tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28861223088427553122024-03-05T17:55:56.837-08:00The Long Way to PeaceThe short way to peace? It is fast and accessible to anyone. But if you are only satisfied to take no less than the world with you, that is a long, slow way.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2886122308842755312.post-43583733225248385982011-04-11T18:51:00.000-07:002011-04-26T13:24:20.506-07:00Oh no! (for now)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/library/readings/subsignaling/media/iceburg_600.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 600px; height: 346px;" src="http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/library/readings/subsignaling/media/iceburg_600.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=1Evd6I5Lvd_n1CZreasGkXaNrRyM6STmlJbLvh5uZGfx2Se-rOOD3C0fbuZ1w&hl=en&authkey=CJ3C_6gP">Read the Opinion, here</a><br />And now some disappointing news, friends, though accompanied by a little ray of hope.<br /><br />Judge Urbina has granted the SSS's motion to dismiss, though has done so without prejudice. So what does that mean? Though this claim is dismissed for now, he has invited us to revise our claim and re-submit it, recognizing that the issues that he had with the previous claim may have been more semantic than substantial.<br /><br />Since the filing of the claim back in August 2009, the discussion between ourselves and the SSS veered away from the salient issue of the claim- if they were going to recognize a Conscientious Objection claim or not- to whether or not they already were doing so. <br /><br />They underscored a loophole in that they do keep little tiny photos of draftcards for eighty years after they receive them, where we had assumed they kept no record. Thus, they said, look, if you scribbled, "I'm a CO" in the margin of your draft card, we <span style="font-style:italic;">would</span> record it, so what's the big deal? (This discussion can be seen in greater detail in the motion to dismiss and responses, attached to the previous post.)<br /><br />Well, here's the deal. We replied that simple documentation wasn't what we meant by "official recognition" of a claim. According to the system, I would be just as ready to be drafted into the army as anyone else, and that is the point- my entire contention is that I am religiously unable to sign up to be considered ready for combat.<br /><br />But, for now, we're back to square one. Thanks for your continuing support in this long and drawn-out process, and please, don't stop dreaming ;)<br /><br />Hope you're well,<br />TobyUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2886122308842755312.post-61330718188721878442010-07-30T12:16:00.000-07:002010-07-31T15:15:19.677-07:00Well, at least we're going somewhere--<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJwEv9LQdDOTNCEEmZsx6vVYJ-OJLE8hOAxghB-yZ6i4fFjEkZ5aOxSHPKbihfkR-6Zps4r71dIstYgPB1FGusBN7pwiiUy7r6hr0Mke6WOUBCsvKNLmOyPsxZ871kh8-wuDWttteybAU/s1600/other.gif"><img style="MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 400px; FLOAT: left; HEIGHT: 275px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5500137901914317858" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJwEv9LQdDOTNCEEmZsx6vVYJ-OJLE8hOAxghB-yZ6i4fFjEkZ5aOxSHPKbihfkR-6Zps4r71dIstYgPB1FGusBN7pwiiUy7r6hr0Mke6WOUBCsvKNLmOyPsxZ871kh8-wuDWttteybAU/s400/other.gif" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><div><a href="https://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B-GLXcHXpiNeYWJhMWEyOTctOWExZS00NTA2LThhM2YtNjdlNGEzNWZiYTU0&hl=en&authkey=CL643IIH">1. SSS Motion to Dismiss </a><a href="https://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B-GLXcHXpiNeNmNlZDRjNmEtNDdjMC00YzRkLThlMDMtMTAzMTYwMTAwZTE1&hl=en&authkey=CPGFrZYB">2. Our Opposition </a><a href="https://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B-GLXcHXpiNeZDJmNDNlOGYtMDY1Yy00ODhiLTk1ZGEtOTViNzZmM2Y2MWQ3&hl=en&authkey=CN3f3IYB">3. SSS Reply to Our Opposition </a><br /><br />So, the SSS filed a motion to dismiss my case. This apparently signals the end of our talk of settlement, which is a little frustrating, but not really that unexpected. I still think our differences of opinion are really not that far off, and certainly bridgeable, but it seems that right now they'd rather return to the legal process than meet halfway. And what can I say? They gotta do what they think is best.<br /><br />Here're the plot points: they've filed their motion, we filed an opposition to it, and then they got to file an opposition to our opposition. (All above for your viewing pleasure.) Now they're all in the hands of our Judge Urbina who has the task of sifting through them and deciding if he thinks the case is worth hearing or not. He may ask the lawyers involved to discuss the matter in person, in which case I might head over to DC again and try to be useful.