Stay Informed | Spread Truth | Act Daily Fact & Act #30 ONE MONTH ANNIVERSARY ISSUE Rico - This one's for you. Saturday, October 19 1991* LMNOP - Lake Merritt Neighbors Organized for Peace http://lmno4p.org *This is 1991, right? Recession, war on Iraq, lower markets, low employment, low job creation, weak dollar, a "president" who is out of touch-- "It's the economy stupid" --with the people, lies and rumors being touted by politicians and the press as truth, government actions causing mass protests in the streets. +=+=+=+ ACTION +=+=+=+ "Oh yes, and you are serving the President, of course -- the man who avoided combat duty and deserted his National Guard unit. You are serving the man who enriched himself through crony capitalism, shady accounting practices and insider trading while running multiple corporations into bankruptcy. You will be serving the man who lost the popular vote for president, but was handed the presidency by a Supreme Court influenced by his father and through voting irregularities in a state governed by his brother. You will be serving the man who, as President, turned the budget surplus into a deficit and presided over the largest stock market decline since the great depression. You will be serving the man who unilaterally withdrew from the Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty, ignored the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and rejected the International Criminal Court and Kyoto Protocol on Global Warming." Message to the Troops: Resist! http://www.alternet.org/story.html?StoryID=14289 +=+=+=+ ACTION +=+=+=+ From MoveOn Bulletin Wednesday, October 16, 2002 Editor: Susan Thompson, susan.thompson@moveon.org Editorial Assistant: Leah Appet, leah@moveon.org Subscribe online at: http://www.moveon.org/moveonbulletin/ CONTENTS: 1. Introduction: Saying No to War, Drafted or Otherwise 2. One Link: All About Conscientious Objection 3. Conscientious Objection and the Draft 4. Conscientious Objection and Taxes 5. Conscientious Objection, the "War on Terrorism", and Iraq 6. Conscientious Objection in the Past: Some Examples 7. Actions, Organizations, and Links 8. About the MoveOn bulletin and MoveOn.org INTRODUCTION: SAYING NO TO WAR, DRAFTED OR OTHERWISE Our readers may already be wondering why we've chosen to spend a bulletin on the topic of conscientious objection when US citizens aren't facing a draft. It is important to remember that conscientious objection does not only affect draftees -- it affects anyone who is considering or is currently involved in military service. And it's more about determining one's personal beliefs and opinions that it is about legally qualifying as an objector. But while we are not currently facing a draft, it is not outside of the realm of possibility. In every war since Vietnam, the US has managed to conduct military operations using the resources of the volunteer-based military alone. The campaign against Iraq may buck that trend. According to plans leaked to the New York Times, it's likely that after a war the US will occupy Iraq and put a military government in control for five years or more. And US military personnel remain engaged in operations around the globe, from the Philippines to Georgia. As the armed forces are stretched thinner, the likelihood of needing to find the personnel to supplement them increases. Some leaders are calling for a draft for reasons other than personnel shortages. They believe that the change to an all-volunteer army has contributed to a generation of young Americans with no sense of duty or obligation to their country. A draft would supposedly correct this problem, while also helping to increase safety and security at home. In fact, after years without any legislation on the subject, a new bill was introduced last year that would reinstitute the draft. It continues to languish in the House, but the possibility remains that the bill could be given more serious consideration if a need arises for replacement troops -- or if the idea of making young Americans more patriotic by enlisting them gathers more support. 