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U.S. Army First Lt. E.K. Watada, Wants Us To Know Why He Won't Wage War On Innocent Iraqis ...
Here's a story which we believe should be heard & read about, by everyone. Particularly, by Brits and Americans. And especially by anyone connected with or considering becoming connected with, their respective armed services -- for as long as we are are led by such self centred, self serving, serial consumate liars such as our respective current leaders, George Bush and Tony Blair.
Lt. Watada refused orders this morning to deploy to Iraq
Written by ThanYouLt.org
Thursday, 22 June 2006
Now under confin[e]ment and complete gag-order without chargeAs usual there are always some who simply won't be silenced -- and as you may have guessed already, This Old Brit and Richard are a pair of perfect examples.
U.S. Army First Lieutenant Ehren K. Watada reported to duty at 2:00 a.m. early this morning at Fort Lewis, Washington, and refused orders to move to the adjacent McChord Air Force Base to prepare to fly to Iraq. Lt. Watada believes that the war and occupation in Iraq are illegal, and thus participation in the war is also illegal.
Lt. Watada's attorney Eric Seitz said, "This morning Lt. Watada has been restricted to base without any actual charges or proper process.
"By placing a complete gag order on Lt. Watada, the military has again shown that their first concern is silencing Lt. Watada's speech in opposition to the illegal war in Iraq."
Here's a relevant link, for which we tip our hats and offer our thanks for the heads up, to Democracy Rising U.S.
And here's a little taster with which to whet your appetite, before you bugger off from our blog to their site.
Lt. Watada is the first commissioned officer to publicly refuse deployment to the war in Iraq.And at this next link you'll find some very interesting extra words re: Lt Watada's story, from earlier in the week via Indybay.org
By refusing to participate in the on-going Iraq war and occupation, Lt. Watada joins a growing number of high ranking military officers, West Point graduates, and current and former members of the armed services who have expressed their opposition to the actions of the United States in Iraq.
Incidentally, also over at Indybay you'll see some super snapshots of Lt. Watada and a selection of other civilised, U.S. citizens showing support and applauding such a sincere, principled 'stand'.
We don't know about you, but we wish Lt Watada well.
** Update: Head On Radio, Audio: Listen to Lt. Watada
*
posted by Richard at Friday, June 23, 2006
11 Comments:
Some will call this kid a coward but I call him a hero. He'll do time for this and he knows he will. He also knows what kind of time he'll do -- and it will be anything but easy time. Believe me.
I'm holding him in the light. Men who'll stand up and speak the truth to power are a dying breed. We need as many of them as we can get so I hope to hearing of growing numbers growing the balls to take the same kind of stand.
Thanks for this Richard. (And for all you do)
Anyone from the "Go along to get along" crowd who would call Lt. Watada a coward would be engaging in a classic piece of projection.
Lt. Watada's action is equivalent to that Chinese boy who stood in front of that tank in Tiennamen(sp) Square, in my book.
(I didn't comment on the brave US girl because I don't have video capacity. We only just got electricity here)
I'll bet Lt. Watada knows exactly what it's like to be discriminated against, too.
Here's an audio interview with Lt Watada.......http://www.headonradionetwork.com/
Thanks anon. I've made your link 'live'.
I wish young Lt Watada well, too. I hope he get's better treatment than the Brit officer [pilot?] did recently. Trouble is though that I know the kid won't.
Can you imagine what military prison guards will dish out to him? Every hour of every day of every week. For how many years?
Yeah, he's no coward. He's virtually volunteering for torture, to make a stand that so many others should make.
He's braver than I would be: his stance will have him marked for the rest of his life ("Traitor!!"). He'll need all the support he can get...
Now I'm going to look at some rightwing reactions to this story.
I'm sure he'll be glad of everyone's support, no matter what form it takes - including the backing of bloggers and their stalwarts everywhere. I know I am.
Special mention & thanks for the audio link to anon. As you can see, I tried to make good use of it by updating to include it in the original piece.
Richard, no problem. I'm glad I could pass this along.Indeed,I did notice your update ;)....Anon.
From a letter from Lt. Watada's mother-
"he demonstrates that one does not relinquish the freedom to choose what is right, even in the military, and that the freedom to choose what is right transcends the allegiance to man and institutions."
Amen to that. The rest is here, short but stirring-
http://thankyoult.live.radicaldesigns.org//index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=42&Itemid=1
.
I'd like to shake this young man's hand.
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