Army Charges Watada

Although I have been against the war in Iraq, the Army is correct in charging this officer. He enlisted knowing full well what serving could entail. He should be charged!

 

Good to see a soldier more concerned about the constitution he is sworn to uphold than the illegal orders of superiors. I wish him well.

 

I hope they shoot him for desertion.

Joseph Botwinick

 

As usual, you make absurd statements. This soldier did not desert, he refused to serve. He should be dishonorably discharged, and possibly serve some time in the brig.

 

:Fish:

How strange that you'd feel this way brother.

 

If you want to make decisions about where you go to war, you run for President or Congress. You don't join the military.

 

He was willing to fight in Afghanistan, but not Iraq. Now he is making a public stand that will definitely hurt him.

"Coward" is not the right word.

 

When you join the military for the sole purpose of refusing to go to war and protesting then you get to endure the friuts of your labor. In this case he will be disgraced and serve time.

Dissent is clearly constitutional. But how you dissent shows your heart and maturity. This kind of dissent is irresponsible.

 

I heard on a local radio talk show as Senator Hemmings and the radio host discuss this as they took calls.

One woman from Kaneohe Bay said she was embarrassed that he was from the same state she was born and raised in. I would never want that said about me.

I told the Senator that there are many channels to use to get out of the military, the best way is to not use the media to force the military's hand. There was a young Sailor about 2 years ago name Pablo Paredes who did something similar. It didnt go so well for him either.

They wanted to discuss the defense attorney's claim that he is being denied his first amendment right by the military. Im interested to know what you all think of that.

Be aware that as US service members we are afforded all of the rights of the Constitution, however we are bound by the UCMJ. Which means we can say what we want, we just cant do that in uniform. We are not allowed to speak for or against something as a representative of the US Military. What say you?

As for what he has done, I feel that his not going to Iraq was the best thing. He seems like person in a leadership position that would get people killed because he has no grasp of what he is doing. I think if he received a scholarship via ROTC or Westpoint that he should be required to pay back the US taxpayer every single dime.

 

Yeah, right. Let's junk discipline. To each his own way. Hail Freedom !

 

In what way does his attorney claim his client's 1st amendment rights have been violated? It doesn't seem to be speech, press, or assembly....so is it his right to religion? I'm just not clear about what the issue is.