Be prepared, in case of draft
by Maury Maverick: from the San Antonio Times Express
"If you know you won't and cannot be part of the military, then you're probably a conscientious objector. -Central Committee for Conscientious Objectors (1515 Cherry St., Philadelphia, Pa., 19102)
As the son of a U.S. Army lieutenant who was awarded the Silver Star and left a cripple for life from World War I combat wounds, I care about members of the U.S. military and do not want them to die because civilian politicians do not adequately seek peace.
The above high-minded organization, also known as CCCO, has the following additional ways to communicate with it:
1. Telephone: (215) 563-8787
2. Fax: (215) 567-2096
3. Internet e-mail: kevin@objector.org
4. Toll-free telephone: 1-800-665-7682
CCCO officials have expressed their opinion to me that there might be a new military draft if it comes to a war with Iraq. As a lawyer who represented conscientious objectors to the Vietnam War, my advice is not to wait until the barn burns down.
Become informed now.
When you communicate with CCCO in Philadelphia, do it mostly by letter and keep a copy, since you may later want to file it with your draft board if it comes to that.
For starters, promptly write to the organization and ask for its free four-page pamphlet titled "Questions and Answers about Draft Registration."
Here are two of the questions asked and answered:
"I am turning 18. What do I have to do?"
"How do I prove I am a CO?"
That pamphlet also directs you to several additional sources of information that can help young men protect themselves, whether they are civilians awaiting a draft board or people already in the military who have had a change of heart.
Here's more from that CCCO pamphlet: "The legal definition of a conscientious objector is a person who objects to participation in all forms of war, and whose belief is based on a religious, moral or ethical belief system.
To be a CO you don't have to believe in God; nor do you have to oppose using violence in personal self-defense...."
Do you think I am wrong for helping young men who might be subjected to a military draft over a war in Iraq?
In your heart of hearts what do you think about the Vietnam War draft where the poor boys went off to war while the swells went to college?
During those days I was up to my ears, mostly with poor-boy Catholic and Baptist objectors.
Now, for the eyes only of the San Antonio Bar Association: If there is to be a military draft to send young men off to war, I urge you to hold a seminar on how to represent a conscientious objector. Invite Gerald Goldstein to conduct the seminar. I trained him as a CO lawyer, and before the Vietnam War was over, he was teaching his old professor some things.
The pay is low and the agony is great, but you lawyers help those young men.
For people already in the military, note this toll-free telephone number listed by the CCCO as GI Rights Hotline: 1-800-FYI-95GI.
Postscript: Mamas, papas, uncles, aunts, grandpas and grandmas — keep this column in the event there is a war.
Aren't young men entitled to know the law of the land regarding war?
Peace on Earth!
10/06/2002