The Bush administration has changed US nuclear policy in some significant ways that bring the world 
closer to nuclear war.  Check out these links:

Report: Nuclear weapons policy review names potential targets

Report: U.S. military told to prepare nukes


In light of this information there was a peace demonstration on the sidewalk in front of the State House
in Montpelier, VT on Sunday, March 10 at 10 AM.



      
Sunday, March 10, I went to the State House
      in Montpelier Vermont with two signs. "No to Bushs Nuclear
      War" and "Peace."


      
It was cold and windy, but the sun was
      out warming my face.


      
I stood alone for a while, turning this
      way and that so people in cars and pedestrians could see my signs.
      I said hello to the joggers.


      
Friends of mine joined me after half an
      hour or so. A woman, a man, and their two children, ages 11 and
      5. The two adults took turns with one of the signs and we waved
      at passersby. We did that for half an hour or so, then we went
      to get hot drinks. We returned to the State House and said our
      goodbyes. I stayed for half an hour more, showing my signs to
      people and waving.


      
Some people waved as they went by. Some
      flashed a peace sign, or honked their horns. One guy gave me
      a thumbs down, but out of approximately 100 cars that was the
      only overtly negative response I saw, and there were many positive
      responses from people.


      
I think that the American people are not
      in favor of war, and are certainly not in favor of nuclear war.
      For many reasons most people don't go out into the street when
      they become aware of things their government is doing which they
      do not support. That doesn't mean they agree with what's going
      on.


      
I wish people would take to the streets
      to voice their concerns. Peacefully. The government of the United
      States belongs to us, the people. It does not belong to the politicans.
      I wish the American people would take back their power from the
      people who are abusing it. Our government is a rogue government.
      Its head was not elected. The decisions being made do not have
      our well-being in mind. The people running our government are
      concerned with power, money, control, and they are willing to
      kill lots of people to get what they want. The thing is, they
      are our employees. We, the People, are their bosses, and if we
      tell them to stop what they're doing then they have to stop.
      We just need to raise our voices.


      
Raise your voice. Talk with your friends
      and coworkers. Do you want nuclear war? That is what the Bush
      government is preparing for.


      
It's patriotic to question authority. You
      won't be disloyal to your country if you question what your government
      is doing. Do you want your tax dollars to pay for killing people
      and the irradiation of the earth?


      
The people running our government are criminals.
      There is no other way to say it. And they have wrapped themselves
      in the flag in order to legitimize their actions, but what they
      are doing is not legitimate. They do not speak for me. I do not
      sanction their actions and I am one of the American people. These
      criminals took over our government by fixing an election. They
      were backed by a large corporation, Enron, which has since gone
      bankrupt making it's leaders extremely wealthy while robbing
      workers of billions in hard earned retirement savings. The people
      running our government have wrapped themselves in the flag which
      is supposed to represent justice, trading freedom for a totalitarian
      vision. Many people are fooled, but not all. It isn't too late
      for people to realize that the most patriotic thing we can do
      is to stand up for real justice, and real freedom, and for a
      true and lasting peace. I say "No to Bushs War!" No
      to Bushs nuclear war. No to Bushs illegal government. Yes to
      American democracy. Yes to peace. Yes to justice.





No Draft!
Walter I. Zeichner
1/25/02

Currently in the U. S. House of Representatives there is a bill called H. R. 3598, The Universal Military Training and Service Act of 2001, which brings back the military draft for all males within the U.S. between the ages of 18 and 22.  This bill was introduced by Mr. Smith of Michigan and Mr. Weldon of Pennsylvania on December 20, 2001.

I was a child and adolescent during the war in Vietnam, growing up in New Haven, CT, in a family with an activist mother.  During my early twenties I worked for a year as a counseling intern at the Vietnam Veterans Counseling Center when it was in Williston.  I can say with certainty that it is not a good thing to sacrifice a generation of young men on the altar of big business, oil, and a government which appears intent upon destroying as much life as it can, human and other life.  It is an act of insanity to go down that road again. Turning all young men into killers is not a good thing for our society or for the world.  Our species is ramping up the violence against each other and against the earth;  overcrowding the planet, polluting her, stripping whatever natural resources we can to maintain an unsustainable way of life.

