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Conscientious Objection and the US MilitaryConscientious Objection and the US Military Subscribe online at: CONTENTS: 1. Introduction: Saying No to War, Drafted or Otherwise INTRODUCTION: SAYING NO TO WAR, DRAFTED OR OTHERWISE 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. Eighteen-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
CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTION AND THE DRAFT
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.)
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.
This is a valuable explanation of what kinds of beliefs can qualify a person as a conscientious objector in the eyes of the government.
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.
CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTION AND TAXES
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.
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.
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.
Take a quick look at war tax resistance over the last 30 years as told through pictures: CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTION, THE WAR ON TERRORISM, AND IRAQ
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.
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."
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.
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."
Others have argued that a new type of draft needs to be instituted to train people to protect America from terrorist threats at home.
"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.
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.
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.
EXAMPLES OF CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTION
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.
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."
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.
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.
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.
ACTIONS, ORGANIZATIONS, AND LINKS
Center on Conscience and War.
Peace Taxpayers is a site meant to provide information, resources, support, and actions geared towards conscientious objection through not paying taxes.
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.
Links for Military Conscientious Objectors. List of organizations that offer counseling to military personnel seeking a discharge.
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. ABOUT THE MOVEON BULLETIN AND MOVEON.ORG MoveOn.org does not necessarily endorse the views espoused on the pages that we link to, nor do we vouch for their accuracy. Read them at your own risk. The MoveOn Bulletin is made possible by a dedicated team of volunteer researchers and editors. The Research Team is Susan Bunyan, Lita Epstein, Sharon Hametz, Matthew Jones, Harry Scott Knyrim, Linda Langness, Cameron McLaughlin, Janelle Miau, Vicki Nikolaidis, Dania Palanker, Kim Plofker, Jesse Rhodes, Christina Schofield, Ora Szekely, Bland Whitley, and Mary Williams. The Editing and Proofreading Team is Susan Baird, Robert Comninos, Kate Daly, Eileen Gillan, Mary Anne Henry, Kendra Lanning, Virginia L. Martin, Mercedes Newman, Marilyn Parks, Dawn Phelps, Rebecca M. Sulock and Rita Weinstein. MoveOn.org is an issue-oriented, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that gives people a voice in shaping the laws that affect our lives. MoveOn.org engages people in the civic process, using the Internet to democratically determine a non-partisan agenda, raising public awareness of pressing issues, and coordinating grassroots advocacy campaigns to encourage sound public policies.
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