Video of 'Song for Lt. Ehren Watada'

Just quickly put this together using Peters Song. His information is in description at YouTube site or post below this.

Song for Lt. Ehren Watada

Lt. Watada's speech to the Veterans for Peace National Convention, Seattle. August 12, 2006.

Listen to Peter's new song
A tribute to support Lt. Ehren Watada
Hear the song, read the lyrics and distribute!

Lieutenant Watada we stand with you

Your voice is clear, your words ring true

You don’t follow their orders any more

You have followed your conscience to end this war

They’re trying to disgrace you and drag you down

They threaten you with prison—you stand your ground

Your courage is a beacon for all to see

The price you have paid to be truly free

Free to say NO you will not go along

With war crimes and torture

We all know are wrong

Lieutenant Watada we’re with you today

We’ll be with you tomorrow—we won’t go away

May our love sustain you until your release.

And may others follow your path to peace

Speaking truth to power so all may hear

As the persecute you—they reveal their fear

Lieutenant Watada our native son

A war hero who put down his gun

Your are a living legacy

You have shown what it means to be truly free.

© Peter Tracy 2007

Peter Tracy and Friends

Soldier of Conscience {Updated}

Truth has consequences for soldier of conscience

It is a sad day in American jurisprudence when a soldier of conscience is court-martialed not for lying but for telling the truth, not for breaking a covenant with the military but for upholding the rule of law in wartime.

Army 1st Lt. Ehren K. Watada was out of uniform on leave over a year ago when he delivered a moving address to a Veterans for Peace convention.

1st Lt. Ehren Watada at the 2006 {Video} Veterans For Peace National Convention in Seattle

Lt Watada was joined onstage by about 50 Iraq war veterans and other members of Iraq Veterans Against the War.


Video was taken with a digital camera by VFP Greater Atlanta Chapter 125 member, Debbie Clark, 'not a professional filmmaker, and is not of professional quality' {Debbies words}. Video was unfortunately taken in segments due to the limitations of the digital camera and cut a little short due to the memory card getting full before the end of the speech. However, most of the speech is there and the full text of the speech can be read HERE

All the major issues of imperial occupation - the fraudulent basis for the war, the absence of a formal declaration from Congress, the systematic nature of war crimes in Iraq, the flagrant violations of international treaties such as the U.N. Charter - are coming to a head in this historic battle between a soldier of conscience and an Army whose Abu Ghraib scandals shocked the world.

The legality of Lieutenant Watada's orders pursuant to a "war of choice" is the central issue of the trial.
No American soldier has any obligation to participate in military aggression, in "crimes against peace," or in any operations that violate the Geneva Conventions. Under constitutional government, the authority of military command derives not from one person alone but from the rule of law itself.
There are only two conditions in which a war is legal under international law: when force is authorized by the U.N. Security Council, or when the use of force is an act of national self-defense and survival. Apart from these conditions, war is an act of aggression. The U.N. Charter, based on the Nuremberg Conventions, prohibits war "as an instrument of policy." And the war in Iraq is just that - a war of choice.

Article VI, of the Constitution, states:

"All treaties made, or which shall be made, under the authority of the United States, shall be the supreme law of the land, and the judges in every state shall be bound thereby."
There is no exception for the military, no wall between domestic and international law.

U.S. Army Field Manual

"Treaties relating to the law of war have a force equal to that of laws enacted by Congress. Their provisions must be observed by both military and civilian personnel with the same strict regard for both the letter and spirit of the law which is required with respect to the Constitution and statutes."

Oath of Enlistment
Military Oath: In the Armed Forces EXCEPT the National Guard (Army or Air)

I, (NAME), do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice.
So help me God.

In the National Guard (Army or Air)

I, (NAME), do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States and the State of (STATE NAME) against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the Governor of (STATE NAME) and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to law and regulations.
So help me God.

More information on the Oath and other Military related topics can be found at HERE

Lieutenant Watada is being persecuted because he is challenging the legality, not the political wisdom, of the war. The commander in chief is the final arbiter in foreign policy, but only so long as policies are in accordance with the law. Law trumps politics, not the other way around. The "political question doctrine," as attorneys call it, is nothing more than judicial abdication.

