Staff Sgt. Camilo Mejia- Coward or Patriot?

[BlackJesus03]

Saw this story on 60 minutes or 48 hours or something last night. Personally, I think he's a deserter. There is such a thing as showing your disagreement with this war by protesting, but a staff saergent in the army should find a better way to do it. Couldn't he have discussed this with his CO or something? I don't know if this is true in this particular situation, but it seems to me that these days people are using anything to publicize their views- not for any reason except to get their 15 minutes.

The only thing this does is give people another reason to rail against the U.S. army for no other reason than to make it look bad in a time that we need to be showing full support to our troops.

 

[maddogchen]

Disappearing for 6 months or whatever long period it was counts as going AWOL to me, not patriotism.

 

[Red Dawn]

You don't leave your fellow soldiers behind. There is no excuse! I also heard that he will probably get a year behind bars and disharge that isn't as bad as a dishonorable. WTF, what is more dishonorable than that? I'm surprised he isn't getting 20+ years in Leavenworth

 

[BlackJesus03]

I agree. This will set a horrible precedent, and no matter whether he was right or wrong, it needs to be discouraged.

 

[chess9]

He should have checked with his conscience before he signed up to kill people.

I'm not sympathetic.

I was in the Marine Corps during 'Nam and thought it was an entire waste of good American boys and good American dollars. And quite a few of my buddies agreed. None of us walked, however. (This is not to say that quite a few others didn't walk.)

I would, however, just offer him a less than honorable discharge, rather than prosecute him. Prosecution will have the exact opposite of the intended effect. More young boys will think twice before they join. That's bad for the military, 'cause the last thing they want is a soldier with a brain and a thought.

-Robert

 

[Pennstate]

He deserves jail time.

 

[Perknose]

Originally posted by: maddogchen
Disappearing for 6 months or whatever long period it was counts as going AWOL to me, not patriotism.

Like Bush?

 

[Red Dawn]

Originally posted by: Perknose

Originally posted by: maddogchen
Disappearing for 6 months or whatever long period it was counts as going AWOL to me, not patriotism.

Like Bush?

Bush wasn't in Combat

 

[mastertech01]

Awol is for under 30 days. Over 30 days is desertion. Missing shipment on orders for combat/deployment is extremely serious business.

 

[Perknose]

Originally posted by: Red Dawn

Originally posted by: Perknose

Originally posted by: maddogchen Disappearing for 6 months or whatever long period it was counts as going AWOL to me, not patriotism.

Like Bush?

Bush wasn't in Combat

Yeah, in all seriousness, this guy doesn't have a leg to stand on.

 

[maddogchen]

Originally posted by: mastertech01
Awol is for under 30 days. Over 30 days is desertion. Missing shipment on orders for combat/deployment is extremely serious business.

Whoops, okay this guy is really busted then.

 

[UltraQuiet]

Originally posted by: mastertech01
Awol is for under 30 days. Over 30 days is desertion. Missing shipment on orders for combat/deployment is extremely serious business.

Actually you don't have to be gone for more than 30 days to be declared a deserter. If it is clear that you aren't going to return (for instance you leave your ID card on your rack w/ a FU note under it) then you can be declared a deserter immediately. All pay and allowances are immediately stopped and your SSN goes into the FBI database. If your only AWOL that doesn't happen.

This guy obviously meets any of the wickets and the guys he left holding the bag in Iraq should be given first crack at him.

 

[GoPackGo]

From Websters:

Main Entry: pa·tri·ot
Pronunciation: 'pA-trE-&t, -"ät, chiefly British 'pa-trE-&t
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle French patriote compatriot, from Late Latin patriota, from Greek patriOtEs, from patria lineage, from patr-, patEr father
: one who loves his or her country and supports its authority and interests

so if you love your country..but dont support the government...you are NOT a patriot...

therefore...Protestors are NOT patriots

 

[Zephyr106]

Originally posted by: GoPackGo
From Websters:

Main Entry: pa·tri·ot
Pronunciation: 'pA-trE-&t, -"ät, chiefly British 'pa-trE-&t
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle French patriote compatriot, from Late Latin patriota, from Greek patriOtEs, from patria lineage, from patr-, patEr father
: one who loves his or her country and supports its authority and interests

so if you love your country..but dont support the government...you are NOT a patriot...

therefore...Protestors are NOT patriots

Yep, I've been saying this all along. And since you're either with us or against us in the War on Terror, they are terrorists and should be gassed.

