Teens get training for conscientious objector status

[bluestateguy]

http://www.madison.com/tct/news/images/index.php?ntid=8923&ntpid=2

Alex McElhose says he would risk his life for a war if there was good enough reason.

"A war that involves genocide on the part of the enemy, like World War II, would be justified. Or a modern day example - serving on a peace-keeping mission in the Sudan," the 17-year-old Edgewood High School student said Tuesday night as he and other teenagers put together paperwork that could help them gain conscientious objector status in the event a military draft is reinstated.

cut

Michelle Nightoak, who led the session, told an audience of about 80 that she couldn't say with any certainty whether the draft will be reinstated. But in the event that there is one, she tried to instruct participants on how to avoid military service.

"You have - get this - 10 days to file a claim that you are a conscientious objector," she said.

[zmdem]

1. World War II ??

Like Dresden, Hiroshima ? Such events make most other American wars look good by comparison. I fail to see the distinction being made. We didn't enter the war because of genocide. This like saying we went to war with Iraq for humanitarian reasons, to help the miserable Iraqis under the lash of Saddam Hussein.

[YankeeFan]

2. Let Me Guess...

You have never heard of Auschwitz.

I've read two different books by survivors. I hope you never see a "Musselman", if I got the spelling right, in person.

[zmdem]

3. I Have heard of Auschwitz

A nasty piece of work it was. Still, it had nothing to do with why we entered the war in Europe.

[ParisFrance]

5. We were unaware of the death camps until we finally reached Germany.

[zmdem]

6. If that's the case then

We obviously didn't enter the war to stop genocide. Your point, I assume.

[murielm99]

4. The peace churches did some excellent work on

helping people get CO status during the Vietnam War.

Mennonites, Brethren and Friends helped out. I remember books they wrote.

I hope they do not have to gear up again.

[Chovexani]

7. God.

Four years ago could anyone have possibly imagined that things in America would get to this point?

The youth of America are being sacrificed to Mammon, on an altar that runs with blood and oil. So many futures snuffed out, and for what?

Billionaires line their pockets with gold and children die. Brown kids, poor kids.

This is a god damn shame. Kids should be thinking about the future, school, making a life for themselves. They shouldn't have to think about how they're going to tell the old white guys in charge that they don't want to die, they don't want to kill other kids to make stock go up.

I can't take any more of this. This country can't take any more of this.