Soldier Denied As Conscientious-Objector

[Rose Siding]

SAVANNAH, Ga. -- The Army said Friday it has denied conscientious objector status for a soldier who refused to deploy to Iraq for a second tour, saying he became morally opposed to war during the 2003 U.S.-led invasion.

Sgt. Kevin Benderman, 40, filed his objector application Dec. 28, just 10 days before he skipped his unit's deployment flight. The Army mechanic faces a court-martial May 12 on charges of desertion and missing movement.

The conscientious-objector denial came Wednesday from the Army's Headquarters Department, Fort Stewart spokesman Lt. Col. Robert Whetstone said.
...
Benderman, who has served 10 years in the Army, has said his eight months in Iraq in 2003 included scenes of misery such as a badly burned young girl and mass graves filled with men, women and children.

http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/wire/sns-ap-objecting-soldier,0,3768270.story?coll=sns-ap-nationworld-headlines

[El Supremo]

1. If only more soldiers would do this.

Then we could get out and stop this insanity.

Somebody please get him a good lawyer.

[Fire Walk With Me]

2. That's exactly why they can't afford to let him be a CO

Others would have an out from this mess, one they will seemingly go to any lengths to maintain.

Yes, someone please get him a great lawyer!

[gratuitous]

3. Good thinking, military minds

Now, which of you who denied his CO status is going to want to go into combat with Sgt. Benderman? Or which of you will want Sgt. Benderman to be leading your son's detail on a mission?

Now, now, don't all raise your hands at once.

[UCLA Dem]

4. More military people need to do this. then maybe the madness would stop.