Zephyr

 

[GoPackGo]

Originally posted by: Zephyr106

Originally posted by: GoPackGo
From Websters:

Main Entry: pa·tri·ot
Pronunciation: 'pA-trE-&t, -"ät, chiefly British 'pa-trE-&t
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle French patriote compatriot, from Late Latin patriota, from Greek patriOtEs, from patria lineage, from patr-, patEr father
: one who loves his or her country and supports its authority and interests

so if you love your country..but dont support the government...you are NOT a patriot...

therefore...Protestors are NOT patriots

Yep, I've been saying this all along. And since you're either with us or against us in the War on Terror, they are terrorists and should be gassed.

Zephyr

I said they werent patriots...not all Americans are patriots

I am also not calling the protestors treasonous or traitors.

Mr. Mejia is NOT a Patriot

 

[Zephyr106]

Originally posted by: GoPackGo

Originally posted by: Zephyr106

Originally posted by: GoPackGo
From Websters:

Main Entry: pa·tri·ot
Pronunciation: 'pA-trE-&t, -"ät, chiefly British 'pa-trE-&t
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle French patriote compatriot, from Late Latin patriota, from Greek patriOtEs, from patria lineage, from patr-, patEr father
: one who loves his or her country and supports its authority and interests

so if you love your country..but dont support the government...you are NOT a patriot...

therefore...Protestors are NOT patriots

Yep, I've been saying this all along. And since you're either with us or against us in the War on Terror, they are terrorists and should be gassed.

Zephyr

I said they werent patriots...not all Americans are patriots

I am also not calling the protestors treasonous or traitors.

Mr. Mejia is NOT a Patriot

Then we differ severely, because what I stated were my views, not yours.

Zephyr

 

[GoPackGo]

Originally posted by: Zephyr106

Originally posted by: GoPackGo

Originally posted by: Zephyr106

Originally posted by: GoPackGo
From Websters:

Main Entry: pa·tri·ot
Pronunciation: 'pA-trE-&t, -"ät, chiefly British 'pa-trE-&t
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle French patriote compatriot, from Late Latin patriota, from Greek patriOtEs, from patria lineage, from patr-, patEr father
: one who loves his or her country and supports its authority and interests

so if you love your country..but dont support the government...you are NOT a patriot...

therefore...Protestors are NOT patriots

Yep, I've been saying this all along. And since you're either with us or against us in the War on Terror, they are terrorists and should be gassed.

Zephyr

I said they werent patriots...not all Americans are patriots

I am also not calling the protestors treasonous or traitors.

Mr. Mejia is NOT a Patriot

Then we differ severely, because what I stated were my views, not yours.

Zephyr

So you are saying protestors are terrorists and should be gassed? ----Wow...how bold of you!!

 

[Gaard]

Originally posted by: GoPackGo
From Websters:

Main Entry: pa·tri·ot
Pronunciation: 'pA-trE-&t, -"ät, chiefly British 'pa-trE-&t
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle French patriote compatriot, from Late Latin patriota, from Greek patriOtEs, from patria lineage, from patr-, patEr father
: one who loves his or her country and supports its authority and interests

so if you love your country..but dont support the government...you are NOT a patriot...

therefore...Protestors are NOT patriots

If you must support the government to be a patriot, I guess I'm not a patriot.

 

[GoPackGo]

Originally posted by: Gaard

Originally posted by: GoPackGo
From Websters:

Main Entry: pa·tri·ot
Pronunciation: 'pA-trE-&t, -"ät, chiefly British 'pa-trE-&t
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle French patriote compatriot, from Late Latin patriota, from Greek patriOtEs, from patria lineage, from patr-, patEr father
: one who loves his or her country and supports its authority and interests

so if you love your country..but dont support the government...you are NOT a patriot...

therefore...Protestors are NOT patriots

If you must support the government to be a patriot, I guess I'm not a patriot.

Are you active or are you in an organization that is active is the removal and overthrowing of the Constitution?

 

[Gaard]

Originally posted by: GoPackGo

Originally posted by: Gaard

Originally posted by: GoPackGo
From Websters:

Main Entry: pa·tri·ot
Pronunciation: 'pA-trE-&t, -"ät, chiefly British 'pa-trE-&t
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle French patriote compatriot, from Late Latin patriota, from Greek patriOtEs, from patria lineage, from patr-, patEr father
: one who loves his or her country and supports its authority and interests

so if you love your country..but dont support the government...you are NOT a patriot...

therefore...Protestors are NOT patriots

If you must support the government to be a patriot, I guess I'm not a patriot.

Are you active or are you in an organization that is active is the removal and overthrowing of the Constitution?

no.

