$2.95

summer 1999

NATIONAL CAMPAIGN FOR A

PEACE TAX FUND

United Nations Consults Conscience

INternational Conscience and Peace Tax organization nominated for "special Consultative Status" at U.n.

T

he Committee for non-governmental organizations (NGOs) of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) has nominated Conscience and Peace Tax International for "special consultative status" (as an NGO), June 11, at the UN headquarters in New York.

Conscience and Peace Tax International (CPTI) was represented at the meeting by its Vice Chair Marian Franz, and she was accompanied by NCPTF board members (and resident UN experts) John Randall and Rosa Packard. "We are grateful that ECOSOC subcommittee has recognized the importance of the fundamental right to freedom of conscience and religion," said Ms. Franz, "we hope that CPTI's new status will help promote alternatives to war."

Continued on page 5

At UN HQ, pictured from left: Rosa Packard (NCPTF board); Marian Franz (CPTI Vice Chair, NCPTF Exec Dir); and John Randall (NCPTF board)

News From The Field

Teamwork Helps Activists Think Long-Term - by Rachel harrison

in This Issue

Packard Vs USA....2

The United Nations and Conscience.....3

Action Alerts........7

Congressional District Contact list..................8/9

F

or a young activist like me, it's important to know how committed Peace Tax Fund supporters can pace themselves for long-term work. When we work for peace, we work for better relationships with each other. If we work for peace with a partner, we know we are building peace by building relationships within the work.

One example of a strong peacemaking relationship is the partnership of Sue Klassen and Dennis Lehmann of District 20 in New York. They have been Congressional District Contacts (CDCs) for several years, meaning that they commit to regular activism and education locally. They have found the team approach invigorating.

Continued on page 6

N a t i o n a l C a m p a i g n f o r a P e a c e T a x F u n d / S p r i n g 1 9 9 9

June 26, participants in the "Not a Victory Parade," (pictured on right) sending a message that the US and NATO must pay for the rebuilding of all of Yugoslavia. "President Clinton's declaration this week that 'Not a penny' will be spent on rebuilding destroyed civilian infrastructure by NATO confirms that US policy is not only immoral, but also illegal," says Malcolm Cannon, Washington Director of the International Action Center. "IAC is outlining a multi-point indictment of the U.S. Government's conduct in the war against Yugoslavia through a Commission of Inquiry initiated by former U.S. Attorney General Ramsey Clark for the International War Crimes Tribunal."

Original Cosponsors of the 106th Congress

The National Campaign for a Peace Tax Fund

The Peace Tax Foundation

John Lewis (D-GA-5)

Jim Leach (R-IA-1)

Corrine Brown (D-FL-3)

John Conyers, Jr. (D-MI-14)

Peter DeFazio (D-OR-4)

William Delahunt (D-MA-10)

Eliot Engel (D-NY-17)

Barney Frank (D-MA-4)

Maurice Hinchey (D-NY-26)

Steve Horn (R-CA-38)

Barbara Lee (D-CA-9)

Edward Markey (D-MA-7)

James McGovern (D-MA-3)

George Miller (D-CA-7)

David Minge (D-MN-2)

Jerry Moran (R-KS-1)

Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC)

James Oberstar (D-MN-8)

Major Owens (D-NY-11)

Donald Payne (D-NJ-10)

Nancy Pelosi (D-CA-8)

Lynn Rivers (D-MI-13)

Edolphus Towns (D-NY-10)

Lynn Woolsey (D-CA-6)

Executive Director: Marian C. Franz

Outreach: Tom Kierans

Admin. Assist.: Alicia Daetwyler-Parks

Intern: Rachel Avery Harrison

Chair: E. William Galvin

Honorary Chair: David R. Bassett

This newsletter is published quarterly. Annual membership to

the National Campaign for a Peace Tax Fund is $25.

Since the Campaign advocates for the rights of conscience legislatively, gifts are not tax deductible. Tax-deductible contributions can be made to the Peace Tax Foundation, which educates the public about issues of taxes and war.

