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Navy petty officer in San Diego refuses war duty
San Diego UNION ^ | December 6, 2004 | Chet Barfield

Posted on 12/06/2004 9:02:39 AM PST by Ramonan

Acknowledging that he could face a court martial and possible imprisonment, a Navy petty officer yesterday said he will refuse to board his transport ship when it departs for the Persian Gulf this morning because he wants to make a public stand against the Iraq war.

"I'm going to throw my ID in the water and say that I'm no longer part of the military," I want to make a statement, and I want it to be heard."

Petty Officer Third Class Pablo Paredes, 23,a weapons-control technician from the Bronx, N.Y., said he joined the Navy in 2000 and has 20 months left on his six-year enlistment. Then, about two weeks ago, he was involuntarily transferred to the amphibious transport Bonhomme Richard, which ferries Marines to Iraq.

"I don't want to be a part of a ship that's taking 3,000 Marines over there, knowing a hundred or more of them won't come back,I can't sleep at night knowing that's what I do for a living."

Paredes said he wasn't sure he would be allowed onto his ship's pier at the 32nd Street Naval Station this morning because he made his feelings and intentions known in local TV interviews Saturday night. A base spokesman did not return a message seeking comment.

Paredes said his stance has nothing to do with fear for his personal safety.

Paredes said he discussed his plans with his wife of two years in New York, "and she supports my decision 1,000 percent," He said he thought of smoking marijuana or breaking his leg with a heavy metal rod to try to get a discharge but decided instead to go public with his protest. He said he hopes doing so might inspire other sailors, soldiers and Marines to refuse to take part in the war

(Excerpt) Read more at signonsandiego.com ...


TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Culture/Society; War on Terror
KEYWORDS: culture; hngngs2good4thbstrd; mediawingofthednc; michaelmoore; napalminthemorning; rathergate; religionofpeace; wot
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To: Ramonan

Hey Pablo! No problem, the UCMJ will take care of you. Have a nice Christmas in the brig!


21 posted on 12/06/2004 9:14:09 AM PST by KenmcG414
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To: Ramonan
"They can't throw us all in jail."

Where the heck did he get that idea?

22 posted on 12/06/2004 9:15:10 AM PST by Wneighbor
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To: Chad Fairbanks
Wanna bet?

Why the hell did he even join the military?! He's a creep! I hope the military throws the book at him.

23 posted on 12/06/2004 9:15:28 AM PST by SheLion (God bless and protect our troops. I love them one and all!)
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To: Ramonan
Coward alert.

"Hey, when I joined the military I didn't think I'd really have to fight".

It's sad how many of these slugs there are. I place a small amount of blame on those goofy recruitment ads on TV for the last decade or so.

If you aren't ready to lay down your life on a legal order, don't freakin' join. It's not a draft, it's voluntary.

24 posted on 12/06/2004 9:16:24 AM PST by Protagoras (When your circus has a big tent, you can fit a lot of clowns inside.)
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To: Ramonan

Did this slacker get advise from John Kerry?


25 posted on 12/06/2004 9:16:42 AM PST by citizen (Yo W! Read my lips: NO AMNESTY by any name!)
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To: Ramonan
What a horses ass.

Once upon a time in the Navy (MY Navy) his Chief would have 'explained' it to him in terms he could understand. :)

His shipmates also would have lent a hand in helping him to understand the words : Duty, Devotion, Loyalty and Honor.

I hope he enjoys his Big Chicken Dinner, because with that discharge he is going to get, he wont be getting any government contractors payrolls or anything else requiring a security clearance.
26 posted on 12/06/2004 9:17:37 AM PST by four more in O 4 (God Bless America, and Merry CHRISTmas to ALL!)
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To: RichInOC

I guess he thought being a 'Weapons Control Technician' was going to be all bunny rabbits and kite flying .. LOL


27 posted on 12/06/2004 9:17:40 AM PST by GaltMeister (The only time a Democrat should be allowed in the White House is to visit the President.)
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To: stylin_geek

ZOT!!!


28 posted on 12/06/2004 9:17:41 AM PST by ArrogantBustard (Western Civilisation is Aborting, Buggering, and Contracepting itself out of existence.)
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To: Ramonan
General Court Martial....

Six months forfeitre of pay...
Six months confinement at hard labor...
Dishonorable Discharge...

Six... Six... and a kick....

C ya.... End of story...

29 posted on 12/06/2004 9:18:30 AM PST by Wings-n-Wind (The answers are out there; Wisdom is gained by asking the right questions)
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To: SheLion

Where is Red from "That 70's Show" when you need him? He could give the guy a quick kick in the butt while telling him what a dumb*** he is...


30 posted on 12/06/2004 9:18:37 AM PST by stylin_geek (Liberalism: comparable to a chicken with its head cut off, but with more spastic motions)
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To: Ramonan

There is a process within the military establishment to file for status as a conscientious objector. All of this grandstanding makes me sick.


31 posted on 12/06/2004 9:19:44 AM PST by BlueNgold (Feed the Tree .....)
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To: Ramonan

It is times like this that walking the plank should be brought back!!!! Now, this guy is a coward.


32 posted on 12/06/2004 9:20:20 AM PST by joe fonebone (We won.......time to do it OUR way!)
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Comment #33 Removed by Moderator

To: Ramonan

I'm a reservist in the Navy and the same rank as this guy. This man is an embarrassment to the Navy. I would never dream of whining in this fashion if I ever get called up.


34 posted on 12/06/2004 9:20:44 AM PST by Our man in washington
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To: Ramonan
He said he was young and naive when he joined the Navy and "never imagined, in a million years, we would go to war with somebody who had done nothing to us."

IOW, just looking for a meal ticket & lodging -- never expecting he'd ever be called on to serve in harm's way.

35 posted on 12/06/2004 9:20:45 AM PST by citizen (Yo W! Read my lips: NO AMNESTY by any name!)
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they need to lock this guy up for years


36 posted on 12/06/2004 9:20:47 AM PST by jer2911tx (john kerry doesn't like rice, or as he calls it 'weapons of ass destruction')
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To: Piquaboy
There is a space reserved for him at Portsmith or Leavenworth.

Followed by a Dishonorable Discharge ... hope he has fun with the rest of his life

37 posted on 12/06/2004 9:21:36 AM PST by tx_eggman ("All I need to know about Islam I learned on 09/11/01" - Crawdad)
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To: SheLion

This happens every time we go to war - Some People in recent decades have joined the military for the job training, college money, and job security, and they love it... that is, until they have to go to war, and then suddenly "Oh yeah! I forgot! I'm a pacifist!"


38 posted on 12/06/2004 9:22:14 AM PST by Chad Fairbanks ('Hate' is just a special kind of Love we give to people who suck.)
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To: stylin_geek

USS Detroit - homeport EARLE Naval Weapons Station. Leonardo NJ. My neighbor!


39 posted on 12/06/2004 9:22:17 AM PST by frog_jerk_2004
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To: OldEagle
He said he hopes doing so might inspire other sailors, soldiers and Marines to refuse to take part in the war.

Incitement to Mutiny? =

DEATH

40 posted on 12/06/2004 9:23:01 AM PST by Robe (Rome did not create a great empire by talking, they did it by killing all those who opposed them)
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