They said it wouldn't be another Vietnam???

[riona]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/usa/story/0,,1740987,00.html

Soldiers flee to Canada to avoid Iraq duty

Duncan Campbell
Tuesday March 28, 2006
The Guardian

Hundreds of deserters from the US armed forces have crossed into Canada and are now seeking political refugee status there, arguing that violations of the rules of war in Iraq by the US entitle them to asylum.
A decision on a test case involving two US servicemen is due shortly and is being watched with interest by fellow servicemen on both sides of the border. At least 20 others have already applied for asylum and there are an estimated 400 in Canada out of more than 9,000 who have deserted since the conflict started in 2003.

[C_U_L8R]

1. No problem

there are tons of Bush family kids
who are PERFECT for active duty

(especially the twins and that smarmy nephew)

[KharmaTrain]

2. A Lot Different Without The Draft

From one who missed being one having visted Montreal and Quebec City in 1968, I can't see how the flood of young Americans today are anywhere near what I saw that summer.

The volunteer military has made it easy for those who can afford to stay out of the military...a majority of those who fled to Canada...not to have to sweat out this war. To live in Canada most needed a wealthy or well-off family here to keep them going as jobs in Canada were very hard to find. This isn't an option for many in the military today...especially those in the lower economic strata who chose the military as opposed to a dead-end living in the inner city. No matter how hellish things can be in the military, they're nothing compared to what they are escaping on the streets.

There's also a problem with desertions...considering those who are in the military did so willingly and signed a "contract"...as opposed to a draft system where one could argue the person was inducted involuntarily and thus could claim conscencious objector grounds as a defense to be granted assylum. I haven't seen any foreign government openly offering that option to American like they did in the 60's.

This invasion is destroying the morale of the military...the rising number of desertions are symbolic of the frustration and futility of those stuck inside that system with little redress other than to bug out. The damage this regime has done to the military has done more in 5 years to make this country more vulnerable than any other, ever.

[acmejack]

3. No kidding, the anti war sentiment is a shadow of itself

The ferocity is lacking. People actually meant it in 68 & were willing to take their limps in militant protests.

[riona]

4. somewhat off subject

i wonder what the unemployment rate would be without this war? and as for those who joined to fight in iraq, i wonder how they feel about finding out that they're for other reasons than they were lead to believe? and, yes, i'm afraid this iraq thing will go down in history as one of the biggest mistakes ever made - providing of course, there will be a history. the weapons today can pretty much destroy the environment for living things.

[KharmaTrain]

6. An Airplane Flight I Had...

This was last summer, I was flying from LA to Chicago. Next to me was a young man...looked real nervous. I struck up a conversation and found out he was 19 years old, had just graduated high school in East LA and was on his way to start basic training at Great Lakes. In his hand were several recruitment manuals and a bible.

He told me this was not only the first time he'd ever been on a plane (obvious from his looks), but also this was his first night away from his family and that he would be gone for the next 5 years. I was careful to not express my feelings about the military at the time (this was Summer, 2004...it was being "Un-American" to even think against the war then) and wanted to find out pretty much what you are asking. Why? Do you know what you're heading into? Isn't there other things you could do? I was careful on how I worded the questions but got an interesting insight.

He purposely chose the Navy cause he felt this was the farthest he'd get from Iraqi fighting...and if he's lucky he'll get stationed in some large aircraft carrier thousands of miles from the action. He was from East LA and his only educational option was the local city college...and then there is virtually no direction or opportunity. The military still is a great training ground and he was interested in getting into navigational engineering...at least a ticket to something better when he gets back home than any other opportunity.

I wished him well...I gave him my card and asked him to drop me a line. I haven't heard from him, but hopefully he's doing well, but I think his story is representative of many others...especially those who got into the military prior to 9/11 and now find themselves stuck in endless rotations and extended leaves.

Cheers...

[riona]

7. i hope he's alive and well

[izzie]

5. First I have heard of this but did read this---------------

They were putting Vietnam guys in jail in this country when they came back into the country. Little late I would say but I still think they are having trouble signing people up. It is hard to tell just what is true on that point as the gov. change the numbers and once more every one tells another story. It is like believing the last story you read.