 

[GoPackGo]

Originally posted by: Gaard

Originally posted by: GoPackGo

Originally posted by: Gaard

Originally posted by: GoPackGo
From Websters:

Main Entry: pa·tri·ot
Pronunciation: 'pA-trE-&t, -"ät, chiefly British 'pa-trE-&t
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle French patriote compatriot, from Late Latin patriota, from Greek patriOtEs, from patria lineage, from patr-, patEr father
: one who loves his or her country and supports its authority and interests

so if you love your country..but dont support the government...you are NOT a patriot...

therefore...Protestors are NOT patriots

If you must support the government to be a patriot, I guess I'm not a patriot.

Are you active or are you in an organization that is active is the removal and overthrowing of the Constitution?

no.

Do you support the Constitution?....that is our goverment.

If you want to change representation make sure to vote.

 

[Gaard]

Do you support the Constitution?....that is our goverment.

Yes, I support the constitution. I don't support (at least to my knowledge I don't ) this administration.

 

[Zephyr106]

Originally posted by: GoPackGo

Originally posted by: Gaard

Originally posted by: GoPackGo

Originally posted by: Gaard

Originally posted by: GoPackGo
From Websters:

Main Entry: pa·tri·ot
Pronunciation: 'pA-trE-&t, -"ät, chiefly British 'pa-trE-&t
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle French patriote compatriot, from Late Latin patriota, from Greek patriOtEs, from patria lineage, from patr-, patEr father
: one who loves his or her country and supports its authority and interests

so if you love your country..but dont support the government...you are NOT a patriot...

therefore...Protestors are NOT patriots

If you must support the government to be a patriot, I guess I'm not a patriot.

Are you active or are you in an organization that is active is the removal and overthrowing of the Constitution?

no.

Do you support the Constitution?....that is our goverment.

If you want to change representation make sure to vote.

Errr the constitution is the blueprint that our elected government follows for organization and fundamental functions. If every politician were corrupt or performing in ways that citizens felt were contrary to their interpretation of the constitution, then overthrowing those politicians would not neccessarily be "against the constitution."

Zephyr

 

[burnedout]

Originally posted by: Ultra Quiet

Originally posted by: mastertech01
Awol is for under 30 days. Over 30 days is desertion. Missing shipment on orders for combat/deployment is extremely serious business.

Actually you don't have to be gone for more than 30 days to be declared a deserter. If it is clear that you aren't going to return (for instance you leave your ID card on your rack w/ a FU note under it) then you can be declared a deserter immediately. All pay and allowances are immediately stopped and your SSN goes into the FBI database. If your only AWOL that doesn't happen.

Yep, DFR (Dropped From the Rolls) if the intent is clear. JAG, along with the first O-5 in the chain usually made the determination for us if there was even the slightest doubt.

I also assisted with DFR apprehension in E. KY (additional duty as a recruiter in my battalion). Working with a civilian tech out of Fort Knox, we were normally able to talk 99% of the offenders into just giving up. Outprocessing usually happens fairly quickly thereafter.

While in line units, I was always annoyed with the Joe who returned after like 28 days or so. We'd be all locked and loaded to DFR his butt and then he'd return.

This guy obviously meets any of the wickets and the guys he left holding the bag in Iraq should be given first crack at him.

There ain't no pity in the city, that's for sure.

 

[GoPackGo]

Originally posted by: Zephyr106

Originally posted by: GoPackGo

Originally posted by: Gaard

Originally posted by: GoPackGo

Originally posted by: Gaard

Originally posted by: GoPackGo
From Websters:

Main Entry: pa·tri·ot
Pronunciation: 'pA-trE-&t, -"ät, chiefly British 'pa-trE-&t
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle French patriote compatriot, from Late Latin patriota, from Greek patriOtEs, from patria lineage, from patr-, patEr father
: one who loves his or her country and supports its authority and interests

so if you love your country..but dont support the government...you are NOT a patriot...

therefore...Protestors are NOT patriots

If you must support the government to be a patriot, I guess I'm not a patriot.

Are you active or are you in an organization that is active is the removal and overthrowing of the Constitution?

no.

Do you support the Constitution?....that is our goverment.

If you want to change representation make sure to vote.

Errr the constitution is the blueprint that our elected government follows for organization and fundamental functions. If every politician were corrupt or performing in ways that citizens felt were contrary to their interpretation of the constitution, then overthrowing those politicians would not neccessarily be "against the constitution."

Zephyr

We have a defined process for changing our elected officials...none of which involve an overthrow....lets leave that up to the communists and dictators