Sorry I did yours again grim. I checked to see if it had been done, but I guess I forgot to refresh the page.

I'm with you though. I'm glad he's actually taking a stand up against big brother. But the way in which he's doing it was a bad idea. He does have every right in doing this though, as guaranteed by what's left of the 1st amendment.

Originally posted by grimreaper797
Do you think that he is right in doing this?

No. I agree with you on this one.

Id do the same, I wouldn't care if the PM/president personally gave me the orders. If I didn't agree with it, I wouldn't do it but then again, Id never join the army precisely for that reason.

Originally posted by Skibum
That would be the oath enlisted personnel take.

OK so there is a different oath yet that does not mean that they do not have to obey the orders of the president and officers above them, does it?

I think joining a military means you are going to kill, he knew this before he joined up.

Originally posted by shots
OK so there is a different oath yet that does not mean that they do not have to obey the orders of the president and officers above them, does it?

Guy, seriously, read the article...

First Lt. Ehren Watada's supporters -- including clergy and a military family group -- said he is the first commissioned officer to publicly refuse to serve in Iraq and risked being court-martialed.

He risking a court-martial to stand up for what he believs is right, so, to answer the obvious to your question, yes, he is supposed to obey orders. Yet, he feels that the president's orders should not be followed to commit, what he feels, is a war crime.

this kind of incident is certainly not new. Anyone old enough to recall Vietnam will possibly remember that this kind of thingh appened on a regular basis after the '68 Tet Offensive.

Watada will not see jail time. He will, however, be dishonorably discharged. This'll be offset by the book deal and speaking fees he gets as a civilian. Conscience comes iwth a high price. I know this from experience.

If you interpret the high officials as the threat to the constitution how do you go about it then? I feel this may become an issue in the future for all those in the army and such.

*sigh*

There's no war in Iraq anymore. It's just mostly patrolling, counter-insurgency and pacification operations for the US troops and Iraqi Security/police forces.

Unfortunately the media keep calling it "war" and people, including the military, just lap it up conveniently.

war on terror is being fought in iraq. its no doubt a war, and will continue to be one. We aren't winning this war on terror. We may have won the war on iraq (saddam) but not the war on terror by a long shot.

I don't know what kind of obligation this young man is committed to. It may be the Army paid for his education or something and he agreed to serve a particular amount of time in return. If he is under no such obligation, why didn't he just renounce his commission and leave the Army? While I respect the man's willinginess to stand up for his beliefs it seems to me he had options available other than making a public political statement.

I've posted my feelings on Iraq and so there should'n't be any questions on where I stand. We shouldn't be there. With that said he should be taken out back after courts martial and shot.

In the least put a yellow stripe down his back. He is an officer sworn to uphold orders given by the cac. His duty is to complete missions handed him and bring our boys home. Because of his " stand", they'll have him run for congress someday and ofcourse President.

Another example of neolib influence. He would send his men to do something he didn't have the guts to do himself. Where was my choice on Bosnia or Somalia? Where were you hypocrites? I don't remember any protests when my best friend was being killed in Mogadishu. Where were you? Bombing folks in Bosnia?You weren't told to dissent, that's where you were. Whether he agrees or not. Coward.

An officer's duty is his men. What a message this coward has sent to those who have to go. Whether or not he goes, his men will, flash for you geniuses. Wet yourselves over his cowardice. He'd make a great leader for your son. He really would.

His honor, which is no longer in tact is what has kept you free. Thank God he is a very small rarity.

He joined the army, after we where already in war what did he expect. This guys a coward! Your not standing up to big brother when you join the army out of free will.

I don't know why he's so concerned, those fobbits and the rest of the officers never go into indian country a vast majority anyway.

Nice way for him to make a stand too, I mean, now that he won't go someone that has no choice has to go in his place, that's nice.

Edited to add-> Funny how these guys go to college on our dime collect paychecks that you folks pay for, and they don't mind being in the army, except of course untill their called up to go overseas.

[edit on 8-6-2006 by WithoutEqual]

In some small way, I can relate to this man's dilema. I was once a civil servant, and I was told to do something that was most definitely off limits. I disagreed with that order very much. If I had complied, and been caught, it would have meant jail time and a felony conviction on my record.

If Mr. Watada had resigned and renounced, he'd still be in the same boat. No retirement. Military tradition says that he should've pulled the plug before opening his mouth. I think he's burning his bridges in public because its the best way for him to have his say and avoid being in the poor house.

After I resignee, I became an author. I'm lucky. I have enjoyed some success. Most people like me do not. Mr. Watada has a forum for his grievances that I did not. Even so, his fame will not last long. Any social stigma will follow him for the rst of his life.