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15 de Octubre, 2007

(My) War Hero

Categorized under Corazón , Guerra , Iraq the Casbah | Tags: resistance, Watada

I'D LIKE TO TAKE one small moment to remember the ongoing struggle of the soldier I personally respect most in this war, Lt. Ehren Watada.

In a video press conference announcing his refusal to deploy to Iraq, Watada noted, 'Although I have tried to resign out of protest, I am forced to participate in a war that is manifestly illegal. 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.'
While evidence of the war's illegality was barred in Watada's court-martial, his position is grounded in military law and doctrine. At a National Press Club luncheon February 17, 2006, just a year before Watada's court-martial, Gen. Peter Pace, then Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was asked, 'Should people in the US military disobey orders they believe are illegal?'

Pace's response: 'It is the absolute responsibility of everybody in uniform to disobey an order that is either illegal or immoral.'

The Army wants to sentence Ehren Watada to six years in the brig for the crime of trying to fulfill that absolute responsibility.

—Watada's Double Jeopardy, The Nation

Even if he goes to the brig, Ehren Watada remains an example of conscience and strength for us all. The Government cannot put that back, the military cannot rule against his courage, the courts cannot imprison his spirit, or the truth he represents with his insistence that each person is responsible for their own mind and hand and the harm they do.

Let us join together in hoping that many other soldiers look to his example.

 The Unapologetic Mexican has been known to scribble a few things besides meandering, verbose, self-congratulatory blog posts. However, they are rarely as fun. Finally, let it be known that Nezua first dared bust out this Habanero of Truth at exactly 3:13 PM.  | Top | View blog reactions

Comentarios (16)

Jerry Vigil dijo:

Here here! Well put, a becon in the haze...

Palabras por Jerry Vigil spat forth on el 15 de Octubre, 2007 at 07:27 PM

Will dijo:

Thanks for shining the spotlight on Lt. Watada's courageous stand in upholding his constitutional duty to refuse illegal orders. He needs all the support we can give him. Hear him speak of each citizen's responsibility to resist forces of repression at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4myRuKt8L4

Palabras por Will spat forth on el 15 de Octubre, 2007 at 09:59 PM

kyledeb dijo:

It's stories like these that give you hope for a more peaceful tomorrow, Nez. Thanks for drawing attention to this story.

Palabras por kyledeb spat forth on el 16 de Octubre, 2007 at 09:01 AM

Gabe dijo:

Thank you for sharing Watada's amazing courage and strength.

Palabras por Gabe spat forth on el 16 de Octubre, 2007 at 09:19 AM

Rafael dijo:

The man has the soul of a warrior, he fights for what he believes.

Palabras por Rafael spat forth on el 16 de Octubre, 2007 at 11:18 AM

bint alshamsa dijo:

I had quite forgotten about Lt. Watada. Thank you for the reminder. I wish we had more people like Watada in this country.

Palabras por bint alshamsa spat forth on el 16 de Octubre, 2007 at 11:31 AM

Tom dijo:

Yeah, it's good to remember that there are heroes, just not in the places the TV tells us to look.

Palabras por Tom spat forth on el 16 de Octubre, 2007 at 05:32 PM

malicia dijo:

I agree amazing story. You and the commenters summed up how I feel exactly.

And it goes along with what I was talking about the other day about how there are a wide variety of opinions and experiences within the military and to just talk about the military as a whole means you lose stories like Lt. Watada. So I personally appreciate this post, Nez, as support of good people wherever they come from. I personally believe that if you want change you need all the help you can get and need to take ideas and solutions from everywhere.

And also I really liked the White Lens post the other day, too. I don't have much I want to add to it as a comment, so here's as good a place as any to say that I read it and liked it.

Palabras por malicia spat forth on el 16 de Octubre, 2007 at 05:34 PM

Lauren dijo:

For any of you that live in the bay area, his next trial has been delayed until at least October 26th, but there is a hearing this Friday in San Francisco and some demonstrations planned around it, also in conjunction with the Iraq Moratorium. http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2007/10/16/18454190.php

Thanks for writing about this Nez!

Palabras por Lauren spat forth on el 17 de Octubre, 2007 at 06:39 AM

tgrdug dijo:

Simo'n! Courage. Watada's willingness to stand firm on the best side of this challenge starkly contrasts the cowardly-cheneyite-bullies screaming their pro-war mantras and hiding behind their pathetic lack of service their own selves. Thank you for reminding us of his rare bravery.

Palabras por tgrdug spat forth on el 17 de Octubre, 2007 at 06:58 AM

Joan Kelly dijo:

I love this dude, too. Thanks for posting in support of him.

Palabras por Joan Kelly spat forth on el 17 de Octubre, 2007 at 07:59 PM

Tomas el Anglo dijo:

Although, to be accurate, it should be observed that only the Navy and Marine Corps use the word "brig." In the Army, it's a "stockade," or, in the case of Fort Leavenworth, the "Disciplinary Barracks."

That said, this Army vet salutes 1LT Watada and wishes him and his attorney good luck.

Palabras por Tomas el Anglo spat forth on el 18 de Octubre, 2007 at 09:40 AM

nezua limón xolagrafik-jonez dijo:

gracias, Tomás el Anglo. i would not know better, was quoting article. thanks for bringing us up to know-how. and for your words.

gracias, todos!

Palabras por nezua limón xolagrafik-jonez spat forth on el 18 de Octubre, 2007 at 11:21 AM

johnnyboy dijo:

the fascists will stop at nothing too limit descent in this country.the war on terror was nothing but a power grab to shred the constitution were it pertains to the workers/colored peoples of this country.

Palabras por johnnyboy spat forth on el 19 de Octubre, 2007 at 09:14 AM

Deborah dijo:

Thank you, I didn't know about this guy, so very brave. Thank you so much for teaching me. (Sadly, given our country's current ratcheting-down of civil liberty, this one can't end well... but for a few moments, there can be hope...)

Palabras por Deborah spat forth on el 22 de Octubre, 2007 at 10:22 AM

nezua limón xolagrafik-jonez dijo:

hi deborah, thank you for your comments today. i'm a bit busy, so i havent had a moment to ansswer any, but i wanted to let you know i was reading them at least

talk later, nez

Palabras por nezua limón xolagrafik-jonez spat forth on el 22 de Octubre, 2007 at 12:35 PM