HIGHWAY 13 14 fil a newspaper bt| g.L's and veterans
NOVEMBER 1973 VOLUME II ^ 1 X. 100 donation suggested
JUSTICEand someon e76T across post doesn'Ht even ge t STYLE My experience with justice in the 76TH FOOTNOTE: Today I saw the Battalion Com an Article 15 for the same offense? Sure, Engineers is just that: An experience. mander. Since writing the above article, the Army has set out guidelines for how The five short months that I have been in I had again been threatened with pre-trial much maximum penalty one can receive, the 76TH Engineers I have seen 22 days in confinement and another Article 15. I had but this only creates more power for the the Post Confinement Facility (lifer term committed the crime of being excused from for stockade), a Field Grade Article 15, the field in order to go to court. When I and several other attempts at both court- returned, he gave me an hour to find some martials and Article 15's. What have I done fatigues—all of which happened to be two to deserve all this special treatment? Five comities away. I've asked the Battalion days AWOL and four counts of being late to BEIM Commander for a transfer. He told me that formations. My CO. gave me the pleasure CO who can treat each case differently de the only kind of transfer I could get would of signing Undesireable waivers, which to pending on what he thinks of a person be a "rehabilitative" one. In other words, my satisfaction were disapproved. Since my (their politics, lifestyle, taste in music, I could transfer withfh the battalion. I discharge from the stockade, I have done etc.) Then there's the ol' Pre-trial agreed. Afterwards, the Top told me that my best to"soldier"—spit shines, starched confinement number: lock 'em up and find this type of transfer means if I slip just fatigues...the whole trip. Yet it took me out whether they're guilty or innocent. once I catch a UD. Things just keep gettin' three weeks to convince my CO that I was Jnst another "command tool." Where but in better. a rehabilitated soldier. The usual details the Army can one spend a month in jail and were my regular job for those three weeks. never see a lawyer? Take it from me—I Finally, after seeing LTC Volpe and Major found out the hard way: Justice 76th style Valentine, I have been put to work in oy leaves alot to be desired. INSIDE: MOS, which by the way, is a first for or A WACs Story Page Four Army "carreer." The only solution to oar problem is to fight til m injustice* and to unite against the Roots of Racism Centerfold all too peuerfel C—opsin«* OTfieer and Military Justice, as it stands, is an in Stockade Interview .Centerfold efficient and biased means of punishment. tb*ir elob- «ill tar? law. GI tnity U The current system under the UCMJ does th* only boo*. The amp it, w* oay b* able Indochina Pages 8&9 to oecor* •*•* rigbt* and disait«. Hope nothing but alienate, frustrate and lower Musical Even- Pag* to morale among the troops. The military, fully, if w* ureal unlike the civilian courts, has no uni will becoor « mmà not just for formity to the handing out of sentences "our leaders. in what I term misdemeanor offenses (AWOL and other petty thinrs). Tb* lack of xm\- fonaity onJ-y tende "to increase the power of the already too powerful"Commanding Officer. In a country where democracy is
a bureaucratic dictatorship of the worst kind. In a country where trial-by-jury is guaranteed by the Constitution, which incidentally is what the GI fights and The phrase "Find Tonrself In Tbe Air Force" can be found on many Air Pore« recruiting pamphlets. dies for, the commanding officer of a However, the Air Fore* neglects to tell you where you oay "find yourself." It is for tboo* of unit has the power of both judge and jury. you who have not been told that this article is written. Sure, one can demand a court-martial but how many peuple stand up against a dic The first place that I found myself was in the examining station with a bunch of other half- tator who can make life very miserable naked men and a doctor wbo didn't seeo to care whether you were fit for the service or not. The for all of his underlings—folks like doctor examined twenty people simultaneously—and we were all declared fit for service. you and me with not an inch of recourse or right to respond. The difference be The next place I found myself was a bit more to my liking. It was the nicely carpeted office of tween company's, battalion's, and post's my recruiter. So ther* I was, fit for service, and ready to fill out my contract (if you can treatment of certain offenses only tends stretch your imagination far enough to call it a contract). The recruiter explained how great to lower morale. How does my CO expect me a deal I was getting, because I would have a guaranteed job written into my contract and I to feel about his company when I spend would not be stock into a job that didn't appeal to me. Sound great so far? (Cont'd on Pg.12) 22 days in confinement for 5 dsvs AWOL THE MIDDLE EAST: AN ANALYSIS The latest outbreak of military hostilities upon others providing the dead and the in the Middle East demonstrates a single wounded. fact quite clearly: Soviet and U.S. im perialism will stop at nothing to assure Despite the fact that both the US and and preserve the markets, resources, and HIGHWAY 13 CONDEMNS US Soviet military establishments specially military outposts they so desperately MILITARY INVOLVEMENT IN trained, alerted, or deployed thousands need to keep afloat. THE MIDDLE EAST...WE of troops for possible Middle East action SUPPORT THE RIGHT OF US (for a partial list of the units, ships, No one can doubt at this point that it was SERVICBŒN TO REFUSE TO equipment, and training exercises involved, the leaders of the United States