Ehren Watada's "Trial" Begins Monday

On Monday, Lt. Ehren Watada will stand trial for refusing to partake in what he and others claim is an illegal war of aggression in Iraq.

He faces 2 years in prison for missing deployment, and 2 more years for expressing his opinions.

His case, that the Iraq war violates the U.S. Constitution, and that his officer's oath demands he abide by that same Constitution, above all else, has brought international attention. Recently he received the support of a man respected by many throughout the world, Desmond Tutu, Archbishop Emeritus of Cape Town:

I admire your courageous and moral stand. In Christian tradition, ethicists insist on the absolute primacy of obeying one's conscience. It is a categorical imperative.

Many of us salute your stand and want to assure you of my personal support as you face a courtmartial. Your name will be emblazoned in the annals of all the stalwarts who have taken a similar conscientious stand.

I pray for you fervently and those who will sit in judgement on you.

A pretrial hearing in January concluded with the judge ruling that Watada would not be allowed to argue the illegality of the war at his trial.

This means that the one reason Watada has always claimed he refused deployment cannot be addressed in court, thus turning this trial into a conviction without a defense. Sure, the military doesn't want to have the matter dragged through court, but it is they who have called for this court martial. All men should have the right to defend themselves in court. If we can allow Saddam Hussein a full court trial, and allow him to speak about his actions, then we should be able to allow an officer in the U.S. Army the same rights.

If he is not allowed to defend himself at his trial, at least his message has been recorded a number of times for all to watch, listen to, and read.

Monday is a national day of action in support of Lt. Watada. This man has taken a courageous principled stance, and the nation is only slowly catching on to the truth that drove him to it. He deserves our support and admiration.

Cross posted at Daily Kos.