<br /><br />And, as always, I'm trying to be patient. If I've got to wait more than 3 years for relief, I've got to find a way to go on with my life anyhow. There's a reason this blog is titled The Long Way, I have to remind myself again and again, peace is my faith. Peace is my lifetime commitment. And when I realize that, the stress disappears; I'm doing what I love, striving to live well, and to me there's nothing better.<br /><br />Thanks for your time, and I hope your striving well too,<br />Love,<br />Toby</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2886122308842755312.post-68375708384250127772010-04-28T12:43:00.001-07:002010-04-28T12:47:01.158-07:00This blog has moved<br /> This blog is now located at http://registerforpeace.blogspot.com/.<br /> You will be automatically redirected in 30 seconds, or you may click <a href='http://registerforpeace.blogspot.com/'>here</a>.<br /><br /> For feed subscribers, please update your feed subscriptions to<br /> http://registerforpeace.blogspot.com/feeds/posts/default.<br /> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2886122308842755312.post-27088296683368634562010-02-11T14:56:00.000-08:002010-02-11T15:00:51.246-08:00Still Working On It!Until further notice, my lawyer and I are still in discussion with the Selective Service System and their legal help. (see preceding posts)<br /><br />I'm not supposed to talk about the details, but I remain positive, and am trying hard to keep patient. Thanks to all of you who are trying to do the same.<br /><br />Here's to peaceful alternatives open to all, someday.<br /><br />Best to you and yours,<br />TobyUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2886122308842755312.post-72994157650462584602009-11-12T16:15:00.000-08:002009-11-13T13:17:47.937-08:00Getting SettledThe Department of Justice lawyer wants to pursue settlement.<br /><br />We're working on a deal where my claim to conscientious objection will be recognized by letter before I register, in this way, the indication is that officially I am registering to be considered for non-military service.<br /><br />This doesn't mean I will be guaranteed CO status if a draft occurs, but at least my intent is clear and the process is in accordance with my beliefs.<br /><br />It's a very exciting development, honestly, I was prepared for a much longer and more difficult process. Still, it's not over yet- my lawyer and I have drafted our letter requesting recognition, but we have yet to hear a response. There may be quite a bit of negotiation still.<br /><br />But if this really is it, if they really stick to their offer and are ready to accommodate my needs, well I'll be happy as a clam and grateful for such swift satisfaction.<br /><br />I hope your fall is progressing as encouragingly as mine,<br />Love,<br />TobyUnknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2886122308842755312.post-64594954739289880582009-09-29T12:56:00.000-07:002009-10-09T13:34:20.509-07:00Can't call it yet, but hopeful signs -<div style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:arial;" class="im"><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" >The details are </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);font-size:100%;" >confidential</span><span style="font-size:100%;">, but this is what I'm at liberty to say:</span></div><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:Geneva;font-size:100%;" ><div class="im"><br />We're coming to the end of the time appointed for the Department of Justice to respond to our suit, (that is my lawyer's and mine, at this point he's really doing all the work.) However, the DOJ has happily not made a motion to dismiss the case as of yet, which seems to be a temporary vote of confidence that, yes, they think this is serious enough to not try to get it thrown out without discussion.<br /><br /></div> What has happened so far is that the DOJ lawyer has contacted my lawyer, they had a few friendly off-the-record talks, and the possibility of settlement has come up. I feel like a spy or a politician when I have to say that I'm not supposed to discuss what that might entail; but I think it's safe to assure you that this hypothetical settlement is probably not the sort where a person gets paid a lot of money to be quiet -</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:Geneva;font-size:100%;" >- since my lawsuit never asked for money in the first place -- </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:Geneva;font-size:100%;" >but more likely </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:Geneva;font-size:100%;" >one that involves some accommodation of my religious beliefs</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:Geneva;font-size:100%;" >.<div class="im"><br />Really, to me, this would be the best case scenario - to receive satisfaction and not even have to fight about it. A truly nonviolent alternative.