and the BE USED AS TOOLS OF US come by the Military Law Project), it's Soviet Union—not Egypt or Israel—who IMPERIALISM WORLD-WIDE. all too clear that indirect support were calling the shots in this latest would have been abandoned in favor of fiasco. If Arab rulers need a thriving direct military intervention only if one Israel to serve as the "enemy" in order to side or the other experienced total col divert their own people from the degrading lapse. Since that wasn't in the cards realities of their domestic existence, from the beginning—Nixon assured Saudi that's just fine with the Soviet Union. Arabia's King Faisal during his recent And if Israeli rulers need the threat of visit that in case of war, the US would Arab aggression because their military is not permit Israel to seize any large parts the one cohesive force in a melting-pot of Egypt—the mobilization served primari society and success in war keeps the Meir- ly political ends. Here in the US, Nixon Dayan party in power (and US dollars rol made another bid to divert peoples' minds ling in), that's OK with Wall Street and from Watergate and th» economic crisis, the Pentagon. The so-called Balance of while restoring cuts to the Defense budget Power—which is another way of expressing which Congress had recently imposed. No a Soviex-American desire to divy up tue (Continued on Page lü; world at others' expense—is dependent NOVEMBER HIGHWAY 13 PAGE TWO ILITARY LAW PROJECT — IM RETROSPECT The limited success of the MLP Lisseo over the past year has been obtained through a continued struggle in areas 'contact with GI's on base." kids... I Mi related to organizing active duty Highway 13 has finally given Fort wann« GI's from all of the services and Meade and its commander a choice: cflfchony encouraging them to relate to the Either let members of the MLP of yau project. Some of the events of the personally distribute the paper last seven or eight months have to GI's on post or face legal feattinq given us some indication that our \ proceedings in the U.S. District time and trouble are being rewarded. Court for the State of Maryland. Take the case of Butch Pepper who At last notice those proceedings I was being held in the Personnel were commencing. Control Facility as a result of a short AWOL. Pepper had become In the recent past, the MLP has active with the MLP and had published become very aware of the continual an article critical of his unit in problems of sexism and racism, not l'HE MILITAKÏ LAW PROJECT IN RETROSPECT the July issue of Highway 13. For only in the part of the military-- that, his commander attempted a it is built into their system--but During February 1973, a coalition number of illegal ways to insure that also on the part of the project. of members froo the Baltimore Pepper was court-martialled and given A self examination has begun and VVAW/WSO, the American Friends a bad discharge, despite tbe fact steps are being taken to eliminate Service Committee, and tbe that both civilian and military sexist and racist feelings and •ashington Area Military and Draft •edlcal authorities had diagnosed tendings which contribute to holding Law Panel, formed • Cnlted Front Botch as "unsuitable" for farther the MLP back from more fruitful Cor tbe purpose of uniting GI's. Military service. Counselors at the contact with the GI's. This United Front became known as Project stood behind Butch and gave the Military Law Project, Fort hla »apport In bis efforts to expose Military people have not been Meade. The early days of operation all the underhandedness cooing down. overwhelming us with their numbers at the MLP consisted of mostly legal An Article 138 Cooplalnt was filed; arriving at the law project. The counseling and providing literature his Senator was written; a civilian GI involvement could be better. The on GI's Rights. Since then the ML? lawyer was obtained; and a Writ for decision has been made to start a has expanded to include discussion his release was filed in Federal "Women's Night" every Monday night groups, film showings, a bookstore Court. Highway 13 continued to for counseling women in the military and most importantly, an open carry news of his situation and the on related problems. Members of the environment where military men and details of the Army's extraordinary MLP are hoping that women, both those women can freely gather to share, efforts to suppress him and deny his that are actively involved in the discuss and act on their mutual rights. In mid-August, the charges military and women veterans, will concerns and predicaments. against Butch Pepper were thrown out participate in the full operation of court. and leadership of the MLP. The publication of the MLP is Highway 13 which we feel reflects An important "short coming" of the the truth about today's military. MLP has been the noted lack of any 1 ilta che official military b lack GX*s or black veterans. Unt-il * co reflect che views and recently, no black GI's have related stories that come from the rank and to the project. This is a struggle file brothers and sisters entangled that the MLP and Highway 13 have in the sinister web of militarism. discussed and decided should be The staff of Highway 13 has grown dealt with immediately. Black GI's from three members of WAW and veterans are requested to come to (November 1972), to a current staff the center or write Highway 13 and of twelve. Included in the staff expose the barriers that are so are four active duty GI's effectively preventing the unity that representative of the Air Force and is needed to unify sisters and Army, seven veterans from the brothers in the military. Baltimore-Washington area includin a "Nam" v*t froo tbe University of The stated purpose of the