reality check: there is no amnesty. canada must let them stay.

There's a dangerous misconception out there about how the recent US election affects the US war resisters in Canada. Two words: it doesn't.

Put aside all thoughts of amnesty or pardons or any help from the United States.

The war is still going on.

In case you missed it: the war is still going on.

The US still occupies Iraq. Is the new Commander-in-Chief going to tell troops during an ongoing war that it's all right to desert?

If Obama begins a troop pull-out it will be at least a year before the US is out of Iraq.

And Obama has already said he wants to send more troops to Afghanistan.

Can anyone really believe that during an ongoing war, the Commander-in-Chief is going to welcome home deserters?

And a Democrat, already perceived as weak on "defense" [sic!], the first African-American President, under beyond-intense scrutiny, is going to defy the laws of his own military and alienate at least half the population, in order to help people the military doesn't even want the public to know about?

Jimmy Carter didn't dream up amnesty for Vietnam War draft resisters over dinner one night. It was fought for and brokered by the peace movement on both sides of the US-Canada border. The war had already ended - the amnesty was hugely controversial - and it didn't include deserters.

I have no doubt that the US peace movement is beginning discussions around a possible future amnesty. There are thousands of war resisters - AWOL soldiers - in the US, and they will need an amnesty in order to qualify for veterans' benefits.

But that is a dream for the future. If it comes to pass, it is many years away.

Our guys are being threatened with deportation NOW. If they are deported from Canada, they will be court-martialled, imprisoned and given dishonourable discharges. That is a fact.

For war resisters in Canada, the solution can only come from Canada.

At our meeting this week, war resister Jill Hart, spouse of former sergeant Patrick Hart, said that a reporter asked her about whether Obama will give Pat a pardon. The Harts were given a temporary deferment to stay in Canada while their son finishes the first term of Grade 1, but their deportation goes back into effect on January 15.

Asked about the pardon, Jill said, "Pat doesn't need to be pardoned. He hasn't done anything wrong!"

The reporter asked her, if there was a pardon, would she go home. Her reply: "I am home."

* * * *

Canadians, if you believe, as I do, that Canada should continue its tradition of welcoming people who have refused to fight in immoral, illegal wars - if you believe these good people should be allowed to stay legally in Canada - it is up to you to make it happen.

While the federal courts continue to rule in favour of the war resisters, we cannot fight this on a case-by-case basis. It will drain our resources, and we will lose by attrition, exactly what the Government hopes and expects to happen.

We need a political solution - a policy - and it's within our grasp to get it.

We need your help. We need money, and we need hands. If you've ever thought about getting involved in this issue, now is the time.