Treasonous Officer Just Can't Keep His Mouth Shut

[Eyeball Chambers]

Posted on: Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Army can't retry Watada for refusal to serve in Iraq war
Judge blocks Army from retrying war objector on three main allegations

Advertiser Staff and News Services

SEATTLE — A federal judge ruled late yesterday that the Army cannot retry 1st Lt. Ehren Watada, the Kalani High graduate who was the first commissioned officer to publicly refuse deployment to the war in Iraq, on the main charges against him.


Watada was charged with missing his Fort Lewis, Wash., Stryker brigade's deployment and with conduct unbecoming an officer after he refused to board a flight to the Middle East in June 2006.

The 30-year-old soldier contended that the war is illegal and that he would be a party to war crimes if he served in Iraq. His first court-martial ended in a mistrial in February 2007.

Watada's father, Bob, last night said, "It's obviously good news. It's very good news."

Bob Watada added that "we kind of expected this" because U.S. District Judge Benjamin H. Settle of Tacoma ruled in November 2007 that a second trial would violate Ehren's constitutional rights involving double jeopardy, or being tried twice for the same crime.

Settle at the time put in place a preliminary injunction temporarily halting a new court-martial.

Settle yesterday ruled that the government could not retry Watada on three of the charges because doing so would violate Watada's double jeopardy rights.

Settle barred the military from retrying Watada on charges of missing his deployment to Iraq, taking part in a news conference and participating in a Veterans for Peace national convention.

But the court did not rule out the possibility that the Army, after considering legal issues, could retry Watada on two counts of conduct unbecoming an officer resulting from his media interviews.

"He dismissed the heart of their case," Watada lawyer Jim Lobsenz said. "We're very pleased. It's taken a long time."

Honolulu attorney Eric Seitz, who previously represented Watada and was the first to raise the double jeopardy issue, said those two charges were dismissed in the first court-martial and that the Army believes that they "theoretically, hypothetically can be brought back, but I think there's going to be lots of problems."

"I don't think they can bring those back, either," Seitz said.

In a statement late yesterday, a Fort Lewis spokesman said the base's commanding general, Lt. Gen. Charles H. Jacoby Jr., had not yet had a chance to review the ruling in depth.

"Once that review is complete, he will be able to make a decision on the way forward with this case," the spokesman said.

The 1996 Kalani High graduate, stripped of his security clearance, still reports to a meaningless desk job at Fort Lewis, according to family. "He said he's counting paper clips," his father, Bob Watada, said in an interview last week.

"We talk every once in awhile. He lets me know that he's OK," said the father, who lives in Oregon. Bob Watada said his son's term of service in the Army ended in December 2006, but that the legal proceedings have prevented his discharge.

Bob Watada, a former Hawai'i Campaign Spending Commission executive director, said that even if the charges are dismissed, he's worried the Army might appeal the case all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court.

"The Defense Department has a lot of money (to pursue legal action)," Bob Watada said.

Many military members opined that Watada violated his oath as an officer, and that he had no right to decide whether the Iraq War was just or unjust.

http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/20081022/NEWS01/810220382/1001

I don't know what to think of this Officer...

Going to war in Iraq was absolutely wrong, unjust, etc...  On the other hand, soldiers can't be picking and choosing when they want to fight; for the sake of security in case an actual threat accrued.

[Vince G, CSN MFT]

Beach Bum calling another American our for being "treasonous", for using his first amendment rights.

incredible.

Wrong 240. 

Regardless of whether he disagreed to go to Iraq to fight, when he put on that uniform he is obligated to follow all military orders regardless.

When you are a soldier, you are property of the US Government.  You do not have any constitutional rights whatsoever because you are no longer a civilian.  The constitution for the military is the UCMJ...The Uniform Code of Military Justice.

The fact is that she can be tried for treason and be sentenced to death by firing squad.  I would doubt that would happen but there are serious consequences to disobeying an order.


In the military, there is no democracy.  You must follow the orders of your superiors.  The only exception is if you are ordered to commit an act that violates the UCMJ or the Geneva Convention and this doesn't fall under it.

