It’s time for a national shield law

by J Scott Christianson, Columbia Daily Tribune Columnist

On Feb. 5, the court martial trial of Army Lt. Ehren Watada will begin at Fort Lewis in the state of Washington. Watada has refused to deploy to Iraq, citing his belief that the Iraq war is illegal and contrary to the Army’s Law of Land Warfare. It is not unusual for the Army to prosecute those who refuse an order, but in Watada’s case the Army also is prosecuting him for talking to reporters about his decision and rationale. The charges of “conduct unbecoming of an officer” relate to his interviews with…