MLP is to Maryland, College Park and a eistet froo the American Friends Service promote GI empowerment. This goal Coaaltcet. All vork collectively will be reached only through GI unity to publish the paper doing tasks To promote and build unity the MLP ranging froo writing articles needs the brothers and sisters in the through taking the paper to the active military. printer. decisions! decisions? Though the MLP had some real These efforts reward members of victories, they still have many the Highway 13 staff with a feeling problems. There has been a continual of concern for the sisters and hassle with the base commander over FT MEADE BROS & SISTERS: brothers, friendship, understanding the right to personally distribute and unity. If you are interested in getting involved in Highway 13. As it stands now, the HIGHWAY 13, call or visit the MILITARY LAW MLP are permitted to place the paper PROJECT, 1590 Annapolis Road, 569-9499. on stands at four predetermined Newspaper meetings are held every Wednesday IN UNITY locations. The paper gets distributed evening at the LAW PROJEKT at 6:30 p.m. on post, but the MLP is not in control STOP BY GET INVOLVED! ! ! of its distribution. The MLP still THERE IS STRENTH lacks the most important factor,
Andrews Air Force Base has its own Mickey ANDREIAIS Mickey-Mouse Club other than to change their plans no matter Mouse Club under the guise of Detachment how important theirs may be. 4. This may sound strange, but here are a few of the events going on in the club. So the inspection takes first priority and it will be a thorough one. The ground rules The head Mousekateer is the beloved Captain are : Lawrence Zimmerman. He even has his own 1 - everyone in dress blues at 9.COAM doggie company, who is unfortunately not Saturday called either Goofy or Pluto, which accom 2 - all drawers and lockers will be opened panies him to the base once in a while. Let's not draw from this the conclusion that (no exceptions) For example, the poor little K-9 had an Captain Z is just an old softy. He and his 3 - all clothes will be in lockers neatly operation (she was spayed), and had to ac second in command Mousekateer, 1st Sgt. and there will be no dirty clothes company the good Captain to work (this is Hansen are getting the Club into shape. around understandable), but four days after the They decided to hold a formal inspection Sat 4 - shoes shined, hair cut, mustaches trim operation this good Captain Z had an Air urday morning after giving the word the pro med etc. etc. etc. man baby-sit the dog while he went out. ceeding Wednesday. This left numerous peo This meant that while his friends were out ple with weekend plans such as, weddings to This is a little too much Captain Z—getting on free time, the Airman was doggie-sitting. attend, friends to visit or girlfriends who back to basics is one thing, but this is get live out of state to see,>with no recourse ting back to Basic Training. mtmmmmmmm • mmm • mmm " ^aaa . HM . aal • aaa. a aaaa . aaaa. . aaaa. a aaaa. a aaa. . a. NOVEMBER HIGHWAY THIRTEEN PAGE THREE UNITE FOR VA BENEFITS A special Veterans' Opportunity Odell W. Vaughn, chief benefits Committee, which conducted hearings director of the VA, testified recently under the auspices of the League that "no general restructuring of the of Cities and the U.S. Conference educational program seems necessary or of Mayors, advocates that the advisable, especially with reference present GI Bill be rewritten so to the present benefit system." The that the government pays 80 percent VA did not ask for any increase in of all tuition and fees and makes educational payments. separate subsistence payments of at least $220 a month. What does this action by the Nixon controlled VA show us? It clearly "It might cost a billion dollars," shows that the bankers and monopoly says the VOC Chairman, Rep. Silvio capitalists want GIs to fight wars of Conte, R-Mass., who got his entire imperialism without helping them return education under the World War II to civilian life. The same no real bill. "But what if it does? I benefit VA policy will continue until remember those annual appropriations GI's and veterans unite in the struggle against of $25 billion every year for the the VA. war. Nobody called them inflationary." This will not be an easy fight since the power structure has never liked to have veterans or As for those special programs to GI's organized. In the thirties the government meet the "remedial and motivational had the army attack veterans marching on Wash needs" of the unemployed or under ington to get their benefits. Recently thev employed Vietnam era veteran, some have come down hard against Vietnam Veterans 40,000 were served by some 67 when they have tried to get together. programs during fiscal Ü973. "These programs are expected to The most visible Vie tnam veterans' terminate in June 1974 under admin group has been the V ietnam Veterans istration budgetary plans," the Against the War, whi ch oiqaniled-- not to get money-bu t to stop the study adds. The bill would increase monthly War, and tried to af feet the education payment to an unmarried general population, The WAW A measure was sent to the House veteran from $220 to $250. It incurred the instant and undying Veterans Affairs Committeeidespite would provide for automatic in hostility of the Nix on administra- opposition from the Veterans creases based on the Consumer Price tion when it camped on the Mall in Administration and indications that Index and would extend a veteran's 1971. The rancor pe rsisted to the the President would veto any benefit eligibility for benefits from eight recent and unsuccess ful prosecution increase over 8 per cent. to 10 years. of the "Gainesville Eight."
