Canada learns to “just say no”

US deserter denied Canada asylum

So much for the old adage of “running off to Canada” after deserting your comrades in arms. This chump wasn’t even a combatant – just a fellow who decided his oath of allegiance to protect the constitution and serve the Commander in Chief no longer applied.

For you slimy civilians out there… here’s a crash course.

“I, _, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God.”

Of course, there’s always those few who decide their word isn’t worth a damn. Thankfully, it looks like Canada doesn’t want these cowards and liars around, either.

A former US soldier who quit the army in protest against the Iraq war has been denied refugee status in Canada.

Jeremy Hinzman, 26, was the first to receive an answer from a number of US deserters seeking Canadian residency.

Mr Hinzman, who served in Afghanistan in a non-combat role, left the 82nd Airborne Regiment when he was deployed to Iraq.

Correspondents say the decision may affect eight other ex-servicemen, but improve Canadian-US relations.