[Peace-discuss] Re: [Wefta] military recruitment on WEFT (!)

[John Baldridge]

I don't know about the technical issues of the mailing lists in question.

However, I will say this:  It is ridiculous to criticize a person's
successful activist efforts by claiming they haven't done enough, or that
they aren't a "real anti-militarist."  Doug Rokke has been a tireless
advocate for the banning of depleted uranium weapons.  His military
credentials add great credibility to his voice because he has direct
experience, and these credentials have helped to gain attention and support
for this issue that otherwise would  never have been gained.

  The fact that active and former military personnel are active in the peace
movement is a very positive thing.  It also means that some participants in
the peace movement will have been influenced by the military culture, and
will natuarlly feel a certain loyalty to that culture.  This in no way
invalidates their contributions.

  You are correct, Bill, that much more work needs to be done.  But Doug's
contribution to the spectrum of effort for rational society is real, and
cannot be discounted.

John.




----- Original Message -----
From: "bill" <laborer at bement.net>
To: <Dlind49 at aol.com>; <prorobert8 at hotmail.com>
Cc: <wefta at prairienet.org>; <peace-discuss at lists.groogroo.com>
Sent: Thursday, September 11, 2003 9:59 PM
Subject: Re: [Peace-discuss] Re: [Wefta] military recruitment on WEFT (!)


> Is Doug Rokke a WEFT Associate?  If not, please remosve him from this list
> that is already too with communication between actual Associates.  Also, I
> would ask the members of this list to stop replying to his messages and
> sending me messages about how this guy is so cool because he works against
> the use of depleted uranium weapons.  DU is only the top of the iceberg,
> which is being publicized by many people who, unlike Rokke, sre real
> anti-militarists.
>
> DU weapons are definitely a scandal.  So is the rest of the military.  Why
> criticize a small aspect of the militiary and then turn around and talk
> about how otherwise our armed forces are great?  Is DU worse than cluster
> bombs or land mines.  Is DU worse than doing everything the military can
do
> to brainwash millions of impressionable young recruits into robotic
killing
> machines (even if that affect is not the result, it is the goal!)?  Is it
> not possible that the brainwashing succeeds in many soldiers with bad
> results for their families?
>
> I, for one, am not interested in receiving messages full of military
> apologia.
>
> Bill Gorrell
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: <Dlind49 at aol.com>
> To: <prorobert8 at hotmail.com>; <laborer at bement.net>
> Cc: <wefta at prairienet.org>; <peace-discuss at lists.groogroo.com>
> Sent: Friday, September 05, 2003 7:04 AM
> Subject: Re: [Peace-discuss] Re: [Wefta] military recruitment on WEFT (!)
>
>
> > Robert: The abuse you encountered is not part of the military but part
of
> > serious family problem by a person who should never have been in the
> military
> > and should be prosecuted. Report it now!  Yes, the military is all about
> killing
> > and destroying and individuals are taught that and conditioned to do
that
> > without remorse. Sometimes that is necessary despite what you may think.
> > Although, you may see the military only as apart of the industrial
> complex, and it
> > is, it has more than that purpose. Your entire concept that the police
and
> > military is only a tool for the for the rich and powerful shows your own
> bias and
> > lack of experience and knowledge. Police ar outt here protecting and
> serving
> > the public-most of their jtime on the ob is dealing with family problms
> and
> > criminal actions caused by individuals who make a choice. Represuion
does
> exist
> > but it is not pervasive and the purpose of thse groups. And where does
the
> idea
> > come from that textbooks are sponsored by corporations? That is just not
> worth
> > discussing.  And if you do not like a textbook why not write a new
> textbook?
> > The labeling of an enemy to optimize fighting is flat wrong but it does
> > enable easier military actions and racism may or may not be part of the
> equation.
> > Although racism is flat wrong and does exist, everything is not due to
> racism.
> > So get a life. As to atrocities during war or combat- yes they exist and
> have
> > many reasons and causes. Yes they are flat wrong but part of life and
the
> > military that we must change.  Now, how about helping make a real
> difference? If
> > you do not like something help change it, do not just attack it.  Join
me
> in
> > helping me and my team members prepare and conduct lectures, radio
> interviews,
> > television documentaries,  newspaper and magazine stories, congrssional
> > briefings, and help us / me write research papers to change and improve
> the quality
> > and functioning of the military and police personel and systems. You may
> not
> > like either and wish they were gone but they are here to stay because
the
> are
> > both necessary, reality not wishful utopia, and thus you can either help
> change
> > them and improve them or just ignore them and continue to complain about
> them
> > without effective action.  This entire discussion that started after a
> PSA
> > on U.S. Marine Corps recruiting that was broadcast on WEFT has been
> > frustrating. I asked for help to write a short anti military recruiting
> annoucement that
> > we could have broadcast and/or propose a radio show to discuss the
> realities,
> > immediate and long problems and reasons why individuals should not join
> the
> > military today. But just like I have found over the past few years very
> few want
> > to help do the work that can make a difference but toooo many just
> complain
> > and argue and talk about it.  So once more- who wants to help me?  Do
you
> want
> > to make a real difference?  If so please help me.
> >
> > doug
> >
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Peace-discuss mailing list
> Peace-discuss at lists.cu.groogroo.com
> http://lists.cu.groogroo.com/cgi-bin/listinfo/peace-discuss
>
>