No- there are one set of rules for people who blindly follow Bush, and another set of rules for everyone else.

If he is fighting so that I may have freedom of speech...

He's fighting to protect Bush's Halliburton profits.



...why doesn't he have the same freedom for himself?

Because people join the military ONLY to blindly obey Bush and enforce his infallible doctrines. 



My understanding is that some of the charges were brought because he made a statement to the press.

Specifically, he publicly disagreed with Bush. THAT constitutes high treason.

Orders are not to be questioned just followed, this has little to do with Bush or the war, I agree with neither, but being a veteran, Choosing not to follow an order is unfathomable. You need to look at the context not the war, this punk thinks he can morally choose which orders he wishes to follow, this is treasonous behaivor, punishable under the UCMJ by death. This person is a leader and is providing a bad example to his troops. As for you uber-libs, this story is not about going to Iraq, but about following lawful orders. Being a Lt. he has only been in the military for a short while, and he joined after 9/11 so he was aware of the dangers.  You people who are so down on Bush are a little annoying, everything is Bush's fault. Well if you look closley the can of worms was first opened by clinton for failing to snag Bin Laden when given the opportunity. That cost us both World Trade Centers.  Get a clue.

My compliments on your concise explanaition of this spinless man's decision to pick up his stuffed dolls and head for home when ordered to do his job and go where he was ordered to go where it might be dangerous.  I've been through two wars, (No hero) and as you stated, you have to live by the chain of command, or there is no strength or success in defending this country.  As for attaching Presedent Bush for the poor equipment getting into this wa, you have to go back to Slick Willie's time in office where he gutted the military of finaces and backing. Military personel had to work jobs off the base, and apply for food stamps to get by. You have to remember now that Clinton "Loathed" the military during his reign. Plus he did let Ben Laden slip out of his grasp five times.     Lt. Watada should do twenty years in prison and no less.