It's really very simple. The place for protest is in the civilian world where picketing and protesting are part and parcel of the American way of life; a way to provide a social counterbalance to the 'powers that be'.
For military personnel and officers especially, to disregard the traditions, heritage, and core structure of the command structure and use their position as a platform for social commentary is disrespectful and criminal.
Army Lt. Ehren Watada has stated publicly (at press conferences no less) that he refuses to deploy with his unit to Iraq because he believes the war to be 'unjust'.
"I refuse to be silent any longer. I refuse to watch families torn apart, while the President tells us to ‘stay the course.’ I refuse to be party to an illegal and immoral war against people who did nothing to deserve our aggression."I wanted to be there for my fellow troops. But the best way was not to help drop artillery and cause more death and destruction. It is to help oppose this war and end it so that all soldiers can come home."
I'm sorry, Lieutenant that you feel this war is unjust. Unfortunately, you lost your ability to refuse to go when you joined the Army.
One military blogger points out:
"...Interestingly, [Watada] joined the Army in June 2003, after we had invaded Iraq (so the concept that he might have to go there shouldn't have come as a surprise to him)"
Military Families Voice of Victory adds:
"Lt. Watada has chosen to ally himself and accept financial aid from Not in Our Name, a front group for the Revolutionary Communist Party. He has also accepted aid from other anti-American organizations that have expressed support and/or given material aid to terrorists in Iraq."
Whatever his true intentions may be, this man is a disgrace to the uniform and those who wear it.
(Source: komotv.com More: Here)
Technorati Tags: Ehren Watada, Not in Our Name, deserter, Army, Iraq, war, treason, deployment, military
