Posted on 11/27/2008 6:53:13 PM PST by Nick Thimmesch
FRANKFURT (Reuters) – A U.S. soldier who deserted his unit to avoid returning to Iraq has applied for asylum in Germany, saying the Iraq war was illegal and that he could not support the "heinous acts" taking place.
Andre Shepherd, 31, who served in Iraq between September 2004 and February 2005 as an Apache helicopter mechanic in the 412th Aviation Support Battalion, has been living in Germany since deserting last year.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
Code words for: "I could not in good conscience continue to live up to my commitment and responsibility."
Fry him.
Good riddance to Mr shepherd...wish him the best of luck in his new country. Hope he likes Eurabia
ALPHA! OMEGA! ALPHA! OMEGA! ALPHA! OMEGA! ALPHA! OMEGA!
Because of Obama I’m inspired to be a War Wimp!
ALPHA! OMEGA! ALPHA! OMEGA! ALPHA! OMEGA! ALPHA! OMEGA!
Because of Obama I’m inspired to be a Deserter!
ALPHA! OMEGA! ALPHA! OMEGA! ALPHA! OMEGA! ALPHA! OMEGA!
Because of Obama I’m inspired to be a helicopter mechanic then run away!
ALPHA! OMEGA! ALPHA! OMEGA! ALPHA! OMEGA! ALPHA! OMEGA!
Because of Obama I’m inspired to seek asylum with fellow muslims!
No, it hasn't. Different headline, different source, and different text.
If you want to join those of us who nit-pick on issues like this, you need to learn the rules.
I did do a search of headline before posting: sorry if it’s a duplicate.
> According to U.S. law, soldiers who desert during a time of war can face the death penalty.
I’m betting on it.
Code words for coward. IMHO
It happens.
“No, it hasn’t. Different headline, different source, and different text.”
It’s still the same story about some sniveling little coward who wants to bail on his obligation.
“Here in Germany it was established that everyone, even a soldier, must take responsibility for his or her actions, no matter how many superiors are giving orders,” he said.”
First of all, I believe it bad enough to desert — whatever the reason — but to do so on foreign soil, not even on the battlefield, instead of turning yourself in and being tried in the USA is not just deserting, it’s treason.
Anyway, it also seems to me that there have been fewer deserters during the now nearly seven year Iraq war than any American war that I’m familiar with: that’s saying something about what an incredible military we are blessed to have today.
Sounds like this man’s headed for a job in the new blighthouse.
Oh, yeah: if he believes so much in personal responsibility, then he should turn himself in.
He was a mechanic; he had no combat role or direct experience of any so-called “atrocities.” Put the lazy swine up against a wall and shoot him.
Shoot him.
Revoke his citizenship, passport, etc. Then, turn him loose in his choice of Communist countries.
German girlfriend.
He was a mechanic. What heinous acts could he have witnessed?
Were they not changing the oil often enough? Did they scratch the Apache's paint?
“..it seems to me there have been fewer deserters...”
It seems to me there have been fewer stories by the lamestream media since the surge which the msm has tried to keep the public from hearing about although there were plenty of “deserter stories” when failure seemed likely. Now that 0 is set upon the throne, expect more stories so that 0 can call on the American public to support him in a withdrawal.
Andre was just looking for a good new pick up line with the local ladies. I am sure he is playing the oppressed “negro” routine to any of the German babes that will listen.
My thoughts exactly.
Probably.
“First of all, I believe it bad enough to desert — whatever the reason”
When I was at Ft. Polk, we had 2 guys take off because they got yelled at for showing up for an in ranks inspection looking like crap.
“but to do so on foreign soil, not even on the battlefield, instead of turning yourself in and being tried in the USA is not just deserting, it’s treason.”
Well desertion can be punishable by death. The last one executed for desertion was IIRC PVT Eddie Slovik towards the end of WW2.
“Anyway, it also seems to me that there have been fewer deserters during the now nearly seven year Iraq war than any American war that I’m familiar with: that’s saying something about what an incredible military we are blessed to have today.”
Sadly the liberal media elevates these knee knockin’ cowards to hero like status, while they paint the rest of the military as a bunch of knuckle dragging neanderthal war mongers with a blood lust.
Roger that, boss: Although I never had the honor of serving in the military (at least I did report for the draft back in the 70’s during that goofy “lottery”), I have enormous respect for our soldiers and really resent it when they are either portrayed as you said or read about one bad apple in the ankle grabbing media. I personally thought the one Freeper who said, “German girlfriend” might have been on to something. Some German girls are hot, but no woman is hot enough to desert your country and commit treason.
10-4?
“I personally thought the one Freeper who said, “German girlfriend” might have been on to something. Some German girls are hot, but no woman is hot enough to desert your country and commit treason.”
Probably.
Looking at the picture in post #25, could be a German boyfriend...
I agree.
No. And whats more he's a guy with only another year or so on his enlistment, he's been in four years already, and he has a good job. He works behind the lines, and the war is winding down anyway. So cowardice is probably not an issue. He calls it a moral issue, but he's not a trigger-puller and he isn't up front with the trigger-pullers.
So its really a political issue. But he joined after the war started, so he wasn't opposed to the war when he joined. Something changed.
Normally, desertion means your life is over, you have no future. He's being encouraged by someone, encouraged to feel like desertion is a heroic step. And he's being assured that if he gets asylum he'll have a good life in Germany.
And that something has a hold on him that is stronger than his concern for his future, concern for his pals in the unit, and feelings for his family back home since if this goes through he won't be able to go home. Remember, he only had a year to go in a safe job, and he's home and probably discharged honorably.
That all adds up, to me, to a German girlfriend. And her lawyer friends. Falling in love with her he's adopted her view of his country; she will be very disappointed in him if he leaves her to go back to an illegal war. And she has a lawyer friend who will help him. And his new life is way cooler than his old life. So its an easy decision.
Thats my fifty cent analysis.
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