Veterans For Peace, Greater Atlanta Chapter 125

Standing Against an Unjust War
by JOE PARKO, Veterans For Peace, Greater Atlanta Chapter 125

I stand here today in support of Lt. Ehren Watada, the first active duty commissioned officer to publicly refuse deployment to Iraq. Lt. Watada has courageously declared that our government's war on Iraq is both illegal and immoral. Today I want to focus on just why this war is immoral. I am a Quaker from the Atlanta Friends Meeting. As you probably know, Quakers have always opposed war in any form. Because of our strong belief that there is that of God in everyone, we view war on any human being as an assault on the presence of God within us all.

Quakers question the concept of a "just" war but more traditional Christian theology takes a somewhat different approach by classifying wars into two types: just and unjust wars. First formulated by St. Augustine some 1600 years ago, the just war theology specifies very strict principles that determine when Christians can engage in warfare.

Here are the basic principles of the just war theology and how I see them applied to the war on Iraq:

Principle 1:

A just war can only be waged as a last resort. All nonviolent options must be exhausted before the use of force is justified.

The Iraq war was not waged as a last resort. It was waged as a first choice. There were many nonviolent options that were never used before war was launched. We know that senior people in the Bush Administration had already drawn up plans to invade Iraq before 9/11 ever happened.

Principle 2:

A just war can only be fought to redress a wrong suffered.

What wrong did we suffer? Iraq was not involved in 9/11. Iraq had no weapons of mass destruction threatening us. The Bush Administration did not respond to a wrong. It created a wrong.

Principle 3:

The violence used in the just war must be proportional to the injury suffered.

The only injury suffered by America in relation to Iraq was the potential injury to the profits of our big oil companies. Iraq oil production under Saddam Hussein was threatening the ability of our big oil companies to keep oil prices high. The war on Iraq was more about controlling oil production than increasing it. There is no such thing as a just war waged for profits for the few.

Principle 4:

The weapons used in the just war must discriminate between combatants and non-combatants.

Over 50,000 Iraqi civilians have already been killed in this extended US military occupation of Iraq. Under the conditions of guerilla warfare, our soldiers cannot distinguish between combatants and non- combatants and innocent Iraqis are paying the price with their lives.
Clearly, the Iraq war fails the test of being a just war. The leaders of our major Christian denominations agree. Pope John Paul II stated before the Iraq war began that this war would be a defeat for humanity which could not be morally or legally justified. In the weeks and months before the US attacked Iraq, not only the Pope, but also one cardinal and archbishop after another spoke out against such a "preemptive" strike. They declared that the just war theology could not justify such a war.

Back in 2002, President George Bush's own United Methodist Church launched a scathing attack on his preparations for war against Iraq, saying that they are "without any justification according to the teachings of Christ." In July, 2004, the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church/USA issued a paper that condemned the US policy of pre-emptive military action against nations perceived as threats to the United States as ethically indefensible and contrary to the just war theory that has been the basis of Christian theology on warfare.

Lt. Watada is a man of conscience who speaks truth to power. He is a man of courage who puts himself in the way of an immoral war. Lt. Watada is the true patriot who acts to bring his nation back to its moral senses. People of faith and conscience around America must stand up with Lt. Watada and demand an end to this unjust and immoral war on Iraq. As Dr. King reminded us, "the arc of universe is long but it bends toward justice." It is people like Lt. Watada who do the bending.

Just Saying No
by DEBBIE CLARK, Veterans For Peace, Greater Atlanta Chapter 125

It is my great honor and duty to be here today to share with others my support for the action of First Lieutenant Ehren Watada in disobeying an unlawful order to serve in a war that is both immoral and illegal, as well as to show my support for all military service members and their families who are now resisting this war.

Lt. Watada’s refusal to obey orders to deploy to Iraq with his unit was not made lightly. It came about through much soul-searching and research that led him to the irreversible conclusion that to participate in this unlawful war of aggression would make him an accomplice to a criminal act.

Lt. Watada is the first commissioned officer to refuse orders to Iraq and is also the first soldier to do so who is not a conscientious objector. His decision is based on legal grounds as well as moral, with the recognition that a soldier has not only the duty to obey all lawful orders, but also has the moral and legal obligation to disobey any unlawful order.

Lt. Watada’s mother described her son as having “an unflinching commitment to his men and to democratic ideals” and said that he believes that he can best serve them by taking a stand against the war.

