This Is What The Definition of BRAVE Looks Like...

[rsmith6621]

SEATTLE - A lieutenant facing possible court martial for refusing to go to Iraq called on other soldiers to throw down their weapons in a video shown Thursday as the Army mounted its case against the officer.The video, taken at the Veterans for Peace convention last weekend in Seattle, was presented by Army prosecutors at Fort Lewis during a hearing to determine whether 1st Lt. Ehren Watada will stand trial.

The defense called in a professor of foreign affairs to support Watada's argument that the war was illegal and "based on misrepresentation and lies."

http://www.king5.com/topstories/stories/NW_081706WABwatada_hearingJM.a8496a3.html

[sinkingfeeling]

1. Yes, Lt. Watada is a brave man.

[LiberalinNC]

2. Watada is a lot braver than that asshole in the WH

:applause:

[arcane1]

3. here's hoping that many others heed his words

I do rather like the idea of the war's lies being looked into, in a court proceeding! What happens if the jury decides Watada's argument is correct? :shrug:

[Sherman A1]

8. Then the doo doo

can really hit the fan! I doubt it will ever be allowed to happen, but if it would, there are huge issues (including Constitutional) to be resolved.

[mdmc]

4. r

:patriot:

[izzie]

5. I forget how the Vietnam stuff started. Any one know?

I knew it was small and kept building. I do recall in late 60's in the middle of a place of big bases that the men in the air force where we live were starting to talk of how bad it was but it was the only way to make a rate. My husband was in the Navy but there were all sorts of Air force officers where we lived. They did not want to go but for the rates. By then the hospitals were filled with men from Vietnam. Scuttlebutt was if you protected do not wear an uniform. We thought that was pretty funny. :shrug:

[JeffR]

6. Posted this on another Watada thread earlier today:

Excerpt of Watada's speech to the Veterans for Peace Nat'l Convention, Seattle, August 12:

I have broken no law but the code of silence and unquestioning loyalty. If I am guilty of any crime, it is that I learned too much and cared too deeply for the meaningless loss of my fellow soldiers and my fellow human beings. If I am to be punished it should be for following the rule of law over the immoral orders of one man. If I am to be punished it should be for not acting sooner. Martin Luther King Jr. once said, "History will have to record that the greatest tragedy of this period … was not the strident clamor of the bad people, but the appalling silence of the good people."

Now, I'm not a hero. I am a leader of men who said enough is enough. Those who called for war prior to the invasion compared diplomacy with Saddam to the compromises made with Hitler. I say, we compromise now by allowing a government that uses war as the first option instead of the last to act with impunity. Many have said this about the World Trade Towers, "Never Again." I agree. Never again will we allow those who threaten our way of life to reign free - be they terrorists or elected officials. The time to fight back is now - the time to stand up and be counted is today.

I'll end with one more Martin Luther King Jr. quote:

One who breaks an unjust law that conscience tells him is unjust, and who willingly accepts the penalty of imprisonment in order to arouse the conscience of the community over its injustice, is in reality expressing the highest respect for law.

More here:
http://thankyoult.live.radicaldesigns.org/content/view/... /

[SlavesandBulldozers]

9. quoting King too. this guy's good.

you can't stop this kind of protest.

[JeffR]

10. He's very good

The more I've learned about him, the more impressed I am. His mother has had some wonderful statements too since all this began.

[SlavesandBulldozers]

14. keep us informed. great post.

[Jim__]

7. I agree - that takes tremendous courage!

[PearliePoo2]

11. click on the King5 link

and watch the "July interview" in it's entirety.(long video..20+ minutes...absolutely riveting)
I am truly impressed with Lt. Watada's convictions and sincerity.
Patriotism is personified in this heroic and very articulate young man.
It gives me hope for our country that there are Lt. Watadas among us.
His love for this country and it's Constitution outweigh the personal sacrifices he will be required to make.

[KaptBunnyPants]

12. Make republicans fight this war.

They are the ones who want it, let them go fight it. The thought of good men fighting and dying in Iraq instead of these Keyboard Kommandos, just because of some oath they've taken is depressing.

[eridani]

13. Obeying the oath he swore--

--to defend the US Constitution.

[malmapus]

15. Honored to have met him a few weeks ago at a rally held outside Ft. Lewis.

It was the first time he was allowed to leave the base, but yeah got to shake his hand and let him know that for all it's worth he has my support 110%.