How would YOU punish this "Contentious Objector" of the Iraq War?

This anti-American jerk, Lieutenant Ehren Watada, is refusing to go to war because he claims it is an "illegal war". However, I am sure it has been pointed out to him that Congress voted for the war, but apparently facts can't get in his thick skull.



He is set to face up to six years in Prison, which, with parole, will probably be one at best. The soldiers "torturing" prisoners at Gitmo got more than that, if you can call putting underwear on someone's head torture. It's not like they cut someone's head off. Oh, that's right, the IRAQIS did that.



I mean, look at this dude. He just LOOKS like a pansy.

http://hotzone.yahoo.com/b/hotzone/blogs...

They shouldn't have accepted him into the army anyway.



Back to my question. How would YOU punish this guy? I would say a public hanging, or firing squad. But I would prefer the public hanging, I think people need to see what happens to a traitor.

How would YOU punish this "Contentious Objector" of the Iraq War?
Unfortunately, this country doesn't seem to believe in such things as traitors anymore. So all he will probably get is a figurative slap on the wrist.

He eliminated is ability to be a conscientious objector when he enlisted in the military. A prison sentence for sure, and preferably in on maximum security prison. Most prisoners in this country have more respect for this nation than many of the pansies who are afraid to fight for freedom. Since our courts won't punish him any worse than a short loss of freedom the guys in there would help get the message across.

I really gets to me whenever I hear about US Citizens who believe that we shouldn't fight for freedom anywhere. Not even at home. Don't they know that Freedom is not FREE.
Reply:if this was an enlisted soldier i would say 4 years in prison 2 years after his ets date. but, he is an officer.for him to openly say it is an illegal war or anything to that extent is an article 88 under UCMJ. he should be locked up for 8-10 years. how is a soldier suppose to fight when the leadership does sh!t like that.
Reply:I think 6 years in Leavenworth is just fine. He should also pay any restitution for any benefits received while serving in our military. He should not have joined an organization who's primary business is war. If this was a war such as WWII, I would say just shoot the coward and be done with it. If he feels this strongly against America then after he serves his time we need to drop him off into the middle east somewhere. I'm sure he will find so much more justice there.
Reply:I would just max out his sentence. If he were anyone else that was not an officer nor someone that drew the media attention I wouldn't be so harsh.



The dishonorable discharge is going to haunt him for the rest of his life. He will never get a government job. He will never get any job of "trust". He will lose a ton of rights, between that and a felony conviction.
Reply:He should be sent to jail along with Cindy Sh*than. He looks scared and has no business being in the service.



These people take an oath when they enlist. If their vows are so shallow, what is the value of their words, work and protection? Nil!



This is so politically correct it's sickening. HE MADE AN OATH and he FAILED and DEFIED that OATH THAT HE SWORE TO!!



If we make commitments and vows and renig on them, then really, what is the value of our words or actions? They are meaningless.



HE TOOK AN OATH and those of you who disagree with him being sentenced, how can one really take your words or work for what it's worth?? If you allow this to slide and continue to happen, you are politically correct, no ifs, ands or buts!
Reply:Lets make it really hurt make him pay back his college money he recieved from the army,pay for all his military training.So that should come out maybe 100.000 or better. He cant pay ship his butt to the worst place and leave him there.
Reply:This individual may not believe in the war, however, he signed up for military duty and is not to question what is handed down by his superiors. In refusing to follow orders, he will be court martialed and receive a dishonorable discharge. He will not be eligible to receive a pension from his service days, receive a VA loan, or any other benefits that military personal enjoy.



Furthermore, if he is so against the US, then what I would personally perceive as justice for his disgrace would be to renounce his citizenship and force him to live in Iraq. Never allowing him to enter into the US again.
Reply:Right on man.Put that bitches neck in a noose.He signed up in the Military knowing what the military does.kill people,but conveniently for him when he has to do what he is paid for the War is wrong.No!He is just a coward.Also.I think that the church giving him haven should be shut down.I am a devout Christian but the church has no place in this matter.
Reply:Actually, it is a crime to be in the military as a contientious objector. When you join the military, that is one of the questions they ask you. If you answer yes, you will not be allowed in. If you say no, join the military, and then decide you are, you are in breach of your contract with the US government.



And, according to the way our Respresentative Republic works, if congress votes to allow the troops to stay in this conflict, or actually declares war, then it is a legal war. While it may not be agreed upon by citizens of this country, the elected officials representing them pass the laws, policies, and rules governing this country and the military.



You may not agree with abortion, but your representative can vote either way on the issue, and you are bound by the vote he casts.
Reply:Whatever the UMCJ puts on him I guess. 6 years and a dishonorable isn't bad punishment. We don't need people like him in, they make it harder on everyone...
Reply:I'd say we should refresh our memories about the Eddie Slovik case, and consider that.



Look it up!
Reply:It was established at the Anderson-ville trial, again at Nuremberg, and again in the 70's with the Calley trial, that a member of the armed forces is answerable first of all to his own conscience. By your logic the people who ran the Death Camps in Germany during WW2 did nothing wrong since they had been given orders. This man made his decision, stood by it, and is accepting the consequences. Though I disagree with him, I respect his actions.
Reply:Firing squad.
Reply:Conscientious objection is not a crime. It is certainly not a capital crime. Congress voting for a war does not make it a legal war and there are a great many inconsistencies in this particular declaration of war. There is no evidence of treason in this case and a comparison to "torturing" prisoners does not even come close to fitting. By the way, neither public hanging or firing squads are in use in the U.S. these days.
Reply:I wish he could be tried for treason, or at least aiding and abetting our enemies.

Insubordination, definitely.

I'm with you on the public hanging. He's a traitor, plain and simple. It would be different if he joined BEFORE the war started. But he didn't. I think he joined just so he could become a conscientious objector.
Reply:You are wrong, this kid is not a Concious Objector by any definition. Just because he doesn't agree with the current war doesnt qualify him as a CO. Dont try to use Concious Objector as a way to slander people.
Reply:If you join the army during a war, you can't be a concientious objector. He is not fit to lead troops. I personally wouldn't follow him to k-mart.
Reply:6 years at Leavenworth, and dishonorable discharge.



I'd like to make SURE that the dishonorable discharge is enforced to the max. No voting, no visa, no good references, no owning property, etc.
Reply:Give him a medal.



He is not refusing to serve. He is not even refusing to serve in combat. He is refusing to serve in Iraq.



Why? because the reason he joined, the reason given for invading Iraq, was based on premeditated lies from the administration. He is correct. His "oath / contract" was obtained from him under criminally false statements and intents. He is doing the right thing morally and is willing to pay the price for calling out the administration for what it is. He is doing what the cowards in congress should have done, but didn't have the guts to do.



Frankly, I have no doubt he will be found guilty, but not because he deserves that, but because that's just the way things work. Being right legally and morally means nothing when you take on the military or government. I think his point will be made regardless, and he is indeed brave for not taking the easy way out.
Reply:When they sign on the dotted line, that doesn't give them the right to decide what is and what is not a "legal war".



After his public humiliation before his peers, I think he should be subject to duty that involves some crap work in some other hellhole like Djabouti (sp?) for a full tour, then community service in a military housing area on post somewhere that he can be ridiculed on a regular basis.
Reply:Have you been there?
Reply:The congressional medal of honour.