Fort Bragg soldier flees to Canada [Traitor alert!]

Independent Weekly ^ | February 11, 2004 | Patrick O'Neill

[Mark17]

Bona fide US Army deserters are deported back to the US. This guy did not do his homework. Perhaps he should flee to Cuba or Mexico.

I thought you were right. Running to Canada, to avoid being drafted, during Vietnam, is different that being a deserter. He may get deported sooner than he thinks.

[Constitution Day]

Argh! I meant "college", of course. >:(

[sonofatpatcher2]

Re: These cowards crack me up. I guess he signed up for the military for the "college money"

That... and the condos... you know, the ones by the sailboats...

[paul51]

He could go to Iraq--an option both he and Nguyen rejected

Option is an interesting choice of words here and one I would take exception with. When you join the service, you don't maintain an option to do what you want or come and go as you please. You can always make a choice on your own to desert, but that is quite a different thing than exercising an option.

[Tijeras_Slim]

Argh! I meant "college", of course. >:(

Quick! Check the back of that diploma for a warranty! :)

[NorthOf45]

'Cowardice is pretty much down there.'

Not sure what you mean here.

'Canada will make a hero out of him - or at least another issue to gossip against the U.S.for the next day or so... for their "cruel treatment" of this couple.'

Nope. I can't say he'll be sent back (seeing as I'm no immigration lawyer), but he won't be any hero.

[imintrouble]

"AWOL soldier didn't want to 'Aim High'" ... taken from the second edition of the article.

My remark was that he certainly didn't aim high at all, that cowardice (or deserting) is pretty much "down" rather than "high".

I hope Canada at large will not make him too welcome, they lately they seem to fasten onto anything against the Bush administration as worthy of complimentary discussion.

I generalize, but I have read it with my own eyes.

[Constitution Day]

:P

Good thang I weren't no English majer.

[LoudRepublicangirl]

Thank you, I am so happy that he made it home okay. There were so many that didn't....

[BlueLancer]

"Good thang I weren't no English majer."

I is. Purti gud spelr two!

[NorthOf45]

'I hope Canada at large will not make him too welcome'

Same here, same here. We have enough problems.

'I generalize, but I have read it with my own eyes.'

Admitting you generalize indicates a higher level of cognitive thought than many I've seen. I have read it myself as well, but it's not as wide spread as our misguided media/government indicates.

[imintrouble]

Do you think Canada will allow them asylum? They continue to compare this situation the U.S. and the members of the coalition with VietNam, and harboring a fleeing military man would fit the image that Canada seems to want to portray with the "good old days" of draft dodgers finding a welcoming country.

Peacekeeping is fine - an honorable task - but I wonder if this particular situation will become another symbol representative of their disagreement with and overt dislike of the U.S.

I feel it is escalating to ridiculous proportions, thus ending the good relationships of 4,000 miles between cousins with similar goals and desires lasting over 200 years. Much in keeping with the border fighting which Europe has experienced throughout its history, I see Canadians turning their faces west to Europe as their desired goal and devaluing the excellent neighbor-sharing which has been historical throughout the existence of the two nations.

To give succor to anyone calling down the United States military gives many Canadians what they feel is righteous anger (even if displaced).

[Constitution Day]

BTTT

[NorthOf45]

You know what? I don't know what the hell Canada is going to do anymore. There are so many things up in the air right now. We need to get a grip on our issues so that we can progress. Right now we keep shooting ourselves in the foot. I say "us", but really I mean the gov't and the damn media. Sure there are some who show dislike for the U.S., but I am confident they are a minority.

As for the deserter, it's my understanding that there is an agreement between our two countries not to harbour those who go AWOL and to extradite them. But again, I am no lawyer.

'I see Canadians turning their faces west to Europe as their desired goal and devaluing the excellent neighbor-sharing which has been historical throughout the existence of the two nations.'

If what you say is true, then these individuals are mislead. We mean nothing to the Brits. All we are to them is $30 million a year. I don't even want the Queen on our currency anymore.

[imintrouble]

You know I think the British connection, plus the French connection, plus the ongoing Native extortion, the ever-challenging U.S. proximity, the never-ending influx of immigrants which Canada of necessity requires to keep that huge land operating have all been contributors to the lack of a confident identity from which many fine Canadians suffer from.

This utter "not quite" ideation has split Canadians, not only among the French, the Native, the Anglo, the Euro, the Asian, the Muslim, and the other members of a diverse population of immigrants, nobody has that forged identity which is the original heritage of the United States.

The U.S. has no problem with expecting people join for strength, rather than politely keeping all separate. Separate traditions are celebrated and honored.
But ALL are American or they leave dissatisfied with their lives in the "land of plenty".

As "recently" as the 30s and 40s, Canadians were not identifying themselves as "Canadian", but were required to list: Scottish, Irish, Polish, British (or English in those days), French,Chinese, Pakistani, Danish, Italian, etc. NOBODY was offering that wonderful word Canadian and being accepted by official documentation.