“In so doing,” she said, “he demonstrates that one does not relinquish the freedom to choose what is right, even in the military, and that the freedom to choose what is right transcends the allegiance to man and institutions.”

Lt. Watada is doing the right thing. As a US Army veteran myself of eight years active duty, with five years in the military police and three years as a special agent in the US Army Criminal Investigation Command; as a former soldier who remembers very well being explicitly trained by the Army that it is the duty of a soldier to disobey any unlawful order and to comply with the Geneva Convention, I honor Lt. Watada for the courage to be true to his conscience and true to his oath of office as a commissioned officer to support and defend the Constitution and bear true faith and allegiance to the same.

Refusing to participate in an unjust and illegal war is an act of conscience that is also an affirmation of the rule of law. No soldier owes absolute allegiance to any military system. The legal authority of military command is grounded in the rule of law, which is based on the Constitution and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. The Constitution has requirements for what branch of government has the power to declare war and for what purpose - which is specified as being for the defense of the United States - and also makes any treaties adopted by the United States the law of the land.

There is a point at which one’s conscience and understanding of the US Constitution, the United Nations Charter, the Nuremberg Principles, and the Geneva Conventions, requires an individual to make the conscious decision to obey or not to obey what he believes to be an unlawful order.

With great courage, Lt. Watada made that decision.

There is one veteran who was not able to be here today to show his support for Lt. Watada, but who would have liked to. He is a veteran of Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm, now retired, US Air Force Major Kelley G. Culver, of Augusta, GA.

Major Culver has provided a statement in support of Lt. Watada, which I will relay on his behalf:

In 1990, I was commander of an Air Force Combat Communication Squadron deployed to the Persian Gulf for Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm. At the time of the deployment, I was opposed to the war because it was obvious that the true reason was not the liberation of Kuwait from Iraq, but the protection of American oil interests in the Persian Gulf.

The true purpose of this war was obvious. The US had been a supporter of Saddam Hussein’s government in the years prior to the war, and had previously turned a blind eye to Hussein’s activities. Suddenly in 1990, the United States was outraged at his actions. We went to war on a tapestry of lies.

The current war in Iraq was also started on a tapestry of lies. Neither the situation in 1990 nor the situation today justifies the loss of American military men and women.

In 1990, I opposed the war in the Persian Gulf, but I deployed and served in spite of my objections. My reasons, simply put, were that I had a career at stake. To refuse to deploy would have ended that career. I was not willing to pay that price.

Today, we assemble in support of Lt. Ehren Watada, who realizing the illegal nature of the war in Iraq, has chosen to do what I could not do 16 years ago. People will call him a coward for his actions, but I can assure you, this is the action of a brave man.

Today I add my support to the cause of Lt. Watada and I thank him for taking the stand that I was unable to take myself. -- Kelley G. Culver, Major, USAF (Retired)

Military veterans can especially understand how hard of a path it is that Lt. Watada has taken, because, whether we served in war or during peacetime, we know what it means to live and serve under military authority.

But however hard it may be to stand up, any active duty service member today, whose conscience has been moved by what he or she knows in their heart to be wrong, can also take strength in knowing that the very same military authority that requires them to obey all lawful orders, also, if it is true to its own code, imposes upon them the obligation to disobey all unlawful orders.

MORE RECENT EVENTS
(Aug - Dec 2006):

Aug. 24-25, 2006 - Vets Overnight Vigil in Atlanta - John Zientowski & other members

Americans must demand an end to illegal, pre-emptive war in Iraq by John Zientowski

Sep 5-21, 2006 - Camp Democracy in Washington DC, Atlanta VFP member Debbie Clark attended.

Sep. 21-28, 2006 - Declaration of Peace Week - Atlanta VFP member Daniel Ritchie was arrested at the US Capitol

Oct. 19, 2006 Rev. Joseph Lowery's 85th Birthday Celebration - 10/19/06 (page revised on 12/3/06)

Nov. 11, 2006 - Veterans Day Parade

Nov. 15, 2006 - A film screening of "The Ground Truth: The Human Cost of War," Emory University White Hall followed by veterans discussion panel led by Vietnam vet John Zientowski, former Army Ranger and Mogadishu vet Shawn Nelson, and former Navy lieutenant Daniel Ritchie. Interview of Shawn Nelson in The Emory Wheel.

