US Military

[ironphoenix]

Amplifying a signal from commodorified and iclysdale.

US military personnel wishing to quit the service and seek asylum in Canada for reasons of conscience have a support network here in Canada: www.resisters.ca. The US government, for obvious reasons, does not want their military personnel to know about this, so spreading the word is one of the best things we can do.

As a former reservist, I repost this in the full awareness that this is a very serious measure. Desertion--because make no mistake, that's what's being encouraged here--is a serious offense in any armed force. I support it here because for some of the United States' servicewomen and servicemen, the alternatives are worse: to follow orders that they (and I) sincerely and deeply believe are illegal and unethical, or to be ostracized, punished or even physically endangered for disobeying those orders. Canada, as a nation, has stated its objections to this war, and has refused to participate in it as a belligerent. I believe that we have a duty to support those who, confronted with that same choice as individuals, agree with us.

If you agree, please support this effort by spreading the word, in the hope that it will reach its intended audience of US military personnel through the grapevine. You can, of course, also provide financial and political support; details on how to do this are available at www.resisters.ca.

[ETA: Also, I've printed the petition and written a letter based on their suggested template to my MP and the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration.]

Comments

[ironphoenix.livejournal.com]

You'd be surprised... the big risk right now is that Canada deport them right back to Uncle Big Brother Sam, so any pressure we can bring to bear on politicians here matters.

[zenten.livejournal.com]

While I support this, I have to wonder if this post is legal, since it's hosted on US servers.

[ironphoenix.livejournal.com]

Interesting point. I don't believe that I'm doing anything illegal, in that I am not advising illegal action, but I am encouraging Canadians, including the Government, to support the legal status of conscientious objectors in Canada. There is a fair bit of legal grey in this, I expect, but I believe this falls under the umbrella of political activism. As for LJ's liability, that's for them to figure out. If they ask politely for me to take down the posting, I'll likely do so... but by then, the message will be out, and the posting will be moot.

[commodorified.livejournal.com]

Directly counselling an individual to desert is illegal under US law -- and a bad idea, for that matter. Discussing the matter is not. Offering support to persons claiming refugee status in Canada is very much not.

[commodorified.livejournal.com]

Mike, you rock. Also, one of my guests is a gamer; would you be good with adding him to your gaming invite list?

[ironphoenix.livejournal.com]

Thanks! Also, sure, fire a name and address at me! (I. has my e-mail if you don't, I'm pretty sure.)

[torrain.livejournal.com]

Thanks for the heads-up on the letter template.

[ironphoenix.livejournal.com]

My pleasure!