Please help me with draft queries (re: compiling evidence)

Hello. I'm compiling evidence for registering as a CO, and I have several questions:

1. A great deal of my aversion to war stems from my religosity; I am a Christian socialist, and though I have a 2 year library list of progressive literature, and certainly have letters of support, I DO NOT have a close relationship with my church (Lutheran) or its deacon. My sojourn has been deeply personal. Does a case built (largely) on religious grounds look any way credible without the testimonial of a religious leader?

2. I have been to several protests, yet I only have ONE picture (dated, thanks to my digital camera) of a rally I attended in October, 2003. Since I have usually gone by myself, I have no evidence that I attended the others. How detrimental is this to my case?

Replies would be appreciated. Thank you.

http://www.peaceroots.org/co.htm and
Objector.org

You are thinking, and that's the most important first step. More young people are refusing to think about this issue.

Make a list of the books you have read that influence your thinking. Put down a few notes on each. Let's say you have 20 books, and can list 2 to 3 points from each. Then you have 50 points; make a rough outline, as if you were writing a term paper for a favorite class.

You don't have to have a close relationship to any one minister. It's far more important that you show the ability to think for yourself. However, it is still good to have "role models," for lack of better term. They do not even have to be people that you have met: it could be a figure like Martin Luther King. (If you choose Gandhi, be prepared: Gandhi had ideas about serving in non-combat roles that do not fit perfectly with CO. That doesn't mean to exclude Gandhi as an influence; just have some areas you are able to separate yourself from.)

On photos, rallies, etc: never underestimate the power of LTTE. Keep a copy of your own, in case some are not published.

Also, get a notebook. A 5-section spiral notebook will do. In part, write down sayings from people like King, Gandhi, Jesus, and John Lennon. In another part, glue in some news articles, etc, that having meaning to you.

Buy "anti-war" t-shirts. Wear them. Have photos of you wearing them. Buy and listen to anti-war music. Play a musical instrument and write anti-war songs.

There are all types of things you can be doing.

My apologies--I rarely do this kind of thing.

http://www.afsc.org/youthmil/cos/default.htm

Center for Conscience & War
http://www.nisbco.org/

War Resisters International (international news)
http://wri-irg.org/from-off.htm

Resource Center for Non-Violence
(draft counseling)
http://www.rcnv.org/

Central Committee for Conscientious Objectors
http://www.objector.org/

getting letters of support from NON-pacifists, particularly active or retired military, police, etc. Even garden variety vets might do.

Obviously, letters saying you are indeed a CO from people who disagree with you will have much greater weight than letters from peace activists.

Journals, letters, records of visits and counseling with Quakers, Mennonites, and other recognized pacifist organizations would be needed. There must be a paper trail detailing how you came to these conclusions.

Remember that you must object to ALL war, and not just what you consider particular illegal or immoral wars. And you must have serious religious or philosphical backing for your beliefs.

It is never easy getting CO status, but it can be done if you present the case properly.

for a friend-he had no interest in it and just got back from Iraq (thank god). The two things I recall are that you have to be against violence of any kind -they could trip you up with a question like "if someone attacked you-would you fight back?" I also seem to recall that having witnesses was very important-like friends and family. Good for you for doing this now instead of waiting for the draft! Good Luck!

Students learn process to become objectors to draft
http://www.collegian.psu.edu/archive/2005/03/03-21-05tdc/03-21-05dnews-09.asp

Area residents receive conscientious objector training
http://www.tahlequahdailypress.com/articles/2005/03/18/news/top_stories/aaaaaatraining.txt

Perhaps these will give you some guidence.

:argh:


some here on DU ought to pay attention to the UPCOMING DRAFT, but I fear they are too busy chattering away about a brain-dead corpse...


most of America's youth will go like sheep into the already rotating bush* military INDUSTRIAL FAN....chopped into CANNON FODDER....chattering away about a brain-dead corpse the whole way...