Indy Media Watch

Miami Indymedia and Sydney Indymedia are carrying similar articles about Lt. Watada, a US Soldier who has apparently refused orders to serve in Iraq.

He is being held up as a symbol of anti-war resistance.

Lt. Watada’s attorney Eric Seitz said, “This morning Lt. Watada has been restricted to base without any actual charges or proper process. By placing a complete gag order on Lt. Watada, the military has again shown that their first concern is silencing Lt. Watada's speech in opposition to the illegal war in Iraq. We will immediately challenge these highly questionable and improper restrictions." Mr. Seitz is currently the only non-military person authorized to have any contact with Lt. Watada.

Lt. Watada is the first commissioned officer to publicly refuse deployment to the war in Iraq. By refusing to participate in the on-going Iraq war and occupation, Lt. Watada joins a growing number of high ranking military officers, West Point graduates, and current and former members of the armed services who have expressed their opposition to the actions of the United States in Iraq. Lieutenant Watada’s refusal comes in the wake of a series of charges and convictions against lower ranking soldiers for participation in war-related crimes: 9 Marines charged with premeditated murder yesterday, charges of a massacre in Haditha, Iraq and convictions at Abu Ghraib Prison.

Lt. Watada faces possible court-martial charges for refusing to participate in the Iraq war and occupation and intends to defend himself based on the illegality of the Iraq war and occupation. Lt. Watada, age 28, was born and raised in Honolulu, Hawaii where he enlisted in the Army and was obligated to serve on active duty as an Army officer for a term of three years concluding on December 3, 2006

The last sentence indicates something important.

Comments on both sites have noted

Interestingly, he joined the Army in June 2003, after we had invaded Iraq (so the concept that he might have to go there shouldn't have come as a surprise to him)...Yes, that's right. This jerk volunteered to join the Army after the invasion of Iraq. If he really believed it was illegal, he wouldn't have joined. The whole thing is a cynical propaganda stunt.

A reasonable assumption indeed. After the Jesse Macbeth scandal, Watada could become the new anti-war hero that ultimately turns out to be a zero.

Michelle Malkin has more on this guy. His supporters are organizing a string of events on 27 June. Should be interesting...