G.I. seeks conscientious objector status

[rumguy]

" A U.S. soldier who refused to return to Iraq after seeing civilians killed reported to his unit in Florida on Tuesday and said he would go to prison rather than take part in "an oil-driven war."

Staff Sgt. Camilo Mejia, who is seeking to be declared a conscientious objector, met with officials at his Florida National Guard unit after repeating his determination not to return to the Middle East and fight.

"I'm prepared to go to prison because I'll have a clear conscience," Mejia said.

Guard spokesman Jon Myatt said Mejia has been classified as a deserter because he had been missing from his unit for more than 30 days. "



http://www.salon.com/news/wire/2004/03/16/gi/index.html

[Eric J in MN]

1. "considered a deserter because...missing from his unit for over 30 days."

Just now on MSNBC, a newswoman did a news-update at the half-hour mark on "Hardball," and said "the soldier is seeking concientious objector statues, but currently he is considered a deserter because he has been missing from his unit for over 30 days."


Bush's pay records say he was missing from his National Guard unit for over 6 months.

If this guy is a deserter, so is Bush.

[soleft]

2. Please discuss here

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=102&topic_id=423415