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No double jeopardy for Lt. Watada
The News Tribune ^ | Jult 7, 2007 | Adam Lynn

Posted on 07/07/2007 8:23:12 AM PDT by jazusamo

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To: Grizzled Bear
He is a liar and an opportunist. He should be tried for treason and sedition.

Liar and opportunist about what?

As for treason, in what way? Watada didn't communicate with the "enemy", revealing secrets, like Benjamin Arnold.

Sedition? I don't see him advocating rebellion against the government.

21 posted on 07/07/2007 12:34:17 PM PDT by secretagent
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To: secretagent

Liar and opportunist about what?


Did he or did he not join during the war?

After joining during a time of war; did he or did he not repeat the “code pink” creed - “Bush lied, this war is illegal and immoral...”

As for treason; do you believe his actions have the potential to demoralize soldiers who are junior in rank to him? Are the public statements made by him capable of encouraging the enemy?

It seems to me he is another Kerry wannabe who is building his “political capital.”


22 posted on 07/07/2007 12:51:27 PM PDT by Grizzled Bear ("Does not play well with others.")
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To: oldfart

Comparing apples and oranges. Ali was drafted! Watada joined the military and became an officer. No comparison whatsoever!


23 posted on 07/07/2007 1:03:34 PM PDT by packrat35 (Bush whither be thy brain)
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To: secretagent
As for treason, in what way? Watada didn't communicate with the "enemy", revealing secrets, like Benjamin Arnold.

You mean Benedict Arnold?

The guy joined the Military, got the training, the schools, pay and benefits which come with the job. He is an officer, and is supposed to lead by example.

The Military will likely make an example of him.

Failure to do so would be to allow a serious breach of military discipline, something which could only lead to more problems down the line.

24 posted on 07/07/2007 1:04:34 PM PDT by Smokin' Joe (How often God must weep at humans' folly.)
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To: secretagent

Watada, a commissioned officer in the US Army actually did communicate with the enemy indirectly through the antiwar establishment and the media by telling them this is an illegal war. He gave them aid and comfort in a time of war.


25 posted on 07/07/2007 1:20:14 PM PDT by jazusamo (DefendOurMarines.com)
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To: Grizzled Bear
Did he or did he not join during the war?

Same month, at least. March 2003. He said he initially believed in the Iraq invasion.

After joining during a time of war; did he or did he not repeat the “code pink” creed - “Bush lied, this war is illegal and immoral...”

He says he did come to believe those 3 items, yes. I don't think he said anything public until the Army twice refused to either let him serve in combat in Afghanistan or resign his commission.

I don't see lying or opportunism yet. Possible, though.

As for treason; do you believe his actions have the potential to demoralize soldiers who are junior in rank to him? Are the public statements made by him capable of encouraging the enemy?

Yes to both, but neither rise to treason.

It seems to me he is another Kerry wannabe who is building his “political capital.”

Perhaps. But to emulate Kerry, he'd have to put himself in combat danger first, then have his "crisis in conscience".

26 posted on 07/07/2007 1:56:59 PM PDT by secretagent
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To: secretagent

Benjamin?

Benedict, Secret Agent. Not teaching history in spy school these days?

27 posted on 07/07/2007 2:01:37 PM PDT by itsahoot (The GOP did nothing about immigration, immigration did something about the GOP (As Predicted))
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To: jazusamo
Watada, a commissioned officer in the US Army actually did communicate with the enemy indirectly through the antiwar establishment and the media by telling them this is an illegal war. He gave them aid and comfort in a time of war.

Americans should have and do have the freedom argue the illegality of the Iraq invasion without risking treason charges.

28 posted on 07/07/2007 2:02:25 PM PDT by secretagent
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To: Smokin' Joe
You mean Benedict Arnold?

Thanks.

The guy joined the Military, got the training, the schools, pay and benefits which come with the job. He is an officer, and is supposed to lead by example.

