February 22, 2025 / Greg Alderete / The Suburban Times - In our schools, where young minds are meant to learn the art of questioning authority and embracing the complexity of human experience, the presence of Junior ROTC is a stark contradiction to these ideals. This program, designed to inculcate a militaristic mindset, pushes the notion that violence is an acceptable solution once diplomacy fails—a notion that has been used to justify brutal acts of killing throughout history.

By introducing teenagers to a worldview where the defined enemy must be eliminated, we risk teaching them that conflict can only be resolved through violence. This black-and-white perspective, one where under some circumstances killing is sanctioned and under others it is not, undermines the moral and ethical development that education should foster. Instead of nurturing critical thinking, empathy, and an understanding of the power of nonviolent resistance, Junior ROTC reinforces obedience and the glorification of force.

Book review: They Came for the Schools: One Town’s Fight Over Race and Identity, and the New War for America’s Classrooms.

January-March 2025 / Isidro Ortiz, PhD / Draft NOticesDraft NOtices - Written by acclaimed investigative journalist Mike Hixenbaugh, this book is worth an earnest read because of its focus, timeliness and documentation. It will be of interest to a diverse audience, especially those concerned with public schools and their roles and impact on youth development in society, and how elements of the Right have managed to achieve political power.

COMD, Project YANO and other organizations engaged in counter-recruitment and anti-militarism work have long recognized public schools as sites of ideological and political contestation. Fueled by this understanding, they have struggled to influence policies and practices like the involuntary placement of students in JROTC. Regrettably, as this book makes clear, they have not been the only ones to recognize the role of schools in shaping the country’s political climate.

In a clearly written exposé that draws from interviews and secondary sources such as school district records, Hixenbaugh chronicles the recent rise of a Christian conservative campaign that targets education policy. He tells how this movement is not just an attempt to convert public schools into private institutions but encompasses a powerful drive involving the imposition of Biblical values in schools, the banning of books, the redesign of curricula and the limiting of the rights of students of color and LGBTQ students. To his credit, he does so with clear investment in the outcomes of this campaign, searching for glimmers of hope that resistance to the movement will spread and succeed.

Feb 2, 2025 / Edward Hasbrouck / Antiwar -  According to an exclusive report by Fox News, the Oversight Project of the Heritage Foundation is filing Freedom Of Information Act (FOIA) requests with the Selective Service System and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for records of how many “illegal immigrants” may have violated US law by failing to register with the SSS for a possible future military draft. Fox News quotes the FOIA request as alleging that, “there is widespread criminal non-compliance by such aliens”.

The Oversight Project appears to misunderstand both immigration and Selective Service law. With respect to “illegal immigrants”, seeking asylum isn’t illegal – it’s a human right. By international treaty, penalties cannot lawfully be imposed on refugees for “illegal entry or presence”. And failing to register with the Selective Service System is a crime only if it is “knowing and willful”, which it usually isn’t. Most immigrants are unaware, until the question comes up on an application for naturalization, that they are supposed to sign up for a possible U.S. draft even if they aren’t U.S. citizens.

A Personal Reflection

2/17/2025 / NNOMY - In a world where conflicts often seem inevitable and the call to arms echoes throughout history, I find myself standing at a crossroads, choosing a path less trodden. The idea of war, with its inherent violence and suffering, clashes profoundly with my core beliefs and values. I have come to realize that participation in such conflicts is not a matter of bravery or cowardice but a profound reflection of one's principles and conscience.

From a young age, I was taught the importance of empathy, compassion, and the sanctity of life. These values have shaped my worldview, leading me to question the justifications for war and the price humanity pays in its wake. The stories of those who have suffered—the innocent lives lost, families torn apart, and communities devastated—resonate deeply within me. It is these very stories that fuel my conviction to take a stand against participating in or supporting wars.

Refusing to engage in war is not an act of indifference or apathy. On the contrary, it is a conscious choice rooted in the belief that there are alternative paths to resolving conflicts—paths that prioritize dialogue, understanding, and reconciliation over destruction and animosity. It is a belief in the power of humanity to rise above its baser instincts and seek solutions that uplift rather than degrade.

The decision to be "Not Available for Your War" is also a testament to the strength of one's moral compass. It is a declaration that my allegiance lies not with the machinery of war, but with the principles of peace and justice. It is an acknowledgment that while the pressures to conform and the fear of judgment may be overwhelming, staying true to one's convictions is paramount.

In this personal journey, I have drawn inspiration from historical figures and contemporary voices who have championed the cause of peace. From Mahatma Gandhi's philosophy of nonviolence to Malala Yousafzai's advocacy for education and equality, these individuals have shown that the fight for a better world does not require weapons but unwavering resolve and a commitment to positive change.

Ultimately, my stance is a call to introspection for all who find themselves grappling with the question of war. It is an invitation to explore the deeper values that define us as individuals and to consider the long-term impact of our choices on the world. By choosing to be "Not Available for Your War," I am choosing to be an advocate for peace, a voice for those who suffer in silence, and a beacon of hope for a future where conflicts are resolved through compassion and understanding.

In a world where conflicts often seem inevitable and the call to arms echoes throughout history, I find myself standing at a crossroads, choosing a path less trodden. The idea of war, with its inherent violence and suffering, clashes profoundly with my core beliefs and values. I have come to realize that participation in such conflicts is not a matter of bravery or cowardice but a profound reflection of one's principles and conscience.

From a young age, I was taught the importance of empathy, compassion, and the sanctity of life. These values have shaped my worldview, leading me to question the justifications for war and the price humanity pays in its wake. The stories of those who have suffered—the innocent lives lost, families torn apart, and communities devastated—resonate deeply within me. It is these very stories that fuel my conviction to take a stand against participating in or supporting wars.

December 11, 2024 / Congresswoman Sarah Jacobs / Media CenterPress Releases - Rep. Sara Jacobs (CA-51) released the following statement after voting against the FY 2025 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which included a gender-affirming care ban for dependents. If passed into law, this would mark the first time that Congress put anti-LGBTQ+ provisions into statute since Don't Ask, Don't Tell and the Defense of Marriage Act in the 1990s. This year’s NDAA also failed to include Rep. Jacobs’ bipartisan and bicameral provision to expand TRICARE coverage of IVF and other assisted reproductive technology to service members and their spouses.