LETTERS r Vet o m Demonstrate Dear Readers of Highway 13, I am a specialist 5 now stationed at D Btry, 4th Bn, 1st ADA located at Ches- tertown, Md. DÉMONSTRATION ON 29th I came in the Army June 1971 and had originally enlisted for Armored, European On September 29th many, many people tour. Upon my arrival at the AFEES sta who shared the common hatred of tion before going active (I had enlisted constant imperialist ventures of this under the delayed program) I was informed and other countries joined forces in that my contract did not even mention downtown Baltimore to demonstrate European tour and wouid most likely be sent against racist, sexist and capitalistic to Nam. Not wanting to go to Viet Nam I oppression and to show their support asked to have my second choice, of cook, for the five demands of the demonstration. never dreaming of what I had gotten myself Those members of the Military Law Project into. I was then trained at Ft Leonard and of Highway 15 who were at the Wood, Mo., and sent to Ft Hood, Texas. demonstration stood up for the end to My stay at Fort Hood could hardly have all support for the corrupt puppet been considered a pleasant one. Continual governments of Thieu and Lon Nol and harassment from my superiors led me to check me about ceti in«, uui ui i"ort IIocJ and out the «dismantling; of all air bases out the Oleo Strut, a GI coffee house in of my hated cook MOS. Beine harassed from used against the Indochinese peoples. aii people around me, 1 listened to him. Killeen, the rip-off little town next to The demonstrators spoke for the ending He promised a job in downtown Balti the fort. After making a few visits to this me of all wage controls and for the more, working with civilian Civil Defense. coffee house I started to find out I had lowering, not raising of prices. Also I would live in an apartment since the rights that no one could take away from me. demanded was the restoration of federal Armv had no barracks in the downtown area I started to learn about the lifers' ille budget cuts in education and social jod be paid separate rations. I would have services. Finally the end to all gal ways of treatment of the lower EM. The done anything to get away from Fort Hood Oleo Strut became a haven for me. racist attacks on Black people and and this sounded really great. I took a other Third World peoples in the United Soon the lifers found out about my haven short. States was demanded. of peace and decided to destroy it for me. I am now living in a barracks with about The demonstration, which received good They spread the word that I was a homosex So other UIs on an Army missile base, across press coverage, lasted four hours. ual and went to the Oleo Strut to meet my Estimates ran from eighty to two boyfriends, since all the lifers thought the bay from Baltimore. The only civilians hundred demonstrators, with many in it was a hang-out for "undesirables." When I work with are those that come to our sampathy not at the demonstration. T went to my section chief about tnis rumor site to wont ou equipment, and tney are All who took part did so secure in the I was told things like this woundn't happen sent from Ft. Meade. I receive no extra knowledge that they were trying to free if I didn't go to places like the Oleo money. oppressed people the world over. Strut. I then limited my visits to the I am now on a levy for Germany and am It seems that the government does not Strut and when I did go there made sure no hoping for a way to get off it. With the listen well at all. They are again lifers saw me. help of the Highway 13 staff I hope I can. trying to involve us in a capitalistic A career counselor started sweet talking I can truly say that from my experiences and expansionist war in the Middle East. Tn the Army I have found my best friends The folks at the Law Project and at and in time of need the best help comes Highway 13 are interested in your from centers like the Highway 13. Help thoughts concerning the up comming them to help you, support them—you may conflict over the oil rich nations never know when you may need help from of the Middle East. Share your them, l say this through experience. thoughts with us any evening at the Law Project office, 1590 Annapolis GI on the Eastern Shore Road - the Strip. PAGE FOUR NOVEMBER HIGHWAY 13 COUNTER -RECRUITMENT
job without proper training and they told me to go to Mental Hygiene. That was their answer to all the WACs problems. Finally I convinced them I really wanted to be trained. They sent me off to school. Wow! My recruitment dream come true at last! I was going to be a Lab Technician. That too One night I was at a local drive-in when was short-lived. When I got there they asked a guy came up and handed me a copy of High if I had had College Biology, and of course way 13. He told me about the Law Pro I had not. They just said sorry and sent me ject office and invited me to drop in. I back to Meade. This time I refused to re told him I was about to get out and asked where they had been for the past 3 years turn toffivine shots . when I needed them. My next assignment was as a Chaplain's as I looked the paper over and figured, "Why sistant. That impressive sounding title not ", so I went over and talked with the meant I cleaned the chapel before and after people. One was a woman, so that made me the services and sometimes answered the IT feel more comfortable right away. Sitting phone. I was a glorified housekeeper. The on an old red sofa we talked for 2 hours • Chaplain was fine to work for, but here I and it was an evening well spent. Because am three years older, much wiser and very I feel so strongly that WACs need help and angry. The petty harrassment and SOP and support at least as much as the men I told dress rules proved to me the army was just the Highway 13 staff to publish my story. another kind of prison. The only crime was I hope my story will encourage other WACs putting my name on the dotted line. to visit the project. Nobody pushes you and they are good listeners. NO MORE SM For a long time I thought. I was just dumb but now I know that we all, men and women, I wanted my experience of how I got into have been tricked and made to appear as if the Army to be part of the "Counter-Recruit" we are willing participants in the all- column because I got screwed and I want to volunteer Army. KB) YOU GET WHAT YOU WERE help other young women avoid my situation. PROMISED? THINK .ABOUT IT. . The end of my story points a finger directly My story, as most, starts with a recruiter. women's night at Ft. Meade. Before I could process out, In my \last year of high school I was wooed I was told to talk to a recruiter on base by every service, so, coming from a lifer RAP SESSIONS FOR WOMEN WILL BE HELD EVERY MONDAY EVENING about re-enlisting. Damned if he didn't al family, I listened. The Army recruiter laid FROM 7 PM TO 9 PM BEGINNING NOVEMBER 5. WOMEN'S COUNSELING, most catch me. He told me that if I re-uped out a beautiful life and future for me. I for the 4 year reserve committment, he would would receive the school of my choice and MEDICAL AND LEGAL WILL BE AVAILABLE. A WOMEN'S COUNSELOR fix it up so that I had a job waiting for me be stationed where I wanted. I wanted to FROM THE PEOPLES FÏŒ£. MEDICAL CLINIC IN BALTIMORE WILL TALK at home at the Armory, a civilian job. Well, be a Lab Technician and stay close to home lucky for me that I happened to talk to some so he promised me both—and I got it in WITH YOU CONFIDENTIALLY ABOUT YOUR CONCERNS. MONDAYS WILL one who checked it out and found that that writing (I wasn't too dumb). BE A TIME FOR WOMEN TO COME TOGETHER TO DISCUSS ISSUES OF guy not only didn't call my home state about IMPORTANCE TO YOU AS WOMEN IN THE MILITARY. FOR MORE a job, but found that there were no such jobs In Basic I got screamed at, pushed around, open. BEWARE THE RECRUITER WHATEVER HE SAYS. insulted and dehumanized, hot to mention INFORMATION PLEASE CALL 569-9499. pneumonia along with seven other women be cause our male drill sargeant had us stand Laaa . «•• . aaaa .