Lt. Watada is not the only one speaking out, but is the officer facing a Courts Martial and Prison time for doing so, a Soldier of Concious, understanding his role as a Leader, for the troops under him, as to the U. S. Military.

Thank You Lt Watada Website
This testimony is from the hearing regarding LT WATADA - Iraq War Tribunal: Iraq Veterans Against the War.

Darrell Anderson (purple heart, '04)- MP3 Download

and

Chanan Suarez-Diaz - MP3 Download


Appeal for Redress
Now with over 1200 signatures of Active Duty Military Personal!
The wording of the Appeal for Redress is short and simple. It is patriotic and respectful in tone.
As a patriotic American proud to serve the nation in uniform, I respectfully urge my political leaders in Congress to support the prompt withdrawal of all American military forces and bases from Iraq . Staying in Iraq will not work and is not worth the price. It is time for U.S. troops to come home.


Feb 5 National Day of Action
On Monday, February 5, 2007, when Lt. Watada goes on trial, supporters will rally outside the gates of Fort Lewis, Washington for a peaceful, non-violent demonstration.
Monday, February 5, 2007
9am - Lt. Watada’s Military Court Martial begins
11:30am - Student Rally with Iraq Veterans Against the War
1pm - Political Art Performance
3pm Rally and Vigil
Fort Lewis, WA. Exit 119, off I-5

National Event Listing
Transportation to Fort Lewis – Buses, Carpools and more!
Attend Lt. Watada’s Court Martial
Travel and Housing Information
Welcome Event Feb 4, 2007

This was just sent to me by a KOS reader:
Update:

The Citizens Hearing on the Legality of the Iraq War issued findings today. The Hearing Panel found the Iraq War to be illegal in both national and international law. In the findings the Panel has issued a Call to Conscience for Congress to hold hearings on the legality of both the war itself and the ways that the war is being conducted.”

In regards to Lt. Watada, the report presents findings on Disobeying Illegal Orders, in which they state:“The oath to support and defend the Constitution implies that if in conscience a person believes an order to be illegal, he or she has an obligation to refuse the order.” The panel was explicit in its support for Lt. Ehren Watada, the Army’s first commissioned officer to refuse deployment to Iraq based on his assertion that because the Iraq War is illegal, it is his duty to refuse orders to deploy.

Contact your Senators and Representatives Today and let them know you support Lt. Ehren Watada’s right to stand up and speak out for his principles and for the rule of international law and the U.S. Constitution. Call Congress to hold hearing on the legality of both the war itself and the ways the war is being conducted.

PRESS RELEASE
Subject: Preceding Watada Court Martial: Citizens’ Hearing Panel Declares Iraq War Illegal
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 2, 2007
War Tribunal

TRIBUNAL REPORT:
War Tribunal Report - PDF (65 pages; 31 MB)


~~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~~
The Failed Policies will Haunt Us and the World for Decades!

The Nation is Failing its Mentally Wounded

It sends them into emotional danger, then disdains their injuries.

This Op Ed at the Star Tribune could have been extended and filled the whole paper on what this Nation does, and has done throughout it's history, as to those it sends to Wars, and frankly it isn't only this Nation.

But I happen to have been born here and served it in another total Debacle, watching many of those who served there as well be Totally Destroyed Mentally as this Apathedic Country turn their backs on them, those who Don't Serve and even a few who do!

It starts out with this:

There is something truly grotesque about urging that the United States take better care of the mentally wounded men and women who come home from Iraq. Mental wounds are a given of any war, which is why Americans should be absolutely sure war is necessary before they ever agree to put the lives of U.S. troops on the line.

It isn't only those who are ignored, especially as time passes, as to the Mental Destruction, but also All who have been maimed or developed desvestating physical ailments due to that which this Nations Military and Civilian Leadership use in Theaters of War to fight the Enemies we keep making because of our actions and policies, or that which might already exist in the little countries we invade that our bodies were foreign to.

But no one disputes this much: Schulze took his life after he was turned away from two VA hospitals -- in Minneapolis and St. Cloud -- because their psychiatric units were full.