2121 Decatur Place, NW

Washington, DC 20008-1923

Phone: (202) 483-3751

Toll-free: (888) PEACE-TAX

Fax: (202) 986-0667

E-mail: peacetaxfund@igc.org

Web: http://www.nonviolence.org/peacetax

Legislative Update Hotline (24 hr): (800) 550-6039

You are welcome to use or otherwise reproduce in other publications any or all of the contents of this newsletter, and we appreciate receiving copies of such uses.

Please thank them for taking a public stand!

Board membership

The Board of NCPTF is the governing body elected by the membership. Any 15 members may nominate an individual for election to the board of ncptf. Alternatively, any member may suggest an individual to the nomination committee for consideration. Please contact the NCPTF office for further details.

N a t i o n a l C a m p a i g n f o r a P e a c e T a x F u n d / S p r i n g 1 9 9 9

The United Nations and Freedom of Conscience...

A

or how the Conscience and Peace Tax International was nominated for special consultative status in the a committee of the UN.

Photo: Marge Schier

D

id you know that the United Nations considers freedom of conscience to be a human right? It did so not only in the non-binding Universal Declaration of Human Rights but in a legally binding treaty (or covenant).

1948: the UN General Assembly (GA) said, "the inherent dignity of the equal and inalienable rights of all members of the human family is the foundation of freedom, justice and peace in the world..." Article 18 of the Declaration is specific: "Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion..."

1976: The General Assembly passed The International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights as legally binding treaty, referred to as the Covenant.

1993: The Human Rights Committee of the GA adopted by consensus its general comment on Article 18 of the Covenant. The Human Rights Committee, (under auspices of GA), a body of eighteen independent experts "of high moral character and recognized competence in the field of human rights," has important functions. It is charged with overseeing the implementation of the Covenant and with producing general comments which then constitute the most authoritative interpretation of the provisions of the Covenant.

The comments of the Human Rights Committee are profound.

* The right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion...is far reaching. There are "no limitations whatever on the freedom of thought and conscience. Both are protected equally with freedom of religion and belief."

* The Covenant does not explicitly refer to a right of conscientious objection, but the Committee believes that such a right can (emphasis mine) be derived from Article 18, "inasmuch as the obligation to use lethal force may seriously conflict with the freedom of conscience and the right to manifest one's religion and belief."

Marian Franz is the Executive Director of the Peace Tax Fund.

* The Covenant legitimizes the evolution of conscientious objection, by building on the fact that an increasing number of states do recognize conscientious objection. The Committee opens the ways to police conscientious objector provisions in states which do make provisions, by asking them to report on the "nature and length" of the alternative national service.

* The Committee is categorical that if a state does provide for conscientious objectors, whether by law, or simply in fact, "There shall be no differentiation...on the basis of their particular beliefs." "Political" and selective conscientious objectors are not covered.

* The Committee specified, "There shall be no discrimination against conscientious objectors because they have failed to perform military service."

* Restrictions on freedom to manifest religion can be allowed only to protect public safety, order, health or morals, or the fundamental rights and freedoms of others.

1986 to present: International Conference of War Tax Resisters and Peace Tax Campaigns has met bi-annaully in six European countries and India since 1986. Conscience and Peace Tax International (CPTI), the organization which is nominated for UN status, grew out of, but is not coterminus with the Conference.

CPTI has stated as its main focus: to establish itself in the UN Economics and Social Council (ECOSOC) and to lobby for the inclusion of the right of conscientious objection (sometimes still to military service, and then afterwards to paying taxes for military purposes) in international agreements with the United Nations, the European Parliament and other international bodies.

1996: CPTI was constituted as a legal entity by King Albert of Belgium, thus making the organization eligible for UN status.

That brings us to the present nomination and makes us look forward with great anticipation to the next meetings of the International Conference and of CPTI which will be in Washington, DC, July 6-9, 2000.

Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion.

UN Declaration of Human Rights, 1948

N a t i o n a l C a m p a i g n f o r a P e a c e T a x F u n d / S p r i n g 1 9 9 9

Campaign Notes

News from the courts

Received recently was the following summary order from the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit in the case of Packard VS The United States of America:

"This summary order will not be published in

Rosa Packard, NCPTF board member, whose case was the subject of these comments

the Feceral Reporter and may not be cited as precedential authority to this or any other Court, but may be called to the attention of this or any other court in a subsequent stage of this case, in a related case, or in any case for purposes of collateral estoppel or res judicata.

"This cause came on to be heard on the record from the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut, and was argued by counsel. (Peter Goldberger, for the Appellant and Michelle B. O'Connor, Tax Div., US Dep't of Justice)

"On Consideration Whereof, it is now hereby ordered, adjudged and decreed that the judgment of said District Court be and it hereby is affirmed on the authority of Browne v. United States, No. 986124, 1999 WL 304399 (@nd Circ. Mar. 24, 1999) slip op 3499(opinion filed May 14,1999) and Adams v Commissioner of Internal Revenue, 170 F 3d173 (3rd Cir. 1999.)

which are not meaningfully distinguishable from the present case.

"We have considered all of plaintiff's contentions on this appeal and have found them to be without merit. The judgment of the district court is affirmed.

"The contentions that the appeals court finds without merit include the plain language of RFRA, which states that when there is a compelling state

interest such as paying taxes, the government must demonstrate, not merely assert, that it is using the least restrictive means of burdening free exercise of religion. They have also found without merit the argument that the first amendment requires that lifting of penalties for reasonable cause must include religious exercise as well as things like financial hardship and attending a family funeral."

Overture to reason...

HR 1812 - Selective Service Standby Act of 1999

state student financial aid and employment. Young conscientious objectors must face the dilemma of either appeasing their conscience and breaking the law, or appeasing the law and causing their conscience to suffer unrest.

Do everyone a favor and call your member of Congress to support HR 1812. For more in formation, please contact: NISBCO, 1830 Connecticut Ave, NW, Washington DC 20009 (Phone (202) 483-2220), e-mail: nisbco@igc.org). You can also visit their web site (www.nisbco.org).

A

Bill designed to place the Selective Service System aside, since the present registration system is inefficient, unnecessary and unjust.

Non-registration by male United States citizens is a felony punishable by a $250,000 fine and/or five years in prison, as well as the denial of all federal student financial aid and employment and some

It is exactly because a man cannot do a thing that he is the proper judge of it.

The Critic as Artist, Oscar Wilde

N a t i o n a l C a m p a i g n f o r a P e a c e T a x F u n d / S p r i n g 1 9 9 9

(Continued from page 1)

ECOSOC was established by the United Nations Charter and is composed of 54 member nations. It promotes economic and social development and the protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms. ECOSOC has previously granted special consultative status to such diverse organizations as Amnesty International, the American Bar Association, Christian Aid, Mercy Corp International, Pax Christi International and the Simon Wiesenthal Center.

"The principle of conscience, a moral imperative governing the behavior of an individual - and an internationally recognized human rights principle - is central to the objectives and work of CPTI," Ms. Franz told the ECOSOC meeting. Ms. Franz also described to members of the subcommittee the nature of CPTI's past and future contribution to the United Nations.

ECOSOC member states warmly received CPTI's application. During his remarks regarding CPTI's application, the representative of India commented "I thought that conscientious objection was dead and rejoice that it is very much alive." With its new special consultative status, CPTI may now be invited to designate representatives to sit as observers at public meetings of ECOSOC and deliver written and oral presentations.

CPTI is a global organization which meets regularly in one of its constituent countries. The next conference will be hosted by the Washington-based National Campaign for a Peace Tax Fund during July 2000. CPTI executive committee members, based in Belgium, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, Spain and the United States, welcomed the ECOSOC decision.

