This is stinking to high heaven of a setup publicity stunt. And I really hope they throw the book at this creep. Ehren Watada, who abandoned his troops and refused to deploy with them to Iraq, the act of a coward, is going to his court martial finally. But his stunt, and it really does look like a stunt, is now unraveling and he looks to be about to serve time. But the cards that have been played thus far show exactly how this was a setup and a stunt planned and executed by Watada.
Watada has spoken out against U.S. military involvement in Iraq, calling it morally wrong and a breach of American law.
"As the order to take part in an illegal act is ultimately unlawful as well, I must as an officer of honor and integrity refuse that order," Watada said in a video statement released at a June 7 news conference.
Despite having already been charged, he spoke out again in August, at a Veterans for Peace rally in Seattle.
"Though the American soldier wants to do right, the illegitimacy of the occupation itself, the policies of this administration, and the rules of engagement of desperate field commanders will ultimately force them to be party to war crime," Watada said then.
Watada and his Honolulu attorney, Eric Seitz, contend his comments are protected speech, but Army prosecutors argued his behavior was dangerous to the mission and morale of other soldiers.
"He betrayed his fellow soldiers who are now serving in Iraq," Capt. Dan Kuecker said at one hearing. Kuecker has not commented on the case outside of court.
Seitz unsuccessfully sought an opportunity to argue the legality of the war, saying it violated Army regulations that specify wars are to be waged in accordance with the United Nations charter. His final attempt was quashed last month when the military judge, Lt. Col. John Head, ruled Watada cannot base his defense on the war's legality. Head also rejected claims that Watada's statements were protected by the First Amendment.
The Army had subpoenaed two journalists who interviewed Watada, drawing criticism from free-press advocates, but that fell by the wayside as prosecutors dropped two of the four counts of misconduct in exchange for Watada admitting he made statements to freelance journalist Sarah Olson and Greg Kakesako of the Honolulu Star-Bulletin.
"This should be seen as a victory for the rights of journalists in the U.S. to gather and disseminate news free from government intervention, and for the rights of individuals to express personal, political opinions to journalists without fear of retribution or censure," Olson said in an e-mail message.
No, it should be seen for what it really is. He set the journalists up and used them like a rented mule. I'm guessing that Watada only bailed the reporters out to avoid the press turning on him and exposing his behavior.
Yeah, this coward deserves free speech right protected by all the fury and screeching of the left wing noise machine. But the troops who serve must be silenced. Go to jail, Watada. See how your pals support you then.
