LT Watada needs our help!!!

[Matriot]

August 28, 2006 - The future of Lt. Watada’s court-martial is now in Fort Lewis General’s hands. Your phone calls and letters today could make a difference. Forward this urgent action alert to friends.
On August 17, U.S. Army First Lieutenant Ehren Watada succeeded in placing the war on trial during an Article 32 pre-trial hearing in a military courtroom at Fort Lewis, Washington. The investigating officer recommended that Lt. Watada be referred to a general court martial on all charges – including five charges for political speech.

Fort Lewis’ Commanding General, Lieutenant General James Dubik makes the final decision on whether to proceed to court-martial on any or all charges. Take a moment today to phone and write Lt. Gen. James Dubik and respectfully request “no court martial for Lt. Watada.”

Use your own words, but a suggested message would be:

Along with tens of thousands, I support Lt. Ehren Watada’s right to refuse an illegal war. I ask that you not bring court martial proceedings against him. If there is a court-martial this fall, I look forward to visiting Ft. Lewis and letting you know how I feel in person.

Lt. Gen. Dubik can be reached via his aide Lt. Colonel Kamper at 253-967-0022, and/or call the Ft. Lewis switchboard at 253-967-1110.

Commanding General
Fort Lewis and I Corps
Lt. Gen. James M. Dubik
Bldg 2025 Stop 1
Fort Lewis WA 98433

When writing, please consider a handwritten letter on stationary (if available) posted via express or priority mail for additional impact and timely delivery. We expect that Lt. Gen. Dubik will issue his decision later this week or next, but there is no required timeline. Do not delay and take action today. The contact address and phone numbers for Lt. Gen. Dubik may change over the course of this action alert, so check www.ThankYouLt.org for these and other updates.

http://www.thankyoult.org/

Please sign the petition too!!! This is the precedent that us service members have been looking for to justify refusing deployments for an unlawful war.

[patrice]

1. I will do this. n/t

[Nikki Stone 1]

2. K & R

:kick:

[razors edge]

6. while I agree it is an unlawful war

I think it will be difficult to relate that into a decision that justifies his position. his charges will most likely prevent the war itself from ever entering the court. if he his charged with disobeying the order to assemble at said location and board said aircraft, the evidence allowed will make it difficult to defend. i spent four years in the mc under ronnie ray-guns and expected something like iraq to happen at any time, but even if the war is illegal, you don't change your mind on deployment without expecting harsh repercussions.

resign your commission or do the duty, no standing army will tolerate less.

[Matriot]

9. If you went to the website

you would have seen that he tried to resign his commission and they wouldn't allow him to.

[razors edge]

11. sorry, can't check every website, wish I could.

but the military not allowing someone to do what they want to do doesn't surprise me much, I spent four years as an enlisted member and resigning was not an option, so if some officer got stuck serving I am not the person to feel sorry for them as I never cared much for officers to begin with.

the mere fact that an officer gets better training and is then allowed to resign their commission always kinda pissed me off.

[razors edge]

12. maybe the fact i was a

fighter aircraft mechanic has something to do with it, fighter jocks are supreme assholes on the ground, but serve a purpose in the air. reminds me of someone in the wh.

[yorkiemommie1]

3. will write a letter

already signed petition.

he is the son of one of my friends from hs, so i am especially interested in his case.

[Coexist]

4. knr

[spindrifter]

5. K&R

[pooja]

7. My thoughts on court proceedings are that it should be up to the courts

I realize that courts are not always right or fair... but if we allow mob mentality in one case, we allow them in all cases. I think helping to stand by and offer our support of his ideals is important, but he himself has said I am ready to face court martial and the verdict of my decisions. It is up to us to pull our people out of Iraq and put Mr. Bush in the slammer for war crimes... that is where we need to go. That is the focus.

[Matriot]

10. However this sets the precedence

Should 1LT Watada not be court-martialed then the rest of the US servicemembers have a leg to stand on for refusing to deploy to Iraq. Hmmmm, what would the war be if they couldn't force soldiers to go? Also, it would give more credence that the war is illegal if it is ruled in a military court. However, if he is court-martialed then the rest of us don't have a leg to stand on plus it justifies the war in Iraq in the military community.

[pooja]

13. Yes, but it is for the courts to decide. If you want to make this war

illeagal, then it must be passed through congress or ruled by supreme court. Otherwise, what is a soldier? What is their job? Until the motion is passed in congress, then deciding not to go will result in court-martial. I hate to say that. I hate this war.. but that's why I stay after the Senate and house members. They can and must change the direction. They must stop funding the war.

[me b zola]

8. I'll be calling in the morning

Thanks for posting, Lt.Watada certainly deserves our assistence. :patriot:

[Pachamama]

14. Just signed the petition, donated and I'm going to call.

Feels good to do this in memory of the people who died on 9/11 five years ago. Feels as if I can help do something right in a time where so much wrong has been done in their names.

:kick: