Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: FRIDAY, February 15, 1991 TAG: 9102150501
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV4 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: KEVIN KITTREDGE NEW RIVER VALLEY BUREAU
DATELINE: BLACKSBURG LENGTH: Medium
But as a recent panel discussion here proved, some people are worried anyway.
About 30 people showed up at the Blacksburg branch library Wednesday to talk about the draft with Roanoke representatives of both the Selective Service System and Plowshare Peace Center, as well as a Botetourt County minister.
Though they noted that the draft is currently on standby, those on the panel fielded questions and discussed the requirements for becoming a conscientious objector.
"I learned a lot," Virginia Tech student Philip Bonham, 23, said afterwards. "This is the first time the issues have been clarified."
The informal panel came to Blacksburg at the request of Tech English instructor Richard Waters and other "concerned Blacksburgians," Waters said.
"We felt like we wanted some information about the draft," said Waters, who was himself classified a conscientious objector in 1973 and wore a "Wage Peace" button on his shirt Wednesday night.
Jamison, who oversees standby selective service boards in both Roanoke and the New River Valley, said a draft would take 20-year-olds first.
But even if a draft begins, the possibility of it reaching beyond a single year of births "is pretty far-fetched," Jamison said.
Jamison said he thinks a draft in the current conflict is unlikely in any case, unless the United States is attacked. President Bush, he noted, said he saw no need for the draft "as recently as two or three days ago."
Federal law currently requires all U.S. male citizens and male aliens residing in the United States to register for the draft within 30 days of their 18th birthday. Failure to do so is punishable by a fine of up to $250,000, five years' imprisonment, or both.
Attempts to be classified a conscientious objector may not be made until Congress actually votes the draft into action. A conscientious objector still must serve in a noncombatant military role or perform civilian alternative service.
Others on the three-man panel urged those in the audience to think deeply about the draft before making any decisions.
"How much philosophy does a 20-year-old have?" Tom Nasta of Plowshare Peace Center asked those in the crowd, most of whom looked to be older than 20. Nasta said he sidestepped the draft himself by joining the National Guard.
The Rev. Clyde Carter of the Botetourt County community of Daleville, whose Church of the Brethren denomination argues that all war is wrong, has been quoted as saying young people who oppose war should be willing to go to jail for what they believe.
Being a conscientious objector, Carter has said,"is not an escape from something, but a belief."
The minister said Wednesday that no one to his knowledge currently is being prosecuted for not registering for the draft.
Male students who do not register will be turned down for government student loans because they don't have a selective service number, Carter said. But he also said some colleges and churches make money available for those students.
Wednesday night's audience included several women.
"I don't think we are going to be drafted. But we have husbands, lovers, children. We will definitely be affected if any of them come home maimed, physically or psychologically," said Susan Anderson, a Tech math instructor.
Anderson said she attended the discussion because she has a reputation among her students as a peace activist - and suspects they will come to her to talk if a draft begins.
Knowing the draft laws ahead of time is important, said Steven Helm, one of those who requested the panel discussion.
To win conscientious objector status, a student should have written evidence of his views on record somewhere by the time he actually is drafted, Helm said. "You have to have a paper trail."
by CNB