2006.08.08: August 8, 2006: Headlines: COS - Ecuador: Politics: Corruption: Maui News: Ecuador RPCV Bob Watada says he was disturbed by a "culture of corruption" he could see in the attitudes of elected politicians and the people who gave money to keep them in office.
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2006.08.08: August 8, 2006: Headlines: COS - Ecuador: Politics: Corruption: Maui News: Ecuador RPCV Bob Watada says he was disturbed by a "culture of corruption" he could see in the attitudes of elected politicians and the people who gave money to keep them in office.
Ecuador RPCV Bob Watada says he was disturbed by a "culture of corruption" he could see in the attitudes of elected politicians and the people who gave money to keep them in office.
In the 10 years he served as executive director, Watada established a reputation as uncompromising and principled, not concerned at all about whose fingers his investigations may stamp on. In the process, he filed charges against nearly a hundred Hawaii companies for excessive and fraudulent contributions to elected officials and provided evidence that led to criminal investigations and charges against the officials who received the contributions.
Ecuador RPCV Bob Watada says he was disturbed by a "culture of corruption" he could see in the attitudes of elected politicians and the people who gave money to keep them in office.
Decision highlights corrupt authority
By EDWIN TANJI, City Editor
HONOLULU – As executive director of the state Campaign Spending Commission beginning in 1995, Bob Watada says he was disturbed by a "culture of corruption" he could see in the attitudes of elected politicians and the people who gave money to keep them in office.
"We’re talking about corruption in government. When I was with the Campaign Spending Commission, we could see this wholesale corruption going on, a whole culture of corruption," he said.
In the 10 years he served as executive director, Watada established a reputation as uncompromising and principled, not concerned at all about whose fingers his investigations may stamp on. In the process, he filed charges against nearly a hundred Hawaii companies for excessive and fraudulent contributions to elected officials and provided evidence that led to criminal investigations and charges against the officials who received the contributions.
The targets of his investigations included top Democrats such as former Honolulu Mayor Jeremy Harris and former Gov. Ben Cayetano, but there was no partisanship. He also investigated Republican congressional candidate Dalton Tanonaka, who eventually admitted to financing violations.
Bob Watada retired last year but is resurrected as a public figure standing behind his son, Army 1st Lt. Ehren Watada, who has refused orders to deploy to Iraq with the 3rd Stryker Brigade of the 2nd Infantry Division. Ehren Watada is facing court-martial for his refusal to deploy with his unit, saying he believes the U.S. military action in Iraq and the orders of President George W. Bush are illegal.
"In my job, we had to follow the law, and everybody else, especially the candidates, they should have a very high standard in following the letter of the law," Bob Watada said. "I guess that translated into the beliefs of my son. Here the president is lying . . . We have a president who just tramples right over the Constitution.
"We have a president who has lied to the people. That was the problem for him (Ehren)."
While his son awaits court-martial proceedings scheduled to begin Aug. 17, Bob Watada has agreed to a public appearance on Maui, from 4 to 5 p.m. on Wednesday at Maui Booksellers in Wailuku.
He also will be a guest on a live cable television program, "Crossroads," scheduled to be broadcast at 7 p.m. Wednesday by Akaku: Maui Community Television. For the "Crossroads" program, Bob Watada will appear with Ave Diaz, vice president of Maui Peace Action.
Bob Watada also is scheduled to participate in a "National Day of Education" on Aug. 16 on the issues that have been raised by his son – the legality of the military action in Iraq. Peace activists around the country are reported to be planning public discussions on U.S. military intervention to precede the opening of the military trial for Ehren Watada.
Bob Watada’s appearance on Maui stems from an inquiry by Maui Democratic Party leader Lance Holter, who like Bob Watada has served in the Peace Corps. Holter, who has a business in Paia, said he discovered Bob Watada had been a Peace Corps volunteer and invited him to speak on Maui.
Holter commended Ehren Watada, calling him an "outstanding young man."
"I’m awe-struck by this man’s bravery. He has taken on the entire American military machine and standing up for principles of honor and justice and American patriotism," Holter said. "There is no more patriotic man than this person."
Ehren Watada, 28, is a 1996 graduate of Kalani High School on Oahu. He is assigned to the 3rd Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division based in Fort Lewis, Wash.
In taking his stand against deployment to Iraq, Ehren Watada offered to accept assignment to Afghanistan and alternatively offered to resign his commission.
He was charged with multiple counts of violations of military laws and could face up to eight years in prison as well as dishonorable discharge.
But a court-martial also will open for Ehren Watada an opportunity to raise the issue of the legality of the war. Under military codes, an officer has a right and a duty to refuse an unlawful order.
For his part, Bob Watada expresses pride in his son but declines to take credit for his son’s attitude.
"He was an Eagle Scout. That’s a fine program that impresses on them the need for honesty," Bob Watada said. "We also teach our boys that they have to follow the law. People have to follow the law. We have a constitutional government.
"It’s the same principle. We have laws, and we have a president who says the law doesn’t apply to me, so we have things like Guantanamo Bay, Abu Ghraib and the security leak over Valerie Plame. We know where that came from.
"This is a bigger issue than just my son. In our democracy, we have to really be concerned when there is a threat to our democratic government, whether it comes from within or without. In this case, the biggest threat comes from within."
He said his son directed him to information about the war in Iraq that convinces him the U.S. action is illegal and immoral, citing in particular information about the massacre of civilians during fighting in Fallujah. He said he found information on actions of the Bush administration "to parcel out the land of Iraq to their friends. . . . Here we have corruption at the highest level."
"To tell the truth, I didn’t realize a lot of these things until he took a stand. It was when we discussed his decision that he said, ’Why don’t you read this? Why don’t you read that?’ "
For more information on Bob Watada’s appearances, call Holter at 579-9442.
Staff Writer Melissa Tanji contributed to this story. Edwin Tanji can be reached at editor@mauinews.com.
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Story Source: Maui News
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