Pat Dollard | Young Americans

Wiki … which I know is an inexact resource at best, states this about Watada:

Ehren K. Watada was born in Honolulu, Hawaii to Robert Watada and Carolyn Ho. His father served for 10 years as executive director of Hawaii’s Campaign Spending Commission and himself refused to serve in the Vietnam War … Watada joined the Army after the war in Iraq had begun, stating that he was motivated “out of a desire to protect our country” after the September 11 attacks … Watada served one year in South Korea, and was subsequently reassigned to Fort Lewis, Washington … Soon after reporting to Fort Lewis, Watada discovered that his unit would be deploying to Iraq, in support of ongoing operations there. In preparation to deploy, he began conducting research on the country, its culture, and the reasons for the U.S. involvement in Iraq. Watada claims that, after reading several books and articles about the history of Iraq, international law, and the evidence used to justify the war, and speaking with veterans returning from Iraq, he ceased to believe in its legality and justification … In January 2006, he attempted to resign his commission. The Army denied his request because he had not fulfilled his eight-year military service obligation for which he had contracted, as required by law. He used as justification for his request that the war violated the Constitution and War Powers Act which “limits the president in his role as Commander in Chief from using the armed forces in any way he sees fit.” He also cited the UN Charter, the Geneva Conventions, and the Nuremberg Principles, which “bar wars of aggression.” [ … ]

Yeeeah … MY thoughts … Ehren Watada’s “intentions” for joining the military, KNOWING full-well the war situation, did so with just this publicized ‘antiwar’ trial in mind … BTW, I REFUSE to show a picture of this guy in a United States military uniform.

—————————————————————————————

Watada trial hung up in federal court

by Gregg K. Kakesako - Star Bulletin

It was two years ago yesterday that 1st Lt. Ehren Watada, a 1996 Kalani High School graduate, declared publicly that he would not deploy to Iraq with his Stryker brigade combat team. Today, Watada is still in the Army working at a desk job at Fort Lewis, Wash., while his case is tied up in federal court.

Ken Kagan, Watada’s attorney, told the Star-Bulletin that federal judge Benjamin Settle in Tacoma will probably take up the matter early this fall. In November, Settle ruled that no court-martial will be held for Watada pending the outcome of his claim that it would violate his Fifth Amendment rights by trying him twice for the same charges.

Watada, who contends the war is illegal, is charged with missing his unit’s deployment to Iraq on June 22, 2006, and with conduct unbecoming an officer for denouncing President Bush and the war. If convicted, he could be sentenced to six years in prison and be dishonorably discharged. Since then, his unit fought in Iraq for 18 months and returned in October

Kagan said he expects the case to eventually go before the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals where it may take up to three years before a decision is rendered. “Our experience has shown us that 9th Circuit matters consume somewhere between 18 months to three years,” Kagan said. “I don’t know of any reason they would put it on some fast track.”

Watada’s first court-martial ended in a mistrial in February 2007. Settle wrote that the military judge likely abused his discretion in declaring the mistrial. Watada’s term of service in the military ended December 2006, but the legal proceedings have prevented his discharge.