Like Mike New, Lt Watada is a hero. Blind obedience to a political leader started the war in Europe in 1939. Hitler also falsified an attack on his nation to justify war. Haven't we learned anything from the Northwoods document? Question authority! We must hold those in power accountable for their actions and remove them from power when necessary.

"Remove them from power when necessary" Thank God we live in the United States of America, where our government changes hands peaceably through elections, the outcome of which is determined by the people of this country. I'm all for people having their own opinions and ideas, but it sounds like if you had your way we would be in the middle of a civil war in our own country. People like you amaze me, you're so quick to point fingers and place blame, well let me tell ya, the majority of congress voted to go to Iraq, and now they are backpedalling faster than a circus monkey on speed... We ARE fighting a war in Iraq, and whether you or anyone else likes it or not, we need to find a solution and finish the job... there are no "do overs" in this life... and I dont see you coming up with any viable answeres other than to applaud Lt Watada's cowardice and refusal to abide by the duty he swore to uphold. Oh and by the way, your little comment -- advocating a threat to overthrow the American government or a sitting president IS an act of treason, and sorry freedom of speech won't protect you. Lt Watada removed whatever options he had to protest this war when he signed on as an officer... when he knew we were fighting this war!

I Most Heartily agree that what the Lt. is doing is Very Very Wrong. No soldier(espicially and officer that has taken an oath to lead soldiers.) has the right to refuse a legal order from his superiors. Now That I've said that The War in Iraq is NOT an illegal war. It is a continuation of the war on terror that we are currently engaged in. Lt. Watada's actions are acts of treason and in my opinion cowardice. only he knows for sure. On the subject of advocating overthrow of the government. You are most assuredly correct when you stated that it is a gift from God to live in a country where we have a peaceful way to change our current government every four years, But Thomas Jefferson the writer of the Decleration Of Independence that you and I hold dear said that a little revoloution now and again is a good thing, and in the decleration it'self it says that if one finds ones self in a situation that cannot be resolved it is ones responsibility to take charge and change things by revoloution if nessacary. He made this statement so that the Fedral Government would never feel as though it has supreme power over the people,and that the politicians will remember that they work for We The People.

Main Entry: trai·tor Pronunciation: 'trA-t&r Function: noun Etymology: Middle English traytour, from Anglo-French traitre, from Latin traditor, from tradere to hand over, deliver, betray, from trans-, tra- trans- + dare to give -- more at DATE 1 : one who betrays another's trust or is false to an obligation or duty 2 : one who commits treason

While I fully believe in questioning authority, the time for Lt. Wateda to that was before he joined the military. If fighting in a war is so objectionable to you, do not join the military. I do not question his right to believe the way he does, but once you make the decision to join the military, your duty to your fellow soldiers and to your commander-in-chief outweigh your personal beliefs. He should have opted out at the start.

To all of the civilians reading this: until you put on a uniform of a service member, fireman, policeman, etc., you will never fully understand the levity and weight of the responsibilities that these people bear on a daily basis. To be clear - the Army has always been a War Machine. Lieutenant Watada at somepoint decided that he wanted this job. He has studied, trained and swore to defend this country, citizens and its flag. Some how he convinced others that he had what it takes to be a military officer. Obviously, every now and then a weak-ling will pass the strength tests and assume rank. As a veteran, this is not a person that I would have ever wanted leading me or any other soldier. Now suddenly, he decides to try to use the spotlight of a celebrity with dollars in order to avoid UCMJ prosecution. He will and definitely should be prosecuted - the message willbesent loud and clear. I anticipate that the Lieutenant will soon be stripped of rank and uniform and he will soon be donning the brown uniform of the incarcerated at Ft. Leavenworth. This officer's actions are embarassng and does not reflect the mindset of the average soldier in uniform, (including those who would rather not be fighting). At best, I'm going to say that he is a courageous coward. Courageous enough to take on the U S government and too cowardly to fulfill his term and requirements of military. I think that he should have beeen deployed withiws unit in Iraq and prosecuted in Iraq.

He has studied, trained and swore to defend this country....

...only in the sense that George Bush IS the United States.