I watched, and fought with, my fellow 'Nam Vets trying to wake an Apathedic Society to the effects of 'Agent Orange', as they were dying, and being told the ailments had nothing to do with the Defoliants used there!
I've watched, and tried to do what I can, since the First Gulf War, along with those who served there, trying Once Again to Wake this Apathedic Society as to the ailments being suffered by what has been labeled 'Gulf War Syndrom'. And as those who have been suffering from, and many dying to soon, once again watched the collective apathy and another brush off, by those we hire to lead, as to the Syndrom even existing.

I don't give a Damn what so called Political Party you label yourself with, each is Exactly the same in it's Apathy for those this Country sends into Conflicts and in what you do as to those who represent you, because no matter what political party affiliation they are They Represent You, Your Community, Your District, and they follow these failed policies over and over!

There are many Professional, Activists, Deeply Concerned Citizens, Volunteers who have been there throughout, helping these Veterans, hell one of the main reasons many Va Hospitals and Clinics function at all is because of the above people. But they are the Minority, and also are ignored by those who just plain don't want to hear it. They Know Who They Are, as do those who receive their Help and Support.
The Apathedic also know who they are, and their in the Majority, some not doing a Damn Thing others using only Words and Phrases hoping others think they are involved and concerned, but in most cases it's only their own lives that worry them.


The way to short, but Right On, Op Ed ends with this:

What kind of nation would put men and women in the Iraq hellhole and then treat them with such disdain when they come home wounded? The answers that come to mind aren't very nice.

There is only One Way to end this current, Extremely Failed U.S. Policy, Debacle. As it turns out the next Generations of 'enemies{?]', and it already has. That's for the Guilty, Us in this country the United States{?}, to Force our Representatives to sit down with All in the Region of the Persion Gulf and start Acting as we like to think of ourselves as, and To Stop The Rethoric Of Hatreds and Propaganda, Stop acting like those we Label as being Evil, for we only need look in a mirror to see the Evil!

RIP Molly

Your voice, and common sense of the reality, Will Be Greatly Missed!

National Call to Action - Lt Watada

Show your Support for Lt. Watada as the United States takes him to Trial for Refusing to Obey an Illegal Order, serving in an Illegal and Immoral War!!
Below the information on Lt. Watada you will find information on a Memorial you can Host on your Websites. Sign up Now as the Anniversary of the Illegal Invasion approaches to start hosting this Memorial.

As many of you know, Lt. Ehren Watada's court martial for being the
first commissioned officer to refuse to participate in the illegal and
immoral war in Iraq starts next Monday. There are three events that
Olympia area people should know about,
1} His last local public talk
before the trial at SPSCC on Wednesday, 1/31/07
2} A Celebration of
Resistance to Illegal War in Tacoma on Sunday, 2/4/07, and perhaps most
importantly,
3} A National Day of Action on the first day of the trial on
Monday, 2/5/07 at Ft. Lewis. Details for all events and links are
below.

This one might be to late to plan for if in the area, but I just received it awhile ago myself.

1} Lt. Ehren Watada Speech
When: Wed Jan 31 2007 07:00 PM
Where: SPSCC KJM Performing Arts Center
What: BRICK presents…

Lt. Ehren Watada
A Soldier's Duty: The Illegality of the Iraq War
Wednesday
January 31, 2007
7pm-9pm
SPSCC KJM Performing Arts Center

Ehren Watada will be speaking at South Puget Sound Community College on
Wed. January 31st from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. The program will be held in
the new Minneart Center for the Arts, Building 21, in the main theater.
Ehren Watada is the first commissioned officer of the U.S. military to
refuse deployment to Iraq. He will be speaking about why the war and
occupation of Iraq is illegal and immoral, and how to build a mass
movement to bring the troops home. He will also be speaking about his
upcoming military Court Martial (Feb. 5) where is facing up to six
years imprisonment. Admission is free to the public. This event is
sponsored by the student group BRICK (Building Revolution by Increasing
Community Knowledge).

For more information on Lt. Watada's case, see:
Thank You Lt.

