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Iraq war objector faces new charge for remarks in Seattle speech
 Lt. Ehren Watada faces an additional count of conduct unbecoming an officer, officials said Friday. Watadas commander added a seventh count to the six he already faces in connection with his refusal to go to Iraq in June with the Fort Lewis-based 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division. The new charge stems from remarks Watada made in a speech Aug. 12 at the Veterans for Peace national convention in Seattle.In the speech, the 28-year-old artillery officer repeated his opposition to the war and called on deployed soldiers to refuse to fight. A videotape of the speech was played at an Army hearing Aug. 17 into the evidence against Watada. The lieutenants attorney, Eric Seitz, characterized the additional charge as further evidence of the Armys intent to silence his client. Thats what theyve been trying to do from the beginning, Seitz said. He said Watada would continue to appear at some limited speaking engagements. An Army officer who reviewed the evidence recommended Watada be court-martialed for missing his units movement to Iraq, two counts of making contemptuous statements about President Bush, and three counts of conduct unbecoming an officer. The Fort Lewis commanding general, Lt. Gen. James Dubik, has not yet announced whether hell order Watada to be court-martialed. If convicted of the original six charges and the seventh, Watada would face up to eight years in prison, Fort Lewis spokesman Joseph Piek said. Here's hoping he goes eight-for-eight. No parole for federal offenses, too. Welcome to Kansas. Posted by: Anonymoose 2006-09-17 |
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