What stinks here is not that they disagree with the war, or that they have a fundamental problem with the military, or even that they have a religious belief that prevents them from undertaking any military service. What stinks here is that these guys deserted because the bill came due. They thought that they could get free room, board, clothing and on the job training, at US taxpayers expense and then get a post-secondary education, again at US taxpayers expense, without any obligation on their part other than attendance!
As in the 60s and 70s, I have no problem with a pre-enlisted, conscientous objector (CO) who is willing to risk jail time or exile by coming to Canada. But I abhor the idea that we would harbour deserters from an ally at any time but especially when Canada and the US are co-involved in military operations that see our troops at greater risk than at any time since the Korean unpleasantness.
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Those who live by the sword will be shot by those of us who have progressed.
- M38A1, 67-07800, ex LETE
Last edited by servicepub (RIP); 10-02-06 at 04:18.
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