Charges Filed Against Anti-War Sailor
Citizen Smash smashes chicken-shit deserter Pablo Paredes in one of the best “I told you so…” rants you’ll ever read.
The only surprising element about how this story has unfolded is that it took this long for the Navy to formally charge you. We can only guess as to the reasons behind the delay. Perhaps the Navy just wanted to make sure they did a very thorough investigation before moving forward. Maybe the powers-that-be believed a delay might stifle some of the excitement about your case in the anti-war movement. More likely, there was some bureaucratic SNAFU that had to be worked out.
Regardless, the outcome of the investigation was inevitable. You did, in fact, miss ship’s movement, by your own design. You did, in fact, take an unauthorized leave of absence from your assigned duty station. These are the charges against you.
What did you expect? I’ll bet someone convinced you that if you filed a very thorough conscientious objector package, there was a chance that those charges would never be filed. I’ll bet you thought that chaplain’s endorsement of your CO package was your silver bullet. I’ll bet you thought the Navy was going to quietly let you go, to avoid a big stink.
Well, as Red Forman might say: “Pablo, you’re a dumbass!â€
Dear Pablo—I sincerely hope that you enjoy your time making little rocks out of big rocks.
Remember when I told you that you had “fucked up” your life? Just wait until you try to apply for a government-sponsored loan, or get a decent job with that BCD [bad conduct discharge] hanging over your head. How’s your marriage holding up, Pablo? Is your wife having any trouble providing for the baby? Do the words “parental responsibility” mean anything to you?
One day, in the not-to-distant future, you’ll regret your decision not to spend six months in air-conditioned comfort on the big gray ship. You could even have taken part in tsunami relief efforts, if you had just done your duty.
Dear Pablo—when you finally do get released from Ft. Leavenworth, do us all a favor, and move. I don’t care if it’s France, Canada, or The Congo. Just move. Because you are no longer welcome here.
Dumbass.
****
UPDATE: April, 26 2005 — Military deserter and anti-war Left poster boy Pablo Paredes has been denied conscientious objector status. His request for Other than Honorable discharge in lieu of a court-martial trial has also been denied.





“‘I wanted to be very public about it because dissenting voices do not get much attention,’ Left by John on March 29th, 2005 at 8:52 pm