2} CELEBRATE RESISTANCE to ILLEGAL WAR!
Welcome Event for Lt. Ehren Watada Supporters

SUNDAY FEB 4th
5-9pm
First Congregational Church
(Pilgram Hall-Downstairs)
209 S J St. Tacoma, WA

Supporters from across the country are mobilizing to the Ft. Lewis area
to
demonstrate support for Lt. Ehren Watada as he faces court martial on
February 5th.

Let's come together to celebrate our resistance to illegal, immoral war
and Lt. Ehren Watada's courageous stand on the night before his court
martial. Meet local community members and visiting supporters as they
gear
up to demonstrate outside the gates of Ft. Lewis and also fill the
courtroom with supporters! The evening's event will include food, music,
speakers and spoken word. A great place to get more information about
the
following day's event, meet and welcome people.

Performance by:

*Ryan Harvey
member of Riot Folk: http://www.riotfolk.org/ )
*Darrell Anderson
Iraq combat veteran and war resister shares spoken-word
*Dennis Kyne, Ethan Crowell and Michael Cuzzort
Acoustic performance by Members of Iraq Veterans Veterans Against the
War
*Steve and Kristi Nebel
*More TBA!

Speakers include:

*Army Col. Ann Wright(Ret.)
Resigned in opposition to the Iraq war in 2003
*Iraq Veterans Against the War members
*Anita Dennis, mother of Iraq war resister Darrell Anderson
*More TBA!

POTLUCK DINNER:

Members of First United Methodist Church and United for Peace of Pierce County will provide a main course
Please bring a dessert or salad and non-alcoholic drinks or something
else you would like to share if possible.

DRIVING DIRECTIONS:

I-5 S toward TACOMA OR
I-5 N toward TACOMA
TAKE EXIT 133, TACOMA/CITY CENTER and merge onto I-705 N toward CITY
CENTER. IN ABOUT ½ MILE, EXIT RIGHT, ONTO SCHUSTER PARKWAY.
GET INTO RIGHT LANE, AND take the STADIUM WAY exit
Turn RIGHT onto STADIUM WAY S.
Turn LEFT onto DIVISION AVE. (blue "Hospital" sign is on your right) GO
STRAIGHT THROUGH TWO LIGHTS
At the Third stoplight, turn LEFT ONTO I STREET.
THE PARKING LOT IS ON YOUR IMMEDIATE RIGHT.
ENTER CHURCH THROUGH THE ALLEY DOOR.

For more info contact: welcomefeb4@gmail.com

Sponsored by: The Micah Project of First United Methodist Church, United
for Peace of Pierce County, Friends and Family of Lt. Watada, Olympia
Movement for Justice and Peace, Courage to Resist, Youth Against War and
Racism, and Teen Peace Project.

3}National Call to Action: February 5, Lt. Watada Military Court Martial
On Monday, February 5, 2007 take action against the Iraq war and in support of Lt. Watada during his military court martial. As the first commissioned officer to refuse deployment to Iraq and for publicly speaking out against the Iraq war Lt. Watada faces 6 years in prison.
Stand up with Lt. Watada and speak out against the illegal and immoral war! Join the national movement and organize student walkouts and non-violent demonstrations. Together, let's build a mass movement in the streets, in our schools, and in our communities to end the Iraq War. On Feb. 5, 2007 rally at the gates of Fort Lewis, Washington or in your local community.
For the full call to action, click here.
For a list of national events, click here.
To endorse the February 5, 2007 National Day of Action email action@ltwatada.org and sign up on our endorsement page

.

Iraq Veterans Memorial

Gold Star Families Speak Out · Military Families Speak Out · Iraq Veterans Against the War
North Texas Vets · Veterans for Peace · Soldiers of Today and Yesterday
GI Special · United for Peace and Justice · Brave New Foundation

Inspired by the AIDS Quilt, the Vietnam memorial, and the New York Times biographies of the 9/11 victims, Robert Greenwald and Brave New Foundation, in partnership with numerous Iraq veterans groups, are creating a living online memorial to U.S. soldiers killed during the Iraq war. The Iraq Veterans Memorial will bear witness with the video testimonies of family, friends, co-workers, and military colleagues of those lost.

