“I wanted you to see what real courage is, instead of getting the idea that courage is a man with a gun in his hand. It’s when you know you’re licked before you begin but you begin anyway and you see it through no matter what.
Harper Lee (1926 - ), To Kill a Mockingbird, 1960

Ehren Watada is hardbody. Alot of people feel like he feels or believe what he believes, but he went the distance. Dude, after starting a promising military career, basically upon learning that he would be sent to Iraq followed a lesson he was taught. Dude studied the stituation so that he could better lead his men. After reviewing the situation he made is his mind up that the administration falsified information and the war is immoral and illegal. So unlike the troops (that we don’t hear about) who have gone A.W.O.L. Watada first tried to resign, then ask to be sent to Afghanistan. When both request were denied he considered filing as a C.O. (Conscientious Objecter), but since he didn’t have a problem with bearing arms he figured that wasn’t the right thing to do. So money refused to go…publicly. He stated as follows:

“Though the American soldier wants to do right, the illegitimacy of the occupation itself, the policies of this administration, and the rules of engagement of desperate field commanders will ultimately force them to be party to war crime.”

Dude made it clear that he did not blame the military, as they are doing what they should following orders. This makes his position that much more unique. By taking a stand in this manner he knows he’ll face court-martial. He has a complete understanding of what the military will do. This is a case in which public sympathy will mean nothing. He will be found guilty and he will have to serve time. He is the only soldier to publicly refuse to go to Iraq. The only time a soldier has faced similar charges was during the Vietnam War, however, he was simply caught at an anti-war rally. Watada basically went as hard as you can go. Saying no to the military after your enlisted is not something people do. I’ve known cats that just bounced and went A.W.O.L. and I know someone who was caught and sent to jail for it. Officially declaring that you will not participate in a war is something else though. No sneaking, no running. To paraphrase Hamlet, money took arms against a sea of misfortune. Though his opposition has not ended them. Perhaps though he has slain the demons in his mind and spirit and that may be enough for him. Understand though…this is a Japenese movie ending, the hero does not avoid jail, he does not get the girl…as a matter of fact this is one of those movies where he fights to the end and still dies. I always respected those endings and I gotta say…I respect Ehren Watada.