CPTI is represented in the United States by the National Campaign for a Peace Tax Fund, which is promoting a Bill in the United States Congress to provide for a Peace Tax Fund. The Religious Freedom Peace Tax Fund Bill (HR1454) was introduced to the 106th Congress by Representatives John Lewis (D-GA) and Jim Leach (R-IA), and it would enable conscientious objectors to have their federal taxes directed to a special fund which could be used for non-military purposes only. "It would allow conscientious objectors to obey both their consciences and the tax laws, " Ms. Franz explained.

Marian Franz at the UN, claiming the gun was knotted before she got there.

N a t i o n a l C a m p a i g n f o r a P e a c e T a x F u n d / S p r i n g 1 9 9 9

News From The Field...Continued from page 1

About every two months, either Dennis or Sue drives the half-hour between their Webster and Rochester homes to meet. They might organize a mailing to local supporters, plan a presentation, or discuss how their Representative and Senators have been reacting to letters.

When Sue was "interested in becoming a CDC, but did not feel quite ready," she approached Dennis, who attends the same Mennonite Fellowship as she. According to Sue, when they began as Congressional District Contacts, Dennis was "more comfortable in [her] weak areas." Working as a team has helped her develop her skills in a broad range of areas. From giving presentations to a local Veterans for Peace chapter, to writing Letters to the Editor, to visiting the staff of Rep. Louise Slaughter, Dennis and Sue can combine their experience, ideas, and energy.

As CDC Coordinator, I have observed that they do more than twice the work that one CDC usually accomplishes. Dennis says that one of the most rewarding aspects of having a co-CDC is having "someone to hold me accountable." He also appreciates Sue's commitment to the issue.

"

The support they give each other is crucial. It undoubtedly contributes to the strength that makes Sue able to say, "No matter how long it takes, I refuse to despair or burn out." Dennis points out that it can be "hard to keep [the long-term view] in focus." But their partnership gives them perspective as well as endurance, as Sue describes:

"I take the long view of the work. Neither abolition of slavery nor women's rights nor conscientious objector status were won quickly or easily. I am thankful for those who kept on keeping on through all those years of work. It is more important that I be faithful to my beliefs and speak up for what I see as right than that I only attempt what I think I can accomplish in my lifetime."

Dennis and Sue have accomplished a great deal by educating their communities and by letting their Congresspeople know that their consciences are strong over time. We can all give each other support, from family members to committees to neighbors. Most CDCs working for HR 1454 don't have "co-CDCs." I hope that you will all find the good fortune of relationships that turn supporters into activists. We here at the NCPTF office can help you make these partnerships.

Rachel Harrison

So much has been destroyed

I have to cast my lot with those who age after age, perversely, without extraordinary power, reconstitute the world.

Adrienne Rich. Natural Resources

N a t i o n a l C a m p a i g n f o r a P e a c e T a x F u n d / S p r i n g 1 9 9 9

action alerts

e need Representatives Roemer and Kucinich to receive a stream of letters, calls and e-mails urging them to cosponsor the Bill. Please contact them expressing your support for the Religious Freedom Peace Tax Fund Bill (HR 1454). Your phone calls and letters play a very important role as we continue to talk with them and their staff in Washington.

W

Representative Kucinich

Ohio, 10th district, west Cleveland

Rep. Kucinich is known to be deeply concerned about US military ventures and excessive military spending. He is also in the process of formulating ideas regarding a US Department of Peace.

R E S O R C E S

Representative Roemer

(Indiana, 3rd district, South Bend)

Rep. Roemer's aid recently described the Bill to us as "excellent" and said that he is trying to persuade Rep. Roemer to cosponsor it. A local delegation is meeting in Rep. Roemer's constituency office and they would appreciate your support through writing letters.

