Actor & Activist

Statement of Support

"At a time when this country is in a state
of distress because of a lack of moral
leadership, it is a cruel irony that the
establishment responsible for creating the
catastrophic mess in Iraq that has cost
hundreds of thousands of human lives,
savaged our economy and sundered our
standing in the world, would prosecute
the one military officer who clearly
understands the meaning of his commitment
to his country and its flag.

Lt. Ehren Watada is being singled out for
having the courage to demonstrate the
kind of commitment to principle for which
our nation hungers. But instead of being
honored for his courageous leadership, Lt.
Watada faces persecution by the very
institution that shames itself by bowing
to the illegal orders of a commander
unworthy of the name.

Unwilling to learn the lessons of history,
the military intends to make Lt. Watada a
living Billy Budd by insisting on order
rather than standing for justice. By so
lowering their eyes - along with their
standards - they fail to see that this
man is the one among them worthy of the
uniform."

--Mike Farrell