.

From the first days of Basic Training, ROTC or the service academies, we are taught that it is not only our right, but our responsibility to question orders we think are unlawful. If Watada deems his orders are unlawful, it is up to him to prove that they are.

On that part, I disagree with him. Nothing about his orders to deploy to Iraq are unconstitutional or against the UCMJ. He doesn't have a leg to stand on.

I agree with you though. He is not skipping the country, running to the press to claim victim status or even whining to the ACLU. He is standing up for what he believes and is willing to face the consequences. Agree or disagree, you gotta respect him for that.

I do think though that facing the consequences of his actions should include repaying the cost of the education and training he has received but now refuses to earn.

I remember two times in my Army career that I questioned direct orders. Unfortunately the first time I didn't have the guts to follow through with reporting my commander for his unlawful order... I felt so low for not standing up for myself and the other troops.. the next opportunity (I was a seasoned NCO by then) I was not going to feel like that again.

Reply By: ParaTed2kPosted: Friday, June 16, 2006From the first days of Basic Training, ROTC or the service academies, we are taught that it is not only our right, but our responsibility to question orders we think are unlawful. If Watada deems his orders are unlawful, it is up to him to prove that they are.

he will never prove that , he is screwed! and he deserves it, I am in no way approving of his actions, but do give grudging respect for standing by his concious.

Terp

You correctly point out that the individual will face consequences for his actions or lack of action, but does that really help others that may have been affected by all of this? Lets say the person that has to pick up the ball for this persons stand is Texas Wahine's spouse - is it fair to her and him that he gets pushed into service to make up for the loss of this other individual who is taking a stand on principle? I don't think so.

That's the thing. I know it isn't that rational, but I feel like every troop over there is only there because we were prevented from taking care of business in 91. Brandie and Karen's husband (and all the others who have been, will be, or are there, are there in my place. Doing the job I should be there doing.

#7 by ParaTed2k Fri, June 16, 2006 3:24 PM

That's the thing. I know it isn't that rational, but I feel like every troop over there is only there because we were prevented from taking care of business in 91. Brandie and Karen's husband (and all the others who have been, will be, or are there, are there in my place. Doing the job I should be there doing.

it's a very rational feeling ted, I am still pissed they did not let us fight vietnam properly.

10 by Texas Wahine Fri, June 16, 2006 3:40 PM

Perhaps his conscience should have prevented him from joining

agreed./

Do you remember when combat began in Iraq? I do

was that remark necessary? you know damn well I know when the war started.

This dumbass joined up when the war was already begun. If he had a problem with it, he should have stated it LONG ago, not suddenly when he was called up to deploy.

I agree, he should have went for C>O> status when he enlisted.

He's a pussy, pure and simple. It's not about his conscience. It's about convenience.

Here we disagree, if he was a pussy he would have ran for Canada, what he is doing takes alot of cojones.

#12 by Texas Wahine Fri, June 16, 2006 4:10 PM

Well hell, MM, my husband's leaving for Iraq in 2 months. I'd rather have him in jail. Should I prompt him to try this shit as well? Would that be respectable?

no. your husband { may he be safe and return whole} stands by his beliefs and honors his duty. He is as different from watada as night from day.

Very interesting. I visited the link you provided MM, which offered a link to Lt. Watada's official statement on the matter, in writing and in video. Link

I've got to say after reading his words, I have a feeling that many MANY Americans likely agree with his stance on the war. I don't doubt that there are many people in the military who feel the same way he does, but keep their mouths shut and "serve" as they said they would. I put the word "serve" in quotations because that's what many military people claim they're doing..."serving"...when in reality they know they're going to a job like they would be doing anyway, but enjoying awesome benefits, traveling the world at the govt's expense, and keeping their families fed. (My husband included. I've known few people who joined up for purely altruistic reasons to serve their country.) 'Nother topic though.

Can you imagine if every servicemember who silently agrees with Lt. Watada were to do the same thing he did? Can you imagine what the impact on this issue would be if there were THOUSANDS of deserters?

WOW.

Of course that won't happen because we all cherish our benefits and paychecks. And everyone remembers that dotted line they signed. Apparently the last guy who pulled this stunt received FIFTEEN MONTHS in prison. Yup, that's three more months than he would've spent in Iraq.

From a different angle, if Lt. Watada is so opposed to this war, why the heck did he sign up after the war began? Me wonders if he was looking forward to making this statement? Or perhaps he was hoping that he'd get through his commitment without being called up to go to Iraq, while enjoying his nice fat paychecks? I wonder if he hadn't received orders he would have kept his opinion to himself like so many others do?

Or perhaps he was hoping that he'd get through his commitment without being called up to go to Iraq?

That would be my guess.

My own husband doesn't believe in the cause.

My husband doesn't believe in the cause either (neither do I), and he dutifully went to Iraq like everyone else, and just like your husband is preparing to do.

Can you imagine if every servicemember who silently agrees with Lt. Watada were to do the same thing he did? Can you imagine what the impact on this issue would be if there were THOUSANDS of deserters?

There would be a lot of families with servicemembers in prison...And a lot of housewives looking for jobs to support their families, but

I imagine such an uprising would make our Beloved President RE-THINK THIS STUPID "WAR"!!!!!!

#14 by BakerStreet Fri, June 16, 2006 4:55 PM

Me, I'd rather people who aren't committed to the cause to stay home.

yes, me too, I surely would not follow this man into battle.

#15 by AngelaMarie88 Fri, June 16, 2006 5:04 PM

From a different angle, if Lt. Watada is so opposed to this war, why the heck did he sign up after the war began? Me wonders if he was looking forward to making this statement? Or perhaps he was hoping that he'd get through his commitment without being called up to go to Iraq, while enjoying his nice fat paychecks? I wonder if he hadn't received orders he would have kept his opinion to himself like so many others do?

I would like to know the answers to that as well. Nope he would have kept his "opinion" to himself, there was no point before he had orders.

Then even more so, because he'd hypocritically be sending people like your husband to die. Is sending people to die for a cause you don't believe in an honest thing to do, you think?

"Sending people like your husband to die?"

My husband isn't being "sent to die"...he's a fucking medic, Bakerstreet. You can kiss Watada's ass all you want, but I don't find his decision to abandon his commitment at his own convenience honorable.

We have different standards.

Does anyone know what Watada DOES? Just because he's an officer doesn't make him a commander charged with sending troops into battle. He could be a fucking lawyer for all I know.