THE FIRST COMMISSIONED ARMY OFFICER REFUSES TO GO TO IRAQ ON THE GROUNDS THAT THE WAR IS ILLEGAL AND IMMORAL. First Lieutenant Ehren Watada, a commissioned officer in the United States Army who served with distinction in Korea, refused orders for deployment to Iraq on June 7th stating: "My participation would make me party to war crimes." 1st Lt. Watada further elaborated on his decision: ""It is my conclusion as an officer of the armed forces that the war in Iraq is not only morally wrong but a horrible breach of American law. Although I have tried to resign out of protest, I am forced to participate in a war that is manifestly illegal. As the order to take part in an illegal act is ultimately unlawful as well, I must as an officer of honor and integrity refuse that order." Watada's claims that the war is both illegal and immoral under both U.S. and international law is actually quite solid. The United Nations officially declared the war illegal in 2004 and the Geneva Convention and Nuremberg laws both forbid wars of aggression; which the war in Iraq has to be since there were no WMDs found and consequently not the slightest threat to the U.S. existed. Lt. Watada also points out that the war is in direct violation of the Constitution and War Powers Act which "limits the President in his role as commander in chief from using the armed forces in any way he sees fit." Since Watada has sworn to uphold the Constitution of the United States during his Army oath, my moral and legal obligation is to the Constitution and not to those who would issue unlawful orders." Sadly, the Lt. will not have a public trial but a military court judged by Army officers who will most likely court-martial and similarly punish Watada for exercising his first amendment rights as a citizen of the United States of America (which, even though he is in the military, he is still entitled to do). Not only is the guy standing up for all our rights as American citizens, 1st Lt. Watada is also standing up for the thousands of U.S. military personnel who have lost their lives so far.

Even more sadly is the fact that doing what you believe is right usually comes at a high cost. Watada is faced with a 2 year prison sentence for refusing to go to Iraq as well as a 4 year sentence for "conduct unbecoming" for having the gall to publicly voice his beliefs. This second charge is patently ridiculous since, unless you voice contempt for the President/government or incite to sedition, you are within your rights to voice your opinions on the war or any other subject. The judge in the case, however has already thrown out any reference to the Nuremberg laws (which states that it is perfectly lawful and expected to disobey an order when you believe it to be unlawful) and has also denied Watada EVERY SINGLE WITNESS the defense wanted to call in his behalf. Boing Boing goes the kangaroo court. Watada's fate is pretty much sealed and the term "military justice" proves once again to be an oxymoron. The 1st Lieutenant's military career is most certainly over, his life (if not totally ruined) will at least take a huge knock, and he will probably spend time in prison (though nowhere near 6 years, I don't think) and we get further and further away from the principles upon which this country was founded.