Canada denies refugee status to American soldier

Well, apparently in legal terms this guy did not deserve to be allowed to stay in Canada as a refugee. It's true that he would not really face persecution or cruel and unusual punishment if sent back to the United States and that he voluntarily signed up for the Army. Still, it's sad that a man who has the moral courage to leave the US military because he believes the war in Iraq is illegal and what he and his fellow soldiers are doing there is unjust will now have to face possible desertion charges in the US and jail time. It's not like this man Jeremy Hinzman was some spineless coward who failed his country and army comrades, he served for 3 years, was a paratrooper and served in Afghanistan no less.

It's even sadder because this means the US military is free to hook in recruits whenever and however they can, like glamorous television advertising making extravagant promises and luring young impressionable high school students, then do with them whatever they want, including sending them off to unjust wars. I understand that Mr. Hinzman and his fellow soldier dissenters all joined the Army of their own free will but I believe that does not mean they signed their lives away. They, and any other soldier should have the opportunity and right to disagree with what they are asked, sorry ordered to do and go if they feel that it is wrong. Instead of staying quiet and going along with the rest in following orders from their commanders and their President, these dissenters are speaking out and stating their opposition to the war in Iraq and refusing to return to serve.

I believe if a soldier is ordered to risk his/her life and face death then he/she should at least have a worthy cause to be doing that for. And invading and occupying Iraq os not one of them.