Lt. Ehren Watada has been in the news recently and being from Hawaii as well this particular topic hits very close to home. There are some in Hawaii and in other places that support him, but for me it makes me ashamed that he is from my State. I do not know the whole of the particulars regarding this case but one thing is certain, he is guilty of the charges mostly because he has openly demonstrated and publically spoken out against his superiors.
This sets a very bad and dangerous precident for the military if he is not court martialed and sent to prison. He willfully signed up for military service and rose through the ranks. Once you join the army you do not have the freedom to voice your opinion whenever and to whomever you wish. There are proper channels for this sort of thing and there is a certain level of responsibility that comes with military service. It is not a democracy by any means and you swear an Oath of Allegiance. There is no clause here to pick and choose who you think is an enemy and who you do not; there is no small print that gives you the option of making up your own mind in and academic fashion regarding what is just and unjust. The fact of the matter remains that he is flagrantly disregarding his oath and the responsibility that comes with signing up, not to mention dishonoring his superiors as well as the soldiers under his command. Being an officer, he cannot be so selfish and self-absorbed to only think about himself, but he also needs to take into consideration how his actions will affect his men since they are his responsibility.
If someone wants to protest that is their right, but resign first then start opening your mouth. Think about the trouble that would arise if soldiers second guess their commanders and refuse orders on the battlefield. Their action or inaction could cost the lives of other soldiers who are counting on them. There is a totalitarian nature to the military for a reason and unless this sort of contemptible disregard for responsibility is crushed, it just sets a very bad precident for the future.
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Absolutely true. If this "hero" gets away with his actions it will reek havoc in the military. Because he is touted as a "hero" it teaches teens that are already against the war that not only does their word does not need to mean anything, but putting your name to a contract means nothing either.
Imagine taking this attitude to the private sector.
Teachers resign in the middle of the year because they are frustrated with their job. Garbage men, 911 operators, police, firemen, etc.
So how many men fighting in Iraq who are too hot, dirty, tired and sick of fighting in general will suddenly have and epiphany that this is an illegal war and deserve to go home.
I find it odd that Lt. Ehren Watada only obeys the laws that are convenient and disobeys the military and government laws he Voleteered to follow.
He is also taking a hit and run approach by commenting and then not doing the honorable thing by taking responsibility for his actions. He is an embarrasment to the military, the American people and I believe to himself by not owning up to the fact that your actions have consequences.
It seems to be the S.O.P. for many people now days. There is a lot of talk about this right or that right; what is owed here and what is owed there, but almost nothing said about the responsibility that comes from having a right.
For example, the "right" to drive a car comes with many responsibilities; i.e. obeying driving regulations, staying under the speed limit, etc. If you neglect your responsibilities then your "right" is suspended.
People need to wake up and realize, or taught, what is an actual right and what is a priviledge.
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