Fort Lewis Officer Says He Will Refuse to Go to Iraq
By Kim Priestap on Iraq
Wizbang
Lieutentant Ehren Watada has said he will refuse to go to Iraq when his Stryker Brigade is deployed.
<<< As thousands of Fort Lewis Army troops prepare to head back to Iraq, one of their officers is making a stand.
A lieutenant says he is going to refuse to go, saying it's an unjust war. Anti-war groups are rallying to his defense.
Lt. Ehren Watada of the Stryker Brigade writes, "I refuse to be silent any longer. I refuse to watch families torn apart, while the President tells us to 'stay the course.' I refuse to be party to an illegal and immoral war against people who did nothing to deserve our aggression.
"I wanted to be there for my fellow troops. But the best way was not to help drop artillery and cause more death and destruction. It is to help oppose this war and end it so that all soldiers can come home." - signed LT.
His name had been kept a secret until now, but Lt. Watada's father confirms that his son is taking this bold step and told the Honolulu Advertiser newspaper that he's proud of his son.
Fort Lewis says since the lieutenant hasn't done anything official yet, there's no violation. But should he decide to go ahead with this, he could be charged with 'desertion' or more likely with 'missing the movement' of his unit.
It's happened before with a sergeant who refused to go. Sgt. Kevin Benderman was sentenced to 15 months for refusing to go to Iraq.
Lt. Watada asked for reassignment and tried resigning his commission, but the Army refused. His attorney tells us from Hawaii that Watada is not against all wars, just this one. >>>
This is more than just one man refusing to deploy. It's a coordinated effort by the anti-war left to undermine our troops, our war effort, and President Bush, and Lt. Watada is its pawn. Take a look at this website.
thankyoult.org
It's the public relations effort that will make sure Lt. Watada gets as much press coverage as possible:
<<< Tomorrow, Wednesday, June 7th U.S. Army First Lieutenant Ehren Watada will become the first commissioned officer to refuse deployment to the unlawful Iraq war and occupation. He will announce his intention to disobey the illegal order to deploy to Iraq in coordinated press conferences in Tacoma, Washington and Honolulu, Hawaii. >>>
People are encouraged to sign a petition that says the war in Iraq was preemptive, deceptive, and illegal. Read the petition and note how the deaths in Haditha, which are still being investigated, are referenced (link below):
<<< Thank you Lt. Ehren Watada for standing up for international, US and military law by refusing to deploy to Iraq in support of the ongoing illegal war and occupation.
From the preemptive invasion based on deception, to the deaths of tens of thousands of Iraqi civilians and nearly 2,500 U.S. troops, to the infamous Abu Ghraib torture cells and the recent Haditha massacre, no more evidence is required of how very wrong this war is. In light of these facts, we appreciate your decision to now follow your conscience.
We agree with you Lt. Watada, it is past time for US forces to leave Iraq. We salute your true leadership in these dark times, and believe that we can all learn something from your courage. >>>
Here are the organizations behind this "campaign." Lt. Watada is facing prison time, and to the left, he is simply a means to an end.
thankyoult.org
Leaning Straight Up outlines the consequences that await Lt. Watada for refusing to deploy. Then again, if Rep. Murtha could pull a few strings...
Jay at Stop the ACLU picked up on this story as well and says this:
I'm sure the left will prop this guy up as a shining
example to his fellow soldiers. Right? It was bravery not
cowardice, right??
http://feeds.wizbangblog.com/WizbangFullFeed?m=1442
stoptheaclu.com
thankyoult.org
thankyoult.org
leaningstraightup.com
stoptheaclu.com |