18-year-old men are still required to register (in many states, they can't receive their driver's license unless they do so), meaning that it would take little time to begin calling people up for a draft once Congress approved it. A new draft remains unlikely for the moment -- but is not nearly as far-fetched as we may wish. What does this all mean to the person who opposes war? Ultimately, it means that it is still important to understand what conscientious objection means, and how to legally qualify to become one of the two federally recognized types of conscientious objector. And it means giving some serious consideration to your own beliefs and principles as they relate to war and peace. Although the term "conscientious objection" can certainly be limited to the legal meaning of refusing to participate in some or all military service because of religious or moral objections to killing others, at heart conscientious objection is simply opposition to war. Asking "am I a conscientious objector?" means reviewing the moral, spiritual, political, and personal beliefs that help you determine the code of conduct for your own life and balancing a love of, or devotion to, the principles of your country versus other principles that guide you. This is why we believe that learning about conscientious objection is important whether or not a new draft is instituted. Whether legally recorded or not, the root of the matter remains the same -- determining one's beliefs about war and peace. It is an essential part of any antiwar action. ONE LINK: ALL ABOUT CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTION This excellent page answers important questions about why conscientious objection is important, what it is, what types of conscientious objection are recognized by law, what other types of conscientious objectors there are, and what obligations a person has to fulfill as a conscientious objector. It also includes a brief worksheet to help prepare for filling out the appropriate legal forms (relevant only in the event of a draft, but useful to have prepared beforehand). http://www.nisbco.org/What_Do_I.htm CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTION AND THE DRAFT This is a chronology of conscription in the United States. Currently, "the U.S. operates under an all-volunteer armed forces policy. All male citizens between the ages of eighteen and twenty-six, however, are required to register for the draft and are liable for training and service until the age of thirty-five." http://www.teachervision.com/lesson-plans/lesson-5669.html This is a brief page about what to do if you are facing draft registration (all men residing in the United States who were born on or after Jan. 1, 1963 are required to register for the draft within 30 days of their 18th birthday or face a possible penalty of $250,000 or five years in jail.) http://peace.mennolink.org/articles/co_advice.html It is unlikely that a draft will be instituted during the current phase of the war on terrorism. Still, if you have any questions about the draft, this quick page of questions and answers provides a good introduction. http://www.csmonitor.com/explainers/Draft.html This is a valuable explanation of what kinds of beliefs can qualify a person as a conscientious objector in the eyes of the government. http://www.scn.org/ip/sdmcc/co.htm People who are drafted for military service and successfully apply to become conscientious objectors will probably be reassigned to alternative service for the same amount of time as they would have served in the military. This service could include working in health care, education, conservation, or another job which is "deemed to make a meaningful contribution to the maintenance of the national health, safety, and interest." This is the official fact sheet on alternative service. http://www.sss.gov/FSconsobj.htm CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTION AND TAXES The Religious Freedom Peace Tax Fund Bill was introduced into the House in 2001. It would ensure that conscientious objectors could pay taxes to a Peace Tax Fund, and thus still pay taxes without supporting the military. http://www.umc-gbcs.org/advact97.htm Rather than waiting until this or another bill is passed, some people still refuse to pay part or all of their taxes as a form of protest and civil disobedience. Different methods carry varying degrees of risk, but for a person of conscience, this risk may be a reasonable alternative to funding a war effort that is killing people. http://www.nonviolence.org/issues/taxes.htm You may also consider contributing to the War Tax Resisters Penalty Fund, which helps pay the taxes of American conscientious objectors who are being prosecuted for war tax resistance. This action carries much less personal risk and still expresses a financial objection to the war effort. http://peace.moveon.org/r.php3?redir=7 A group of Quakers in New York and Connecticut has set up an escrow account where you can send the "military portion" of your federal taxes as a form of civil disobedience. The funds are returned if the IRS levies them from other assets. They are considered to be taxes paid on time and in good faith, even if this is not recognized