It will be unveiled on March 19th, 2007 all across the internet.

Contribute your video testimonial | Host video memorial on your site March 19th

A project of the Brave New Foundation / Email: Iraq Memorial

Inside Iraq

"Inside Iraq"

Chronicles daily life in a war zone through the words of Iraqi journalists in McClatchy's Baghdad Bureau as they risk so much each day to survive. These are unedited first hand accounts of their experiences. Their complete names have been withheld for security reasons.

IMPEACHMENT!!

Do It Yourself Impeachment!


Peter Tracy: Impeachment Song
Listen HERE - Download MP3

Impeachment Song
Chorus:
Let’s impeach George W. Bush, it’s long, long overdue
While were at it let’s make sure to impeach Dick Cheney too.
A pair of world-class criminals
Like you’ve never seen before
Start impeachment right away & stop another war.
Some people say impeachment will tear us apart
Hey, we’re already divided
Let’s make a brand new start
Time to send him packin’ along with his criminal crew
The way he’s screwed this country
What else can we do?
Chorus
If a president can defy the law
Then the law don’t mean a thing
This is still the USA & we don’t want a king.
Finding ways around the law don’t make it OK
Let’s get rid of these bastards—and do it right away.
They tried to impeach Slick Willy,
Because he got a little on the side.
Well, he might have forgotten where to put his cigar,
But at least nobody died.
How does that compare with lying us into war?
If that’s not enough for impeachment
Then what is impeachment for.
Chorus ©Peter Tracy 2006

"Child of War"

What trumps political ideology and religious ideology, yet both are used as the excuses in mans destructive behavior.

Trouble is neither can be effective to quell the hatreds that arise from our destructive policies and behavior, and it need only linger and grow in a few!

That which is the trump card of the now and coming future are the extremely misguided policy of, and Lost, War in Iraq and the forgotten already Lost War in Afganistan. Why is Afganistan a Lost Conflict, because it never accomplished what it was supposedly intended to do and that is to bring Justice to the Leaders of the Guilty 'Criminals' that are accused of the Attack of September 11th 2001. And that conflict is already, once again, spiralling out of control!
Why is Iraq an already Lost endevor, because it should never have occurred, and it was lost the moment we went in. We ripped apart Pandora's Box and the future will only bring more Death and Destruction.

And why,because We are an Occupying Military Force, in Iraq, and We have Once Again Installed a Puppet Government into Power, just as we did with Saddam and the years of Support given him!

I have put together a video presentation that while I'm no great producer I hope makes some Stop and Think of what may be coming and what we may have unleashed in the now and coming generations, and was this Exactly what the Neo-Cons wanted All Along!


You can also view this on YouTube

After viewing you would be wise to visit these two Reports below:
This is just one of the results many of us, opposed to the failed policies, right from the beginning, were saying would happen if those policies were carried out, it has only gotten worse since they were!
The Next Jihadists: Iraq’s Lost Children

Iraqi Kids Drawn Into Jihad
Don't just read the reports, use the links found at both Sites to hopefully further understand.

There are at least 3080 U.S. Military Casulties In-Country, 11 of those are still unconfirmed by the DoD, as of today 1-29-07. Many of those KIA's have children, no counts as to exactly how many have lost a father or mother. Those children aren't living in the Theater, the children of Iraq are and they, and the kids in that region, know full well what is going on, way too many children of Iraq have been Casulties!
Below are a few of the photo's used in the video, some having messages I wrote in but are hard to read except in the single photo form and relate to the photo's following them:

This one you can read clearly and it leads off the presentation:


This one speaks for itself, except it doesn't say that these kids need No Brainwashing to Start their Hatreds, their being Taught in Real Time:


Than we have this reality:


And this one:


And the Most Painfull as are the photo's following it:


And this one gives a Clear Message:


~~~~~

~~~~~

"I think the Iraqi people owe the American people a huge debt of
gratitude" - The pResident {Yep up to 655,000 are really Grateful, many in
their Mass Graves, as are their Survivors}