Please make either or both Representatives aware that conscientious people who cannot pay taxes for the military are suffering as a result of their religious/moral beliefs. They need to know that conscientious objectors want to pay 100% of their taxes, but cannot because of their strong beliefs. They must hear your personal experiences and beliefs. Please contact either or both Representatives and ask them to cosponsor the Religious Freedom Peace Tax Fund Bill (HR 1454). You do not need to live in their districts to contact them and urge their cosponsorship of the Bill. However, letters and calls from constituents in the Representative's own districts, are especially important.

As always, we appreciate your support and are interested in receiving copies of your letters and the replies you receive.

N a t i o n a l C a m p a i g n f o r a P e a c e T a x F u n d / S p r i n g 1 9 9 9

Your Congressional District Contacts and Board of Directors

Congressional District Contacts for the Campaign, or CDCs, are committed activists and educators to whom we all owe our gratitude and support. They may work on any of a broad range of projects locally, and maintain dialogue with Representatives and Senators. Their long-term efforts are vital to the success of the Bill.

Contact your CDC to discuss your Congresspeople's attitude toward the Bill or other local Peace Tax Fund work. Please thank them for their efforts.

If you are interested in doing more, ask a CDC in your state, or call the office! CDC teams are especially effective and consistent in completing projects and supporting each other (see News from the Field, page 1).

Dana Bellwether, CA01

247 N Main #105

Fort Bragg, CA 95437

ihavewings@hotmail.com

John Owen, CA30 CA27

PO Box 65951

Los Angeles, CA 90065-0951

(213) 223-2966

Fax: (213) 847-8357

Pat Dressler, CA20

473 W Julia Way

Hanford, CA 93230

pndressl@lemoorenet.com

Pat Washburn Michener, CO04

PO Box 2814

Estes Park, CO 80517

(970) 586-5949

Rosa Packard (Board)

208 W Old Mill Rd

Greenwich, CT 06831

rpackard@earthlink.org

H: (203) 661-8946

Fax: same (call first)

Mary Miller (Board)

Episcopal Peace Fellowship

PO Box 28156

Washington, DC 20038

mary.miller@ecunet.org

W: (202) 783-3380

Fax: (202) 393-3695

H: 410-783-1847

Ann Wilcox (Board)

1113 Rhode Island Ave

Washington, DC 20005

H: (202) 387-2884

Fax: (202) 724-5459

Ken Giles (Board)

represents Jewish Peace Fellowship

4525 Burlington Pl NW

Washington DC 20016

H: (202) 686-9479

Fax: (301) 504-0862

Olive Wilson, IA05

5910 440th St

Primghar, IA 51245

(712) 448-2760

Elsie Speck, IL12

1206 W College St

Carbondale, IL 62901

(618) 549-2888

Ben Richmond (Board)

H: (765) 935-3289

Fax: (765) 966-1293

James Garber (Board)

402 Woodland Dr

N Manchester, IN 46962

201-4017@mcimail.com

Phone: (219) 982-4489

Fax: (219) 982-1330

John Schmidt, KS01

109 N Church

Goessel, KS 67053

Robert Hull, KS04

518 E 4th St

Newton, KS 67114

(316) 284 2423 (h)

hull@wsuhub.uc.twsu.edu

Fax: (316) 689-3750

Emilie Hamilton, MA01, MA02

PO Box 1025

Amherst, MA 01004

(413) 549- 1206

William Galvin (Board)

1716 Magnolia Ave

Relay, MD 21227

H: (410) 242-1906

Rev. Kim McDowell (Board)

