Iraq Veteran Seeks Sanctuary in Canada

With attention now turned to Afghanistan, most Americans have largely forgotten about the effects of the Iraq war. But with the war in Afghanistan expanding and talk of more operations in Yemen, it is inevitable that the military will be under strain .

Here is a fascinating story about Rodney Watson, a kid who joined the military because he wanted to be a cook. He found himself in Iraq, and was given a rifle and told to go on bomb disposal duty. He also witnessed American troops abusing Iraqis and witnessed racism towards black soldiers.

After Watson's contract was up in 2007, he thought he was done with the military but was told that he had overlooked the fine print, and was going to be stop-lossed -- essentially told that he could not leave. Watson left for Canada and has sought sanctuary as a political refugee. Although he was denied refugee status by the Canadian government, he is being supported by the First United Methodist of downtown Vancouver. Watson has been declared a deserter by the U.S. military.

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