Where is Watada?
Ehren Watada, the First Lt. who declined participating in the Iraq campaign based on his conviction that it is an illegal invasion, and that he would therefore be complicit in committing war crimes, has fallen off the radar screen. Last reports in August '06 were that the Army might bring him before a Court Martial.
The American taxpayer has a right to know the disposition of this case. I for one want to know what has happened to First Lt. Watada.
The American taxpayer has a right to know the disposition of this case. I for one want to know what has happened to First Lt. Watada.
posted by rangeragainstwar at 12:36 PM
2 Comments:
Last I heard, Sep. 19th on the broadcast show, Democracy Now, Watada had been charged with "Conduct Unbecoming an Officer."
The relevant exchange follows:
AMY GOODMAN: So what happens to you now? How many counts, how many charges have been brought against you?
1ST LT. EHREN WATADA: Basically, there’s one count of missing movement, which has a maximum penalty of two years; two counts of contempt against officials, which is another two years, specifically contempt against the President of the United States; and now four charges of conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman, all total about eight-and-a-half years.
AMY GOODMAN: Will you be court-martialed?
1ST LT. EHREN WATADA: That remains to be seen. It's entirely up to the commanding general of Fort Lewis and also the political forces that are swirling around him. We certainly hope not. We certainly hope that the military will see that it is the duty of every service member to refuse unlawful orders and to speak out against leadership, which is not held to account, which is not held accountable.
I think if a major development had occured in Watada's case, Democracy Now would have reported it, because they're good at that, but I'm not 100% positive.
Rojo,
Thanks for the update. I wonder why they won't come down one way or another on this one?
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