Once a Deserter, Always a Deserter

Remember Cpl. Wassef Ali Hassoun? He was the U.S. Marine who deserted his post in Iraq, managed to be connected to a terrorist's video and wound up in Lebonon. His identification was also found in Fallujah.

Today was supposed to be the first step in the judiciary process for desertion charges against Hassoun. Big shock! He didn't show up.

RALEIGH, N.C. — Cpl. Wassef Ali Hassoun (search), the Marine who was once thought kidnapped in Iraq only to be charged later with desertion, has disappeared, Marine officials announced Wednesday.

Hassoun had been on leave with his family in West Jordan, Utah, when he was scheduled to return to Camp Lejeune, N.C., on Tuesday, military officials told FOX News. As of 3 p.m. EST, Hassoun's command "officially declared him a deserter and issued authorization for civil authorities to apprehend Hassoun and return him to military control," a military statement said.

Sources told FOX News Hassoun had been allowed to go on leave to visit his family for New Year's. He was due back at noon on Tuesday.

But Hassoun's brother said the family did not know his whereabouts, and had not heard from him since Dec. 28, when they took him to the Salt Lake City airport for a flight to North Carolina.

Why would the military let someone they are trying to convict on desertion charges on leave? The U.S. military could not have possibly believed he would actually return for the court hearing. Maybe Hassoun will wind up in Canada and will have a statue erected in his honor.

In an effort to help out our good friend Hassoun, I've come up with a short list of excuses Hassoun can make as to why he missed his court hearing.

I was lured out of the building by a mysterious woman who turned out to be Anna Nicole Smith. She thought I was a wealthy oil tycoon from Saudi Arabia.

I got lost in Times Square after being disoriented without Dick Clark doing the countdown.

I thought attendance was optional based upon a certain Senator recieving a grace period of sorts to miss several votes. Isn't a vote the same thing as a hearing?

I said the back of the diner. You didn't think I was going to my hearing in the back of the diner did you?

President Clinton gave me a pardon because I didn't squeel on his affair with Rosie O'Donnel.

Hat tip: Michelle Malkin

Cross-posted at In the Bullpen

Posted by: Chad at 08:23 PM | Comments (4) | Add Comment
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