[Captain Eddie]

Originally Posted by SKUNKY

You are a wicked cruel man, Epapazian.....

I agree, Skunky, but feing forced to listen to Hillary's cackle is a lot worse!

[Cavtanker]

Originally Posted by Berkut76

And here we hit a brick wall because of practical considerations involving 100% volunteer army. Punish a deserter too harshly, recruitment takes a hit, punish too lightly and re-enrollment rates will go down. Honestly, I don't know.

Regards,

Sergey

Re-enrollment isn't an issue when those who are on the fence get a big wad of cash thrown at them for staying in. When I was there, it was $15,000 for a 6 year re-up (tax-free!).

[JustPlaneNuttz]

And then of course there is draft-dodgers. We got quite a number up here in Canada during the early 70s. (Gee -- I wonder why?) Anyhow, I personally knew a few and quite honestly, had no problem with it or their reasons. Deserters or traitors -- well, that is QUITE another matter.

JPN

[Cavtanker]

You know what drives re-enlistments down? It's not patriotism/desertion issues like these. Why should a soldier stay in the Army when they can get paid their monthly salary per week as a contractor? And they would do the exact same jobs. That's why soldiers leave the Army.

[Rush104]

For desertion- hard labor for a period of time equal to the time of their original enlistment (plus whatever time they had gone missing). If they deserted while actually engaged in combat, give them the firing squad. Of course, this is after due process has taken place.
For treason- it depends on what actions were taken. Providing direct aid and comfort to the enemy- execution (like Jane Fonda should have gotten and hopefully Adam Gadahn will get). Espionage- that's more difficult. On the one hand, you need to find out what info was passed along to the enemy, and what damage was done. If a spy knows he's going to die immediately, he may not give up that info. Maybe solitary confinement for life?

[flyXwire]

Execute the bastich and be done with it!

[skydriver]

Originally Posted by Berkut76

He is a Jew (well, West Coast-type so, the rest is not quite surprising), and I would like to rip him apart with my bare hands or at least put a bullet into his skull. When it comes to traitors, I think Red Army WWII "de facto" rules should apply, i.e. anyone caught in German uniform and is an Eastern volunteer is subject to on the spot execution.

With desertion, I think thorough investigation under the auspices of due process is a must before rendering any judgment.

Regards,

Sergey

I would hope Berkut's statement "He is a Jew" should have been interperated as "he was born Jewish and it is amazing that a Jewish person would denounce his religion and country and join Al Qaeda" and not simply stating "he is a Jew" and thinking that all Jewish people are like that.

In any case, any person found guilty of treason and / or desertion should be put in jail and given a quick trial and sentence.

[PH-LKK]

I've always felt that treason (as proven in accord with the United States Constitution) ought to be the only Federal crime punishable by death. But this is probably an artifact of my view of Federal criminal law generally (Federal criminal law ought to be limited to crimes against the nation as such, and all other crimes should be dealt with under State law, even where more than one State is the "situs" of the crime). Note, however, that "treason" must be understood as a crime of action, and not mere words or affections. Desertion is dealt with appropriately, by a term of imprisonment. However, I also think there ought to be a period of repose (statute of limitations) that limits liability after a period of years (such as a half century). It's downright unseemly to imprison a senior citizen for an act of desertion that may have occurred when they were no more than 17 or 18 years old.

[Shawn 507]

DESERTION: I want to say death, but will refrain with exception.They should be in Kansas making big rocks into small rocks for life, or used in a labor force that benifits the nation for the same term. Sort of like the CCC, but with convicts. Any attempt at escape brings on a death sentence.
IF the bleeding hearts let him/her out, then there should be some sort of Scarlet Letter that follows them for the rest of their days. And they get nothing from the Federal, State and Local govenment. In fact let them leave the country and find one they will stand and fght for. No statute of limitations! Same for those who aid in the desertion.

TREASON: Death, and something graphic and painful. It'll get the message across, and make others think twice.

Problem is noone wants to make anyone face the music for their actions, even in the military. Why should these folks enjoy a life, when their actions may have taken one or more?

[JustPlaneNuttz]

Originally Posted by Shawn 507

TREASON: Death, and something graphic and painful. It'll get the message across, and make others think twice.

Do you really think so? I'm a big fan of sending a wicked person off to spend some quality time with 'Ol' Sparky' but frankly, having seen the heinous death sentences handed out over the centuries (just look at England from the time of Henry VIII and up) and (YIKES) we still have heinous, evil, cold crimes today! Regrettably, I don't think anyone has learned anything (yet) and the death penalty doesn't seem to be much of a deterrent (although it sure would make ME sit up and take notice, I'll say!!).

Just my 2¢ worth.

JPN