The Truth

BY: DR. FOREST LEWIS

You have to hand it to First Lt. Ehren Watada. Either he has a lot of moxie, or he is just plain stupid.

The twenty-eight year old Army Officer is facing a court-martial--which charges him with one count of missing movement and two counts of conduct unbecoming an officer. Watada is of the opinion that he should be able to pick and chose which war he should fight in. He also believes that he should have the same rights as a civilian.

I don't know who this young man has been talking to--but his life is a mess. Make no mistake about it--he will be convicted on all charges--and he will go to jail. Upon his release, he will be handed his dishonorable discharge. All because he forgot that once he enlisted in the Army--the rules changed.

What I don't understand is why did Watada accept a commission into the United States Army? No one forced him to join the Army. What was this young man thinking about? Didn't he realize that as an Officer--he had to play by the rules of the United States Military? Didn't he also understand that war was looming on the horizon in the Middle East--and that the United States would play a pivotal role?

Apparently, Watada thought that he would lay in the shade all day--and drink pina coladas during his enlistment. This kid is off in fantasy land--but, Uncle Sam is about to bring him back into reality. And his socialist/communist friends won't be able to help him.

The thought of going to jail--and being disgraced with a dishonorable discharge apparently is not strong enough medicine to close Watada's large orifice--his mouth. He has spoken out against our involvement in Iraq, calling it morally wrong and a breach of American law. Speaking to a group of anti-war zealots on June 7th of last year, this is what Watada told his attentive listeners:

"As an order to take part in an illegal act ultimately unlawful as well, I must as an officer of honor and integrity refuse the order"

What honor? What integrity? Cowards have no honor. Cowards have no integrity. While his men obeyed orders to fly over to Iraq and protect this country from IslamoFascists, Watada was cooling his heels back home in complete safety. Frankly, I don't see how this guy can look at himself in the mirror each morning. He most certainly has heard of some of the men he commanded who have either been killed or wounded by the killers in Iraq.

I don't know about you, but I would be suffering from enormous guilt. However, I am not like "Lt. Watada." When I received orders to go to Vietnam with the 1st Battallion, 3rd Marines, I kept my mouth shut--and followed orders. That is what a Marine is supposed to do. That is what someone in the Army is supposed to do. But, Watada wants to re-write the rules. However, it will not happen.

Can you imagine the chaos--not to mention the anarchy that would ensue if everyone in the military adopted the attitude of Lt. Watada? The military is made up of men and women who have a single mind-set; and that is to perform as a unit. In a nutshell, this means following the direct orders of your superiors. Unlike those in civilian life--there is no discussion--when you are given an order. You have two options. You can either argue with your superiors--and be court-martialed: or you can shut your trap and do what you are told to do.

A displined force will follow the latter rule.  Lt. Watada is poison.  Hear the words of this commission officer who spoke to a "Veterans For Peace" rally in Seattle last August:

"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 crimes"

These ill-timed words will haunt Lt. Watada for the rest of his life. He will discover that he was a fool once he grows up.

Watada's civilian attorney believes that his words are protected by the First Amendment. Sorry Charlie, a military man or woman is under contract to the United States government. Once you sign that contract--you belong to "Uncle Sam."  He tells you when you can use the bathroom--shower--and eat--and that is just for starters. Free speech is for loud mouths like "Jihad Jane," Susan Saradon, Tim Robbins, Sean Penn and Cindy Sheehan. Military people have no right to free speech.

The Army prosecutor who will try this case said that Watada's behavior was dangerous to the mission in Iraq. He also said that this mal-content's attitude was a detriment to the moral of the other soldiers. The Marine Corps has a name for people like Lt. Watada. A screw up is called a "Sh.t Bird." I met a few of these people during my time in the Corps: believe me, they can impact morale--because they only think of themselves.

Prosecutor, Captain Dan Kuecker said Watada "betrayed his fellow soldiers who are now serving in Iraq." The military judge has ruled that Lt. Watada can not base his defense on the war's legality. He also threw out Watada's argument that his speech was protected under the First Amendment.

The governement has also rejected a deal from Watada's lawyer that would have seen his client serving a mere six months in jail; and given a dishonorable discharge.

The government is playing hard ball with this looser. The Federal Government has to--because if Watada is allowed to "Skate," his behavior could be a precursor for other Ehren Watada's to "Act Out" . He needs to be taught a stern lesson--which will reverberate throughout all branches of the Armed Forces.

Watada will have a long time to think about his behavior. I'm predicting that he will be convicted and given five years in the slammer. Unless his family is wealthy--this man will have a difficult time finding credible employment. Once a prospective employer finds out that he is the recipient of a dishonorable discharge--this fellow will be shown the door.

Watada will not be able to vote; or legally own a firearm. All because he couldn't keep his big mouth shut.

Apparently, Watada never heard of the old saying, "Discretion Is A Better Part Of Valor." He will have a lifetime to think about these salient words.

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