by the US government. http://w3.execnet.com/elkins/peace_tax_escrow_account.htm Take a quick look at war tax resistance over the last 30 years as told through pictures: http://peace.moveon.org/r.php3?redir=9 CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTION, THE WAR ON TERRORISM, AND IRAQ Who is opposing war on Iraq? This article provides an overview of recent polls that show how support for the war is plummeting, and also that the core supporters of war on Iraq are rural, white, male, southern Republicans without a college diploma. http://www.prospect.org/print/V13/18/judis-j.html For many of the 133 House members and 23 senators who voted against war powers for Bush last week, their vote was a vote of conscience. http://www.commondreams.org/headlines02/1011-02.htm Would those who support war on Iraq still do so if it meant enlisting, or a draft? Or do most of the people calling for a war on Iraq want "war on the cheap?" While this article sometimes reads more like a call to enlist to protect the country than an anti-war statement, it still offers a compelling argument that "[b]eing unwilling to offer our flesh and blood is tantamount to confessing that overtaking Iraq has nothing to do with democracy or freedom." http://www.commondreams.org/views02/1008-01.htm Whether or not there is a new draft, those people currently enlisted in the military also have the option to reconsider their service and become conscientious objectors. David Wiggins of Alternet calls on all US soldiers to resist and refuse to attack Iraq. http://www.alternet.org/story.html?StoryID=14289 In 2001, the Pentagon denied that a new draft was being considered to help supply troops to the "war on terrorism." Senior officials noted that no draft has been needed to help fight any war since the volunteer system has been introduced, even the first Gulf War. However, some analysts noted that a draft could still be more likely now than in the past, especially as the war on terrorism increases in scope and length, since draftees would then be needed to "fill personnel gaps." http://peace.moveon.org/r2.php3?r=172 Others have argued that a new type of draft needs to be instituted to train people to protect America from terrorist threats at home. http://peace.moveon.org/r2.php3?r=173 "After September 11th, the only thing likely to happen is that which was previously inconceivable. Could war in Iraq bring terrorism back to our country? Could it lead to a regional conflagration in the Middle East? Could it lead to another draft?" According to the author of this article, the answer is very possibly yes to all of these questions. In fact, on Dec. 20 of 2001, a bill was introduced to the House which calls for the drafting of all able-bodied men between the ages of 18 and 22 for military service. http://www.smirkingchimp.com/article.php?sid=8136 HR 3598 The Universal Training and Service Act has been introduced but is not currently moving through Congress. It is unlikely that it will be passed in its current form. However, the fact that it has been introduced leaves room for a less extreme version to possibly be passed, meaning that the end result of the bill could still be conscription. This page includes information on the key points of the bill and who to write in order to oppose it. http://www.afsc.org/youthmil/200202/notdraft.htm Meanwhile, in April of this year, Rep. Ron Paul introduced a bill in the House to eliminate the Selective Service System and the Selective Service Act. http://peace.moveon.org/r2.php3?r=174 EXAMPLES OF CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTION In Israel, a number of soldiers have refused to serve in the occupied territories. Israel does not recognize conscientious objection and many of the men must serve time in prison for their refusal. This is a brief overview of the history of this group of "refuseniks." http://www.flonnet.com/fl1914/19140570.htm This is another article about the Israeli refuseniks which gives a more visceral sense of the emotional strain which prompted them to become conscientious objectors. http://peace.moveon.org/r2.php3?r=175 Alternative service has, in the past, been very dangerous. During WW II, American COs participated in road building and reforestation projects -- and scientific experiments that "gave COs the opportunity to prove themselves ready to serve in dangerous situations that would not require taking human life." http://www.afsc.org/hist/2002/cpsguin.htm This review of the PBS movie "The Good War and Those Who Refused to Fight It" describes the lives and roles of conscientious objectors during the extremely popular second World