First, the mild surprise that serves as the main point of this article: US veteran of Afghanistan war seeking refugee status in Canada to avoid service in Iraq.

If that's not sad enough or weird enough statement about the United States, stumble over this: "An estimated 250 Americans every year seek refugee status in Canada, the vast majority making mental health claims, according to Jeffrey House, a Toronto criminal defence lawyer" representing the refugee applicant.

Why can't those 250 ingrateful bastards seek help from the American institution that handles more mental illness than any other American institution? That would be PRISON.