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 ...
He is a spineless coward.
Period.
Har!! Good one.
So the press needs to ask the President his opinion on this.
The guy is now a deserter from the Obamaforces.
I wonder if that is:
1) allowed by the P
2) cheered and encouraged by the President
3) a criminal offense according to the Pres.
4) worthy of life or death sentences according to the Pres.
It would definitely be worth knowing how Obama views this as Commander and Chief.
The truly idiotic pu55ies that desert (especially after NOT seeing any combat - whatsoever) get caught simply because of stupidity. It seems they cannot help themselves and have to tell "their" story, and end up letting the press tell the MP's exactly where they are.
It makes the job of skip-tracing so much easier.
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