AWOL soldier faces trial by Army

[Judi Lynn]

Posted on Sat, Mar. 27, 2004


CONFLICT IN IRAQ


AWOL soldier faces trial by Army

A soldier from North Miami who extended a brief leave into a five-month absence from the war in Iraq is a deserter who will face court-martial, the U.S. Army charges.

BY GAIL EPSTEIN NIEVES
[e-mail]


The U.S. Army has charged Staff Sgt. Camilo Mejia of North Miami -- who extended a two-week leave into a five-month absence -- with desertion from the war in Iraq, authorities said Friday.

Mejia, 28, was the first soldier to refuse to go back to the war and publicly declare himself a conscientious objector.

He was absent without leave for five months before surfacing and returning last week to his unit in Fort Stewart, Ga.

Lt. Col. Clifford Kent, a public affairs officer at Fort Stewart, said senior commander Maj. Gen. William Webster referred Mejia's case to a special court-martial.
(snip/...)

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/local/8288969.htm

[Teddy_Salad]

1. Oh shit!

I read the headline and thought (hoped) they were talking about Bush.

Oh well. :(

[rfranklin]

2. He should have joined the Texas Air National Guard...

They have a more liberal attendance policy.

[NontoxicAvenger]

3. He's lucky

A special court martial gives him a second chance. If convicted, he will have a misdemeanor on his record. He could have been given a general court martial which, if convicted, would have left him with a felony conviction. Considering he's mid-level enlisted, he's damn lucky. Here's some info on courts martial, in case anyone is interested:

http://www.military.com/Resources/ResourcesContent/0,13964,30902--0,00.html

[DarkPhenyx]

5. Haven't looked at it yet...

...but thank you for the resource. Knowledge is a very good thing.

[DarkPhenyx]

4. Good. He should be charged with desertion.

That is exactly what he did, reguardless of how we might feel about his decision or the war he deserted from.

[leesa]

7. Disagree. I don't think soldiers are obligated to serve in an illegal war

They have been lied to by their CIC. I don't know if this is this man's issue, but blind obediance to a military leadership committing acts against the constitution of the US is wrong.

[DarkPhenyx]

10. They aren't obligated.

However failing to show up for muster, and being absent from your post for months, is still illegal. You don't have to follow an illegal order, but you have to stand up and call it an illegal order. Running off like a scared rabbit is desertion.

[Just Me]

22. They aren't obligated to serve?

I didn't know that. So, if I assert that I am refusing to serve because I believe the war is illegal,...they won't make me serve and they won't charge me with some crime like failing to obey a direct order? I didn't know that.

[samsingh]

6. are they talking about Bush?

[Mari333]

8. Hes a hero and many vets and his whole unit I read backs him up

The vets are out in force against this "war"
Read their website..send it to all young people being sucked into this fraudulent war....



We are veterans of the United States armed forces. We stand with the majority of humanity, including millions in our own country, in opposition to the United States' all out war on Iraq. We span many wars and eras, have many political views and we all agree that this war is wrong. Many of us believed serving in the military was our duty, and our job was to defend this country. Our experiences in the military caused us to question much of what we were taught. Now we see our REAL duty is to encourage you as members of the U.S. armed forces to find out what you are being sent to fight and die for and what the consequences of your actions will be for humanity. We call upon you, the active duty and reservists, to follow your conscience and do the right thing.
In the last Gulf War, as troops, we were ordered to murder from a safe distance. We destroyed much of Iraq from the air, killing hundreds of thousands, including civilians. We remember the road to Basra -- the Highway of Death -- where we were ordered to kill fleeing Iraqis. We bulldozed trenches, burying people alive. The use of depleted uranium weapons left the battlefields radioactive. Massive use of pesticides, experimental drugs, burning chemical weapons depots and oil fires combined to create a toxic cocktail affecting both the Iraqi people and Gulf War veterans today. One in four Gulf War veterans is disabled
http://www.calltoconscience.net/

[Paragon]

9. Seconded

Hero.

[Mari333]

16. Dont let the chest thumpers bother you their kid isnt in harms way

They are comfortable, sitting in their comfortable chairs watching this occupation on TV like its a video game.
They dont have anything to lose. Not their child.
Not their loved one.
They dont care.
Sue Niederer does.
so do I.
we will bring Bush down, and this young man is a Hero. He will stand as a hero for saying no to this fraud of a war.

http://www.bringthemhomenow.com

[DarkPhenyx]

17. This young man is a coward. Not a hero.

I have been in harms way, nad I still have my men fromn that time in hamrs way. Good friends. People I care a great deal about.

Patronizing attitudes, and coddeling cowards, isn't going to help your cause.

[Champ]

21. Thirded(Is that a word?)

[DarkPhenyx]

11. So what?

Not hero. Coward is more the like.

If he truly had the conviction of his principles he would have stood his ground and and refused to serve. Instead he ran away and abandoned his post. That is cowardace and desertion.

[Columbia]

13. I think this is the first time I've ever agreed with you

:toast:

[DarkPhenyx]

14. Don't worry. You'll get over it.

:) I've been told that agreeing with me is a temporary condition, and not a chronic one. I'll do something to piss you off soon, so no worries, eh? enough

<on edit>

I've been told that a hot bath followed by a strong drink and a favorite movie does wonders for the shock of the experience.

[bushisanidiot]

19. Do you Think President Shitferbrains Will Get A Trial Too?

just wondering

[Jack from Charlotte]

12. WE need to change the lexicon from going "AWOL" to going..

"George w. Bush."

"Sgt. Camilio Mejia, of North Miami, Florida, was charged today with going George W. Bush for failing to show up to his unit for 5 months. Sgt. Mejia could recieve the death penalty for for this George W. Bush violation."

[DarkPhenyx]

15. What a silly recommendation

Why in the world would we want to do that. The sooner Bush is forgotten the better.

[KeepItReal]

18. Pulling a "George w. Bush." would mean getting away with it!

This Guardsman is gonna get the horns on this bull.

[Champ]

20. Good for him

They will come down hard on him but morally(my morals atleast) he did the right thing. The last sentance is the best part. He said he decided not to return from his leave in October because it was an ''immoral war'' for the purpose of oil and money.
He's right, like him I would not of fought an illegal war for the best interests of Bush n' Cheney's bank account.