Slog - Comments on Seattle P-I Calls for Release of Lt. Ehren Watada http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/10/seattle_pi_calls_for_release_of_lt_ehren In a short editorial posted yesterday afternoon online: The twists and turns of the court-martial proceedings against Fort Lewis 1st Lt. Ehren Watada continue to cause pain and division. Watada came to an easily debated but apparently sincere decision that the Iraq war was wrong, even illegal. He had one mistrial, and his attorneys are trying to block a second proceeding as violating rules against double jeopardy. But the court-martial is scheduled to begin Tuesday. However the defense appeals turn out, we think there is a case for letting Watada leave the Army without further ado. That could be taken... Copyright 2008 Fri, 05 Oct 2007 09:12:23 -0800 Fri, 05 Oct 2007 11:40:22 -0800 http://www.movabletype.org/?v=3.34 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Comment by Will in Seattle A wise choice.

]]> Will in Seattle http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/10/seattle_pi_calls_for_release_of_lt_ehren#c818454 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/10/seattle_pi_calls_for_release_of_lt_ehren#c818454 City Fri, 05 Oct 2007 09:19:29 -0800 Comment by Gitai Listen, it doesn't work that way. I'm all for letting conscientious objectors out, like the guy who went to Iraq as a medic and couldn't even bring himself to load his rifle.

But soldiers have to follow orders, at least legal ones, and while he's free to disobey any illegal order he receives once he's there (and there would no doubt be many), he's gotta go. I hate this war as much as anybody else, but really, if you don't wanna participate in wars, don't sign up for the military.

]]> Gitai http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/10/seattle_pi_calls_for_release_of_lt_ehren#c818479 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/10/seattle_pi_calls_for_release_of_lt_ehren#c818479 City Fri, 05 Oct 2007 10:00:37 -0800 Comment by infrequent i really admire watada for taking a stand. but part of that admiration is because of what that stand is costing him. because i pretty much agree with gitai above.

]]> infrequent http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/10/seattle_pi_calls_for_release_of_lt_ehren#c818513 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/10/seattle_pi_calls_for_release_of_lt_ehren#c818513 City Fri, 05 Oct 2007 10:44:06 -0800 Comment by wf gitai ever heard of the un charter? it made preemptive war illegal for all signatory states unless approved by the security council.

]]> wf http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/10/seattle_pi_calls_for_release_of_lt_ehren#c818536 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/10/seattle_pi_calls_for_release_of_lt_ehren#c818536 City Fri, 05 Oct 2007 11:08:51 -0800 Comment by Bison "But soldiers have to follow orders, at least legal ones, and while he's free to disobey any illegal order he receives"

He's not just free to disobey illegal orders, he is duty-bound to disobey them. His defense basically boils down to this being an illegal war, and therefore it is his duty not to participate in it.

]]> Bison http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/10/seattle_pi_calls_for_release_of_lt_ehren#c818555 http://slog.thestranger.com/2007/10/seattle_pi_calls_for_release_of_lt_ehren#c818555 City Fri, 05 Oct 2007 11:40:22 -0800