Us Hero Lt Watada.
- Thread starter Logic 7
- Start date
By the definition of the united states , land of the free , home of the brave, fits perfectly this man, too bad it is george tenet( ex-cia director) who won that price 3 years ago, the medal of liberty to be more accurate.
Has he written a book yet? I'm wondering if he weighed how much trouble he would get into, with how much money he stands to make selling his story.
Well it looks like he does have something to be worried about afterall
Oh, Logic...don't miss the last sentence where you're hero says he would be willing to go to Afghanistan and kill those barbarians there...
Is he still your hero?
FORT LEWIS, Wash. — An Army lieutenant who called the Iraq war illegal and refused to deploy cannot base his court-martial defense on the war's legality, a military judge has ruled.
Lawyers for 1st Lt. Ehren Watada planned to argue at the Feb. 5 trial that the war was illegal because it violated Army regulations that wars must be waged in accordance with the United Nations charter.
But in a ruling released Tuesday, Lt. Col. John Head said "whether the war is lawful" is a political question that could not be judged in a military court.
Watada, 28, is charged with missing troop movement last year. He is also accused of conduct unbecoming an officer for statements he made to journalists and at a veterans convention. He faces up to six years in prison.
Head also rejected lawyers' claims that Watada's First Amendment rights shielded him from charges stemming from his criticism of the war. Head said there are limits to the free-speech rights of military personnel.
"We have been stripped of every defense," said Eric A. Seitz, Watada's lawyer. "This is a disciplinary system, not a justice system. Otherwise, we would have been entitled to defend ourselves."
Army officials said in a statement they had full confidence in the military-justice system to ensure that Watada gets a fair trial.
Watada, a Hawaii native, refused to go to Iraq last June with his unit, the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, after conducting research and deciding the war was illegal. He has said he would be willing to serve in Afghanistan or elsewhere.
Oh, Logic...don't miss the last sentence where you're hero says he would be willing to go to Afghanistan and kill those barbarians there...
Is he still your hero?
FORT LEWIS, Wash. — An Army lieutenant who called the Iraq war illegal and refused to deploy cannot base his court-martial defense on the war's legality, a military judge has ruled.
Lawyers for 1st Lt. Ehren Watada planned to argue at the Feb. 5 trial that the war was illegal because it violated Army regulations that wars must be waged in accordance with the United Nations charter.
But in a ruling released Tuesday, Lt. Col. John Head said "whether the war is lawful" is a political question that could not be judged in a military court.
Watada, 28, is charged with missing troop movement last year. He is also accused of conduct unbecoming an officer for statements he made to journalists and at a veterans convention. He faces up to six years in prison.
Head also rejected lawyers' claims that Watada's First Amendment rights shielded him from charges stemming from his criticism of the war. Head said there are limits to the free-speech rights of military personnel.
"We have been stripped of every defense," said Eric A. Seitz, Watada's lawyer. "This is a disciplinary system, not a justice system. Otherwise, we would have been entitled to defend ourselves."
Army officials said in a statement they had full confidence in the military-justice system to ensure that Watada gets a fair trial.
Watada, a Hawaii native, refused to go to Iraq last June with his unit, the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division, after conducting research and deciding the war was illegal. He has said he would be willing to serve in Afghanistan or elsewhere.
The courage to stand in front of a military judge, or trial by your peers doesn't count a true courage, when compared to the courage shown by the men and women of our armed forces (of all nations serving) who are in harms way. They wake up each day not knowing what the day brings for them. This numbskull Watada knew exactly what the repercussions for his actions would be.
There should be a "criminal stupidity" law that he should be prosecuted for, as why would you join the military only to turn around and say "I don't think it's right, I'm not going!"
Now, if there were a draft or conscription and he was drafted, then I think he possibly had a case. But he volunteered for the military....you can't pick and choose the fights you fight when you are in the military. You can only serve your country well and hope that your nation holds its leaders accountable for all their actions.
Many Germans volunteered for military service during World War II and they were held to the same standard as draftees. Under Nuremburg, they are required to refuse service if they feel the war is illegal. Moreover, they can be prosecuted for failure to do so if the war is found to be violative by international tribunals. On that basis, Watada is not a 'numbskull' but a valid legal claimant.
Remember, the USA not only recognizes the Nuremburg doctrine, the USA invented it.
Remember, the USA not only recognizes the Nuremburg doctrine, the USA invented it.
