U.S. Army First Lieutenant Ehren Watada Is facing a court martial for charges of: missing movement, two counts of contempt toward officials (specifically President G. W. Bush), and three counts of conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman.


Statement 1: “I could never conceive of our leader betraying the trust we had in him … As I read about the level of deception the Bush administration used to initiate and process this war, I was shocked. I became ashamed of wearing the uniform. How can we wear something with such a time-honored tradition, knowing we waged war based on a misrepresentation and lies? It was a betrayal of the trust of the American people. And these lies were a betrayal of the trust of the military and the Soldiers … But I felt there was nothing to be done, and this administration was just continually violating the law to serve their purpose, and there was nothing to stop them … Realizing the President is taking us into a war that he misled us about has broken that bond of trust that we had. If the President can betray my trust, it’s time for me to evaluate what he’s telling me to do.”


Statement 2: “I was shocked and at the same time ashamed that Bush had planned to invade Iraq before the 9/11 attacks. How could I wear this [honorable] uniform now knowing we invaded a country for a lie?”


Statement 3: “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 … 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 … The wholesale slaughter and mistreatment of Iraqis is not only a terrible and moral injustice, but it’s a contradiction to the Army’s own law of land warfare. My participation would make me party to war crimes.”


The Army charges that the Statements 1 and 2 violated Art. 88 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (Contempt Toward Officials) and that all three statements violated Art. 133 (Conduct Unbecoming an Officer and Gentleman).


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

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