Local soldier charged with desertion (Bush did it and became president)

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/8286497.htm

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. snip

Mejia was studying psychology at the University of Miami before he was deployed to Iraq last year with Charlie Company of the First Battalion of the 124th Infantry Regiment. 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.

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[Mari333]

1. What a hero. a real hero.

His whole unit backs him up I hear.
http://www.bringthemhomenow.com

[pinto]

2. kudos to Mejia, tough stand to take.

NNNOLHI, btw, I complained about your headline post. Sorry, it's a pet peeve about headlines w/comments, etc....thanks for the post.

[mp40]

3. Why?

Con-Objector? Should have thought about that before he signed on the dotted line........ Bet he enjoyed the benefits, though! The Military is better off without him.

[pinto]

4. what benefits?

[mobuto]

5. Agreed

I don't really understand how there can be such a thing as a consciencious objector in an all-volunteer army.

[pinto]

6. good point. do you see any compromise in his case,

ie, you go away and we don't jail you? or something like that, recognizing what appears to be a sincere change of mind with the needs of the military...

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

7. Man, I hope he claims the shrub's military desertion as his precedent!

That would be just too sweet...