U.S. Military Deserters in Canada Megathread
- Thread starter Devlin
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Was this comment directed at me? If so why? The man is facing prison time and and a possible dishonourable discharge becuase he was AWOL. He chose to join the military he was not forced into service, he broke the rules and is subject to punishment for doing so. I fail to see how that turns him into a refugee, he is not facing persecution. And he can hardly use 'fleeing a war' as a reason to claim refugee status as he willingly joined the military, which generally implies your willingness to fight. Or do you perhaps think that we should provide shelter for military personnel who were not at work when they're supposed to be and wish to escape disciplinary action?MedTech said:
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sounds like a rhetorical question/joke to me. Geez, grow a thicker skin, dude.neko said:
paracowboy said:
A joke huh? Generally those contain humour.
Sounded more like sarcasm to me or should I say read like it.
Do you have a workable method?
Rest assured though my skin is quite thick enough, I wasn't offended but I did think MedTech a bit daft as I don't see how the possiblity of going to Leavenworth makes him able to claim refugee status so I merely spelled out the reason for my confusion.
neko said:
I think if you reread the statement
huh...well then...I guess the stories of how he's a prospective detainee at Leavenworth just wasn't working enough for the smart Canadian gals we have...EH?
you will see humor/sarcasm/black humor whatever all through it
GAP said:
Yes I saw the sarcasm as noted in my reply to Paracowboy, which seemed to be in response to my confusion on how he could possibly qualify for refugee status, implying that being a "prospective detainee of Leavenworth" fits the criteria for such status.
However if MedTech meant something else I am sure he can clarify if he wants to bother, this isn't eactly of the utmost importance.
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If thats the criteria then alot of criminals fleeing US justice and facing prison time would be classified as refugee's ? These deserters have committed a crime and will face some form of punishment whether its prison time or a fine.
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According to IRPA (Immigration and Refugee Protection Act) anyone who is not currently a citizen or legal resident of Canada can apply for refugee status. Would a person with a serious criminal record be accepted, it would be very doubtful. Some refugee's who are accepted do have a criminal record, but it is taken into account what the circumstances are and how serious of a crime it is. Is it a perfect system? No it is not, but it is better than most and not as good as some.
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An interview with Darrell Anderson
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/toronto/story/2006/09/28/anderson-canada.html
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/toronto/story/2006/09/28/anderson-canada.html
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I must say that these people annoy me. You come to Canada expecting the Pearl Gates of Heaven, the Fountain of Youth and all the other mystical and mythical load of cahooie that you ignorant ppl think Canada is. Then, you turn around and criticize a society that has provided for you for the last however many months or years you have been here, not realizing that if you hadn't ran away to Canada, where our hospitality and welcome is known around the world, you'd probably be back in a theatre somewhere (that somewhere may very well be Iraq). Dodgers and deserters disgust me.... if you didn't have the *$ls to deploy, why'd you join up in the first place? YOU KNEW you resided in a country where deployments of its military was its biggest industry! Where in my opinion, if you threw a rock in to a crowd in the US you'd bound to hit at least a half a dozen ex or current servicemen and women!UGH!!! HE had the AUDACITY TO CRITICIZE OUR PARTICIPATION IN AFGHANISTAN!!!
:threat: :akimbo: He wants to go back and face the bugle then I say, 'GOOD ON YA YOU DESERTIN B*****D. Astalaveesta, good riddance, aufwiedersehn, don't let the door hit ya where the good lord split ya, so long, good-bye, kick rocks and GO!' *rant rant rant...rant!! mumble incoherently and posts his thoughts*
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'It will be the freest time in my life, because I'm standing up for what I believe in.'
-Darrell Anderson
Because you know, his country, comrades and career were asinine compared to going AWOL and hiding in another country. I hope freedom for him is a 8x10 cell where he can stand on the toilet and preach about the fouls of war to the birds outside his window..
-Darrell Anderson
Because you know, his country, comrades and career were asinine compared to going AWOL and hiding in another country. I hope freedom for him is a 8x10 cell where he can stand on the toilet and preach about the fouls of war to the birds outside his window..
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Part and parcel of his Leftie Sponsors.......includes a Left Leaning Blonde Birkenstock wearing Airhead who will marry him to provide him a 'Backup' reason to become a 'Landed Immigrant' and remain in Canada....wait for the next round of 'Claims against the Crown'.
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I'm not exactly sure about the laws governing refugee status but I would assume that was his intention, albeit misinformed possibly, to continue with the marriage in hopes of permanent status. Imagine marrying a girl just for that and then you don't even get the status. I hope she's a really great girl. >
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To all the Americans on the site: I am sorry it took so long to get him there. We are working on all the others. Take care it won't be long. your cousin
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N03238657.htm
U.S. Army deserter surrenders at Kentucky base
03 Oct 2006 20:04:05 GMT
Source: Reuters
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Background
Iraq in turmoil
More By Steve Robrahn
RADCLIFF, Ky., Oct 3 (Reuters) - A decorated U.S. Army veteran who was wounded in Iraq and then deserted to Canada to protest the war as a mistake surrendered to the military on Tuesday.
Darrell Anderson flashed a peace sign for news cameras before his distraught mother and Canadian wife drove him to the rear gate of the Army base at Fort Knox under a negotiated surrender that will likely see the 24-year-old Army specialist released in a few days.
Joined at a news conference before his surrender by two dozen anti-war activists and veterans group supporters, Anderson said he felt justified in not fulfilling his four-year military stint.
