[Elvish]

Interesting story.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/americ...ef=mpstoryview

I was not aware that death is one of the possible punishments of desertion in the military.

[Cursed Irishman]

Pvt. Eddie Slovik, last servicemember executed for desertion occurred at the end of WWII. His execution was kept secret for a number of years following the war, even though it had been blessed off by the theatre commander, Eisenhower.

"Remember, we're at war, so everybody counts. When you decide to desert, you let everybody down."

If this is really true and we are truly fighting for our way of life, why isn't there a draft?

[Elvish]

I'm of two minds about this.

If you join the military, it shouldn't come as a complete surprise if you're sent to combat.

HOWEVER, I also see that he's already been to Iraq and come away with the same conclusion as 2/3 of his fellow Americans: that this is a stupid, pointless, immoral war that is wasting lives on both sides. I don't blame him for not wanting any part of it any more.

I really do feel for the guy, because I think he is doing the best he knows to do under the circumstances.

Wonder if he couldn't come back to the service but as a conscientious objector, like so many medics have/did/do.