Is this true? If it is, why wasn't Corey told? Seems to me that the timing of this announcement - just as supporters of peace all over Canada and the US are taking action to prevent Corey's deportation - is just a tad suspicious.
Why should we believe anything the US Army says? They lie to the young people they recruit, they lie to the public about what's happening in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the invasion and occupation they are waging is based on nothing but lies. If this is true, we obviously need proof.
From the Globe and Mail:
Lee Zaslofsky, a representative of the War Resisters Support Campaign, which has championed the ostensible causes of Mr. Glass and other American deserters in Canada, said that Mr. Glass's discharge was essentially an administrative fiction, by which the army "rather than [listing] people as AWOL [switches] them to individual ready reserve, so it doesn't look as bad when they don't show up."
He maintained that Mr. Glass could still be criminally punished in the United States, and called a statement to the contrary "spin."
Even if he is not subject to criminal penalty, Mr. Glass will remain liable for service in Iraq or elsewhere under the ready reserve program until 2010.
Even if the US Army has given Corey an other-than-honourable discharge, which is the best most resisters can hope for, will they be doing the same for the 200-plus war resisters in Canada, and the tens of thousands more living underground in the United States?
As much as we fervently want Corey Glass to remain safely and legally in Canada, this issue is not only about Corey. Every former soldier who has said no to the illegal, immoral and inhumane US occupation of Iraq should be offered safe haven in Canada.
10 comments:
Doesn't the military have a huge PR department (e.g. they even have a video game to help recruit)?
Surely, they were aware of the controversy in Canada. And, yet they just happened not to release these details when the media attention was peaking...I think this was a "save" at the last minute.
Doesn't the military have a huge PR department (e.g. they even have a video game to help recruit)?
Huge, sophisticated and very effective. Canada's isn't far behind, but at least the recruitment in Canada (from what I gather) is not 100% complete lies.
Surely, they were aware of the controversy in Canada.
Indeed!
And, yet they just happened not to release these details when the media attention was peaking
Surely just a coincidence! ;)
Thanks for your thoughts, Polly.
but at least the recruitment in Canada (from what I gather) is not 100% complete lies.
There is a bit of it, but there was a big push a few years ago to make recruiting "realistic". The latest commercials don't glorify the job much, and while the website may be Flash-y, last time I went through it was pretty honest.
(Oh, and years ago when I was applying to go to RMC (Royal Military College) I can *definately* say the recruiters weren't mincing words about what you'd have to do, nor about what your committment meant.)
There is a bit of it, but there was a big push a few years ago to make recruiting "realistic". The latest commercials don't glorify the job much
From what I have heard and read about what's happening in Afghanistan, and comparing that to the TV ads, there seems to be a large discrepancy.
(Oh, and years ago when I was applying to go to RMC (Royal Military College) I can *definately* say the recruiters weren't mincing words about what you'd have to do, nor about what your committment meant.)
That's good to hear.
I think the presence of military recruiters in high school is a bad thing, no matter what. I think kids should be given a chance to mature more, explore their options, before making a commitment to the military. My friends in the Cdn peace movement tell me recruiters are in high schools here, too.
My friends in the Cdn peace movement tell me recruiters are in high schools here, too.
I guess so, though I've only seen them as a part of a career fair where they set up a little booth alongside such gems as Truck Driver School and School for Truck Drivers.
Note that according to the story, if Glass believed he was free from prosecution and decided to return to the US, he "[would] remain liable for service in Iraq or elsewhere ... until 2010".
So the US military could still send Glass to Iraq against his will.
That's not quite an "all clear" signal from the US, now is it?
Allan, that's an excellent point, and one we Campaigners often forget to mention. Besides being sent to prison, any of the resisters can be forcibly sent back to Iraq. Some volunteer army!
Thanks for this, L-Girl.
Seems that ABC story was timed to kick the legs out from under the War Resisters Campaign - oh, look at them, they got it wrong, making a fuss about nothing.
I've been so busy lately I've fallen into the very bad trap of skimming headlines. Today I remembered that ABC story and came back here to see what the real goods were. Wonder how many others only remember the ABC story...
Seems that ABC story was timed to kick the legs out from under the War Resisters Campaign - oh, look at them, they got it wrong, making a fuss about nothing.
Exactly.
I've been so busy lately I've fallen into the very bad trap of skimming headlines.
It's an easy trap to fall into - and hard to climb out of!
Fortunately I don't think that story got a lot of traction - and the recent positive ruling in Josh Key's case helped shift the focus back.
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