Jan 09 2007
Report from Watada’s Pre-Trial Hearing
GUEST: Sarah Olson, independent journalist and radio producer
Last week’s pre-trial hearing for Army Lt. Ehren Watada is raising the crucial question of whether military officers have the right to publicly criticize their Commander-in-Chief and US foreign policy. More importantly, Watada’s impending court martial highlights growing dissent against the war from within the military. The Honolulu based Lieutenant is the US’s first commissioned officer to refuse deployment to Iraq. He faces a court-martial and six years in prison for failing to deploy to Iraq and for “conduct unbecoming an officer.” Two weeks ago we spoke with independent journalist Sarah Olson, who was subpoenaed to testify at the January 4 pre-trial hearing. Olson had interviewed Watada last May and has criticized the Army for threatening press freedom and free speech. Yesterday the Los Angeles Times also spoke out against the Army calling on journalists to testify in their editorial pages.
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One Response to “Report from Watada’s Pre-Trial Hearing”
Below is a fact that has not made it into mainstream media: Watada is not a conscientious objector and has stated his willingness to fight in combat, as long as it is not in Iraq. He twice tried to resign his commission as an Army officer or be allowed to serve SOMEWHERE ELSE, including Afghanistan.
The above was from the following article:
Watada will face Article 32 hearing
The Army’s charges against him could mean seven and a half years in prison
By Nelson Daranciang
ndaranciang@starbulletin.com