Pablo Paredes - The Deserter

A deserved and smart salute goes to Citizen Smash, The Indepundit, who was able to collar Pablo Paredes for a few minutes during an Earth Day event in San Diego. We get a glimpse of the thinking that motivates disloyalty - abject selfishness and ignorance.

Interestingly, had Paredes sailed with the USS Bonhomme Richard as opposed to deserting, he would have been part of one of the largest rescue and relief efforts in history - Operation Unified Assistance. The USS Bonhomme Richard (LHD 6) was called to aid the people of Sri Lanka who were devastated by the Southeast Asian tsunami on December 26, 2004. Paredes would have been able to proudly relate his honorable experience to his grandchildren. But, he wasn't there. He deserted the United States Navy in a time of war and in a time of humanitarian need.

Pablo Paredes' court martial commences on May 11. As an amicus blog comment, I recommend that the court impose a meaningful and unforgettable penalty.

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