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Army Officer Refused Duty in Iraq because He Believed the War is Illegal »
Posted by: capn_caveman 2 years, 1 month agoAn army officer who refused duty in Iraq goes to court with a novel argument: he had a duty to disobey because the war is illegal
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capn_caveman
I'm an engineer that loves 'anything' science. I'm interested in physics, astronomy, space exploration, Earth sciences, and mathematics to name just a few ...
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Comments: 90
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salimfadhley
Aug. 18, 2006, 6:40 p.m." It is up to a court, not individual citizens, to determine whether a war illegal."
But it is the duty of all citizens at all times to abide by what he or she thinks is lawful. If the state carries out an illegal or unconstitutional act then it is our duty to protect the state from itself, i.e. resist.
This man will almost certainly be punished for his stand against a war which has claimed thousands of Americans and many thousands of Iraquis for no real gain. I wouldnt say he is dumb, but very brave and principled.
The cowardly thing would be to support a war that you know to be wrong.
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miklkit
Aug. 18, 2006, 7:31 p.m.We punished German officers for "just following orders". I thought long and hard about it before I went to Vietnam. Others went to jail or Canada. Right, wrong, or indifferent, Lt. Watada can look himself in the mirror and sleep good at night.
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mamasan
Aug. 18, 2006, 7:51 p.m.Yes this man is a true American Hero. Thank you Watada for having the guts. Stay strong.
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salimfadhley
Aug. 18, 2006, 9:01 p.m.Well, many Americans believe that the war in Afghanistan is more justified than the war in Iraq. Personally I think they are both awesome messes which betray the lack of vision of the current Republican government.
For a contrary view, go read http://www.shelleytherepublican.com
:-)
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Tango57
Aug. 18, 2006, 9:35 p.m.Finally, a hero steps forward, to force the question of the government, if in fact the war is legal. Brilliant!
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desertstorm099
Aug. 18, 2006, 9:45 p.m.It isn't his place to decide for himself whether the war is or is not legal. That's up to courts. He should be punished for his actions against the United States.
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WilmaFingerdoo
Aug. 18, 2006, 10:12 p.m.More bad press for el presidente bozo the clown. Sure Watada is an idiot to those who continue to justify this train wreck we call a war. The army should have allowed him to go to Afghanistan. If this war ends like it looks like its going to there may be many officers treated like the Army officers of Germany in WWII. They will have to run down to Argentina and hide. Better start boning up on your spanish Bush and Cheney LoL. Good luck to Lt. Watada may you survive with your dignity because the republicans in charge certainly don't have compassion or common sense.
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motivator911
Aug. 18, 2006, 10:43 p.m.LT WATADA HAS GOT TO BE A WOOS GOOD LUCK IN LEVENWORTH
SHOULLD HAVE TAKEN YOUR CHANCES IN IRAQ HOPE YOU PRACTICED UP ON YOUR FOOTBALL SKILLS (UR GOING IN A TIGHT END AND COMMING OUT A WIDE RECIEVER) LOL
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ben-fowdha
Aug. 18, 2006, 10:44 p.m.There is absolutely no question that following orders blindly is not a 'get out of any situation free' card.
The Americans mad this CLEAR after WWII. Now the military has to deal with it. Lt. Watada feels the invasion of Poland...I mean Iraq....is illegal and immoral. The Nazis....I mean military....says he is not capable of making that decision. You can't have your kraut and eat it too!
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societygirl
Aug. 18, 2006, 10:58 p.m.Oh, W-A-T-A-D-A...that's how you spell "cowardice" in liberal! Got it!
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Gatsby
Aug. 18, 2006, 10:59 p.m.There comes a time when a person must act from his heart. This man did it. Of course the war in Iraq is illegal. He had every right to do what he did. He gets my support.
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virtualserve
Aug. 18, 2006, 11:02 p.m.It IS NOT a war. It was never declared a war by congress! What don't people understand about this? It is wrong.
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societygirl
Aug. 18, 2006, 11:03 p.m.I am not comforted to hear you support cowardice in our military. What which is supported will fluorish, and if that sort of behavior becomes the norm, who will protect you?
Don't look at me, sparky. If your ideal is "every man for himself", I'm going to be WAAAYYY too busy holding my own to worry about you.
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PaganGodess
Aug. 19, 2006, 12:35 a.m.OMG! Are you KIDDING me? A man who actually THOUGHT to join the armed forces which by definition means the possibility of going to WAR, became an officer and is now making a legal argument that war is illegal? SCUSE ME? What exactly did he think the Army was a knitting circle?
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societygirl
Aug. 19, 2006, 12:58 a.m.Pagan
Wow, I'm finding some odd allies tonight, but I could not agree with you more on this one. I believe he thought that free ride to college wouldn't come with any actual pesky military duty. Oops.
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peace4all
Aug. 19, 2006, 1:08 a.m.A US soldier is a citizen of the US, able to express his opinions. If he feels the war is unjust, who are we to judge him. Even though the article doesn't elaborate on his reasons, if is just as able to express his opinions as we are. Just because you join the army doesn't mean you are a slave to the United States.
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societygirl
Aug. 19, 2006, 1:16 a.m.peace4all
I have known a LOT of military types in my life, including my father, ex-Navy. When you sign up for the military, you become their PROPERTY. This is graphically explained to the new recruits in basic training, where they are told that if they are involved in an altercation and wind up with a black eye, broken bone, etc, they can be charged with DAMAGING FEDERAL PROPERTY.
It ain't just a hair-cut.
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peace4all
Aug. 19, 2006, 1:17 a.m.worker...he might have a contract..but he signed that believing he was doing the right thing....if he changed his mind according to what he saw during his tour and he feels its wrong...he should speak out..im pretty sure he's not the only one in the army feeling the same way...are you part of the military worker?
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peace4all
Aug. 19, 2006, 1:20 a.m.society girl-great promotion for the Armed Services: Join Us and Become our Tool!...Listen im all for joining the services, but for the right reasons. Not some goose hunt in the middle of the desert...Im proud your father served, but during what time? WWII, Vietnam?
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societygirl
Aug. 19, 2006, 1:24 a.m.Then wussy-boy Watada should have drummed out in basic, right about the time he heard that speech.
And my father served in Vietnam. With pride.
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PaganGodess
Aug. 19, 2006, 1:28 a.m.societygirl: Thanks = ]
peace: {{A US soldier is a citizen of the US, able to express his opinions. If he feels the war is unjust, who are we to judge him.))
I'm sorry, if you DON'T belive in war then puh-leeze don't join the military and then whine about getting sent to one!
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peace4all
Aug. 19, 2006, 1:33 a.m.it goes beyond that...you gonna kill innocent civilians to get free tuition....Its all about doing what you feel is right...soldiers have a concious and know right from wrong...let them express right from wrong....I know soldiers have a contract to fulfill...but when their actions go againts their human compassion and feelings...then they have to speak up
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societygirl
Aug. 19, 2006, 1:39 a.m.worker
Can you just hear them now? Marching in formation, shouting...
"I AM A TOOL! I AM A TOOL!"
Parades would be ever so much more fun, don't you think?
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peace4all
Aug. 19, 2006, 1:39 a.m.listen...a soldier who says "Hey i think this war is wrong" is great..We need different opinions. We need to question decisions made by our politicians....We pay taxes, we are paying for this war....Why not question its validity after 3 years
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PaganGodess
Aug. 19, 2006, 1:42 a.m.worker: Thanks = ]
America NEEDS it's military personel but it does not need people who join purely for the scholarship opportunities! If this is the case these people would be better off in the library researching other sources of funding! They certainly are not an asset to our military!
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