<br /><br /></div> In any case, we've granted the defense </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:Geneva;font-size:100%;" >some extra time</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:Geneva;font-size:100%;" > to </span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:Geneva;font-size:100%;" >consider</span><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-family: georgia;font-family:Geneva;font-size:100%;" ><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"> this possibility, and then - who knows.</span><div class="im"><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Thank you for your interest and patience, and happy autumn.</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Love,</span><br /><span style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);">Toby</span><br /></div></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2886122308842755312.post-69104917582317679692009-08-07T20:26:00.000-07:002009-08-07T20:39:09.595-07:00Registering for Peace (an article for Yes! Magazine)<p><span><span style="font-size:85%;">by Tobin Jacobrown</span><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-style: italic;">(see the original article at the <a href="http://www.yesmagazine.org/peace/registering-for-peace">Yes! website</a>)</span><br /></p><p>On Wednesday, the 29th of July, I filed a lawsuit against the federal government declaring that, because of my religious beliefs, I should not be required to register for the draft unless it could be officially recognized that I claim to object to all war. </p> <p>I grew up believing not only in nonviolence, but also that I should never submit myself to a system that is contrary to my beliefs. As traditional principles of Quakerism, these were part of my religious education; but also, by Quaker teaching, a person must come to these conclusions only by checking their own conscience. </p> <p>There was no time that my beliefs were challenged as deeply as when I first had to decide whether or not to register.</p> <p>I had just come back from six months working with Burmese refugees in Thailand when I was delivered a letter threatening prosecution if I didn't sign a draft registration card, already inscribed with my name and address. Having just lived on the edge of a war-zone, my beliefs were as clear as ever before. </p> <p>On the other hand, refusing to register for the draft is a felony and, though no one has been convicted in two decades, it's punishable by up to five years in prison. Refusal also makes you ineligible for federal aid in paying for college, and, because of a recent wave of legislation, it can even keep you from renewing your driver’s license in all but a shrinking handful of states (my home state of Washington among them, lucky for me.) According to the Selective Service System, the organization that runs draft registration, many states with these license laws have seen registration leap to 99 percent.</p> <p>But a more pressing question for me was: What does a belief in nonviolence really mean? I had to go back to the beginning, to the very root of my beliefs. </p> <p>To me it came down to this: if I register, I'm saying, “If there's a war and you need someone to fight, call me up.” That's not a statement I can make and still respect my conscience. To me, any lie I put my word behind is reprehensible, and one that also violates my principles of belief is out of the question. If I'm ready to give up my beliefs for a little ease or regularity, what does that make me?</p> <p>I sent in the first of many letters to the SSS indicating my refusal and asking for relief on religious grounds (and making it clear that I would be happy to register for service, as long as it would be recognized that I was indicating service at a nonmilitary facility such as a hospital or school). Two years later, still denied federal college aid or recognition of my beliefs, I sat with my lawyer, Arthur Spitzer of the ACLU, in a benign waiting room deep in the DC federal court house, watching the friendly clerk as she photocopied the 15 pages of my legal complaint.</p> <p>I don’t know what the outcome will be, but I’m happy and exhausted, in the capital of this nation that will always be my home, no matter how far I travel. I feel grateful to finally have a way that I can seek relief; still, I think the change that I'm asking for is mostly a change of minds.</p> <p>I can't tell you how often people have said to me, “I had no idea young men still have to register for the draft.”</p> <p>Many of those young men are unaware, too. Over and over I talk to men my own age who say, “I never registered.” I ask them if they're in college and, if so, if they're receiving any financial aid. If the answer is yes, then I tell them, “Well, then you did register.”</p> <p>I nearly registered myself on accident when I was filling out my application for student aid. There's a tiny line in the middle of the application for federal aid: the innocuous phrase, “Register student for Selective Service?” Below that is the fine print saying that if you answer “no” you won't be eligible for any financial aid. It's such a no-brainer that so many people answer yes, not realizing that a signature at the end of the form counts as an official signature registering you for the draft.