[headhuntersix]

Ha...this dipshit is here somewhere on Ft. Lewis were I'm currently working. I'm sure LT Gen Jacoby will try and fry his ass but he's busy at the moment dealing with our exercise. He's a very smart little guy. I will ask tommorrow whats going on and get back to u guys.

[24KT]

I don't know what to think of this Officer...

Going to war in Iraq was absolutely wrong, unjust, etc...  On the other hand, soldiers can't be picking and choosing when they want to fight; for the sake of security in case an actual threat accrued.

He fulfilled his obligation and oath to defend the Constitution and the Republic!
And oath that superceded his obligation to his military commanders.

No Nuremburg trials for him. 

[w8tlftr]

He fulfilled his obligation and oath to defend the Constitution and the Republic!
And oath that superceded his obligation to his military commanders.

No Nuremburg trials for him. 

No trials for anyone, Jaggy. 

The asshat violated his oath during a time of war.

I hope he enjoys the remainder of his life in "ass fucker roller coaster" prison.

[garebear]

Ha...this dipshit is here somewhere on Ft. Lewis were I'm currently working. I'm sure LT Gen Jacoby will try and fry his ass but he's busy at the moment dealing with our exercise. He's a very smart little guy. I will ask tommorrow whats going on and get back to u guys.

Don't even bother, dumbass.

[Dos Equis]

Ha...this dipshit is here somewhere on Ft. Lewis were I'm currently working. I'm sure LT Gen Jacoby will try and fry his ass but he's busy at the moment dealing with our exercise. He's a very smart little guy. I will ask tommorrow whats going on and get back to u guys.

Can you please punch him in the mouth for me?  No witnesses.   

[24KT]

No trials for anyone, Jaggy. 

The asshat violated his oath during a time of war.

I hope he enjoys the remainder of his life in "ass fucker roller coaster" prison.

Don't be so certain. Justice can sometimes be delayed, ...but it is not always denied. 

[w8tlftr]

Don't be so certain. Justice can sometimes be delayed, ...but it is not always denied. 

Don't hold your breath on that one.

Even with Obama as President it will be business as usual in DC.

[Dos Equis]

   I hope this traitor does not move back here.   

Army won't seek second court-martial against Watada, lawyer says
Advertiser News Services

First Lt. Ehren Watada will not face a second court-martial for his decision to refuse deployment to Iraq, after a federal appeals court judge allowed the U.S. Army to drop its appeal in the case today, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer reported.


"We are cautiously optimistic that perhaps we've had enough litigation," said Watada's attorney, James Lobsenz.

Watada was court-martialed in 2007 on five criminal counts after his high-profile refusal of deployment. The case ended in a mistrial, when the military judge declared that Watada did not fully understand a stipulation he had signed before the trial.

The case then went to the civilian U.S. District Court, where Judge Benjamin Settle ruled that a second court-martial on three of the five counts —including refusal of deployment, the most serious charge — would constitute double jeopardy.

Settle set aside two specifications of the same charge — conduct unbecoming an officer —which stemmed from public statements Watada made against the war and President Bush.

Settle left the door open for the United States to pursue those charges later. Ft. Lewis spokesman Joseph Piek said he did not know if the Department of Justice intended to refile those charges. Lobsenz said no charges are currently pending.

Piek said the Army is now considering administrative forms of punishment for Watada, who is working a desk job at the base. He said the punishment options include extra duty, forfeiture of pay, or being discharged from the military.

"The one element that concerns us the most is that this case has always been and will forever be about a soldier — in this case, a lieutenant, a commissioned officer —who refused orders to deploy," Piek said.

"Because of a legal technicality, that charge is never going to see its day in court. For the hundreds of thousands of soldiers Army-wide, and for the many thousands of soldiers at Ft . Lewis, that is very disturbing."

Lobsenz said Watada —who had become a hero among anti-war protesters — is anticipating that he will be released soon from active duty.

"He plans to return to civilian life and attend law school," Lobsenz said.

http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/20090506/BREAKING01/90506060

[tu_holmes]

Was he found guilty of treason?

