topic : Conscientious Objection
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August 2007
by Seth Manzel
Getting out of the Army is not easy. It requires diligence and a fair amount of knowledge about the regulations regarding early separation. It is also not without consequences for the soldier. Early separation can lead to loss of VA benefits, dishonorable or less than honorable discharge, as well as an obligation to pay back bonus money. However, considering the current situation, it may be worth it. The following is an overview of some of the methods one might employ to gain his or her freedom from military service which include: conscientious objection, the Family Care Plan . . .
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August 2007
by Janet Blanding
War resisters Agustín Aguayo, Seth Manzel, and Aguayo's wife Helga spoke recently to a group of local peace activists gathered at Traditions Café on July 17. In defiance of the unspoken army policy of remaining silent after returning from war, they are speaking out about the injustices they have witnessed. Again and again the same themes emerged: a pattern of wartime abuses of civilians, tolerated and covered up by the military; deception and false promises used by recruiters to entice young people to enlist, followed by coercion and manipulation of enlisted men . . .
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December 2005
by Tom Crawford
Some issues loom so large and foreboding on our political and mental landscapes, we seem powerless in the face of them. The dark storm clouds of war, official lies, abandonment of our most needy citizens, and politicians' illegal behavior loom so large it seems the only thing we can do is hunker down and wait (pray!) for them to pass. As Bob Dylan puts it, "High water everywhere."
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September 2005
by Larry Mosqueda, Ph.D.
By August of 2005, the majority of Americans have turned against the US war against Iraq, which has been going on for 2 1/2 years (or for almost 15 years if the continuing Iraq war is dated from 1991). President Bush's approval rating has dropped to the level of Richard Nixon's during the height of Watergate.
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June 2005
by Molly Gibbs
The articles and email regarding the persistent presence of military recruiters in schools hit an all time high this last week. In recent months several messages have come from high school students seeking assistance for protection of their civil rights. Many questions are surfacing around the country:
What is the role of the military in our schools?
If recruiters are given the same rights accorded other post secondary high recruiters, those same rules apply to individuals or groups expressing concerns about the misinformation given to students?
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June 2005
Strategizing event on July 9
by Emily Lardner
In the early 1930's, John Dewey wrote that the public has no hands except those of individuals. There is no public, only individuals who decide to act on behalf of themselves and of others, including people who live far away. The U.S. is engaged in a war that is illegal under international law, a war that has no justification. Hundreds of thousands of people are suffering and dying, their lives and homes are being destroyed. Hundreds of thousands of people in the U.S. have expressed their view that the war is wrong. A majority of Americans think the . . .
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April 2005
by Simona Sharoni
As the second anniversary of the war on Iraq approaches and the death toll of U.S troops tops 1500, many soldiers return to our communities. To end the war, we must listen to their war stories rather then rely solely on peace marches. This challenge requires that we step outside of our comfort zone and talk to people whose political views may differ from ours. We ought to expose ourselves to the reality of war as experienced by our friends, neighbors and coworkers. Those of us who have organized and participated in countless peace demonstrations over the years are well aware . . .
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February 2005
by Ron Jacobs
When I left high school in 1973, most of my friends were glad that the likelihood of being drafted was almost nil. Sure, the law was still on the books, but the draft itself had, for all practical purposes, been terminated earlier that year. There were a variety of reasons for this move ─ incredible discontent, even open rebellion in the armed forces, and a desire by the government to get the youth back on its side being foremost among them and the class of 1973 was all too happy to accept any of them if it meant that they wouldn't have to wear the man's uniform.
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