Court denies Army medic's conscientious objector claim

[Judi Lynn]

Court denies Army medic's conscientious objector claim
By Matt Apuzzo
ASSOCIATED PRESS

9:20 a.m. February 16, 2007

WASHINGTON – A federal appeals court refused on Friday to overturn the detention of a U.S. Army medic who declared his opposition to war on the eve of his deployment to Iraq.

Agustin Aguayo, who enlisted in 2002 during the run-up to the Iraq war, asked the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia to release him from a military prison. He had sought an honorable discharge as a “conscientious objector.”

Aguayo, who has been held in a U.S. prison in Germany since going absent without leave, said he enlisted as a way to earn money for his education. Though military operations in Afghanistan were under way and discussions about Iraq were ongoing, he said he never considered that he'd have to fight.

He faces up to seven years in prison on charges of desertion and missing movement and is scheduled to face trial next month, his attorney, Peter Goldberger said. Goldberger said he would ask the appeals court to reconsider the decision.

“It breaks my heart because I think he's sincere,” the lawyer added.
(snip/...)

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/military/20070216-0920-warobjector.html

[oldtimecanuk]

1. If there was anything good to come out of this... I am not saying there is...

at least the guy will hopefully stand a much better chance of coming home alive following his stint in prison.... These poor men and women that are over there now don't know if they will make it back in a box or walking upright or wounded beyond recognition.....

ww

[theoldman]

2. I agree with your viewpoint but you have to understand that

there are rules. The rule is that you have to declare your objections up front. You cannot change your mind later when your life in danger.