Wisconsin woman seeks objector status
Milwaukee Journel Sentinel -- January 21, 2006
Pfc. Katherine Jashinski dresses in uniform every day, but instead of drilling for war with fellow soldiers, she spends her time on an Army post in Georgia sweeping floors, scrubbing bathrooms and wondering whether she's headed for jail. Jashinski is among a growing number of military members seeking to shed their uniforms and cut loose from their commitments to fight on behalf of the United States. They're seeking all sorts of outs including medical, psychological, pregnancy and dependency discharges, and more and more like Jashinski are applying for conscientious objector status.
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Soldiers seek ways to get out of military
Ottawa Citizen -- January 23, 2006
Increasing numbers of men and women in uniform are seeking honourable discharges as conscientious objectors. Others are suing the military, claiming their obligation has been wrongfully extended. Many have simply deserted, refusing to appear for duty.
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Grass-Roots Group of Troops Petitions Congress for Pullout From Iraq
The Washington Post -- October, 24 2006
"Just because you put on the uniform of our country doesn't mean you've given up your rights as a citizen," said J.E. McNeil, a lawyer for the group and executive director for the Center on Conscience & War, a Washington organization that protects the rights of conscientious objectors.
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U.S. generals call for Democratic takeover
Salon.com -- October 25, 2006
Two retired senior Army generals, who served in Iraq and previously voted Republican, are now openly endorsing a Democratic takeover of Congress.... "It is significant because it is a clear voice from people who are dedicated to the military and dedicated to service, but not dedicated to this war," said J.E. McNeil, the executive director at the Center on Conscience & War who is providing some legal advice to those participating.
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Iraq: Religion, ethics and values take center stage
ReligionLink.org -- November 13, 2006
The stage is set for new direction in the war in Iraq, with a clear message sent by frustrated voters, new legislators intent on changing policy and a new chief at the Pentagon. The debate on how to proceed in Iraq is being framed in moral terms by all sides, and religious voices are prominent in efforts to urge action on behalf of the many different people and causes involved. ReligionLink offers a post-election guide to covering the issues.
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War Objector Fate May Rely on Old Cases
Associated Press -- November 21, 2006
A federal appeals court is rereading cases from the Vietnam era as it considers whether to allow an honorable discharge for an Army medic who announced his objections to war on the eve of his deployment to Iraq. Agustin Aguayo, who enlisted in 2002 during the lead-up to the Iraq war, is asking the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia to release him from a military prison. It is believed to be the first federal appeal in a conscientious objector case during the Iraq war.... "People change their hearts and the law allows for it," said J.E. McNeil, executive director of the Center on Conscience & War.
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Rangel’s draft call is just breast beating
Kokomo Tribune -- November 21, 2006
Rangel, a veteran of the Korean War, has a very short memory of how the draft worked during the Vietnam era. Two names come to mind – Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. While Bush served in the Air National Guard, neither of these sons of the “privileged” members of society found their way to Vietnam. Even the Center on Conscience and War fails to see the logic. The center's executive director, J. E. McNeil, said "There are usually two reasons for a draft," McNeil said. “One, people who believe that having a draft will keep us out of war. The reality is that the draft has never kept us out of war.”
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Marine presses his case for discharge
Philadelphia Inquirer -- November 24, 2006
Marine Corps Lance Cpl. John Rogowskyj Jr. says he is a conscientious objector and should be discharged from the service. He has been interviewed by a military chaplain, examined by a psychiatrist, and questioned by a hearing officer who recommended C.O. status and immediate separation.But this month, Rogowskyj was deployed to Iraq.
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