Posted on 01/29/2009 4:55:40 AM PST by atomic conspiracy
Germany has been very good to Spec. André L. Shepherd since he deserted the U.S. Army.
The 31-year-old former mechanic of the 601st Aviation Support Battalion is enjoying perks that eluded him back home in Ohio: a bed, a bank account, a cellphone and friends.
Best of all from his standpoint, he isn't back in Iraq.
"I'm having the time of my life," says Mr. Shepherd, the only American bunking at a refugee-processing center in southern Germany.
The U.S. deserter enters uncharted legal territory on Wednesday, when Germany begins weighing his request for political asylum. The case will put to the test a 2004 European Union directive requiring member countries to grant asylum to soldiers protesting unlawful wars. video Army Deserter Seeks Asylum in Germany 2:16
He walked away from the military for his convictions. Now, U.S. Army deserter Andre Shepherd seeks political asylum in Germany. WSJ's Mike Esterl reports.
Mr. Shepherd could wind up in a U.S. jail if his application is rejected, but a favorable ruling could open a new escape hatch for Americans stationed in Germany who want to avoid combat duty in Iraq. About 38,000 American soldiers are stationed in Germany, a key logistical hub for the U.S. Army.
Mr. Shepherd has no shortage of supporters. Punk rockers gave him shelter after he decamped from a military base near Nuremberg in 2007 and went into hiding. Dozens of peace organizations have championed his cause since he turned himself in to German authorities late last year and applied for asylum.
(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...
It obviously didn't occur to him that the disgruntled Iraqis might be racist toward blacks, as many Arabs most assuredly are.
As for his real motivations, do German lefty chicks shave these days? Just asking.
His convictions should have kept him out of the military.
"decamped"? LOL! He's a f*&#ing DESERTER.
What a bassakwards tool this guy is. If I were living among punk-rockers, I’d join the friggin’ Paraguayan marines just to get away from them.
I guess he was absent from skool,when they taught Arab slavers sold his ancestors!
He’s discovered that German welfare doesn’t require as much of him as American welfare.
Perhaps the best way to deal with these pukes is to have very public ceremonies stripping them of their citizenship with a party after to celebrate the cleansing of our nation.
Just wait until he wants to come home. They always do ...
Deserting during wartime — eventually we’ll get him.
Traitor.
You know, I would have thought a US disciplinary issue would have been required to be handled by US authorities, per the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA).
At least back in the day, that’s how it was.
The military and the USA are better without him. However, a jailhouse would also provide a bed, companionship and a small salary. Sounds good to me.
I don't think any lefty chicks worldwide shave, do they? Kinda like a trademark.
Hit the road, Jack. The country is better off without you.
If they grant him asylum, I say the U.S. walks out of Germany with all of its divisions, brigades, battalions, companies, and platoons - and the money they bring to the German economy. 12 months for withdrawal - with NO APPEAL to change the status.
In a year or so obama will give them all a pass like carted did for those who went to Canada
He is human scum. Fits right in in Naziland. They can keep him.
WTF did he think he was signing up for?
I hope he finds friends among the skinhead population...
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