Even today Canadians lack the identification with country.
Nobody's fault, but in bending towards ALL ancestries the politically correct have all but wiped out the nature of being "Canadian". As if it is a dirty word! How insulting.

Almost on a cyclic basis, I see lists of "You Are A Canadian if ....." extolling Timbits and Toques... I think you get my drift. I find it singularly sad they have to keep listing all their recognizable "differences". Isn't Canadian enough?

No wonder the cousins to the north dislike Americans with their symbolism and fierce pride and anthems, hands over hearts, and "arrogance", as it is put forth, seeing ugliness in what Americans enjoy as definition of themselves. I have even seen whole essays on the stupidity of the eagle, Mt. Rushmore, who originated basketball, and so on.

These are grade school arguments but they remain ingrained in the Canadian psyche. Why? No Canadian identity, safely secure in their heads and hearts.

It seems everything Canadians "do" on a national level is in competition or derision of the United States. Why?

Identity, were it "allowed" in Canada, might create a more secure feeling of worth. But no, everyone has to tiptoe around, terrified of hurting feelings, accommodating other lands, other cultures, other religions, other political beliefs, until the concept of CANADIAN IDENTITY has become fractured to the point of apology.

Don't just blame it on the Brits. The French, the Native, and all the huge more recent populations have combined to shred and separate instead of share and succeed as one.

To immigrate to a country, one should never question assimilation, but be proud of the ability to join and contribute and be welcomed on that basis alone.

Why immigrate and try to separate? Insist on Canada adopting YOUR culture, when you have just deserted that culture? Why not find a comfortable medium of connection?

Then when I watch the Canadian parliament on CSPAN if I can catch them on occasion, I have to suffer through French and translation, and wonder what that great land is trying to prove? That they believe separation is the way? Nonsense.
You have a festering French colony right in your own backyard. Do you think they are for "Canadians"? Of course not. They are extorting hard earned money funneling into Quebec from the backs of hard working people who are not French. Let 'em fill up Paris if they want France.

In response to your U.K. obligatory "membership" and honorarium to the Queen. Dump it. Empires are from an ancient time of conquest, profit, and caste systems - comprising slavery of peoples (not just the U.K. but many colonialists). Canada is an independent nation. Begin that identity now or drift trying to please all. It cannot be done unless your government realizes it serves ALL CANADIANS, not those from Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Trinidad, Jerusalem, Yugoslavia, Georgia, Venice, and so on.

There are pockets of this same problem in the United States, and I will be the first to admit that. Nobody is perfect. I detest "hypenated" identity. Either a person is American or not. The racial pride in putting their ancestry BEFORE their country is ridiculous. Many African Americans were here long before those who call themselves "American" but the obvious identification which they think is "prideful" continues with many groups. Down with splits in recognizion and thought.

I welcome your commentary - I view this from afar. I am not an expert, nor a scholar, but an observer only.

[NorthOf45]

I can't argue with a damn thing you said. LOL You are 100% on the mark and I welcome your input as well.

[imintrouble]

LOL - I am going to print that response out as a first in my life as a forum participant!!!!

Thanks!

I didn't find pleasure in knocking a group of fine people, but I am exasperated at the growing differences between the two great countries, living in refreshing cohabitation.

So unique, perhaps making other countries jealous with their walls, their DMZs, their economic divisions, and their wars.

We will lose a valuble economic and cultural situation, unless people on both sides work to balance the feelings again, if possible.

[NorthOf45]

See, here's the thing ... I didn't take what you said as a knock ... at all. You were stating the truth and critiquing ... in a constructive manner. That's what is needed, not the crap that's now flying from both sides.

Imagine what would happen if our differences were cleared up? It's Utopian to think we'd agree on everything. But there is a optimum level of comfort and trust that could be attained.

Then again, what would we have to talk about?

[imintrouble]

LOL - how about France? Or the Royals? :o)

There will always be differences and I see that as a bonus.
Who wants to travel across an international border and find the same old things? I still haven't found a sausage roll in the U.S. after I was introduced to that Canadian treat... haha!

I would celebrate our differences if they weren't born of frustration or chided out of anger.

Criticism which offers positive ascendancy is the only kind of debate which is worth time and effort.

I read from Canadians too much negative energy as if it the demise of the United States has become the national sport, fast overtaking hockey.

The CBC is no doubt leading this oppressive mindset, followed by many of the other carefully regulated media. Do you not feel the people of Canada are only getting half a glass?

In truth, what would become of Canada if there was a complete separation? Your tremendous exports to the U.S. would necessitate options which would be far more expensive having to be shipped over water in most cases. I don't mean this to sound a threat, but I have great concern that many of those who have such a hate going are taking their fellow countrymen on a journey into trouble.

This is depressing. I apologize.