The Military will likely make an example of him.

Failure to do so would be to allow a serious breach of military discipline, something which could only lead to more problems down the line.

I agree with all of the above.

29 posted on 07/07/2007 2:05:49 PM PDT by secretagent
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To: itsahoot
Benedict, Secret Agent. Not teaching history in spy school these days?

Sorry. I opted for the elective in diversity quilting that quarter.

30 posted on 07/07/2007 2:07:55 PM PDT by secretagent
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To: secretagent
Americans should have and do have the freedom argue the illegality of the Iraq invasion without risking treason charges.

True and he is not being tried for treason but the one count of missing a movement and four counts of conduct unbecoming an officer will be proved not because he is an American but because he swore an oath upon entering the Army, an oath which he broke.

It's only my opinion but I do feel he should face charges of treason. He signed a contract which he didn't fulfill in a time of war and gave aid and comfort to the enemy.

31 posted on 07/07/2007 2:18:31 PM PDT by jazusamo (DefendOurMarines.com)
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To: jazusamo
Would it be politically incorrect to say he was yellow?
32 posted on 07/07/2007 2:21:43 PM PDT by Beckwith (dhimmicrats and the liberal media have chosen sides -- Islamofascism)
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To: Beckwith

Not with me it wouldn’t but his antiwar cronies would probably scream bloody murder. LOL!


33 posted on 07/07/2007 2:34:16 PM PDT by jazusamo (DefendOurMarines.com)
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To: jazusamo
So if an active duty officer publicly argues a current war violates the Constitution, he has committed treason, because that gives more aid and comfort to the enemy than if a civilian does the same?

What about variations? Imagine Watada obeyed his orders to deploy to Iraq, but made the same illegality argument, in civilian uniform, before deployment.

34 posted on 07/07/2007 2:35:39 PM PDT by secretagent
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To: secretagent
You can bring up all the what ifs and variations you want to, secretagent but IMO if a commissioned officer publicly argues a war is illegal thereby giving aid and comfort to the enemy, he should be tried for treason.
35 posted on 07/07/2007 2:46:31 PM PDT by jazusamo (DefendOurMarines.com)
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To: secretagent
Americans should have and do have the freedom argue the illegality of the Iraq invasion without risking treason charges.

During torture sessions, POWs in Viet Nam were treated to recordings of Kerry, Fonda among other prominent people condemning them as war criminals. Watada's statements and "sound bites" are valuable ammunition to our enemies.

Members of the U.S. Armed forces are held to a higher standard then private citizens when it comes to their behavior. The behavior in question includes political acts and speech.

When dirt bags like Watada give comfort to the enemy at the expense of loyal members of the armed forces they are abusing their freedom.

Perhaps we don’t interpret these things the same way but it looks like treason to me.

36 posted on 07/07/2007 2:56:04 PM PDT by Grizzled Bear ("Does not play well with others.")
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To: secretagent

Sorry. I opted for the elective in diversity quilting that quarter.


LOL! I like your sense of humor even though I disagree with your opinions.


37 posted on 07/07/2007 2:57:07 PM PDT by Grizzled Bear ("Does not play well with others.")
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To: secretagent

Imagine Watada obeyed his orders to deploy to Iraq, but made the same illegality argument, in civilian uniform, before deployment.


He is still a Commissioned Officer in the United States Army. He is still liable for his behavior.

What are they putting in the water in the state of Washington?


38 posted on 07/07/2007 3:00:26 PM PDT by Grizzled Bear ("Does not play well with others.")
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To: jazusamo

Thanks.


39 posted on 07/07/2007 3:01:02 PM PDT by secretagent
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To: CWOJackson; Grampa Dave; ASA Vet; SandRat; HiJinx

News on the Home Front....ping


40 posted on 07/07/2007 3:03:16 PM PDT by BIGLOOK (Keelhauling is a sensible solution to mutiny.)
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