Nov. 17, 2006 - Bob Watada, father of 1Lt Ehren Watada, spoke in Atlanta at a press conference and at First Iconium Baptist Church along with Ehren's stepmother, Rosa, and VFP National President Dave Cline.
PICS HERE Article in Dekalb Champion HERE

Nov. 18-19, 2006 - Members of Atlanta VFP partcipated in the School of the Americas Watch vigil outside Ft. Benning. SEE PICS HERE. Also, see AJC article about Father Roy Bourgeois.

Dec. 10, 2006 - Protest against Paul Wolfiwitz during his appearance in Atlanta. News coverage: Fox5Atlanta, AJC,
Atlanta Progressive News.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 12, 2006

CONTACT: Consumers for Peace
Nick Mottern

Ann Wright joins endorsers of
War Crimes Report
International Anti-Occupation Network
and Stop the War Coalition (UK)
join report publishers

"The War Crimes Report is an extraordinarily
comprehensive and important presentation
of international law that governs the conduct
of nations and their military forces. The
Report documents the blatant violations of
international and domestic law by the Bush
administration and US military forces including
the use of illegal military tactics and illegal
weapons." - Ann Wright

Retired U.S. Colonel and diplomat Ann Wright today endorsed a new report on U.S. war crimes in Iraq, which was released yesterday, the same day of the publication of the study, by Johns Hopkins and Al Mustansiriya universities (in cooperation with the Center for International Studies/MIT), that found that approximately 600,000 people have been killed in the invasion and occupation of Iraq.

“U.S. War Crimes in Iraq and Mechanisms for Accountability” documents U.S. war crimes in Iraq and calls on U.S. public to demand investigation and prosecution of violations of international law by military and civilian leaders.
The report is being published internationally on the internet organizations listed below, and has gained international support today from the International Anti-Occupation Network (which is publishing the report through The Brussells Tribunal) and the Stop the War Coalition (UK).

The report was prepared by Consumers for Peace.org with the advice of Karen Parker, noted lawyer in human rights and humanitarian law. Ms. Parker is President of the San-Francisco-based Association of Humanitarian Lawyers and Chief Delegate to the United Nations for the Los Angeles-based International Educational Development/Humanitarian Law Project (IED/AHL), an accredited non-governmental organization on the U.N. Secretary-General’s list.

Ann Wright's full statement
Ann Wright, 29-year US Army veteran who retired as a Colonel and US diplomat who resigned in March, 2003 in opposition to the war in Iraq commented on the War Crimes Report:

"While in the US Army at Ft Bragg, NC, I taught to US military officers and noncommissioned officers the responsibilities of military forces under the Geneva Convention and the Law of Land Warfare, as well as the obligations of an Occupying Power.

"The War Crimes Report is an extraordinarily comprehensive and important presentation of international law that governs the conduct of nations and their military forces. The Report documents the blatant violations of international and domestic law by the Bush administration and US military forces including the use of illegal military tactics and illegal weapons.

"Because of a huge media failure in the United States, many Americans do not realize how many times the Bush administration has violated international law. But, the rest of the world knows very well the extent of these crimes.

"As a retired military officer, I know that accountability is one of the foundation elements of the US military. The Bush administration has undercut the professionalism of our military forces by encouraging and condoning the violation of international and domestic war in treatment of detainees, torture and use of illegal tactics and weapons. For the sake of our own military we must demand accountability from civilian leaders, as well as our military forces. This report provides specific mechanisms for much-needed accountability of criminal behaviour by Bush administration policy makers and by US military forces."

[See Consumers for Peace for more info about the report and other endorsers.].

WONDER WHAT GEORGIA'S US SENATOR JOHNNY ISAKSON THINKS???

Wonder no more.

Atlanta VFP member Peter Morgan wrote to
Senator Isakson concerning the Military
Commissions Act of 2006. Below is
Senator Isakson's response:

October 12, 2006

Dear Peter :

Thank you for contacting me regarding the Military Commissions Act of 2006. I am glad to hear your thoughts on the issue, and I appreciate the opportunity to respond.