September 20, 1973
I am a member of the United States Navy, and in the process of surr endering to military authorities for the offense of AWOL. I expect to be assigned to the Washington Navy Station (Processing Division) to await dispos ition after over 50 days unauthorized absence. This is not a simple case of UA however. My absence is directly attributable to policies and procedures of the Navy which I have experienced. Once a Naval Steward, it is almost For the past 2>k years I have served as impossible to get another rating. that uo not meet the minimum requirements a Steward - an 'enlisted aide' - for One must re-enlist and request training for anything else. This is still the officers of the U.S. Navy. It was my in a new rating —a request which may same old service policy of class situation as a Steward which promoted or may not be approved. Another option discrimination and racism. my absence — a situation which I feel is to wait till promotion to the grade must be changed in the interests of of E-5, at which time a person may fairness and justice. I write this request a change in rate. The average letter not only for myself, but for time frame for Steward promotions to the many other enlisted people assigned E-5 is in the neighborhood of 14 years. similar duties in the armed forces. The only option is to continue to serve Recently the Department of Defense the officer corps until discharge or, announced that the number of enlisted as I did, to go AWOL out of desperation. aides assigned to senior officers would I do not see any justification for be closely monitored and that no exces the use of enlisted personnel in the ses in the established quotas for such armed forces as slaves to perform positions would be allowed. This personal chores for officers. I do not announced "cutback" is merely a sham believe that any human being has the to draw attention away from the situa right or privilege to force another tion. Most enlisted aides are assigned person to be his or her servant in any not to any one particular senior officer sense. Slavery was ended over lOO but to the entire commissioned staffof a years ago by Presidential proclomation, military unit or vessel. These people yet it continues today in the armed do not fall within the scope of DoD forces. I can no longer perform the restrictions on the use of aides, yet duties of a Steward in the United Sties it is these same people that are Navy, and fully intend to refuse any subjected to the worst mental abuse by orders which may be given me to perfor» superiors. The only solution to this such duties. I understand that by intolerable situation is the abolition doing so I may find myself liable for of the Stewards rating in the Navy and further disciplinary action, but I can its equivilant in other branches of no longer compromise myself an this the military. issue. In order to put the situation of a I respectfully request that yon täte Steward in its proper perspective, I whatever action is necessary to would like to explain my own situation. alleviate this situation. Ii i» mg I enlisted in the U.S. Navy at the age understanding that Sea. Prsxm.r» ta of 17 after spending one year in the going to iatrodace aa a—•*—— i* tw After completing the required training Merchant Marine as a third cook, mesr—in, Congre»* which w—Id mrmU and ordinary seaman. I went to boot at San Diego, I «as assigned to a billet training at Orlando,Flordia, where I »board the ISS Greenling {SSM 614), a rar am«*f». I *-» «*** nuclear fast attack aabmari— Wo—»it»« underwent the required classification aaaa—-t ta tfcia effort M interview. As soon as the PersonnelMn la Ma» Load—, Cnwurtiemt. I ea—1 «wo It»» m avi.C-Uakt.icw> CAT. be corrected. 1 years aboard the USS Greenllng as an saw my work history it was decided that further urge that an inquiry be I should bp assigned duties as a R+ewart. enlisted aide to the submarine's initiated to find out exactly how I was suDsequtui.1^ »ent to aan Diego company of 12-15 officers. The boat was these aides are currently being for Stewards 'A' School. I had been allocated three Stewards, though we utilised. This injustice canoot be told by the Master Chief at my seldom had that many actually assigned. tolerated la tha ar—d fa classification interview that being a When we were required to go to sea, only yarn, aa a Maaber of Naval Steward was a very prestigious personnel from other cm—nil» were to effect th* position, and that I would receive brought in to fill the vac—cica in the special training at the Waldorf- Stewwards ranks. Thi* meIdem (if ever) Astoria as well as rapid advancement was done ia learn critical ratings, like Sincerely, in rank. Needless to say, none of electronics techmciaaa and similar these things proved to be true. The things. Sem of the —da of the off Ralph Bartlett Berlia Stewards rating, with few exceptions, icer corps was mad* to seem more SDSN(SS), is used as a dumping ground for people important than the tactical mission of the boat. PETITIONS AGAINST NJP GO TO CONGRESS
A petition to Congress from active-duty servicemen and service- The campaign to abolish Article 15 was begun on the V. est Coast by women to abolish Article 15 of the UCMJ (Non-Judicial Punishment) was the Center for Servicemen's Rights in San Diego. Petitions were also presented to House Armed Services Committee member Ron Dellums circulated by San Diego Concerned Military, by groups in the San Fran on October 12. The petition, circulated last spring and summer, was cisco area, at bases in Asia, in Germany, at Camp Lejeune, at Mountain presented to Congressman Dellums at a press conference in hit Oakland Home Air Force Base, at Fort Carson, and at several other bases. office. Two GI's who helped circulate the petition, one at Travis Air Force Base and one at Okinawa, Japan, talked with Dellums about the Along with the petition, a second part of the campaign has been campaign against Non-Judicial