War. http://www.afsc.org/youthmil/200112/resource.htm PBS has a lot of information online related to "The Good War and Those Who Refused to Fight It." Perhaps the most interesting point of the film is that conscientious objectors contributed significantly to many aspects of life within the US both during and after the war, including powerful social movements and the arts. Includes pictures, a timeline, biographies and quotes related to individual conscientious objectors, video clips, and more. http://www.pbs.org/itvs/thegoodwar/ The singer/songwriter Joan Baez has long been involved in anti-war activism, and has often refused to pay portions of her taxes as a method of conscientious objection. http://baez.woz.org/jbchron.html +=+=+=+ RESOURCES +=+=+=+ ACTIONS, ORGANIZATIONS, AND LINKS The Central Committee for Conscientious Objectors. http://www.objector.org/ Center on Conscience and War. http://www.nisbco.org/ Peace Taxpayers is a site meant to provide information, resources, support, and actions geared towards conscientious objection through not paying taxes. http://www.peacetax.org/welcome.htm The National Campaign for a Peace Tax Fund is an organization devoted to supporting and instituting legislation that allows people to withhold part of their taxes as a form of conscientious objection. http://www.peacetaxfund.org/ Links for Military Conscientious Objectors. List of organizations that offer counseling to military personnel seeking a discharge. http://www.geocities.com/Pentagon/3899/links.html This is a list of links to programs around the world that aid conscientious objectors. It also includes a brief list of articles related to conscientious objection. http://www.afsc.org/pindx/cos.htm +=+=+=+ DEFICIT WATCH +=+=+=+ From LMNOP's Stock Watch (http://lmno4p.org/stockwatch.htm#men) 10/16/2002 -$6,246,773,496,026.59 (trillions) 10/17/2002 -$6,251,118,729,877.65 Day difference: $4,345,233,851.06 (billions) ***** Last year the Treasury Department did release a table showing, somewhat inadvertently, that more than 25 percent of the income tax cut will go to people making more than $200,000 per year. This number doesn't include the effects of estate tax repeal; in 1999 only 2 percent of estates paid any tax, and half of that tax was paid by only 0.16 percent of estates. The number also probably doesn't take account of the alternative minimum tax, which will snatch away most of the income tax cut for upper-middle-class families, but won't affect the rich. ***** Springtime for Hitler http://www.nytimes.com/2002/10/18/opinion/18KRUG.html?ex=1035928954&ei=1&en=4243a9cbc01e788b +=+=+=+ CALENDAR +=+=+=+ ***** TODAY, Saturday, October 19 ***** Ongoing Tent City, SF Fed Building http://lmno4p.org/actions.htm#bul Throughout the day, throughout the Bay "Bowling for Columbine" http://www.bowlingforcolumbine.com/ Showtimes http://movies.yahoo.com/shop?d=hv&id=1808419749&cf=showtimes 8a-4:30p East Bay Sanctuary Conference To Speak the Truth in a Time of Terror Dr. Helen Caldicott First Congregational Church of Oakland 2501 Harrison Street $30 minimum requested donation; no one turned away Vegetarian lunch included, with pre-registration http://www.eastbaysanctuary.org/ 12:00n In Shifting Sands The Truth About UNSCOM and the Disarming of Iraq A film by Scott Ritter Roxi - SF. http://www.roxie.com/Oct02.html#ShiftingSands 6p Cody's Books hosts an evening of reflection and discussion featuring authors Max Elbaum, William J. Rorabaugh and Reginald E. Zelnik http://lmno4p.org/updates.htm#cod 7:30p Teach-in on Iraq and the Middle East Norman Solomon, Institute for Public Accuracy Stephen Zunes, author, "Tinderbox: U.S. Middle East Policy and the Roots of Terrorism" College of Marin, Olney Hall College Ave, Kentfield $7/general. $3/students. No one will be turned away. 415/388-6488 ***** TOMORROW, Sunday, October 20 ***** Ongoing: Non-violent tent-city at SF Federal Building http://lmno4p.org/actions.htm#bul Throughout the day, throughout the Bay "Bowling for Columbine" http://www.bowlingforcolumbine.com/ Showtimes http://movies.yahoo.com/shop?d=hv&id=1808419749&cf=showtimes 3-~4:30p LMNOP Peace Walk Around Lake Merrit http://lmno4p.org/where_when.htm 7p Phyllis Bennis: "Before & After: US Foreign Policy and the September 11th Crisis" First Congregational Church 2501 Harrison Street (at 27th Street), Oakland http://lmno4p.org/updates.htm#phy http://lmno4p.org/calendar.htm More in the Resources section at LMNOP http://lmno4p.org/resources.htm +=+=+=+=+ LMNOP http://lmno4p.org archives of Daily Fact & Acts: http://lmno4p.org/fa/ +=+=+=+=+ Copyright MMII Wm Leslie Howard eYeOpenersdesign.com for LMNOP. Spread far & wide.