</p> Now, like anyone involved in the legal process, I have to be patient. The defendants have 60 days before they have to respond, and it could be several years before this matter is settled. In the meantime, I'm looking forward to a country where service means more than war—and no other people, religious or secular, have to violate their beliefs in order to enjoy their rights.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />YES! Magazine encourages you to make free use of this article by taking these <a href="http://www.yesmagazine.org/about/reprints">easy steps</a>. <div class="documentByLine" style="border-top: 1px solid rgb(153, 153, 153); margin-top: 2em;"><style type="text/css"> @media print { #print_citation {display:block;} } @media screen { #print_citation {display:None;} } </style> <span id="print_citation">Jacobrown, T. (2009, August 05). Registering for Peace. Retrieved August 07, 2009, from YES! Magazine Web site: http://www.yesmagazine.org/peace/registering-for-peace.</span> This work is licensed under a <a class="link-plain" rel="license" alt="Creative Commons License" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/us/" title="Creative Commons License">Creative Commons License</a> <a class="link-plain" rel="license" alt="Creative Commons License" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/us/" title="Creative Commons License"> <img style="vertical-align: text-top; margin-top: 3px; padding-left: 5px;" src="http://i.creativecommons.org/l/by-nc-sa/3.0/us/80x15.png" alt="Creative Commons License" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2886122308842755312.post-10380048077142055902009-07-29T13:21:00.000-07:002009-07-30T10:36:51.597-07:00Suit Filed!After a delay to consider some new ideas from ACLU members, I'm happy and relieved to say that my suit was filed yesterday.<br /><br />After an interview that morning with the Washington Post<a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/29/AR2009072902625.html" target="_blank"></a> <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/29/AR2009072902625.html">(see it here)</a>, my lawyer and I filed a complaint at the federal courthouse on Constitution Ave, in view of 'the United States Capitol. We only had to walk a few blocks to serve the US attorneys office, and now the government has 60 days to respond.<br /><br />I'm pleased to report that the judge we've been assigned is Ricardo Urbina, known for his historic decision last year to free Uighur detainees at Guantanamo into the US. <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/08/washington/08detain.html">(ny times article here)</a>. At the time he said, “I think the moment has arrived for the court to shine the light of constitutionality on the reasons for detention,” a sentiment I certainly hope he repeats in my case.<br /><br />So I'm exhausted and overwhelmed with gratitude, not only that everything has proceeded so well so far, but to all of those who continue to offer their support over this long journey. I don't know what I could've done without you, but I'm sure it would pale in comparison to this.<br /><br />My hope remains that the word is spread widely and especially to those who have to wrestle with draft registration in the near future.<br /><br />If you're interested, below is the press release and a copy of the complaint filed in court.<br /><a href="http://www.registerforpeace.org/Jacobrown%20Press%20Release.pdf">1. Press Release.pdf</a><br /><a href="http://www.registerforpeace.org/Jacobrown%20Complaint.pdf">2. Complaint.pdf</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2886122308842755312.post-79266019076360600642009-07-18T13:57:00.000-07:002009-07-18T16:13:16.828-07:00Filing the Case: July 28thThree years ago, I had to make a decision. I knew I believed in nonviolence- I knew I would rather die than fight in a war- these were conclusions that no matter how many times I challenged, I always returned to. But now I had a new sort of challenge, and one that I knew would have a direct effect on my life.<br /><br />I had to decide, could I still respect my beliefs and sign up to be on a national list of potential soldiers? <br /><br />Of course, my first reaction was one of repulsion. I always believed in presenting myself honestly, and never taking on a role that I couldn't fulfill.<br /><br />But there were some pretty compelling reasons to question my reactions. For instance, the threat of felony. I knew it was unlikely I would be convicted for not registering (no one has since 1986,) but I had to face that possibility. <br /><br />Was I ready to go to jail for up to five years over this?