Once again, America is in a conflict that was not based on its being under imminent threat. What is at stake is geopolitics and ideology. At this point in the Iraq War, more American soldiers have died than at the same point during the Vietnam conflict. While being vastly superior in technology and manpower, America faces an enemy that has an unconventional way of fighting. A growing number of American soldiers have decided that they are unwilling to kill or be killed without a tangible reason. This is remarkable in a period when, unlike the late sixties, not every facet of society is being questioned.
However, one issue in the current discontent was not present 30 years ago: America no longer has a draft. Except those who have served extraordinarily long, every American soldier who now serves had freely signed a contract for a specified length of time. Because no state coercion was involved, many who would otherwise be sympathetic argue that these soldiers, unlike draftees, have lost the right to question orders, no matter how moral or immoral, legal or illegal they may be.
http://www.peacemagazine.org/archive/v21n4p25.htm
Note: http://www.peacemagazin...
Jeremy Hinzman: Why I Deserted
Posted on Thursday, February 09 at 10:53 by EleanorContributed By
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Dave Ruston
As the article states, there were 50,000 who fled the military during Vietnam. We have 12 or so during this war. Obviously, the US has corrected part of it's issue in forcing people to fight for what they don't believe in by eliminating the draft. However, the soldiering profession is not one that subscribes itself to second guessing.
While I feel sorry for Hinzman and can empathize with his wish not to participate in the war, I also don't feel that Canada owes him anything. His fear of persecution is based on his legitimate fear of jail, for a crime of desertion. Just because we didn't choose to participate in the war, doesn't mean we take an active side against the US government. They are mutually exclusive actions.
While not exactly comparing the US to the Nazis, I think I have nonetheless made my point. We have an ethical duty to defend people who refuse to be involved in war crimes.
My impression before he even went up to speak was that he was obviously a pretty messed up guy, im not sure what that is due to, but it seems that he definatly suffers from some sort of mental shock.
People need to take responsibility for their actions, its good hes not willing to fight an illegal war, but since he wasnt forced to do so, he should be receiving handouts. There are many more people in this country who are much more deserving of help then Jeremy.
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"The more you read and learn, the less your adversary will know." --Sun Tzu
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"The more you read and learn, the less your adversary will know." --Sun Tzu
He volunteered to protect his country. There is no question that the invasion of Iraq was not for the "defence" of the USA nor should be considered a "war". Iraq was not on the offensive nor declared war. Granted, Hinzman should have been aware of his own countries reputation. Perhaps he was swallowed up by the American's old adage's.
I don't know the details of Hinzman's case but much of today's cannon fodder is provided by the economic draft. Lower class youth are steered towards the military by lack of other opportunities. This is largely the result of their government's policy of taking from the poor and giving to the rich. I wish Canada could provide opportunities for some of those disadvantaged kids and thus prevent them from dieing for the sake of war profiteers.
I believe we did take an active side against the Germans actually.