[Dialogue] Lt. Ehren Watada

[Michael & Molly Shaw]

I don't know how many have been following the journey of Lt. Ehren Watada,
since he refused his assignment to Iraq because he believed it was an
illegal war, but I had the chance to hear him speak at our church tonight
along with over 300 other folks.
 
He is a very articulate and impressive young man.  I was particularly caught
up by two points he made:
 
1.  He drew parallels to the Viet Nam war, and warned that because there was
never any consequences (punishment) of those who prosecuted the war, we are
in the same place today.  Many of my generation protested the war, marched
against it, resisted the draft, and finally celebrated when it was over, but
we failed to to hold our leadership accountable for the lives lost, the
dollars spent, and crimes committed.  He believes this failure is why we and
he are where we are today.  He pointed out that if we do not hold the
leadership responsible for this war, another soldier will be in the same
place he was tonight giving the same speech
 
2.  When thanked during the Q & A for his courage choosing to stand against
the war.  He said, "I did not have a choice in the matter.  I took an oath
and under that oath, it is my duty and responsibility to refuse to serve in
an illegal war." 
 
If you would like to read more about Lt. Watada and his journey and
preparation for his court martial this week, you can find it at the website:
thankyoult.org.
 

Peace,
Michael <mailto:michael at shawplace.com> 
michael at shawplace.com


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