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Editors Scratchpad
Star-Bulletin staff
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Watada’s ‘research’ came too late
U.S. Army 1st Lt. Ehren Watada's recent announcement of his intention to defy orders to deploy to Iraq has sparked emotional responses from supporters and critics of the Bush administration. But it also elicits probing questions about the real reasons behind the young officer's decision.
Although he cloaks himself with the patriotic qualities of having enlisted because of a "pull of duty, service and patriotism," he now claims that, after having "researched" Iraq, he has had a realization that the war in Iraq is "immoral" and "illegal." One might presume that, knowing his enlistment might lead to his deployment to serve and fight in Iraq, he might have exercised "due diligence" in "researching" Iraq beforehand.
Watada hasn't elaborated on what was included on his syllabus for studying Iraq; with his public rhetoric, it seems likely at least one of the authors was Michael Moore. And finally, Watada wonders how he could "wear this horrible uniform," now that he's had his epiphany about Iraq. Apparently, that "horrible uniform" would have suited him just fine if he had been granted his request to serve out his military obligation as long as it wasn't in Iraq.