"I think once they get in harm's way, Congress's tradition is to
support those troops," Mr. Hadley said. {Harms Way, shows what the
administration thinks of the Troops, it's called a Strong Defense!}

~~~~~
The Failed Policies will Haunt Us and the World for Decades!

This is Much Worse than Vietnam, than they only wanted us Out Of Their Country, now National Security, not only here but Around The World, are The Aces In The Deck!!
And those Aces have already been dealt!

VOTEVETS - Stop Escalation

LEADS THE CHARGE AGAINST ESCALATION IN NEW TELEVISION AD


VoteVets, with Americans Against Escalation in Iraq, is leading the charge against the President’s escalation of the war in Iraq with a new television advertisement today. We’re targeting a number of Senators who still have not come out in favor of the strongest Senate resolution, sponsored by Senators Joe Biden and Chuck Hagel. We are backing up the ad with a two-day, seven-city tour, that will take this battle right into the Senators’ back yards.

Click Here To Keep Their Ad On The Air

News Crawl 1-28-07

This Marine's death came after he served in Iraq
When Jonathan Schulze came home from Iraq, he tried to live a normal life. But the war kept that from happening.
At first, Jonathan Schulze tried to live with the nightmares and the grief he brought home from Iraq. He was a tough kid from central Minnesota, and more than that, a U.S. Marine to the core.
Yet his moods when he returned home told another story. He sobbed on his parents' couch as he told them how fellow Marines had died, and how he, a machine gunner, had killed the enemy. In his sleep, he screamed the names of dead comrades. He had visited a psychiatrist at the VA hospital in Minneapolis.
Two weeks ago, Schulze went to the VA hospital in St. Cloud. He told a staff member he was thinking of killing himself, and asked to be admitted to the mental health unit, said his father and stepmother, who accompanied him. They said he was told he couldn't be admitted that day. The next day, as he spoke to a counselor in St. Cloud by phone, he was told he was No. 26 on the waiting list, his parents said.


Boy's Father Dies In Iraq And Mother Scheduled To Return
Army specialist Katie Lavely is certainly no anti war activist. She has proudly served several months in Iraq.

She's due to return to active service soon, but she doesn't want to go. It has nothing to do with politics, but everything to do with her little boy, two year old Devic.

Devic just lost his father, also a soldier serving in Iraq. Lavely does not want to risk her son losing BOTH his parents.

Her ex-husband was Sergeant Victor Langarica. He died Saturday when insurgents shot down his helicopter near Baghdad.

Lavely knows when she signed up; she made a commitment, but tell that to a two year old boy.

Lavely says, "I'm expecting them to understand and leave me here with my son, but the military is the military. So, whatever they say goes."

Lavely and her family live in Brunswick Maryland. 9 News Now will stay with this story and let you know what happens.
{There's a Video Report at site link}


The True Cost of War
Newsweek
Feb. 5, 2007 issue - For American soldiers stationed in Iraq, one of the few comforts of this war is how easily they can keep in touch with family back home. Many service members call their spouses and kids several times a week and e-mail daily, reassuring them that they are all right. Sgt. 1/c John Gary Brown knew his wife, Donna, worried every time he went up in the air. A Black Hawk helicopter crew chief and gunner with an Arkansas Army National Guard unit, Brown had experience calming the anxieties of his wife of 18 years. War had separated them before: Brown had flown missions over a similarly bleak landscape a decade and a half ago when he served in the gulf war.


A Sorry State
Jan. 27, 2007 Newsweek - President George W. Bush concluded his annual State of the Union address this week with the words “the State of our Union is strong … our cause in the world is right … and tonight that cause goes on.” Maybe so, but the state of the Bush administration is at its worst yet, according to the latest NEWSWEEK Poll. The president’s approval ratings are at their lowest point in the poll’s history—30 percent—and more than half the country (58 percent) say they wish the Bush presidency were simply over, a sentiment that is almost unanimous among Democrats (86 percent), and is shared by a clear majority (59 percent) of independents and even one in five (21 percent) Republicans. Half (49 percent) of all registered voters would rather see a Democrat elected president in 2008, compared to just 28 percent who’d prefer the GOP to remain in the White House.