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.

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!

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

.