Punishment. distribution of information about the legal rights servicemen and women have under NJP. The GI's explained that NJP is used by commanding officers to im pose arbitrary punishments. Since the commanding officer is judge, jury Shortly after the campaign began, the military made several minor and prosecutor, NJP is a denial of servicepeople's constitutional rights. changes in Article 15. However, it remains basically the same now as In practice, it is used to keep people uncertain and afraid of the power when it was written in 1950. The campaign against NJP will continue at of officers. NJP is used as a weapon against enlisted people, and espec different bases, and signatures collected in the future will be sent to ially against minority groups in the military. Congressman Dellums' office. Congressman Dellums supported their statements about Article 15, and went on to say that he thought the UCMJ should be abolished. He also For more information contact! said that he is in the process of presenting to Congress a bill that would MILITARY LAW PROlECT require that everyone receive the same discharge. 301-569-9499 SSi-^ara'1 PAGE SIX NOVEMBER HIGHWAY 13 Because we at Highway 13 see the u- than 500,000 farm operators-and farm wor nlty of G.I.'s as our main goal, we have kers, less than $% of the total black pop decided to do a series of articles expos ulation lives on farms. ing the biggest problem that we have to At the same time, there has been a face: RACISM tremendous growth of industry in.the South. This has been stimulated by defense spend ing, but, because of backward conditions and the non-existence, for all intents and purposes, many industries moved to the FROM PEASANT South. TRANSFORMATION ACCELERATED The Civil Rights movement of the 50's and early 60's forced the ruling class to Highwa; open jobs to blacks in industry in the with 01 South as well as in the North; but it did ideas-- not eliminate discrimination and super-ex The An ploitation. Blacks are concentrated in the with n most unskilled, lowest paid, and most dan gerous jobs. For example, in the transpor goes 01 tation industry (mainly auto) blacks matte learne« E-5s oi up 10% of the total work force in 1°6°, but vrere 2l£ of the lower-paid categories and a retii only 1% of the higher-paid categories. consisl which ç Today black people are, overwhelming ly, wage workers, but are concentrated at The cl< the bottom of the working class. Blacks live does n< in large metropolitan areas throughout the From the beginning, the flesh and a série country and make up a majority in such key descril blood of black labor has been pouring in industrial cities as Detroit, Baltimore, New to the foundation of the economy and the prejudi ark, and Gary. of youi development of capitalism in thés country. The situation of black people in this From the time black people first came to gave hd country today is the result of the histori Jamestown, Virginia in 1619, they fought ion in their own land, and herded into the number cal development of the black nation in the back with every means against slavery. growing industrial complex in the North. do and Although these imigrants, especial U.S. Modern nations are formed in the epoch 45 mini In the 200 years before the Civil of rising capitalism, and the black nation War, there were at least 275 recorded ly the first generations, who were exploit The ne> was formed with athe black nation was formed slawe revolts, and hundreds more that weee ed against, they were gradually assimila third ç with the defeat of slavery and the establish never recorded but live as a part of the ted into the dominant white (Boropean-iuji- about c ment of a plantation economy in the South— history of a people in struggle. This erican) nation. With the beginning of with bi resistance of black people represents the the war and virtual cut-off of immigration under the rule of the capitalist class. kids. real revolutionary heritage of Atierica. froa 3urope, the need for black labor in first c Morthern industry was created. The out- In 1770 a black sailor became the first) person to die for American- indepen migration of blacks frori the plantation rïSHi The sec dence. Since then blacks have spilled South trans formed the black people from Class c their blood in every war the U.S. has peasants to workers, an irreversible Heritag been involved in. trend. primari In the Civil War blacks fought her Still, from this time until the se to the oically on the front lines. The facts cond world war, a majority of black peop \mii-K.*>rfL\m followe were that during the first few years of le remained in the Black Belt and surround on busi that war, before they were allowed to ing rural areas, but more and mora contin In the next issue, we would like to class t join the army, blacks carried on resis ued to migrate to Northern and Southern deal specifically with some of the Ricans tance and sabotage behind the Confeder- industrial centers. historical periods covered in this Natural article. Tf you have any informa it waj-l tion that would be useful or would force t the highest form of bravery and courange. Bxack people were pushed out of jobs held like to help, contact Bob at "The if they One out of five died on the battlefield during the war. Project" on Thursday night or call dischar fighting for freedom. black people not only built a more poxjer- 569-9499. After the Civil War, acting on the ful struggle for liberation, but joined government's promise of «"forty acres and forces wheraverpossible with whites, both JBPPPPIWWtr,W>*M'V**'*V''VyV,'lnnfW'ft'^^ a mule," black farmars throughout the in the great industrial union drives and W HÏ Southjbegan seising the land they had in the sharecropper's movement that was worked, driving out the plantation own built in many parts of the South. G] ers and defending the land with guns. After World War II, many blacks were yc Even during the brief period of Recon pushed out