Which nutroots pin-up is more deserving of his own vanity “thank you” website?
posted at 7:07 pm on June 7, 2006 by Allahpundit
Army deserter Ehren Watada or media whore Stephen Colbert?
See, I think it’s Colbert. Watada’s of greater propaganda value but he didn’t have to deal with … the blackout.
Bonus question! Will Watada make a surprise guest appearance tomorrow at Yearly Kos?
Blowback
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Colbert wins hands down!! I would bet that the LT will not be at the yearly KOS tomorrow unless his Commander allows him to go on leave. Military are not allowed to propagandize in uniform. He could be in civilian attire, but again his command would have to allow him to go. I don’t think that will be happening anytime soon. Of course, he could just walk off post and then have another charge of desertion racked up against him.
As a retired veteran, I find it unconscionable that an Officer would do such a thing. I hope that he gets the full measure that the UCMJ will allow at his court-martial.
br8veheart on June 7, 2006 at 7:19 PM
Yeah, by “appearance” I meant a call-in. I should have specified that.
Allahpundit on June 7, 2006 at 7:21 PM
Colbert at least is occassionaly funny. There’s nothing to like about Watada. He needs to go on jail duty.
Pablo on June 7, 2006 at 8:18 PM
Colbert is only guilty of bad comedy.
Watada is guilty of desertion in time of war.
Ignore Colbert.
Put Watada in the stockade.
speed647 on June 7, 2006 at 8:24 PM
This is just splitting hairs, but sometimes splitting hairs can help pass the time.
I don’t think that he can be charged with desertion. I think they can charge him with missing movement (his unit shipping out with out him) or they can charge him with disobeying orders (orders to ship out), but not desertion.
He hasn’t run away from the military. He is still subject to their control. Now if he ran to the hills of San Francisco and hid there for over a week, they could charge him with being AWOL. (Absent with out leave) After being gone for a month, he would then be listed as a deserter.
I don’t think he could be charged with mutiny, unless it can be shown that he has tried to influence others to join him. And yeah, I know it looks like he is trying to do that, but it isn’t something that can be proven in a Courts Martial.
Anyway, I’m not trying to be a grammar troll here. Sorry about that if it looks like I’m trying to do that.
Of course, this doesn’t change the fact that he seems to be a contemptible person and a poor excuse for an officer. For what ever its worth, I hope they throw the book at him.
EFG on June 7, 2006 at 8:56 PM
EFG, all that neds to be done to charge him with mutiny is to make a copy of thankyoult.com. That is as clear a statement that he trying to gain members for his cause as any that I’ve seen since Vietnam. Quote:
“First U.S. military officer to publicly refuse orders in support of the illegal Iraq War at coordinated events in Tacoma, Washington and Honolulu, Hawaii on Wedensday, June 7th. ‘Join this unprecedented political and legal support campaign today!’ Information updated daily!”
Scare quotes mine.
Mike H. on June 7, 2006 at 9:15 PM
Watada enjoyed drawing a paycheck.
Apparently he forgot that joining to military is by his own will!
He signed a contract that he has no intention to honor.
The contract only stated that he has to obey order to go where the Commander in Chief send him.
Mr. Watada, I hope the military sue you for every penny you have taken from the tax payers.
easy87us on June 7, 2006 at 10:08 PM
I don’t know about deserving the “thank you” site but Mr. Watada’s will be popular with the moonbat crowd.
His whole desertion seems like a stunt to provide the anti-war movement with a new celebrity; it’s far to well organized to be just a run of the mill defection.
4thelittleguy on June 8, 2006 at 12:36 AM
I’d really like to hear him make the case for the “occupation” being illegal.
2 sovereign governments with bilateral security agreements makes an illegal occupation? I don’t think so. Illegal is not acceptable shorthand for “I’d just rather not go.”
Pablo on June 8, 2006 at 6:19 AM
Sorry gentlemen, but was there was a declaration of War or did I miss it?
Dread Pirate Roberts VI on June 8, 2006 at 12:29 PM