More draft tea leaves-- Beliefnet.com
Leaders of the Church of the Brethren say they will follow through on a request from the Selective Service to have "alternative service" programs in place for conscientious objectors if a draft is reinstated.
As one of the historic "peace churches" that shun military service, Brethren officials were "cautious" after an unannounced visit by a draft official to a church center in Maryland last October. Officials were worried that the visit signaled that a draft may be at hand.
In follow-up meetings, draft officials urged the church to dust off long-standing "alternative service" programs that allow conscientious objectors to serve in two-year domestic service projects in lieu of military service.
In a meeting Dec. 10, the church's council voted to "maximize our efforts" on alternative service, as well as help "guide our youth in their choice of nonviolent service."
"We don't want to miss the part of providing resources to our youth that will help them understand and embrace the Brethren peace witness," said Chris Bowman, moderator of the church's 2004 conference.
Selective Service officials have insisted there are no plans to reinstate the draft, and said Alternative Service Director Cassandra Costley stopped by the Brethren Service Center simply because she was in the area.
Just happened to be in the neighborhood, thought I'd drop by.
This reasoning explans a lot, actually. We never found Osama because we just didn't happen to be in the right area. Those folks who waited in rain for hours in the poorer districts in Ohio -- happened not to be in the right area. The lowballed tsunami victims? You guessed it.
And that name -- Cassandra Costley -- though apparently real, is too appropriate for words. Didn't she murder Mr. Mustard in the parlor with the candlestick? I would have bet real money that was Condi Rice's AOL avatar.
Note to self: When tempted to ask the question, "Do they really think the American people are that stupid?", remember (a) yes, they do, and (b) yes, at least 59 million of us are.
As one of the historic "peace churches" that shun military service, Brethren officials were "cautious" after an unannounced visit by a draft official to a church center in Maryland last October. Officials were worried that the visit signaled that a draft may be at hand.
In follow-up meetings, draft officials urged the church to dust off long-standing "alternative service" programs that allow conscientious objectors to serve in two-year domestic service projects in lieu of military service.
In a meeting Dec. 10, the church's council voted to "maximize our efforts" on alternative service, as well as help "guide our youth in their choice of nonviolent service."
"We don't want to miss the part of providing resources to our youth that will help them understand and embrace the Brethren peace witness," said Chris Bowman, moderator of the church's 2004 conference.
Selective Service officials have insisted there are no plans to reinstate the draft, and said Alternative Service Director Cassandra Costley stopped by the Brethren Service Center simply because she was in the area.
Just happened to be in the neighborhood, thought I'd drop by.
This reasoning explans a lot, actually. We never found Osama because we just didn't happen to be in the right area. Those folks who waited in rain for hours in the poorer districts in Ohio -- happened not to be in the right area. The lowballed tsunami victims? You guessed it.
And that name -- Cassandra Costley -- though apparently real, is too appropriate for words. Didn't she murder Mr. Mustard in the parlor with the candlestick? I would have bet real money that was Condi Rice's AOL avatar.
Note to self: When tempted to ask the question, "Do they really think the American people are that stupid?", remember (a) yes, they do, and (b) yes, at least 59 million of us are.
posted by bluememe at 1/05/2005
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