of jobs held during the war. pe struction when blacks, as well as poor The transformation of the black people r ji whites in the South, were allowed to iron a peasant nation to an overwhelming ha vote, noli office, and generally parti ly working class nation was accelerated. Th cipate in local and state politics, fe First, because farming was being taken 0- deral troops were repeatedly sent ag ver increasingly by big corporations, and HW ainst the black farmers to drive them capital-intensive and mechanization of fche off the land they had fought for and methods of farming were replacing old meth GI returned it to former slaveowners or ods throughout the coum if gave it to new land grabbers--often - Since WWII, sharecropping and sraall- til big industrialists from the North. sca^e farming has almost been totally eli RECONSTRUCTION BETRAÏED minated in the U.S. There is no peasant HW Reconstruction did not "fail," class of any significance in the country This interview was conducted on the evening It was betrayed, versed by the Northern as a whola; among blacks there are less of Nov. 1, with a GI who had recently been GI ruling class, especially after the econ released from the Fort Meade stockade. bul omic crisis and depression beginning in idc l873. The capitalist class had triumph HIGHWAY 13: "What's it like being in the th< ed ovar the slaveholders5 it brought the Fort Meade jail?" was Sout-h, wibh it's cotton and other agri GI: "The worst part was not knowing when culture, and it's markets, under their you d get out and being in there at the HWY domination. It feared that the growth whim of your CO. Being treated like an pla of the democtatic movement im the South animal when you hadn't done anything wrong. GI would get out of hand and threaten their That was the worst part—the bullshit, I we power. could put up with." yoi In 1877» federal troops were with sol drawn from the South and the KKK was tur HWY 13: "What do you mean by bullshit." ned loose to terrorize black people and mn their allies among poor white farmers GI: "Like when you were visited—when they hap left you had to strip down completely. And and laborers. Black people were forced It to work the land ofr the big landowners. after every meal you had to be frisked be Gl They were stripped of any democratic fore you could leave the mess hall. On top haï rights and ground down by vicious laws of that, there were shakedowns all the time. use and codas. HWY 13: "Anything else?" vas The black sharecropper (basically a Th« kind of serf) did keep part of his har GI: "Yeah, they had these Mickey Mouse inspec eel vest, while he was forced to turn over m tions complete with Alice-in-Wonderland dis wei most of it to his landlord. plays. Their idea of being strac was having hin THE BLACK NATION your bunk decked out in neat little rows of to The situation stayed basically the two-faced combs, razors and, of course, your the same until WWI. That war centered din own personal little Rule Book." Europe, cutting off the flow of immigrants HWY from the warring countries. Between i860 HWY 13: "Much harassment?" GI: and 1915, approximately 15 million Europ GI: "They made you half-step everywhere. eans had flooded into the U.S., driven jud Some guards were OK, others were pricks." here by economic depression and oppress TV. PAGE SIX NOVEMBER GHWAY 13 HIGHWAY 13 than 500,000 farm operators and farm wor kers, less than 5% of the total black pop ulation lives on farms. At the same time, there has been a tremendous growth of industry in.the South. RAC17 This has been stimulated by defense spend ing, but, because of backward conditions and the non-existence, for all intents and purposes, many industries moved to the South. AWAREN] TRANSFORMATION ACCELERATED The Civil Rights movement of the 50's and early 60's forced the ruling class to Highway li would like to acquaint you open jobs to blacks in industry in the with one of the Army's newest harmful South as well as in the Northj but it did ideas--The Racial Awar eness Class, not eliminate discrimination and super-ex The Army is supposed t o be dealing ploitation. Blacks are concentrated in the with racism but let's look at what mostiunskilled, lowest paid, and most dan goes on in this class The one we gerous jobs. For example, in the transpor learned about had 8 of ficers, 5 tation industry (mainly auto) blacks maäe E-5s or above, 1 priva te, 1 WAC, and up 10% of the total work force in 1969, but a retired Army member The class were 21$ of the lower-paid categories and consists of 18 hours o f instruction only 1% of the higher-paid categories. which generally takes 2-1/2 days. Today black people are, overwhelming ly, wage workers, but are concentrated at The class is a cruel hoax since it the bottom of the working class. Blacks live does not deal with racism, it plays in large metropolitan areas throughout the a series of games. Games like: country and make up a majority in such key describe your first contact with industrial cities as Detroit, Baltimore, New prejudice and give a brief history ark, and Gary. of yourself. The E-7 at the class The situation of black people in this gave his name, rank and serial , and herded into the country today is the result of the histori number like a prisoner of war would nplex Ln the North, cal development of the black nation in the do and one of the Captains gave a nmigrants, especial- U.S. Modern nations are formed in the epoch 45 minute talk on his background. 3ns, who \rere exploit- of rising capitalism, and the black nation The next game was a movie about a gradually assimila- was formed with athe black nation was formed third grade class which taught kids, white (European-Aiji- with the defeat of slavery and the establish about discrimination by giving kids the beginning of ment of a plantation economy in the South— with brown eyes power over blue eyed it-off of immigration under the rule of the capitalist class. kids. A test was given ending the for black labor in first day of this involuntary class. created. The out worn bhe plantation âJïHBis The second day of Racial Awareness black people from Class consisted of a lovi« on the m irreversible Heritage of Blacks which d«tlt primarily in the Black contribution time until the se- to the military. A discussion irity of black peop- followed the movie as did a discussion ick Belt and surronnd- ÏÏTl^.