Re: Iraq War Called Illegal by Hawai‘i Army Lieutenant
Lt. Watada and his parents were present last night at University Lutheran Church in Seattle, when a retired officer, Col. Ann Wright, addressed a crowd.
"...Speaking at University Lutheran Church in Seattle, retired Col. Ann Wright said Monday night that the artillery-targeting officer has the right to disobey "illegal orders."
Under principles established during the Nuremberg trials after World War II, she noted, people have an obligation to oppose a government that is conducting a war of aggression.
"The country of Iraq did nothing to the United States of America," said Wright, who resigned from the U.S. Foreign Service in 2003 because of the war.
At the church, Watada sat next to his parents, who flew in from Hawaii to support him. When the day comes for his unit to go to Iraq, he said he will report for duty. But he said he will not board the airplane....
"...While he does not expect to be arrested that day, he said he knows charges will be issued. He said he has told his commanders he will not make the day a media event....
"...On June 27, war resistance groups will hold protests as a "National Day of Action" to back him.
Robert Watada, a Vietnam War opponent, said his son decided on his own to request leaving the Army and to protest being sent to Iraq.
"We are very proud of him," said Robert Watada. "Contrary to what people think, that he is a traitor, he took an oath to defend the Constitution of the United States. That's what he's doing."
But there are costs. While some in the military support him, Ehren Watada said he has received hate messages via e-mail and indirect hostility from fellow Fort Lewis soldiers.
"It's not easy to stand up," said Wright. "Having been in the military for 29 years, I know the pressures that Lt. Watada is under. It is a difficult thing to go against the organization."...
"...But when the day comes when Ehren Watada must say goodbye to his fellow soldiers, he knows what he will say.
"I will say, 'Good luck to all of you and come back home safe.' "...
Miulang
Lt. Watada and his parents were present last night at University Lutheran Church in Seattle, when a retired officer, Col. Ann Wright, addressed a crowd.
"...Speaking at University Lutheran Church in Seattle, retired Col. Ann Wright said Monday night that the artillery-targeting officer has the right to disobey "illegal orders."
Under principles established during the Nuremberg trials after World War II, she noted, people have an obligation to oppose a government that is conducting a war of aggression.
"The country of Iraq did nothing to the United States of America," said Wright, who resigned from the U.S. Foreign Service in 2003 because of the war.
At the church, Watada sat next to his parents, who flew in from Hawaii to support him. When the day comes for his unit to go to Iraq, he said he will report for duty. But he said he will not board the airplane....
"...While he does not expect to be arrested that day, he said he knows charges will be issued. He said he has told his commanders he will not make the day a media event....
"...On June 27, war resistance groups will hold protests as a "National Day of Action" to back him.
Robert Watada, a Vietnam War opponent, said his son decided on his own to request leaving the Army and to protest being sent to Iraq.
"We are very proud of him," said Robert Watada. "Contrary to what people think, that he is a traitor, he took an oath to defend the Constitution of the United States. That's what he's doing."
But there are costs. While some in the military support him, Ehren Watada said he has received hate messages via e-mail and indirect hostility from fellow Fort Lewis soldiers.
"It's not easy to stand up," said Wright. "Having been in the military for 29 years, I know the pressures that Lt. Watada is under. It is a difficult thing to go against the organization."...
"...But when the day comes when Ehren Watada must say goodbye to his fellow soldiers, he knows what he will say.
"I will say, 'Good luck to all of you and come back home safe.' "...
Miulang
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