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QUOTE: Personally I think he made a grave decision, that will affect him for the rest of his life.
I believe this is his primary purpose, that this action, which has catapulted him into the limelight, can and will use it to jumpstart a political life. This is a continuation of the family "business". I guess he figured he couldn't perform his duty and then protest and achieve equal benefit.
When you join the Army (Jun 2003) when a war is ongoing, you may hope not to go, but pretty much a long shot that you won't, especially if a combat arms (artillery) officer. Today's military is severely downsized from what people remember from the 60's. Those "cushy" jobs are now civilian positions, not uniforms.
The silver lining is that those of his unit that did deploy got a replacement leader interested in doing his job, most importantly being concerned for their welfare, above his own. They are the brave ones.
David
Ninole Resident
Ninole Resident
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loffelkopffl: How did Watada stand up to Bush? He abandoned his command and his men. Why didnt the democrats in congress stop Bush earlier? Very few Dems put up a fight against the war( they had acces to the same intel as the president), its easy to act self rightous for going along with a decision another made then claim you were fooled by their evil and wicked decision.
As for others that have served their country, some serve ice cream in a geedunk, some in tremendously large gear rooms of ships, some carry a gun. If the President served questionable circumstances, I could give you more than a few accounts of situtation like that. How about a reserve squadron that didnt have planes for a couple years and one marine who had served at the same command for three years only during a command inspection did the auditing officers find out that the individual was thought to have been transfered and went UA, said marine never got the orders and the new command never called the old command to check if the guy was still and there everything was sort out in the end.
Here is a real men against killing but served and gained the highest military honor.
http://www.medalofhonor.com/DesmondDoss1.htm
http://www.historynet.com/wars_conflicts/vietnam_war/3026546.html?showAll=y&c=y
Edited by - Jared I on 01/11/2007 21:26:35
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The problem is that he comes across as someone who bailed when the going got tough and now taking the moral high ground to justify his actions.
Pacifism is wonderful conceptually, but someone put their neck on the line so pacifists have freedom to protest.
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I dont think it will jumpstart his political life. Many things are stripped from you if you get a prison time and a dismissal (a BCD or dishonorable for enlisted). Some of these are voting rights, right to own a firearm, right to a passport, restrictions on hold certain jobs state and federal, in-ability practice certain professions (law, accounting, etc.) I think the UCMJ was recently updated with new rules. I would think this would hobble his horse.
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Mella,
I can respect your right to an opinion on this subject, but Jared has explained the cold facts of what Watada faces. He will be tried in a military court where he will face charges of "missing movement". I think he should be tried for cowardice and desertion, publicly pilloried, and imprisoned for a long time.
As Jared said, you have to keep in mind that Watada volunteered for the job. When he refused to follow orders and went on a campaign to gather public sentiment, he did so at the expense of other military personnel and provided support for the twisted beliefs of extremists who are bombing and shooting your fellow Americans. He's in the military, Mella, that's his chosen profession and obligation. No matter his opinion of Bush and the war it's not like he has the option to take his ball and go home.
You can probably guess that I have military experience. While that helps form my strong opinion on this subject, all Americans should be incensed that Watada chose to act at the expense of his men and the honor of our country. He should be held responsible and punished as a traitor.
Thanks for letting me vent,
Brian
Aloha pumehana,
Brian and Mary
Lynnwood, WA\Discovery Harbour
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quote:
QUOTE: Personally I think he made a grave decision, that will affect him for the rest of his life.
I believe this is his primary purpose, that this action, which has catapulted him into the limelight, can and will use it to jumpstart a political life. This is a continuation of the family "business". I guess he figured he couldn't perform his duty and then protest and achieve equal benefit.
When you join the Army (Jun 2003) when a war is ongoing, you may hope not to go, but pretty much a long shot that you won't, especially if a combat arms (artillery) officer. Today's military is severely downsized from what people remember from the 60's. Those "cushy" jobs are now civilian positions, not uniforms.
The silver lining is that those of his unit that did deploy got a replacement leader interested in doing his job, most importantly being concerned for their welfare, above his own. They are the brave ones.
David
Ninole Resident
David,
Your last two sentences say it all.
If you think health care is expensive now, wait until you see what it cost when it’s free...now here come the taxes.....
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Not to belabor the point but my comments have been somewhat misinterpreted and I can see why. But there are many jobs besides the military which require oaths and yes, I have been in some. And no, you are not "free" to refuse a job assignment , there are consequences everywhere if you do. That was my point. Now, granted, his consequence is prison, etc. mine might be reprimand, loss of pay, loss of promotion but there are consequences.
My point is that I can respect someone without agreeing with them as long as I believe they are acting according to their beliefs. I simply don't know whether that is true in this case. It does seem odd that a officer would suddenly refuse a direct order. If he is acting out of his moral sense then I respect that without agreeing with it, if he is trying for martyrdom or victomhood, I can't give him the same respect.
There has been a role in most conflicts for consientious objectors. This current conflict is SO polarizing in our society that I despair of any side seeing the points of the other, let alone any possible agreement.
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Seems to me his military career suited him just fine until he had to show his metal. This guy not only signed on and took his oath but sought out a leadership position. Was he in sickbay the day they taught respect for the chain of command? Because he should have learned that following orders is like breathing - it's automatic. What do his actions and words now say to the rest of our military men and women, some quite young, who wonder if they have the option to pick and choose when and where they deploy? Is that the kind of military we need? He abandoned his crew at the time they needed him most. I had friends who were objectors when I served years ago, and I never held it against them because they were clear about it up front. This bozo bailed 'cause he got scared.
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I'm confident that military justice will make an example of his behavior.
Aloha
Richwhiteboy
“Wars may be fought with weapons, but they are won by men. It is the spirit of the men who follow and of the man who leads that gains the victory.” -
General George S. Patton
“Sometimes the truth hurts. And sometimes it feels real good.”
- Henry Rollins
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quote:
What do his actions and words now say to the rest of our military men and women, some quite young, who wonder if they have the option to pick and choose when and where they deploy? He abandoned his crew at the time they needed him most.
A good point, Brad. I had seen the potential cascading affect on morale, but had missed this.
Brian
Aloha pumehana,
Brian and Mary
Lynnwood, WA\Discovery Harbour
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