MOONBAT HERO Lt. Ehren Watada
Posted on 01/09/2007 1:00:08 PM PST by jazusamo
First Lt. Ehren Watada of the Stryker Brigade, U.S. Army, Fort Lewis, refused to obey orders to deploy to Iraq, becoming the first commissioned officer to do so. He says he opposes the war — not all wars, but this one. So do we, but we cannot support his request to be excused from a posting to Iraq.
Soldiers have to go where they are ordered. That is the rule here and everywhere, and for reasons of military necessity. Watada was a volunteer, and knew that when he signed up. He knew about the Iraq war, as well: He signed up in 2003, the year of the U.S. invasion. He also should have known that once one joins the military, one loses the freedom to speak in ways that could damage soldiers' morale — a restriction that includes political criticism of the military's mission. We have seen this apply to generals, which is why their criticism of the war has come from retirees. The rule also applies to lieutenants.
Watada will soon face a general court-martial in front of a military judge and jury. The judge is now deciding whether to include four charges of "conduct unbecoming an officer," which rise out of Watada's political statements, or to try him only on the charge of refusing to go to Iraq. The possible sentence for refusing to deploy is two years; for the political statements, another four years.
(Excerpt) Read more at seattletimes.nwsource.com ...
WA ping
There's nothing wrong with Watada that a good Sloviking couldn't cure.
This guy is even more reprensible, since he specifically joined up for the purpose of creating dischord from within the Army. He planned the whole thing before he ever volunteered.
I tend to agree because he accepted his commission after 9/11.
MOONBAT HERO Lt. Ehren Watada
Here's a story from my area in New Jersey...made my blood boil when I read it. Don't know what rules apply for this paper, so I will just post link:
http://www.northjersey.com/page.php?qstr=eXJpcnk3ZjczN2Y3dnFlZUVFeXk1NiZmZ2JlbDdmN3ZxZWVFRXl5NzA1NDU1MiZ5cmlyeTdmNzE3Zjd2cWVlRUV5eTM=
LOL! Love that coat.
It was *way* after that. In 2003, after we'd been in Afghanistan for a couple of years, and after the invasion of Iraq was a certainty. The lead-up to the invasion started late in 2002, and the invasion was in March of 03, right about the time that he volunteered. He knew exactly what he was doing.
Article 15 and begin procedural documentation for a special courts martial. Remove all his numbers, and reduction in rank to Second LT. Provide him his Big chicken Dinner (BCD Bad Conduct Discharge - worse than a dishonorable), and send his sorry butt on his way.
Thanks for posting the link. With the numbers we have in the military I'm surprised we don't have more complainers like Drozd.
The Left continues to try to return to some public semblance of sanity. They've spent the last six years literally flipping out.
Now that they have a little bit of power back, they are trying to make the case that they can be trusted with more of it. (Coming back to the middle).
Correct, I meant to say after the Iraq invasion.
I don't think that service members aren't entitled to their own thoughts and feelings about the war...but this kid enlisted 3 1/2 years ago, he may be called back, and he's bad mouthing the mission. What kind of message does that send?
And shame on the media whores who continue to propagandize these kids. Where are the articles about those who are proudly serving and support the mission? OH, silly me...doesn't fit the lib agenda.
/rant off
Agreed! And it's good to rant now and then. :-)
Throw in a stout whipping, five-six years of hard labor, and then one of those ceremonies where you rip off his insignia and break his sword before sending him off in shame and you've got a deal.
I think you are mistaken here. The DD is the worst type of discharge and the most difficult to upgrade by the Board of Review of Corrections of Military Records. BCDs can be given by any court-martial (summary, special and general), but a DD requires a general court martial. DDs are seldom given. BCDs are much more common.
Right. I think, in fact, his ultimate goal wasn't to serve, but to protest from within the ranks, thinking he'd just get discharged, not realizing he could serve time.
"BCDs can be given by any court-martial (summary, special and general), but a DD requires a general court martial. DDs are seldom given. BCDs are much more common."
A Bad Conduct Discharge can only be imposed by a Special Court-Martial that is specifically authorized to impose it. There is such think as a "Straight Special" Court-Martial that cannot impose a BCD. They are very, very rare. Too much work for not alot of gratification. Summary Courts-Martial cannot impose any type of discharge. Summary Courts-Martial are generally conducted by non-judges and there is no jury. Punishments are limited. A soldier can turn-down a summary court-martial and demand the real thing. My experience, albeit dated, is that BCD Specials are usually only done as part of a plea deal. Tha maximum punshment a BCD Special can impose is 6 months confiment and the BCD (plus reduction and forfeitures). These punishments are generally not sufficient to force somebody to take a plea. Again, why bother cranking up a court-martial for such a limited punishment? I am told, however, the BCD was more common in the 70's and early 80's when there were alot of drug use cases - before the Army implemented streamlined administrative procedures to get rid of dopers with limited due process rights.
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