[Peace-discuss] Fwd: Conscientious Objection

[Jay Mittenthal]

>Date: 16 Oct 2002 14:14:11 -0000
>From: "MoveOn Bulletin" <moveon-help at list.moveon.org>
>To: "Jay Mittenthal" <mitten at life.uiuc.edu>
>Subject: Conscientious Objection
>X-MailScanner: Found to be clean
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>
>
>CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTION
>
>
>
>MoveOn Bulletin
>Wednesday, October 16, 2002
>Editor: Susan Thompson, 
><mailto:susan.thompson at moveon.org>susan.thompson at moveon.org
>Editorial Assistant: Leah Appet, <mailto:leah at moveon.org>leah at moveon.org
>
>Subscribe online at:
><http://www.moveon.org/moveonbulletin/>http://www.moveon.org/moveonbulletin/
>
>
>CONTENTS:
>    * Introduction: Saying No to War, Drafted or Otherwise
>    * One Link: All About Conscientious Objection
>    * Conscientious Objection and the Draft
>    * Conscientious Objection and Taxes
>    * Conscientious Objection, the "War on Terrorism", and Iraq
>    * Conscientious Objection in the Past: Some Examples
>    * Actions, Organizations, and Links
>    * 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>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>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>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>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>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>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>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>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>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>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>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>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>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>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>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>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>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>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>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>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>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>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>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>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/>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>http://baez.woz.org/jbchron.html
>
>
>ACTIONS, ORGANIZATIONS, AND LINKS
>The Central Committee for Conscientious Objectors.
><http://www.objector.org/>http://www.objector.org/
>
>Center on Conscience and War.
><http://www.nisbco.org/>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>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/>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>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>http://www.afsc.org/pindx/cos.htm
>
>
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