Today is the day that Jeremy Hinzman finds out if he will be given - or hopefully denied - refugee status in Canada, for running scared at the thought of heading to Iraq.

From an editorial in today's Toronto Star:

I do feel for the boys. Fulfilling a contract, or keeping a promise made, is often more unpleasant or difficult than simply signing that contract or uttering that promise. And I would never want to be a soldier. That's why I never joined the army.

And while I'm sure there are other Canadians who believe the boys should be booted home, to face court-martial and perhaps a light sentence in a military prison (and possibly a book or movie deal), not many of them are members of the chattering classes.

Which brings me to another of Hinzman's concerns — that he will face "social persecution" if he is sent home. I know that one well, and it's no fun. Try being Canadian and supporting the war in Iraq.

At the hearing, it was clear it was widely assumed one supported Hinzman. "This is a complicated case," one reporter said to me. How? I wondered.

"I don't like Bush," said someone else, looking grim. What on earth does that have to do with it? This is not about George Bush.

As usual, being against the war is really about hating Bush. Look at all the bull my fellow blogger Angry in TO is going through, just trying to point out that a group the CBC was endorsing isn't just about stopping the war in Iraq - it's about "ousting" Bush. Hinzman is nothing more than a left-wing pet cause.

In 2005, Hinzman may be a lot of things — a frightened young man, a shirker, a pacifist — but one thing he is not, is a refugee.

Someone at the refugee board, speaking off the record, told me he considered hearing U.S. cases a waste of time. That was refreshing.

And a waste of money - don't forget that! The Immigration system in Canada is backed up by months and even years in some cases, leaving some of the most desperate people waiting in a limbo that is devastating, both in a financial and emotional way. But this little coward has gotten his day in court, and his 15 minutes, just because he said the one thing Canadians love to hear: President Bush was wrong to invade Iraq.

Tell that to the Iraqis.

Update: Common Sense Has Prevailed!

The Canadian government has denied refugee status to former U.S. Army paratrooper Jeremy Hinzman, a major blow to a handful of U.S. military deserters who have fled to Canada rather than fight in a war they claim commits atrocities against civilians.

Such as democracy, free will, and dozens of other similar horrible afflictions.

The ruling, written by Immigration and Refugee Board member Brian Goodman, said Hinzman had not made a convincing argument that he would face persecution or cruel and unusual punishment if sent back to the United States.

Like being denied food and hydration. That would never be done to a criminal.

During the Vietnam era, young American men could be drafted into military service, but now enlistment in U.S. military is voluntary. The military attracts many young recruits with job skills training and programs that help pay for university.

But it's right there in the ads - we'll pay for college, and you'll fight for your country. No one is misled.

Pvt. 1st Class Joshua Key, 26, of Oklahoma City is the latest war resister to flee to Toronto, arriving two weeks ago with his wife and four children. He told the Toronto Star that he served in Iraq with the 43rd Combat Engineering Company, which was deployed in April 2003.

Out, out, out. I can barely support myself and my chosen immigrant - I am not supporting you and your four freakin' kids, just because you are too much of a sissy to tdo the job you volunteered to do. Out!