Resolution of support for Lt. Ehren Watada

January 18, 2007

WHEREAS, The war and occupation in Iraq have cost billions of US taxpayers' dollars.

WHEREAS, over 3000 US troops have been killed in Iraq and tens of thousands more have been wounded.

WHEREAS, countless Iraqis have been killed, with some credible estimates at over 650,000 deaths

WHEREAS, polling now shows that over 70% of Americans oppose the Bush administration's war policies in Iraq.

WHEREAS over 1000 active duty military personnel have recently petitioned congress to redress and pull out of Iraq immediately.

WHEREAS, many legal experts have contended that the invasion, occupation, and exploitation of Iraq's resources was not only immoral, and unwise, but illegal according to international law, UN treaty obligations, and the US Constitution.

WHEREAS the Bush administration continues to push the failed and unpopular policies in Iraq, recently even calling for an escalation of the US military's occupying presence.

WHEREAS Lt . Ehren Watada faces a court marshal on February 5, 2007 for refusing deployment to Iraq with additional penalties for publicly stating that his decision to do was because of the illegality of the war. 

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that we, The 43^rd District Democrats support and commend Lt. Ehren Watada for his courage, moral leadership, and commitment to duty demonstrated by his act of resistance to the continued costly, destructive, and immoral US military occupation of Iraq.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we ask the KCDCC and WSDCC to endorse this position of support for Lt. Watada at their earliest possible convenience

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that we call on all of our elected Democratic representatives in the US Congress from the State of Washington to make an effort to assist Lt. Watada as he seeks to avoid persecution for his brave and honorable stand.

Submitted by Charlie Bendock