University Park Church of the Brethren

4413 Tuckerman St

Hyattsville, MD 20782

hleighm@ix.netcom.com

W: (301) 864-4328

H: (301) 927-6836

Frank Massey (Board)

represents Friends United Meeting

Baltimore Yearly Meeting

17100 Quaker Lane

Sandy Spring, MD 20860

bymrsf@igc.org

H: (301) 744-0071

W: (301) 774-7663

Fax: (301) 774-7087

David Bassett (Board) MI13

1600 Brooklyn Ave

Ann Arbor, MI 48104

(313) 662-1373

drbasset@umich.edu

Tom Shea, MI01

529 W 9th St

Traverse City, MI 49684

(616) 946-3693

shea@traverse.com

Alan Gamble, MI04

Community of Conscience

908 Hopkins St

Mt Pleasant, MI 48858

(517) 773-0523

34tkn2t@cmuvm.csv.cmich.edu

N a t i o n a l C a m p a i g n f o r a P e a c e T a x F u n d / S p r i n g 1 9 9 9

Kim Kokett, MN06

570 110th Ave NW

Coon Rapids, MN 55448

(612) 757-3598

James Buffington Rood, NC02

440 E. New Hampshire Apt 2

Southern Pines, NC 28387

(910) 693-2362

Steve Ratzlaff (Board)

represents General Conf. Mennonite Church

12100 Adams

Lincoln, NE 68527

sr33725@navix.net

H: (402) 464-7840

Suzanne Rie Day, NJ03

3 Taylors Ln Farm

Cinnaminson, NJ 08077

(609) 829-7034

htaylor@pilot.njin.net

John Randall (Board)

13 Glenbrook Ave

Yonkers NY 10705-1650

johnrandall@earth.execnet.com

H: (914) 968-5312

Fax: (914) 963-8725

Eleanor Elizabeth Forman, NY08

299 10th Ave Apt 2A

New York, NY 10001

(212) 695-7286

Jay Albrecht, NY20

107 Franklin Towers

50 White St

Tarrytown, NY 10591

(914) 332-1901

fax: same (call first)

Mary Ann Cejka, NY19

21 Osage Dr W Apt B-5

Ossining, NY 10562

(914) 923-8243

mcejka@maryknoll.org

Dennis Lehmann, NY28

26 Elmdorf Ave

Rochester, NY 14619

(716) 235-4534

Thomas Martin Sundances, TN06

1245 Skabbs Branch Rd

Whitleyville, TN 38588

(615) 298-2434

Wendy Marsh, TX13

R 6 Box 100

Amarillo, TX 79124-9505

M F P D

806/359-1155

fax: (806) 359-6324

Margaret Foth (Board)

1130 Lincolnshire Dr

Harrisonburg, VA 22802

H: (540) 432-0814

Steve Kretzmann (Board)

138 Twin Oaks Rd

Louisa, VA 23093

stevik@twinoaks.org

Fax: (540) 894-4112

L William Yolton (Board)

3825 Gibbs St

Alexandria, VA 22309-2552

lwyolton@prodigy.net

H: (703) 360-3657

Fax: (703) 360-1992

Wes Hare, VA07

2350 A Staples Mill Rd.

Richmond, VA 23230-2830

(804) 358-1056 H

jhhare@aol.com

Tom and Howard-Hastings, WI07

12833 E Sth13

Maple, WI 54854

(715) 364-8533

laurentn@cpinternet.com

Cookie Anderson, WI04

3053 S Shore Dr

Milwaukee, WI 53207-3007

(414) 481-9213

Gabriel Rhodes

University of Chicago

5824 S Kimbark, Apt 3407 X

Chicago, IL 60637

Sue Klassen, NY28

293 Brooksboro Dr

Webster, NY 14580

(716) 265-4313

sueklassen@aol.com

Dorla Whipple, OH10

300 Austin St

Berea, OH 44017-2157

(440) 234-2114

Lois Kenagy, OR05

1650 Nebergall Loop NE

Albany, OR 97321

(541) 928-6843

kenagyl@peak.org

Michael Bogden, OR03

37601 E Knierie M Rd

Corbett, OR 97019-9705

(503) 253-6853

Marc Freligh, PA16

PO Box 181

Cochranville, PA 19330-0181

Richard Reichley, PA13

27 Crescent Cir

Harleysville, PA 19438

(215) 723 3288

mlzuercher@prodigy.net

Wallace T. Collett (Board)

