Fort Bragg soldier flees to Canada [Traitor alert!]

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

[Modernman]

Sounds like that extradition treaty aint so strong.

It's pretty much universal that a country will not extradite people if what they are charged with is not a crime in the country they fled to. Otherwise, people charged with political crimes would end up being extradited.

My guess is there is no death penalty up there too so you dont extradite murderers who face the death penalty?

Canada will only extradite an accused murderer facing the death penalty back to the US if the relevant US prosecutor agrees not to seek the death penalty.

[AlanSC]

Granted this guy is an idiot but there were easier ways. I can't remember the exact Chapter for discharge but it comes under the category of "Inability to Adapt." He would have gotten a general discharge and his life wouldn't have been ruined. He has a few "panic" attacks, maybe makes a few slashes on his wrist with a knife and presto - the Army thanks him for his time and service to date and shows him the door with either honarable or general discharge.

He is still an idiot for not understanding what he was getting into but there are many ways to get out of the militart than fleeing the country.

[Tijeras_Slim]

GRRRRRRRR.....

[Leatherneck_MT]

I understand that to most people it's the same thing. But there are a growing number of idiots that you have to be very specific with and spell things out so that they fully understand what the hell they are getting themselves into.

[BlueLancer]

Be sure to post the second part of the article when it shows up. Thanks for this posting; this is the first I've heard of this sorry excuse for a soldier.

I wouldn't sully one of our military prisons with such a dirtbag. Here's hoping that he never comes back and enjoys the Great Unwashed North. Sounds like he ought to fit in quite well up there.

[Mr. Lucky]

You guys are barbarians. Can't we all use this as a learning experience? This man's life still has value.

My suggestion would be that we use this gentlemen to help members of the Army's Delta Force or the Marine Scout Snipers better learn how to infiltrate into a hostile islamo-socialist country to practice assassinations.

[Jim_Curtis]

There could be a Democratic senatorial run on the horizon for this guy.

[writer33]

This makes me sick. I don't even want to get started on this #@$%^&*@#$%^@%^! guy. After 9-11, I had to question whether I should remain a civilian or go back in.

[tbpiper]

But I feel that if I had gone to Iraq I would be in a sense putting myself into a criminal enterprise and becoming a criminal...

An deserting to Canada is what, a frickin field trip!?!?! What do you think your status is nowk, sparky?

[Howlin]

From the other article:

He believes that the invasion of Iraq is an international human-rights violation in which he cannot morally take part; he says he will be subjected to persecution for this belief if sent back: imprisonment and dishonourable discharge, leading to discrimination in the job market.

He says Mr. Hinzman fits the profile of today's recruits: undereducated people from small-town and rural America with few employment opportunities who join up for the money.


Both Mr. Hinzman and his wife grew up in Rapid City, S.D., population 62,000, in the shadow of Mount Rushmore. After high school, he decided not go to college because he was afraid of saddling himself with student debt and "starting a whole cycle of middle-class existence." He went to work as a baker.

They wanted to start a family, but Mr. Hinzman felt his life was going nowhere and hit on the idea of joining the army. If he served a four-year stint, the military would give him $50,000 he could use for college.

He liked the idea of free housing and subsidized groceries.


ENOUGH............................!!!!

[Mo1]

Hinzman, a native of Rapid City, S.D., admits he was not a typical soldier. A Catholic convert who also follows Buddhist teachings and enjoys the silent worship of Quakers, Hinzman was a military misfit from the get-go

Okaaaaaaaaaay ... Oh he's wrapped real tight

[dighton]

Some people really don't think things through.

I heard a story, weird enough to be true, about a young man who enlisted in the Marine Corps, because he was tired of getting ordered around at home.

[mj1234]

"kerry lost another vote"

Nope, The Demonrats will send him an absentee ballot, and
unlike the GI's who voted in Florida- this one will be counted
maybe his 2 year old son will get a ballot too!

[antiRepublicrat]

If this guy really became a pacifist during his time in the military (he objects to ALL wars, not just the current one),

Alvin York also thought killing other human beings was wrong, as he felt it was against his devout Christian beliefs. But at least he had the moral courage and sense of duty to country to serve -- and serve he did. He was even too old for action in WWII, but he definitely served on the home front, using his fame to rally people to the cause of protecting their country.

[gaspar]

He will join in Canada the thousands of like-minded individuals who fled the USA during the Viet Nam war. Poor Canada. As if it didn't have enough problems already.

[Mr. Silverback]

In Iraq, Hinzman, said he felt like he would have to do some things he'd regret.

Like what, maybe serve his country with honor?

[general_re]

The military mindset also fosters a rejection of feminist/maternal values, Hinzman said.

All Saddam really needed was one of these...

[antiRepublicrat]

John Kerry must be very proud.

Kerry must NOT win, otherwise this guy will get pardoned, a slap in the face to every soldier who did go when ordered.

[tbpiper]

My one word description of this guy: pussy.

Please, don't insult my cats.

[BraveMan]

Bona fide US Army deserters are deported back to the US. This guy did not do his homework.

Certainly the civilian precident has been set. The Canadian government allowed the extradition of Lawrencia ("Laurie") Bembenek even though they found fault with "the many legal errors in her trial." After the television program “American’s Most Wanted” posted her picture, she was discovered in Thunder Bay, Ontario.

We shall see. Bottom line, I would not want to be in this deserter's shoes. If he gets caught he will miss more of his son's life than he can imagine.

Speaking strictly for myself, he is welcome to stay in his newly chosen country.