Army of None and Bands to Raise Awareness

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Army of None and Bands to Raise Awareness

Submitted by Robert Whitlock on Sun, 12/30/2007 - 9:02pm.

Start: Jan 11 2008 - 6:00pm

[via email:]

The authors of the counter-recruiting manual Army of None, Chnan Suarez-Diaz and David Solnit, will be in Olympia to lead an interesting and practical workshop for students. They will discuss counter-recruiting methods and issues surrounding ending the wars the Middle East. As veterans, David and Chanan will share the military story young people don’t hear from recruiters. As organizers, they will discuss tactics of effective resistance from around the country. This is part of a national tour called The Army of None Project, which is bringing skills workshops, live performances, and resources to 40 communities across the US.

Recruitment-age students interested in attending the workshop could be prepared with their questions and ideas for the future.

In addition to the workshop, four local musical acts will be performing: Gumar & His Magical Midi Band got so magical by dipping its cardboard instruments into a magical pond in the forest. The Blow, led by Khaela Maricich, is addicted to making songs. C.O.C.O. play bass and drums in the style of an early eighties no-wave band with soulful sixties girl group vocals. The Saints of Everyday Failures make music for the people -- live and direct, blunt and revealing.

The event takes place Friday, January 11, 2008 at The Olympia Center for the Performing Arts, Stage II (black box theater), located at 512 Washington Street in Downtown Olympia.

Event schedule:
6:00 Doors open, food
6:30 Workshop begins
8:00 Doors open for music. Admission: $6.00
8:30 Music: local musical acts Gumar & His Magical Midi Band, the Blow, C.O.C.O. and the Saints of Everyday Failures Admission is free all night for workshop participants and $6 for live music.
For more information, contact Know All You Can Know 360.412.1519, kayck@olywa.net or 360.951.2801, infokim@zhonka.net. Parents can call or write for information about how to get involved with local schools.

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More Information about the Army of None Booktour

Submitted by Robert Whitlock on Mon, 12/31/2007 - 8:43pm.

Here's a link: www.couragetoresist.org...

I'd actually like to hear

Submitted by The Fire Inside on Mon, 12/31/2007 - 11:01pm.

I'd actually like to hear how this goes/what is said.

All I can tell you is they had a fabulous turnout

Submitted by jlw on Sat, 01/12/2008 - 12:13pm.

My daughter went with a friend, and apparently there were over 60 attendees for the workshop. Afterward, the show was so packed, the organizers were turning people away. I chatted with David Solnit for a while after the workshop (which I did not attend myself), and he had some interesting things to say. For one, he mentioned that anti-recruitment was easy to get people involved with, because so many parents have such strong feelings about it. He also mentioned that people involved in anti-recruitment span the political spectrum; he told me he has seen die-hard Republicans do a 180-degree turn when recruiters start trying to influence their children to join the military.

I'm so glad so many people attended this event and heard the other side of the story -- recruiters come into the schools and deliver their message to a captive audience, but it's more difficult for young people to get another perspective on what the military may or may not do for them.

This world's crazy, give me the gun. -- P.J. Harvey

he told me he has seen

Submitted by The Fire Inside on Sat, 01/12/2008 - 1:04pm.

he told me he has seen die-hard Republicans do a 180-degree turn

Unfortunately, people across the political spectrum have no intent on supporting philosophy or ideology when they actually have to "put up."

So I'm curious: What was offered at this workshop? What was said?

I think it's interesting that people are this worked up over recruiters or that by simply explaining to people the way Army incentive programs work it's labeled "Army of None."

There's nothing wrong with actually knowing what you're getting into before joining the Army - or any branch of the Armed Forces, for that matter. I asked a lot of people for information prior to signing on the dotted line and it helped me when I went to the recruiter because I knew what I wanted from the Army.

I just wonder whether this workshop was an educational meeting about the Army or akin to disgruntled former employees preaching to the choir and giving the people who refuse to give serious thought to - never mind sign up for - the Armed Forces the comfort they need.

According to my daughter...

Submitted by jlw on Sat, 01/12/2008 - 1:37pm.

... they presented some of the information from the book, Army of None, with slides, then broke into small groups and discussed what they could do as community members to make potential recruits aware of the realities of enlistment that recruiters don't necessarily tell them. I recommend taking a look at the book if you want to get a sense of what they talked about, unless someone who attended is willing to post a more in-depth account of what happened.

This world's crazy, give me the gun. -- P.J. Harvey

Not knowing much about it

Submitted by JT on Sat, 01/12/2008 - 1:18pm.

I have mixed feelings from what I get about their message by looking at the attached link.

On one hand it looks like more of the anti-war movement and their propaganda. But on the other hand, if young men and women are joining based on the "sales pitch" from the armed forces recruiters, then it might be ok.

When I joined I knew what I wanted, did my research and got it all guaranteed. Some don't do that. Sounds like you did TFI, and good for you.

I don't know if recruitments are down now or not. They were way up for several years after 9/11. One of the bad things of low recruitments is those that are serving in the theater, will have to do longer tours if there is no one to replace them.

“America passes the critical gate test. Open the gate and see where people go – in or out. This is still the country people flock to.” George Will

I don't know if recruitments

Submitted by The Fire Inside on Sat, 01/12/2008 - 1:50pm.

I don't know if recruitments are down now or not.

I think there's been a slight downward tend the last couple of months. Prior to that, I think goals were being met.

Oh, and if one is examining the military right now people should be aware that there's no money for bonuses and other incentives. This applies to those of us who have already signed up. Luckily, I got my bonus just prior to funding running out and President Bush vetoing the defense policy bill.

Apparently, giving recruits

Submitted by jlw on Sat, 01/12/2008 - 3:08pm.

Apparently, giving recruits "moral waivers" for criminal offenses has helped the military meet recruitment goals in 2007. More info here about the outlook for 2008.

This world's crazy, give me the gun. -- P.J. Harvey

I'm mixed on this, because

Submitted by The Fire Inside on Sat, 01/12/2008 - 3:45pm.

I'm mixed on this (granting waivers), because there are a lot of unsavory people in the military (they're called "shitbags").

At the same time, military service offers a person with a criminal record or one who is in questionable moral standing the opportunity to turn their life around.

It's inherent that there are a number of negatives to being in the military.

Right now I'm watching the Seahawks - Packers game at 7:40 a.m. on Sunday in my barracks. I would much rather be stateside with my friends.

But it's a life experience, nonetheless.

I think if people had a better understanding of the military they would be less afraid of it. I'm going to see if I can't order this book from Amazon.com (I highly doubt the DoD carries it in our library system, but stranger things have happened) and figure out whether the book is educating people about the military experience or simply trying to push an agenda.

Nothing a draft wouldn't

Submitted by JT on Sat, 01/12/2008 - 3:41pm.

fix.

Too bad they are having to drop their recruiting standards. I think someone posted here the same is happening with police.

“America passes the critical gate test. Open the gate and see where people go – in or out. This is still the country people flock to.” George Will

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