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Carl Webb Goes AWOL

From KUT | 00:02:30
Producers: Michael May

Tone-contemplative-00
Texas National Guardsman Carl Webb recounts his tale of desertion and living underground.

Carl Webb Goes AWOL Part 1 1/20/05

It’s 8:35. You’re listening to Morning Edition on KUT. I’m Jennifer Stayton.
Some 3,000 Texas National Guardsmen shipped out to Iraq the first week of this month. It was the largest single deployment of the guard since World War II. There are more than 50 thousand guardsmen serving in Iraq. More than a hundred and forty (140) have died there. And because the military has instituted a stop loss policy, some guardsmen are still fighting – even though their contracts should have expired months ago.
One member of the Texas National Guard was scheduled to ship out this month. His name is Carl Webb. But Webb had deserted – and gone underground.
Webb had taken a gamble on the National Guard. When he signed up, a few months before 9/11, he thought it unlikely he’d be called to war. In fact, he was a familiar figure at local anti-war gatherings. But last August, Webb was given orders he’d hoped he’d never hear.

TAPE: Webb Diary Part 1 (on AV as)
TIME: 2:11
O/C: "I would call truly underground."

Back announce: Carl Webb continues his tale of desertion and living underground …. Tomorrow, with details of his months –long wait for the military to notice he was gone.

ORIGINALLY AIRED January 20, 2005 on KUT FM, 90.5, Austin, TX Hide full description

Carl Webb Goes AWOL Part 1 1/20/05 It’s 8:35. You’re listening to Morning Edition on KUT. I’m Jennifer Stayton. Some 3,000 Texas National Guardsmen shipped out to Iraq the first week of this month. It was the largest single deployment of the guard since World War II. There are more than 50 thousand guardsmen serving in Iraq. More than a hundred and forty (140) have died there. And because the military has instituted a stop loss policy, some guardsmen are still fighting – even though their contracts should have expired months ago. One member of the Texas National Guard was scheduled to ship out this month. His name is Ca...
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Review of Carl Webb Goes AWOL

Real story of complications of a person trapped by circumstance.
The guitar background was effective.

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Review of Carl Webb Goes AWOL

This little bit made me want to hear more. I would have waited in the car to listen to the rest.

However, I don't have much sympathy for the main character. Maybe there's a more elaborate reason for his desertion later on in the piece, but why does someone concerned with self-preservation join the army? This didn't make sense to me. I need to hear more about what went through his head when he was called up.

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Review of Carl Webb Goes AWOL

When this piece ended I wanted more . . . it was that good. But I'm pretty sure there are more pieces after this one, so now I have the incentive to go find them.

I want to hear more about Carl and his mind and why he decided to go awol. I want to know more about other young men and women who find themselves in this situation after being called to serve in Iraq. Great subject matter handled with grace and sensitivity. I love his voice and the music is a perfect backdrop for this intimate personal narrative. I wish I could hear this kind of thing on my local radio station.

Broadcast History

Originally Aired during Morning Edition on January 20, 2005.

Timing and Cues

TAPE: Webb Diary Part 1 (on AV as)
TIME: 2:11
O/C: " would call truly underground."

Musical Works

Phil Glass - Hours