Court-martial of officer who refused to go to Iraq begins

[Pale Rider]

Court-martial of officer who refused to go to Iraq begins

Feb 5, 2007, 21:30 GMT


Washington - A court-martial against a US Army officer who refused to go to Iraq began Monday at Fort Lewis, Washington, a military spokesman said.

First Lieutenant Ehren Watada faces charges of failing to deploy, contempt toward officials and conduct unbecoming an officer. He is the first officer in the US military to be tried for refusing service in Iraq.

Watada has vociferously opposed the war, calling it illegal and immoral. He had publicly announced his intention not to travel with his unit before its deployment last summer.

The court-martial began with jury selection on Monday and the entire process is expected to be completed by the end of the week, the spokesman said.

http://news.monstersandcritics.com/m...to_Iraq_begins

[Pale Rider]

It's not mentioned, but what do you want to bet he's a muslim?

I say court martial his ass and dishonorably discharge him, via Fort Levenworth.

[Mr. P]

It's not mentioned, but what do you want to bet he's a muslim?

I say court martial his ass and dishonorably discharge him, via Fort Levenworth.

dmp works with the guy, maybe he'll tell us.

[Pale Rider]

dmp works with the guy, maybe he'll tell us.

NO SHIT!

Hearing something about it right now on Fow News. They're interviewing the father, who is spinning some bullshit about the butter bar not wanting to kill innocent men, women and children. He also said that the war was about the oil fields of Iraq.

The father is as fucked up as the kid. Most likely like father, like son.

1. count - missing deployment.
2. counts - conduct unbecoming of an officer.

[Grumplestillskin]

Hope he gets off. He won't of course...but, such is life..

[CockySOB]

Toss the cowardly shit in the stockade and let him rot.

[Pale Rider]

Hope he gets off. He won't of course...but, such is life..

What a list of losers, perverts and traitors you have that you support grump, and you call yourself an American?

[Grumplestillskin]

What a list of losers, perverts and traitors you have that you support grump

Huh? Who are the perverts? Who are the losers? Who are the traitors? If a man cannot make a decision on a course of action that could cost him his life, then he is not a man. Watada has more nads than most knowing the ridicule he has set himself up for. I doubt he is a coward in that he did go to Afghanistan (if memory serves). Unlike something like WWII, Iraq is not an open and shut case. Like Vietnam, the whys and wherefors are at best, blurry. I wouldn't go either....or I would with conditions - one of Bush's daughters come with me...or any one of those chickenhawk's kids would do..

and you call yourself an American?

Stop with the pretense. You know I'm not....

[stephanie]

Toss the cowardly shit in the stockade and let him rot.

hear, hear..

He was trying to make a statement...I guess he thought he was Jon Cary in a past life..
He thought he'd get help from the anti-war crowd...Boy, did he think wrong...

Enjoy your jail time..

[Pale Rider]

Huh? Who are the perverts?

Faggots.

Who are the losers?

Faggot supporters.

Who are the traitors?

Military personal that disobey a direct order.

If a man cannot make a decision on a course of action that could cost him his life, then he is not a man. Watada has more nads than most knowing the ridicule he has set himself up for. I doubt he is a coward in that he did go to Afghanistan (if memory serves). Unlike something like WWII, Iraq is not an open and shut case. Like Vietnam, the whys and wherefors are at best, blurry. I wouldn't go either....or I would with conditions - one of Bush's daughters come with me...or any one of those chickenhawk's kids would do..

This pussy knew what he was getting into when he raised his right hand and swore to "honor and obey all orders from superior officers". You DON'T enlist in the United States Military, and then when a set of orders comes down that you don't like just go, "oh gee, I think I'll just tell 'em to stick these orders", it doesn't work that way. If it did, WE WOULDN'T HAVE A MILITARY! You don't "second guess" military orders.

Stop with the pretense. You know I'm not....

Whatever...

[5stringJeff]

The fact of the matter is, Watada refused to deploy with his unit. He's admitted to such. That's missing movement, and it's a major violation of the UCMJ. I fully expect him to be found guilty.

And, for what it's worth, the trial is going on literally above my head.

[Pale Rider]

The fact of the matter is, Watada refused to deploy with his unit. He's admitted to such. That's missing movement, and it's a major violation of the UCMJ. I fully expect him to be found guilty.

And, for what it's worth, the trial is going on literally above my head.

One count "missing deployment", two counts "conduct unbecoming an officer".

His ass is grass, and the UCMJ is the lawn mower.

[pegwinn]

The premise in America, and even in the Military is "Innocent until proven guilty". I do like the courts martial system better than criminal court ala the civilians.

The jury is literally your peers.
The jury is far better educated on the law than a civilian jury.
The judge is less likely to tolerate bullshit games than a civilian judge.
If the prosecutor steps out of line, he is liable to be prosecuted as well.
Military juries are far less likely to be swayed by emotional arguments.

I didn't look up the max on these offenses at a GCM, but if found guilty I hope he gets life or death. In any event, it will send a message to others who may be inclined to try this.

I hope a transcript of the defense is published. I would like to see how he spins this.

[Grumplestillskin]

I hope he gets off, but if not, a couple of years at most in the slammer. Giving him the death penalty would be way over the top. Same with life imprisonment. If he gets either of those, I hope it is headline news, which hopefully would mean a sharp drop in folks joining the military.

[darin]

I hope he gets off, but if not, a couple of years at most in the slammer. Giving him the death penalty would be way over the top. Same with life imprisonment. If he gets either of those, I hope it is headline news, which hopefully would mean a sharp drop in folks joining the military.

How could he NOT be convicted?

He was 'ordered to MOVE with his unit' - He remains here. (shrug).