"They broke their contract before I broke mine," said Anderson, who said he enlisted in the Army two months before the U.S.-led 2003 invasion of Iraq to earn money for college. A roadside bomb wounded him there seven months into his first tour of duty, earning him a Purple Heart.
Under the terms of his surrender, Anderson's supporters said, he will receive a less-than-honorable discharge from the Army, but not be court-martialed or face prison time.
James Fennerty, Anderson's attorney, said while there was no military draft, recruits were lured with the promise of $50,000 for college tuition.
Asked if he hoped other soldiers would protest the war by deserting, Anderson said he was forbidden to say. But Fennerty said he hoped others would "take the same stand," and that there were lawyers and support groups who could help them.
The Lexington, Kentucky, native deserted in early 2005 while home on leave with his unit, the 1st Armored Division. He went to Canada where he was unable to gain a work permit or other benefits, and a paperwork problem cost him a chance to claim refugee status, as have some other U.S. deserters.
CAN'T WEAR UNIFORM
Under the surrender terms worked out with the military, Anderson was forbidden from wearing his uniform as he had planned, but said, "I want to put on my uniform on a military base ... and stand against the war."
"I hear people calling Darrell a coward," said Elliott Adams, who wore his Vietnam-era military fatigues and represented the group Veterans for Peace. "Darrell is a hero in the grand American tradition -- trying to show us the right way out of this war."
According to the Pentagon, there were 16,408 desertions from all branches of the U.S. military from 2003 to 2005, 31 percent fewer than from 2000 to 2002. Desertions dropped after the September 2001 attacks.
With his mother weeping and his wife, Gail Greer, clinging to him, Anderson said his wartime experiences gave him nightmares.
"My son served his country and deserved a Purple Heart," said his mother, Anita Dennis. "He got treatment for his physical wounds but they left his emotional wounds open and untreated. It's not fair that military families and soldiers carry all the responsibility for the baggage of this war."
Anderson, who crossed the U.S.-Canadaian border on Saturday, said the Iraqi insurgency enjoys wide support and the United States had no role in what he called the country's civil war.
As the situation in Iraq worsened, U.S. soldiers were forced to adapt, Anderson said.
"It's just like in Vietnam. The more American soldiers die, the more drastic our procedures get just to stay alive," he said.
http://www.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/N03238657.htm
U.S. Army deserter surrenders at Kentucky base
03 Oct 2006 20:04:05 GMT
Source: Reuters
Printable view | Email this article | RSS [-] Text [+]
Background
Iraq in turmoil
More By Steve Robrahn
RADCLIFF, Ky., Oct 3 (Reuters) - A decorated U.S. Army veteran who was wounded in Iraq and then deserted to Canada to protest the war as a mistake surrendered to the military on Tuesday.
Darrell Anderson flashed a peace sign for news cameras before his distraught mother and Canadian wife drove him to the rear gate of the Army base at Fort Knox under a negotiated surrender that will likely see the 24-year-old Army specialist released in a few days.
Joined at a news conference before his surrender by two dozen anti-war activists and veterans group supporters, Anderson said he felt justified in not fulfilling his four-year military stint.
"They broke their contract before I broke mine," said Anderson, who said he enlisted in the Army two months before the U.S.-led 2003 invasion of Iraq to earn money for college. A roadside bomb wounded him there seven months into his first tour of duty, earning him a Purple Heart.
Under the terms of his surrender, Anderson's supporters said, he will receive a less-than-honorable discharge from the Army, but not be court-martialed or face prison time.
James Fennerty, Anderson's attorney, said while there was no military draft, recruits were lured with the promise of $50,000 for college tuition.
Asked if he hoped other soldiers would protest the war by deserting, Anderson said he was forbidden to say. But Fennerty said he hoped others would "take the same stand," and that there were lawyers and support groups who could help them.
The Lexington, Kentucky, native deserted in early 2005 while home on leave with his unit, the 1st Armored Division. He went to Canada where he was unable to gain a work permit or other benefits, and a paperwork problem cost him a chance to claim refugee status, as have some other U.S. deserters.
CAN'T WEAR UNIFORM
Under the surrender terms worked out with the military, Anderson was forbidden from wearing his uniform as he had planned, but said, "I want to put on my uniform on a military base ... and stand against the war."
"I hear people calling Darrell a coward," said Elliott Adams, who wore his Vietnam-era military fatigues and represented the group Veterans for Peace. "Darrell is a hero in the grand American tradition -- trying to show us the right way out of this war."
According to the Pentagon, there were 16,408 desertions from all branches of the U.S. military from 2003 to 2005, 31 percent fewer than from 2000 to 2002. Desertions dropped after the September 2001 attacks.
With his mother weeping and his wife, Gail Greer, clinging to him, Anderson said his wartime experiences gave him nightmares.
"My son served his country and deserved a Purple Heart," said his mother, Anita Dennis. "He got treatment for his physical wounds but they left his emotional wounds open and untreated. It's not fair that military families and soldiers carry all the responsibility for the baggage of this war."
Anderson, who crossed the U.S.-Canadaian border on Saturday, said the Iraqi insurgency enjoys wide support and the United States had no role in what he called the country's civil war.
As the situation in Iraq worsened, U.S. soldiers were forced to adapt, Anderson said.
"It's just like in Vietnam. The more American soldiers die, the more drastic our procedures get just to stay alive," he said.
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