If not... Then you shouldn't call him a traitor.

This is a soldier... End of story.

Why would you call him a traitor Beach? Was he found guilty of treason and someone not tell us?

[Dos Equis]

Traitor, punk, coward, louse, weak, idiot, and probably ten other names I could rattle off.  He's all of that.  I really hope I never see him on the street here.  I hope he doesn't come back. 

I have too many friends who have served in combat to respect this traitor.  He sent his men off to get shot at while he sat behind a freakin desk.  I have zero respect for him.  I'm extremely upset that he will not serve time in prison.

Although I'm sure there are some out there, I haven't talked to a single service member who supports what this idiot did.  Those of us who served can appreciate how serious this act was.   

HH6 do they have code red in the Army?   

[240 is Back]

  I really hope I never see him on the street here. 

lmao.... i smell some serious rage here. 

[Deicide]

Traitor, punk, coward, louse, weak, idiot, and probably ten other names I could rattle off.  He's all of that.  I really hope I never see him on the street here.  I hope he doesn't come back. 

I have too many friends who have served in combat to respect this traitor.  He sent his men off to get shot at while he sat behind a freakin desk.  I have zero respect for him.  I'm extremely upset that he will not serve time in prison.

Although I'm sure there are some out there, I haven't talked to a single service member who supports what this idiot did.  Those of us who served can appreciate how serious this act was.   

HH6 do they have code red in the Army?   

Sounds like you are talking about GW here. I agree. GW should be in prison, at least.

[OzmO]

Sounds like you are talking about GW here. I agree. GW should be in prison, at least.

I agree GWB should be in prison.  But this guy should too.  He volunteered for military service signed a contract and took and oath.

[Deicide]

I agree GWB should be in prison.  But this guy should too.  He volunteered for military service signed a contract and took and oath.

Does BB think GW should be in prison too?

[Dos Equis]

Does BB think GW should be in prison too?

Nope. 

[240 is Back]

Nope. 

hahaha should GWB watch out if he bumps into you on the street?  hahahaha

[Dos Equis]

hahaha should GWB watch out if he bumps into you on the street?  hahahaha

Nah.  Just Watada.  I might jump totally out of charater and punch him in mouth.  Then pin my flag pin on him, under his shirt. 

[Deicide]

Nope. 

Why not? He broke international and national laws, lied to get us into a war, lied more...why should he not go to jail?

[Dos Equis]

Why not? He broke international and national laws, lied to get us into a war, lied more...why should he not go to jail?

People go to jail when they break the law, are tried, convicted, and sentenced.  Except for treasonous military officers in the state of Washington.   

Bush didn't break the law, blah blah blah.  Believed exactly what Clinton and the Democrats believed about war, isn't moving to Paraguay, etc. 

Which reminds, I have to find the thread, but I think I've won a wager with Hedge about that.   

[Deicide]

People go to jail when they break the law, are tried, convicted, and sentenced.  Except for treasonous military officers in the state of Washington.   

Bush didn't break the law, blah blah blah.  Believed exactly what Clinton and the Democrats believed about war, isn't moving to Paraguay, etc. 

Which reminds, I have to find the thread, but I think I've won a wager with Hedge about that.   

Your ability to ignore facts such as, Bush is a criminal, is amazing.

[Dos Equis]

Your ability to ignore facts such as, Bush is a criminal, is amazing.

Me and everyone who has the power to charge him with a crime. 

The criminal talk is nothing more than partisan hyperbole. 

[OzmO]

Me and everyone who has the power to charge him with a crime. 

The criminal talk is nothing more than partisan hyperbole. 

That's how i look at it. Even though i think he should go to jail, there isn't enough to convict him otherwise it would have happened already.

[body88]

hahaha should GWB watch out if he bumps into you on the street?  hahahaha

It's comments like this that expose you 240 or bust.  What are you going to "lay an epic owning" on beach bum now?  Beach Bum is very smart.  Not sure why you make fun of his education.  Clearly the man is not dumb.