Gawain 0 #1 March 27, 2004 Anti-War Soldier Charged With Desertion Friday, March 26, 2004 Associated Press SAVANNAH, Ga. — A National Guardsman who criticized the "oil-driven war" in Iraq was charged with desertion for refusing to rejoin his unit after a two-week furlough. Staff Sgt. Camilo Mejia of the Florida National Guard (search) was charged after traveling to Fort Stewart from his home in Miami Beach, Fla., Fort Stewart spokesman Richard Olson said Friday. "He's taking it in stride," said Mejia's attorney, Louis Font. "He is strong and intelligent and will defend against these charges." Army officials said Mejia, 28, left Iraq in October on a two-week leave from the 1st Battalion, 124th Infantry Regiment (search) and did not return. Mejia has said he believes the war is unjust because it is about control of oil supplies and has also said he is upset over the death of civilians. Mejia has applied for conscientious objector (search) status, but the Army pressed on with prosecution because he was gone so long — five months. However, Mejia will face a special court-martial rather than a general court-martial, Fort Stewart commander Maj. Gen. William G. Webster said. That means Mejia faces up to a year in prison and a bad conduct discharge rather than up to five years and a dishonorable discharge. Mejia has been barred from leaving Fort Stewart without special permission since he arrived last week, said Font. He was denied a request to attend an anti-war rally last weekend at Fort Bragg, N.C. No date has been set for Mejia's trial. http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,115369,00.htmlSo I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright 'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life Make light! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Beerlight 0 #2 March 27, 2004 He went about it all wrong. Many ways to get yourself discharged without getting yourself put in jail. Then again, maybe he just had strong convictions concerning the war......oh well... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Gawain 0 #3 March 27, 2004 QuoteHe went about it all wrong. That's a bit of an understatement. He volunteered. In no way, can he claim that he didn't think he'd get deployed into a combat situation. I don't know all the procedures involved in something like "conscientious objector" but I'm still surprised that such a status can be obtained while serving in the armed forces.So I try and I scream and I beg and I sigh Just to prove I'm alive, and it's alright 'Cause tonight there's a way I'll make light of my treacherous life Make light! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
LouDiamond 1 #4 March 27, 2004 QuoteHe was denied a request to attend an anti-war rally last weekend at Fort Bragg, N.C. This is news to me since I live here and don't recall a rally even being mentioned. Did they hold it down at the local slackers coffee shop? I was too busy jumping last weekend to even concern myself with such stuff. Personaly, if I was in this guys chain of command or sitting on his hearing I would push for the maximum penalty possible. It used to be we could shoot people for deserting.....AAHHHH the good old days"It's just skydiving..additional drama is not required" Some people dream about flying, I live my dream SKYMONKEY PUBLISHING Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gremlin 0 #5 March 27, 2004 I think that he should be charged with the maximum possible. Why does he think that he can be paid for many years for doing nothing and when the time comes for him to earn his money he runs away? If he were a conscientious objector he would not have joined the Army in the first place. I'm drunk, you're drunk, lets go back to mine.... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KawiZX900 0 #6 March 27, 2004 i saw like five people do this in the NAVY.... if you're not in for the long haul don't join. have a nice tall glass of shut the fuck up comes to mind. Accelerate hard to get them looking, then slam on the fronts and rollright beside the car, hanging the back wheel at eye level for a few seconds. Guaranteed reaction- Dave Sonsky Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lee03 0 #7 March 27, 2004 "If he were a conscientious objector he would not have joined the Army in the first place. " ------------------------------------------------------------ Bingo! Exactly right! He knows the regulations. He's made his bed, now he SHOULD have to lay in it! What should he get? Maximam punishment! What will he probably get, slap on the wrist, general (non-punitive) discharge, if that and allowed to walk! Too many "bleeding hearts" and anti-Americans will take up his cause, and as is usual in this country anymore, in the end, it will be turned upside down, and the men that did their duty, and made the sacrifices will get shit on, and piles of shit like this mejia, will walk off, scot free and come out on top! -------- To put your life in danger from time to time ... breeds a saneness in dealing with day-to-day trivialities. --Nevil Shute, Slide Rule Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bodypilot90 0 #8 March 27, 2004 Quote"He is strong and intelligent and will defend against these charges." He isn't that smart. Throw the book at him Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
leroydb 0 #9 March 28, 2004 there was an anti war thing here, but it was very small and was undermined by a group across the street that was prowar...Leroy ..I knew I was an unwanted baby when I saw my bath toys were a toaster and a radio... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
