Sanctuary from what?

I must disagree with your editorial supporting Canadian sanctuary for deserters from the war in Iraq.

You use the term "illegal war", which is essentially redundant, and often used to heap scorn on any country's military actions, right or wrong. In any conflict, one or both sides did something illegal.

The Iraq war is an extremely stupid one. The only benefit has been that Saddam Hussein has become one of the very few murderous tyrants of the last hundred years to have been brought to justice. It wasn't worth the price. But it has happened, and we all must deal with that — wisely, one hopes.

Unlike during the Vietnam War, the U.S. military is now all voluntary. There is no draft and therefore there are no draft dodgers. Any deserters signed up of their own free will and must have understood that they would have to follow orders which may possibly put their life and well-being in danger. A military cannot be subject to its staff deciding that they have changed their mind, whatever the reason.

There is a big difference from the circumstances of the Vietnam era. I fully support our courts' decisions not to make Canada a repository for these people. If they don't like the war, they could quit the military at the first opportunity and try to request alternative service in the meantime. Until then, they should do what they voluntarily contracted to do.

– Ken Frankel, Montreal