1115 Ashbridge Rd

Rosemont PA 19010

H: (610) 519-9428

Fax: (610) 519-0405

Marj Schier (Board)

74 Verdant Rd

Levittown, PA 19057

H: 215-945-7061

Alfred and Gladys Claassen PA17

205 Colonial Dr

Akron, PA 17501

(717) 859-3182

Herb Meyers (Board)

615 Donegal Springs Rd.

Mt Joy, PA 17552

H: (717) -653-6802

Carol Tanner Dotterer, SC01 SC06

814 Robert E Lee Blvd

Charleston, SC 29412

(803) 722-3920

N a t i o n a l C a m p a i g n f o r a P e a c e T a x F u n d / S p r i n g 1 9 9 9

Go figure...

United states policy regarding international efforts to ban the use of child soldiers

U

18) on the grounds that it insists that it must facilitate its voluntary recruitment of 17 year olds.

You are invited to impress your views upon your Government by calling your member of Congress and insisting that they support legislation which is expected to be introduced shortly to the House of Representatives. For more information, please contact: Washington Coalition on Child Soldiers, 1830 Connecticut Ave, NW, Washington DC 20009 (Phone (202) 483-2220, e-mail nisbco@igc.org). You can also visit their web site (http://danenet.wicip.org/fbc/nochild.html).

nder current international law, children can be recruited and deployed in war from the age of 15. More than 300,000 children under the age of 18 are currently serving in armed forces around the world and most countries are finally attempting to outlaw this assault on childhood. Far from assisting these efforts, however, the United States is (on your behalf!) actually blocking the ability of the rest of the world to reach a consensus on protecting these children. As one of only two non-signatories to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989), the US justifies its blocking of the Optional Protocol (raising the minimum age of conscription to

Guns

by W.D. Ehrhart

Again we pass that field

green artillery piece squatting

by the Legion Post on Chelton Avenue,

its ugly little pointed snout

ranged against my daughter's school.

"Did you ever use a gun

like that?" my daughter asks,

and I say, "No, but others did.

I used a smaller gun. A rifle."

She knows I've been to war.

"That's dumb," she says,

and I say, "Yes," and nod

because it was, and nod again

because she doesn't know.

How do you tell a four-year-old

what steel can do to flesh?

How vivid do you dare to get?

How to explain a world where men

kill other men deliberately

and call it love of country?

Just eighteen, I killed

a ten-year old. I didn't know.

He spins across the marketplace

all shattered chest, all eyes and arms.

Do I tell her that? Not yet,

though one day I will have

no choice except to tell her

or to send her into the world

wide-eyed and ignorant.

The boy spins across the years

til he lands in a heap

in another war in another place

where yet another generation

is rudely about to discover

what their fathers never told them.

[Reprinted from The Distance We Travel by W.D. Ehrhart, Adastra Press, 1993]

W.D. Ehrahr, a Vietnam veteran, lives in Philadelphia,

N a t i o n a l C a m p a i g n f o r a P e a c e T a x F u n d / S p r i n g 1 9 9 9

R E S O U R C E S

Quantity Amount

Books

Seeking Peace, a new book from the Bruderhof, $15.00..................... _______ _______

Communities of Conscience: Collected Statements on Conscience and

Taxes for Military Preparation, 2nd edition, $7.95...................................... _______ _______

War Tax Resistance: A Guide to Withholding Your Support from the

Military, 4th edition edited by Ruth Benn, $12.00.......................................... _______ _______

Questions that Refuse to Go Away, by Marian Franz, $5.95............................ _______ _______

Downwardly Mobile for Conscience Sake, ed. Dorothy Andersen, $10.00... _______ _______

Why I Am a Conscientious Objector, by John M. Drescher, $4.95................. _______ _______

Handbook on Military Taxes and Conscience, produced by Friends

Committee on War Tax Concerns, $2.00.......................................................... _______ _______

