Posted on 01/07/2009 8:19:32 AM PST by fanfan
The first female U.S. Iraq war resister to seek refuge in Canada has been ordered to leave the country before the end of the month or face deportation.
Kimberley Rivera, who served in Iraq in 2006 and fled to Canada in 2007 after refusing redeployment, was told this morning she has until Jan. 27 to return to the U.S., said Michelle Rubidoux of the War Resisters Support Campaign.
"It's ridiculous," said Rubidoux, who accompanied Rivera to her hearing at the Greater Toronto Enforcement Centre on Airport Road.
The decision will force Rivera to uproot her family – her husband Mario and their three children, including their newborn daughter, six-week-old Katie – from their Toronto home. In the U.S., she would also face jail, as desertion is considered a felony.
"Coming to Canada began a new chapter filled with opportunities and hope for my family," Rivera said in a statement released before this morning's decision. "I am just glad I get to be a mom again."
Lee Zaslofsky, a spokesperson for the war resisters group, criticized the government's track record of deporting Iraq war resisters.
"During the last election campaign, Prime Minister Stephen Harper acknowledged the Iraq war was 'absolutely an error'," Zaslofsky said in a statement.
"He should support the troops who came to the same conclusion, rather than sending them and their families back to the U.S. to be punished."
Roughly 200 American war resisters are believed to be living in Canada at this time. A handful have been ordered to leave, and await court rulings to determine whether they can appeal the orders.
In July 2008, Robin Long, another soldier who fled the U.S. to avoid fighting in Iraq, was kicked out of Canada and is now serving a 15-month prison term in California.
Ping.
Put her in jail. She joined, then ran like a coward.
Well, Mrs. Deserter, our political elites think the same thing when we don't want to welcome every lawbreaker who manages to sneak in your former country. I'd think you would welcome the opportunity to flee a country which just re-elected a conservative to one which just elected a Marxist.
While I think EVERY deserter should be punished for cowardice, I would like to know why this one person is being sent back, if they all are not.
Guilty.
Even without a picture?
;-)
I have zero sympathy for people who volunteer, then run.
She is a coward who disgraced the uniform. No punishment is enough.
We're working on it.
i wonder if obama gives us a draft will they be as quick to aid escapees from gov slavery as from a volunteer army?
This article is from the Toronto Star. For anyone not familiar with the Star, it's left-wing bias is so bad, it makes the NY Times look "fair and balanced"
i would support them if they were conscripted. but the idiots volunteered, so its stupid
It's pretty easy for an American to lay low in Canada, if they want to. In truth, the US military doesn't really actively try to find deserters, especially not ones who have left the country.
So, if a deserter isn't out there giving interviews and calling attention to himself, he can probably avoid the attention of the Canadian authorities.
Well, here is what the UCMJ says her punishment should be.
(c) Any person found guilty of desertion or attempt to desert shall be punished, if the offense is committed in time of war, by death or such other punishment as a court-martial may direct, but if the desertion or attempt to desert occurs at any other time, by such punishment, other than death, as a court-martial may direct.”
If she gets prison she is lucky.
I am with you 100%! You took the money to do a job and then decided you didn’t like the job. Either give back EVERY SINGLE PENNY, including the value of the training that you received in your time in the military or go to jail!
People rely on you to do your job and now someone else has to be brought in and caught-up and integrated into a unit that may be facing combat - that is unfair to all those who relied on you and trusted that you had their back!
From an interview on a commie site
“Its re-dic-ulice ah say!!!”
Lousy traitor.
I expect Obomber to pardon all such draft dodgers just as Jimmuh Carter did after Vietnam.
Put her UNDER the jail! or Maybe a FIRING SQUAD
no sympathy from this vet
And to clarify the point, she is a deserter, not draft dodger. She signed up. And has broken her contract.
It’s the best form of socialism?
LOL, they offer a lot of those benefits in prison too.
Thank you for your service.
its great until your needed? moron
Since we have an [almost] equal opportunity military - shoot her.
Since Canada is taking an active roll in Afghanistan, I don't think Canada would be sympathetic to deserters who are running from deployment in Afghanistan.
Does North Korea have a diplomatic presence in Canada? She could ask Chia-Head for asylum.
No, but Cuba does......good idea.
LOL!
I’d say so.
That’s the kind of shirt we wore in the 70’s, remember?
“While I think EVERY deserter should be punished for cowardice, I would like to know why this one person is being sent back, if they all are not.”
I suspect that possibly some of them are here (in Canada) illegally and have not actually filed for refugee status (because they know they will ultimately be rejected). The others probably justn’t haven’t had their cases and/or appeals heard yet. The “smart” money’s probably on the ones who are here illegally without filing for refugee status, because our immigration controls and authorities are just as toothless as yours - or, at least, they’re only good for hassling legitimate travellers and immigrant applicants.
One Rum & Totalitarianism for the lady in the orange jumpsuit, please.
LOL!
She'd be expecting this....
And get this......
Whoops!
In a combat situation, I wouldn’t want such a person to have my back.
So, while I agree with the sentiment, I disagree with the plan.
I make them break rocks for a while at Leavenworth.
awwwwwwww!!!! Too bad for the TWIT!
Bet she runs and tries to hide from the RCMP.
Hidden by her commie budies.
It wouldn’t surprise me, Sandy.
That is why you put them in front. :-)
I make them break rocks for a while at Leavenworth.
Are there any rocks left?
LOL!
any rocks left
We could also walk them to Colorado and let them carry their own back.
My blood pressure went up a notch or two when I heard her
described as such on CFTR the Toronto News Radio station.
Course they're the same station that described the Phelps bunch as "right-wing".
Grrrr...
Live Each Day With Courage
Take Pride In Your Work
Always Finish What You Start
Do What Has To Be Done
Be Tough, But Fair
When You Make A Promise, Keep It
Ride For The Brand
Talk Less And Say More
Remember That Some Things Aren’t For Sale
Know Where To Draw The Line
Be Positive
Nice list, but what does “Ride the Brand” mean?
The military has no interest in deploying people like this. I think it's actually better for the military if these people desert- who wants someone like this serving alongside them? They're much more trouble than thry're worth.
Charge them with desertion, give them some punishment, and give them a dishonorable discharge. A black mark like that will keep them from ever getting a good job.
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