Fighting for us criminal coorporation is courage?? not at all, this is being ignorant and chicken at the same time.
The most cowardly U.S. serviceman is Hannibal compared to people like you Logic. You are a lot of talk, and I suspect your everday life resembles to your posts here, directionless and totally devoid of any worth.
I can't wait for this guy to go to Leavenworth Prison and gets a Dishonorable Discharge. That will carry with him the rest of his life. So when the PC crowd is through with him and cast him aside he will regret his decision. When there are no podiums in front of him and no employer will touch him we'll see how he feels abandoning the men he was charged to lead.
You might remember the story of Hugh C Thompson who was called a coward for refusing to assist in the My Lai massacre and for squealing on the criminals who killed all those innocents. He refused direct orders to attack those civilians and was called all sorts of dirt for daring to view Vietnamese as human beings. For years he was hated by the military and by pro war right wingers even though the vast majority of American patriots were against that war as they are today against treasonous Bush's war in Iraq. Then, after many years he was viewed as being a true hero and was awarded the Soldier's Medal:
Today, the late Warrant Officer Thompson is considered a true American hero and had given speeches at West Point and at the Naval Academy. Therefore, do not be too surprised if eventually Lt Watada will get the same treatment especially in view of the fact that 77 % of the USA population opposes Bush's war (this is a higher percentage than during the Vietnam war).
Today, the late Warrant Officer Thompson is considered a true American hero and had given speeches at West Point and at the Naval Academy. Therefore, do not be too surprised if eventually Lt Watada will get the same treatment especially in view of the fact that 77 % of the USA population opposes Bush's war (this is a higher percentage than during the Vietnam war).
Watada getting the Soldiers Medal and speaking at West Point! :lol:
He's a coward! Plain and simple. He abandoned his troops and if you do not see the difference between the two stories you are so blinded by your hate for GW.
Lt. Calley was court marshalled by the Army shortly after My Lia.
The only microphone Watada will be in front of is to say
"Would you like an apple pie with your meal?"
He's a coward! Plain and simple. He abandoned his troops and if you do not see the difference between the two stories you are so blinded by your hate for GW.
Lt. Calley was court marshalled by the Army shortly after My Lia.
The only microphone Watada will be in front of is to say
"Would you like an apple pie with your meal?"
If you were not so blinded by your hatred for the truth you would know that a soldier is obligated under international law as per the Nuremburg Doctrine to REFUSE to obey an order he deems to be illegal { op cit }.
BTW, a mistrial was declared and a new trial motion may be dismissed under the Constitution's protection of double jeopardy. You may not like it but it's the law.
BTW, a mistrial was declared and a new trial motion may be dismissed under the Constitution's protection of double jeopardy. You may not like it but it's the law.
If you were not so blinded by your hatred for the truth you would know that a soldier is obligated under international law as per the Nuremburg Doctrine to REFUSE to obey an order he deems to be illegal { op cit }.
BTW, a mistrial was declared and a new trial motion may be dismissed under the Constitution's protection of double jeopardy. You may not like it but it's the law.
Yes but not every soldier can say...
"I think it is illegal" and have that stand up in a military court martial. Nice try.
You are not familar with Double Jeopardy are you? You are not familiar with the UCMJ are you? He is being charged with "Missing Movement" which he did. As a military serviceman you waive your rights of protection under the Constitution for your enlistment or commisioning as an officer.
First off a mistrial is not Double Jeopardy. He has not been tried. It is a mistrial. That means everyone goes back and the case has to be tried again. Double Jeopardy comes in when a person is found innocent and prosecutors are prevented from trying the same case to get a different result. BUT that does not make you off the hool
Lets talk about Double Jeopardy and a prime example as to why DJ is a lot trickier than you think. The LA Riots were started because the four LA Policemen were found innocent of exessive force in the beating of Rodney King. They were set free. The people rioted.
So the Federal Govt said we will try them for the same crime only in FEDERAL Court as ooposed to California Court. Then they were found guilty and sentenced to jail. Sounds a little like Double Jeopardy doesn't it.
Double jeopardy also applies after a jury has been enpaneled and witnesses have been called. This has happened already which means that the case has been concluded. Contrary to what many commonly believe, a jury verdict is not needed here in order to have DJ applied. All that is needed is a concluded case.
Professor Marjorie Cohn (a lawyer) confirms:
http://marjoriecohn.com/2007/02/watada-beats-government.html
http://marjoriecohn.com/2007/02/watada-beats-government.html