The U.S. Supreme Court decision Hamdan vs. Rumsfeld invalidated the U.S. military commissions that were being used to prosecute enemy combatants at Guantanamo Bay . It also put the U.S. terrorist interrogation program in jeopardy by holding that the Geneva Convention applies to treatment of unlawful enemy combatants. This decision prompted Congress to pass legislation to authorize military tribunals for enemy combatants. The Senate passed S.3930 to allow the United States to interrogate and try enemy combatants at Guantanamo by military tribunal, while also respecting the Geneva Convention. The bill permits necessary interrogation to continue by making explicit that interrogators can only be prosecuted under the War Crimes Act for grave breaches, including practices such as torture, murder and rape.

S. 3930 was the result of extensive negotiations between members of Congress and the Administration. One of the key points of this debate was whether to grant habeas corpus rights to enemy combatants. I voted against an amendment that would have granted such rights because I believe the right of habeas corpus is reserved only for U.S. citizens. Additionally, enemy combatants are already provided the right to challenge their detention through the Combat Status Review Tribunals, which are based on the Geneva Convention.

Another key issue in this debate was whether to add a "sunset" provision, or an expiration date, to the bill of December 31, 2011. I voted against this amendment because it is inappropriate to put an expiration date on a piece of legislation that is so critical to the Global War on Terror. I am committed to ensuring that the President of the United States has the tools he needs for as long as he needs them to prosecute those who would do us harm.
The passage of this legislation is an important milestone in defeating terrorism. September 11 th , 2001, changed the way in which we must respond to our enemies in the War on Terror, but it did not change our belief in
humane treatment. We must be able to detain enemy combatants, and we must be allowed to obtain the information that will save the lives of innocent Americans. Those awaiting trial at Guantanamo Bay are intent
on hurting and destroying Americans. I am pleased that we now have the tools to bring them to justice.

Thank you again for contacting me, and I hope you will not hesitate to call on me in the future if I can be of assistance to you.

Sincerely,
Johnny Isakson
United States Senator

HELLO-O-OO!!!!
IS ANYONE HOME????

Atlanta VFP member Peter Morgan wrote to Senator Saxby Chambliss concerning the ongoing war and occupation of Iraq. Below is Senator Chambliss' response:

December 1, 2006

Dear Mr. Morgan:

Thank you for contacting me regarding the United States involvement in Iraq. It is good to hear from you.

Despite the media reports that Iraq is on the brink of civil war, we are making real and substantive progress. Having been to Iraq four times now, I have seen tremendous progress being made by our troops and Iraqi security forces. This is especially important since our goal has been to turn security over to the Iraqi people themselves. Everyday we are making progress towards democracy in Iraq and in time, the defeat of terror in Iraq will set them on a course to lasting freedom and will give hope to millions. It is my belief that ultimately, a free, democratic Iraq will inspire reformers throughout the Middle East to push for further democratic reforms in the region.

As a member of the Armed Services Committee and the Senate Intelligence Committee, I continue to receive regular briefings on the status of U.S. operations in Iraq from the Department of Defense. These briefings provide an accurate, up to date assessment of the progress of operations and the day to day challenges our troops face. Based on my four visits to Iraq, on-going updates from our military leaders, and the situation on the ground in Iraq, I am convinced that we are in Iraq for the right reasons and that our strategy will succeed. Withdrawing our troops now or giving a specific date for withdrawal will only serve to give the terrorists and the insurgents a victory and cripple our efforts to bring democracy to Iraq.

I recently visited with our Georgia troops at Camp Adder near Tallil and Camp Anaconda near Balad. I can't emphasize enough how impressed I am with these brave and hardworking men and women. The highlight of my trip was having dinner with members of Georgia's 48th Brigade. I was proud to look them in the eye and tell them how much the people of Georgia and the people of America appreciate their hard work. These are difficult times in the war or terrorism, but the morale of the soldiers I saw in Iraq is extremely high and I am very proud of the work they are doing. Our service men and women know they are there for the right reason and are carrying out their missions in a positive and professional manner.

While our troops remain in danger in Iraq, it is imperative that we finish Operation Iraqi Freedom and allow Iraqi citizens to experience the freedom that every global citizen deserves. As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, I can assure you that our troops will return home when their mission is complete and the Iraqi people are able to protect the innocent and allow a democratic government to be implemented. I am committed to keeping our troops in Iraq as long as required, but not a day longer.

Again, thank you for contacting me regarding this important issue. If I can be of assistance to you in the future, please do not hesitate to let me know. In the meantime, if you would like to receive timely email alerts regarding the latest congressional actions and my weekly e-newsletter, please sign up via my web site at: www.chambliss.senate.gov