or wrong. Instead of accepting Lt. E. Watada’s offer to serve in Afghanistan, the Army decided to defend the Commander in Chief’s decision (President George W. Bush) to invade Iraq.
It is apparent to me that the decision made by the Army was a tragic one; it has seriously damaged the Army’s morale, because of their feeble attempt to silence a man’s right to free speech. It is my belief that Lt. E. Watada was wrong in his refusal to go to Iraq, but I do admire and respect his decision. He will probably receive a dishonorable discharge and maybe some in the brig.
Thank you Lt. Ehren Watada for speaking up for what you believe is right and May God Bless you.
A Marine Veteran