I am asking everyone I come in contact with to contact their congressional representatives, and to ask them to oppose this with as much strength as they can muster.

This is important, as many issues are.  Since Bush was installed into the white house the level of danger in the world has increased exponentially, poverty and injustice are growing worldwide,the environment which is what keeps us alive is under constant assault.  Bush is a symbol of a corrupt system.  He, himself, is basically a game show host, saying what he is instructed to say, but he represents a cabal of men who are willing to sacrifice the lives of thousands or millions, and the integrity of the biosphere, for the sake of money and hierarchical power.  

The only way this can be stopped is if people stop cooperating with them.  Do not obey the draft.  Stop buying from the big corporations.  Speak out about injustice.  Dont allow yourself to be cowed by the fear of retribution from "the man."  As frightening as that is, we can only be silenced if we allow it.

Download a copy of the bill or read it below.

Currently in the U. S. House of Representatives there is a bill called H. R. 3598, The Universal Military Training and Service Act of 2001, which brings back the military draft for all males within the U.S. between the ages of 18 and 22. This bill was introduced by Mr. Smith of Michigan and Mr. Weldon of Pennsylvania on December 20, 2001. Currently HR3598 is not receiving coverage in the commercial media.

On Saturday, February 2, 2002 a group of 20 individuals from Vermont and New Hampshire gathered in front of the City Hall in Burlington Vermont to demonstrate their opposition to HR3598. The group was eclectic, made up of pagan activists, anti-fascists, and others including high school and college students. They walked up the Church Street Marketplace which is a walking street, distributing leaflets, talking with passersby, and were filmed by the local ABC and NBC affiliates.

The response from people on the street varied. Some people were interested to learn about this legislation, and were surprised they had not heard about it previously. One group of young men all took off their caps to show their freshly cropped hair, proclaiming "We've just joined up and are on our way." One young woman responded by saying "My father is in the military and he hasn't been killed so I think the draft is OK."

This same group intends to return on subsequent days to continue handing out leaflets, informing the people about this legislation.



<--back

HR 3598 IH

107th CONGRESS

1st Session

H. R. 3598

To require the induction into the Armed Forces of young men registered under the Military Selective Service Act, and to authorize young women to volunteer, to receive basic military training and education for a period of up to one year.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

 

December 20, 2001

Mr. SMITH of Michigan (for himself and Mr. WELDON of Pennsylvania) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Armed Services

A BILL

To require the induction into the Armed Forces of young men registered under the Military Selective Service Act, and to authorize young women to volunteer, to receive basic military training and education for a period of up to one year.

 

 

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE AND TABLE OF CONTENTS.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SEC. 3. BASIC MILITARY TRAINING AND EDUCATION.

 

 

 

SEC. 4. PERIOD OF BASIC MILITARY TRAINING AND EDUCATION.

 

 

diploma while receiving their basic military training and education.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SEC. 5. EDUCATIONAL SERVICES AND PRORATED MONTGOMERY GI BILL BENEFITS.

 

 

 

SEC. 6. ROLE OF SELECTIVE SERVICE SYSTEM.

 

 

 

SEC. 7. INDUCTION OF CONSCRIPTS AND ACCEPTANCE OF VOLUNTEERS.

 

 

 

 

 

 

SEC. 8. DEFERMENTS AND POSTPONEMENTS.

 

entitled to have his induction under section 3(a) postponed until he obtains a high school diploma, ceases to pursue satisfactorily such course of study, or attains the age of 20, whichever occurs first.

 

 

 

 

SEC. 9. EXEMPTIONS.

 

 

 

 

 

SEC. 10. MILITARY TRAINING IN BRANCH OF MEMBER'S CHOICE; CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTION.

 

 

 

 

SEC. 11. PAY AND ALLOWANCES.

 

 

SEC. 12. DISCHARGE FOLLOWING TRAINING.

 

 

SEC. 13. RELATION TO AUTHORIZED END STRENGTHS FOR ACTIVE FORCES.

 

 

SEC. 14. CONFORMING AMENDMENTS.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SEC. 15. TRANSITIONAL PROVISION.