<br /><br />More immediately, I would not be eligible for Federal Aid for college. According to federal rules submitted to colleges, I shouldn't be eligible for any financial aid. With my family's income, I knew this might rule out college altogether. This decision had the potential to drastically change my entire future.<br /><br />Of course it did change my future, though not in just the ways that I'd thought.<br /><br />The hardest part of my decision is not a part that I normally like to talk about. On the contrary, I'd usually rather laugh the whole thing off and say that it was no problem at all. But honestly, the hardest part was not that I could be punished, but that what I was taking action in opposition to my country.<br /><br />It sounds strange for someone with a history of activism, but before I'd always been engaged in legal protests in which I was only one of a large group of like-minded people. Now I was taking illegal action, and making a statement that while peaceful and seemingly benign, was also one that I had go alone. And suddenly, it called up a whole slew of personal questions.<br /><br />What does it mean to oppose a nation? Is this just fulfilling a 'rebel complex' in myself? Are my beliefs really worth violating a law? Will anybody else actually care?<br /><br />Not all of these questions were useful to me, but I couldn't help but wrestle them throughout the year surrounding my 18th birthday. As much as I would like to say that this was easy, it wasn't. In the years since, I still have to take time to review my decisions, and remind myself:<br /><br />I'm opposing this nation only in an effort to improve this nation- and respect myself;<br /><br />Though being a rebel can seem attractive, to truly please my conscience I have to act with humility and respect;<br /><br />I have to live by my own morals and ethics even before the law, though it can be a useful check;<br /><br />And over and over, I talk to people who do care. It helps especially when I hear from people my age, or not yet 18, who are considering the same issues as me. I start to realize, whatever I thought, I'm not alone. Though this has felt like a personal challenge, in truth, it's shared by many others.<br /><br />On the 28th of July I will file my case in Washington DC, asking for the right to register for the draft as conscientious objector to all war. For me, it's the culmination of years of wrestling with these issues, but I know it's not going to be the end.<br /><br />When I'm speaking in High Schools, I know that this is the real test of my work. I only hope that what I do is going to be useful for another generation of people asking these same questions.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2886122308842755312.post-5442864092413303792009-07-02T17:57:00.000-07:002013-08-30T19:05:42.525-07:001,000 miles to peace, specifically <div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.registerforpeace.org/uploaded_images/I-want-you-full-color2-786915.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://www.registerforpeace.org/uploaded_images/I-want-you-full-color2-786911.jpg" style="cursor: pointer; float: left; height: 320px; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; width: 294px;" /></a></div>
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Dear Friends,<br />
<br />
My lawyer and I are nearing a decision on a date to file our case, (sometime in the next month!) but I'm already looking forward to what's next.<br />
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I'm proud to announce that for my next adventure I'm planning a 1,000 mile bike trip down the west coast to spread the word about draft registration and conscientious objection.<span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span><br />
I'll be starting in Washington state early in September and plan to arrive in San Francisco late in October, hoping to stop and talk in high schools and do workshops in colleges along the way.<br />
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If you have any ideas for me or connections you think I should look up, please contact me. I'll be looking for interested folks of all types along the way, and especially teachers and students.<br />
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But that's not all. Meanwhile I am also working on a few new features to this website, (we'll see how many finally come into being,) but, here's one that I'm going to share whether it survives or not.<br />
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Here's the first few seconds of a small animated advertisement for the site. Please imagine beautiful music and stunning sound effects.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dz6Z-c9HrlkseKOaKMqmUi3NP9ro1ePbrKfRfFWwUzViF9KV8srqxxvRqFXYafvbmepk8wdQH9XM7Pz0AT6hA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br />
Maybe now I'll be convinced I need to finish it.<br />
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Thank you for your time, and I hope you're enjoying your summer.<br />
