US objector guilty of desertion

From The BBC

The headline should read "US Guardsman" not "US objector". Camilo Mejia never asked to be classified as a conscientious objector until after he had deserted. As soon as he deserted he was a "deserter" and not an "objector". Mejia could have asked to be classified as an objector while he was on leave but choose to desert instead.

Sometimes we find ourselves in situations that we no longer want to be in and changing ones mind is perfectly ok. But if you have responsibilities to others, the manner in which you go about effecting that change can have serious consequences.

Mejia's mother is peace activist Maritza Castillo and his father is

The father he left behind in Nicaragua, Carlos Mejia Godoy, has been described as one of the country's most important singers and composers, and many of his songs are closely identified with the Sandinista revolution of 1979.

Given his parents background you have to wonder at why Mejia was in the military in the first place. Perhaps this is a clue

He served in the US army for three years and then spent five years in the National Guard.

He was studying at the University of Miami and was about to graduate when his unit was sent to Iraq in April last year.

Mejia was enjoying the benefits that the US and the military were giving him and resented being called upon to serve. He quite possibly was a conscientious objector all along and joined the military for the "free" educational benefits. When he found out there was a price to pay he skipped town like a bad debtor.

Mr Mejia, a native of Nicaragua who has permanent US residency, has said he wants to be the first Iraq war veteran to challenge the morality and conduct of the conflict.

"I'm prepared to go to prison because I'll have a clear conscience," he says.


Happy to oblige Mr Mejia.