Is Germany the New Canada

With a Conservative government in Canada, crossing the border and declaring yourself a conscientious objector doesn't quite work as well today as it did in the 60's.

Another good article from Der Spiegel...

André Shepherd is the first American GI to have applied for political asylum in Germany. Shepherd, who deserted to avoid going back to fight in Iraq, argues that the war there is in violation of international law.

For American soldiers who refuse to take part in a war of aggression, deserting is the only option. According to the US Army, 4,698 soldiers deserted last year alone, and the Pentagon has counted more than 25,000 career soldiers who have gone absent without leave (AWOL) since the beginning of the Iraq war in 2003.

Shepherd seems sad. He knows that the break with his country is permanent. "But I don't want to go to prison for listening to my conscience. I'm not the criminal. The people responsible for this are sitting in Washington."