It seems Toronto is harboring another war-dodging, yellow spined, America-hating cretin who thought joining the National Guard would be like basket weaving at summer camp.

U.S. army deserter Corey Glass smoked a cigarette during a break in his Immigration and Refugee Board hearing yesterday and hoped he'll avoid time behind bars.

"I hope I don't have to sit 20 years in prison," said Glass, who fled the U.S. to resist fighting in Iraq and is seeking refugee status in Toronto. "And I hope it helps make something happen with someone admitting the war is illegal."

But there are legal hurdles to clear for Glass, 23, before he can be granted his wish and avoid imprisonment in the home country he has no plans to return to.

His lawyer, Jeffry House, is arguing that the war in Iraq violates international law and therefore Glass should not be punished for refusing to take part in an illegal war.

I can hear the violins. Especially since he's unlikely to serve more than a few months or a year in prison if he returns home and pleads guilty to cowardice.

He misses his parents and three siblings, who support his decision to flee, but Glass says he will not go back to the U.S. if his claim is denied here.

"I guess I'll have to find out what I have to do then and start looking for other countries," he said.

Try France, kid. They have a long and distinguished history of cowardice. They may make you their new king. Or mullah, anyway, given the direction they've taken.

Labels: War on Terror