Ehren Watada: a Soldier Refuses an Illegal War

U.S. Army Lieutenant Ehren Watada speaks about his decision to refuse orders to deploy to Iraq. Various points discussed include: historical precedents; the concept of 'wars of aggression' in international law; misinformation, coercion, and the public imagination; the responsibility of the individual regarding matters of war and peace.For more information visit: http://www.pinkyshow.org/

Channel: News & Politics
Uploaded: December 23, 2006 at 3:07 am
Author: pinkyshow

Length: 38:34
Rating: 4.80
Views: 16184

Tags: constitution ehren international iraq law peace pinky resisters rights show war watada

Video Comments

Kenzofeis (October 10, 2008 at 6:22 pm)

"Defines murder" ?The commandment says "do not kill".Exodus and all that is nothing but poweroriented traditions put in writing, God as allknowing and wise would never be so clumsy(?)"If you hit with a rod then .."What about stones, a fist, a frozen cod?Where is the specification for what rod this applies for?And so on.

songofthesea89 (October 9, 2008 at 6:11 am)

I'll say more about it here- There are examples in the Bible of Godly people following corrupt governments. Paul never once showed disrespect to the government, even when it demanded he give up his God or die. Cornelius (Acts 10) was a soldier- and though a Christian, no where does it say he gave up his soldiering life. Saul was not the best king, yet David always had respect for him. Always when there has been a corrupt government in Bible, God has dealt with it on His own time and ways.

songofthesea89 (October 9, 2008 at 6:05 am)

yes, those are prophecies- but they have not yet been fulfilled, and never WILL be fulfilled until Christ comes to set up His kingdom and reign on this earth. "Love your enemies"- yes, but that does not mean no war.

songofthesea89 (October 9, 2008 at 5:58 am)

there is a difference between war and killing! Read Ex 21, which defines murder. There is nothing in the Bible that "okays" sin- just because something is included does NOT mean that it is endorsed. The Talmud was not the Word of God, it was written by the scribes and priests that CONTAINS the Word of God- more like a commentary.

songofthesea89 (October 9, 2008 at 5:47 am)

Romans 13:1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power BUT OF GOD; the powers that be are ordained of God. Whosever resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God..." I don't see how Daniel has to do with anything, since that passage refers instead to the eternal kingdom which God sets up after all has been fulfilled. Matt says nothing about "Satanic backing" but rather nations are ordained of God. (Romans 13, as quoted above)

twainname (October 9, 2008 at 4:56 am)

I do not know how I got to this video but here is God's prophesy about his people:"And he will certainly render judgment among the nations and set matters straight respecting many peoples. And they will have to beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning shears. Nation will not lift up sword against nation, neither will they learn war anymore". (Isaiah 2 v 4)"He is making wars to cease to the extremity of the earth". (Psalm 46 v 9a) "Love your enemies" (Matthew 5 v 44a)

twainname (October 9, 2008 at 4:44 am)

If you followed the Bible you would know that Christians are suppose to be neutral in political affairs, Jesus said "They are no part of the world, just as I am no part of the world" (John 17 v 16). What world? "We know we originate with God, but the whole world is lying in the [power of the] wicked one" (1 John v 19) He thus includes all governments on earth as having a Satanic backing (read Matthew 4 v 8,9) The Bible says Gods Kingdom should be supported not humans (Read Daniel 2 v 44)

Kenzofeis (October 9, 2008 at 2:14 am)

Any war is premeditated, thus premeditated killing."Thou shalt not kill" is not a mere passage, it is a fundamental commandment (for what it's worth) and it does not say anything about "premeditated".Oh, and there is another commandment: "Thou shall not lie"...And yet there is many things in the Bible seemingly OK'ing war, deceit and killing.That's where the Talmud kicks in I suppose..

AmericanOriginal1 (October 6, 2008 at 12:10 am)

"kill one person you are a murderer...kill thousands, and you are considered a 'Hero'. " -Joseph Stalin, Marshal of the Soviet Union

ZombieRabite (October 2, 2008 at 12:43 am)

Yes, you're right. It is pointless for me to argue with you. However, I wonder why it is that you put so much trust in the government. Don't you know that if people always obeyed the government, and never decided to disobey when they felt that the government was wrong, that there would be no such thing as the United States? Our country was founded because of dissent and distrust of the government! We were angry and afraid because the government was too strong and made its own rules absolute.