What Belongs to Caesar? and The Tax Dilemma: Praying for Peace, Paying

for War . Classics by Donald Kaufman, $4.95 each or $7.95 for both..... _______ _______

Tools for Peace Tax Fund Activists

The Peace Tax Petition, FREE........................................................................... _______ _______

Activist Guide: Speaking for Conscience, $9.95............................................... _______ _______

Text of the Religious Freedom Peace Tax Fund Bill, $.20 each..................... _______ _______

Peace Tax Fund Basic Brochure, $.10 each .................................................... _______ _______

Do your Taxes have to Pay for War? Penny flyer, $.03 each......................... _______ _______

Conscientious Objector. Poem by Edna St. Vincent Millay, $0.25................. _______ _______

Paying for Peace. Peace tax campaigns throughout the world, $5.00.......... _______ _______

Proceedings of The Sixth International Conference on Peace Tax

Campaigns and War Tax Resistance, $6.95................................................ _______ _______

Stages of Conscientious Objection to Military Taxation, $0.20 each............. _______ _______

Buttons: "Taxes for Peace Not War" or Dove with Leaf (circle one), $0.50..... _______ _______

NCPTF Poster: Dove and Planet Earth, $1.00.................................................. _______ _______

Subtotal ________

Shipping ________

Total Enclosed ________

NCPTF Staff CHanges

We regret to announce the departure of Dan Chong (Outreach Director) and Alicia Daetwyler-Parks (Admin. Assist) who have contributed greatly to the campaign; they will be sorely missed both as dedicated professionals and as good friends. They are being replaced by Tom Kierans and Shayla Mills, respectively.

N a t i o n a l C a m p a i g n f o r a P e a c e T a x F u n d / S p r i n g 1 9 9 9

Nonprofit Org.

U.S. Postage Paid

Washington DC

Permit #8702

2121 Decatur Place NW

Washington, DC 20008-1923

Address correction requested.

Forwarding and return postage guaranteed.

The National Campaign for a Peace Tax Fund advocates for legislation enabling conscientious objectors to war to pay their federal taxes without violating their beliefs about not participating in the military. Contact us at the address above or at (202) 483-3751; toll free: (888) PEACE-TAX; Fax: (202) 986-0667; Email: peacetaxfund@igc.org; Website: www.nonviolence.org/peacetax. Printed on recycled paper.

Summer 1999

Your Story

hank you for sharing your personal stories about War Tax Resistance, but we need more!

peace tax fund fact sheet
The Religious Freedom Peace Tax Fund Bill would allow conscientious objectors to pay their full federal taxes into a separate fund which could not be used to support the military.

Conscientious objectors are people whose consciences forbid participation in war in any form, because of their deeply held religious or moral beliefs.

In the House, the Bill was introduced by Rep. John Lewis (D-GA-5th) in the 106th Congress on April 15, along with 24 cosponsors. The new bill number is HR 1454.

In the Senate, we are seeking a prominent Republican lead cosponsor to join Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA) before the Bill is introduced in the 106th Congress.

T

Yes you!

We need more people to describe their motivation and personal experience in this struggle for justice, and we need pictures! As you know, we're collecting these personal stories into one book that we can take to members of Congress, so that they may see for themselves that War Tax Resisters are normal people who simply wish to be free to live according to their consciences.

Remember....your story will be brought to the attention of many members of Congress, and will help persuade them that this really is an important issue to many citizens and that it deserves the accommodation of Congress.

Representative________

U.S. House

Washington, DC 20515

Contact Points

Senator_________

U.S. Senate

Washington, DC 20510

Capitol Switchboard: (202) 224-3121

President Bill Clinton

The White House

Washington, DC 20500

White House Comment Line: (202) 456-1414

White House Fax: (202) 456-2883

N a t i o n a l C a m p a i g n f o r a P e a c e T a x F u n d / S p r i n g 1 9 9 9