<br />
Best,<br />
TobyUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2886122308842755312.post-84721541470135510792009-04-20T21:52:00.000-07:002009-04-20T22:36:42.625-07:00A Reflection on DutyIt's a time of hard lessons and optimism, and its hard for me to call attention to my own issues when they may not seem as important as job-loss and poverty.<br /><br />What is harder to forget is that our nation is still at war, still pouring money into faraway conflicts, and still spending our most valuable resource: our young citizens. <br /><br />Until there is a draft, it is these people that I want to give my attention. Whatever our views on the war, I think Americans can come together in support of our young people in arms by giving them our good will and respect. I want to show my good will by making sure that any young American is informed about the nature of this war, and the affects of any war on a body and mind.<br /><br />Adversity can come in many forms. There's a <a href="http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8005198.stm">BBC article about women soldiers</a> that came out recently stating that, by studies funded by the Department of Veteran's Affairs, 30% of military women are raped while serving, 71% are sexually assaulted, and 90% are sexually harassed.<br /><br />"I was less scared of the mortar rounds that came in every day than I was of the men who shared my food," says Chantelle Hennebery, a seventeen year old soldier in Iraq. When Chantelle reported sexual harassment and assault by her superior officer, the only response she received was to be transferred to a different regiment.<br /><br />It's not hard to imagine why so many women are afraid to report sexual abuse. "There's an unwritten code of silence when it comes to sexual assault in the military," says Marti Ribeiro, an Airforce Sergeant who was assualted by a fellow serviceman while on duty in Afghanistan. "It's taken me more than a year to realise that it wasn't my fault... The military has a way of making females believe they brought this upon themselves. That's wrong."<br /><br />It is barely a comfort to know that the Department of Defense acknowledges this problem, estimating in its 2009 annual report on sexual assault that some 90% of military sexual assaults are never reported.<br /><br />Our young women deserve better. I hope you will join me in searching for a better way to treat all of our young citizens. We owe it to them.<br /><br />Thank you for your time and patience. I hope that you are enjoying the spring, and best of luck in your endeavors.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2886122308842755312.post-47645883408507379472009-03-06T21:20:00.000-08:002009-03-06T21:50:53.554-08:00New Year New WebsiteDear Friends,<br /><br />Here's to taking steps. Not necessarily big ones, but steps nonetheless.<br /><br />It's been three years since I made a decision to refuse to register for the draft, and it seems it is high time to inform those who are interested. <br /><br />It has been one year since a lawyer at the ACLU became convinced that I might have a case to raise in defense of my decision, and a number of months since his first contact to the Selective Service System, the executive organization that manages the draft.<br /><br />Now my job is to wait. The good thing about the ACLU is that they will provide expert lawyers and maybe even publicity free of charge. The only problem is you have to wait for them to finish defending Guantanamo detainees and other people whose cases are much more important than your own. <br /><br />Given these circumstances, I am happy to be patient for a while, but that does not mean that I have to be inactive. <br /><br />And so, when I am not working on education, music, cooking, meditating, and sleeping, (among other things,) I have been slowly taking steps towards building up this website.<br /><br />My next plan is to begin publicizing, and one of my schemes includes making a short animated advertisement for the website. Yes, I admit the plan is a little silly, and yet I am very excited about it. Expect it to be available within the next month or two.<br /><br />At that point, I will be asking supporters to please watch it, post links to it and the website, and of course tell their friends. If you want to keep posted on these developments, please send me an email or friend me on facebook (search for Tobin Jacobrown.)<br /><br />A great thank you to everyone who has lent me support and encouragement as I continue on my long route toward practicing peace. <br /><br />And while I am turning this out I hope you will join me in a special wish for peace and health for those in Gaza after the recent bombings, and to those in Darfur who will suffer now that prominent foreign aid organizations have been expelled.<br /><br />If the way was easy, it would be another world. My heart goes out to you.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0