^MÏ on busing. After this discussion the lore and more contim- In the next issue, we would like to class turned to the topi: -,î ?.-rto ;hern and Southern deal specifically with some of the Rioans being draftsd into th« Any. historical periods covered in this Naturally. Color.«; aj •ifrV*a1wm right to draft Puerto Ricans, ission of the 1930's, tion that would be useful or would force them to learn our language and ted out of jobs held like to help, contact Bob at The if they didn't, give them a bad Project" on Thursday night or call discharge. The class also heard built a more power- 569-9499. •ation, but joined .e with whites, both jpooonr>')ffli7ionnnr'T**rw~~*>~**1 ' " ' '"MWKII aooeceeaoooc aooooooeoooooaaoooooooaaooooooooooooooooooc il union drives and "HWY 13: "What do you mean by that?" movement that was ' the South. GI: "These dudes made a big deal out of Stocl I, many blacks were your boots being bloused and spit-shined .d during the war. perfectly. Can you believe that kind of of brothers heard this black the black people jive in a jail. Also, they were big on his head off in a cell block to an overwhàlming- haircuts, but they didn't have a barber. white guards. They really pot a 1 h was accelerated. They had some inmate butchering our hair." place when that happened. ' ; was being taken o- g corporations, and HWY 13: "Did you have any rights?" HWY 13: "Do you have any idea IMM mechanization of the the inmates were actually semteac« e replacing old meth- GI: "They told us we could submit a 510 ers—like how many had the benefit ntry. if we needed anything. I put one in ten cropping and small- times to see a lawyer. Never say one." GI: "I never met one that bad st been totally eli- everybody I met, except three, here is no peasant HWY 13: "Do they provide any recreation?" charged with simple AWOL. nc-3 in the country This interview was conducted on the evening ks there are less GI: "We tried playing tackle football, HWY 13: "What would you do if Uw- of Nov. 1, with a GI who had recently been but they banned it. They didn't like the released from the Fort Meade stockade. idea of one of us getting hurt and having to send you back?" GI: "I d book up. Whoever it was HIGHWAY 13: "What's it like being in the the opportunity to go to the hospital. It was like they could read our minds." hit them and split. It s the kind Fort Meade jail?" that you cannot really stand un^es GI: "The worst part was not knowing when HWY 13: "What was night-life like in that can cement your mind. Thirty dajn you d get out and being in there at the placed?" seemed like two years. Everybody whim of your CO. Being treated like an place keeps track of the days by I animal when you hadn't done anything wrong. GI: "Pretty cut and dried. The law said king their hats. It's the only pi That was the worst part—the bullshit, I we had to be in bed and asleep by nine. If the world where you never wish yew could put up with." you broke that rule you went straight to weekend. You just sit there and I solitary or the cell block." each other about when your gettin« HWY 13: "What do you mean by bullshit At least, during the week, they si HWY13: "Any really strange things ever into forgetting." GI: "Like when you were visited—when they happen? left you had to strip down completely. And HWY 13: "Whpn you enlisted, if M GI: "Yeah. We had this warlock who must ve after every meal you had to be frisked be told you that you were bound wur. fore you could leave the »ess hall. On top had a hundred tatoos on his body. The guy for a military prison cell, how w. of that, there were shakedowns all the time. •sad to set his show polish on fire which reacted?" was necessary in order for him to meditate.. HWY 13: "Anything eise?" They kept nutting him in the disciplinary GI: "I'd have said no way! shen cell. He wanted to sue them because they Gl: "Yeah, they had these Mickey Mouse inspec I aimed to be a good soldier tions complete with Alice-in-Wonderland dis were freaked out by us wanting to listen to a Navy lifer. I even struggled f< plays. Their idea of being strac was having him and because he was being denied his right which they've never let me work il your bunk decked out in neat little rows of to practice his chosen religion. I think thing is, when I drove into this | two-faced combs, razors and, of course, your they 11 lock him up forever." first day, with my father, thi own personal little Rule Book." saw was the jail. He asked me hoi HWY 13: "Many people flipping out? Any riots?' to be in there. I said, It wool« HWY 13: "Much harassment?" GI: "There was a helluva lot of racial pre pen to me.'" GI: "They made you half-step everywhere. judice. People were like animals about the Some guards were OK, others were pricks." TV. There was one near riot when a bunch NOVEMBER HIGHWAY 13 PAGE SEVEN RACIAL AWARENESS ?i f 13 would like to acquaint you about Chinese and Mexican Americans ne of the Army's newest harmful in the Army with a little bit about -The Racial Awareness Class, native Americans (the Indian). ny is supposed to be dealing acism but let's look at what i in this class. The one we The biggest critique of this program J about had 8 officers, 5 is that it does not touch institutional : above, 1 private, 1 WAC, and racism, black-white tension or racism red Army member. The class caused by ignorance. Another major :s of 18 hours of instruction fault was the final test did not stop generally takes 2-1/2 days. racist myths, it continues them. Here ruel hoax since it are some of the lies it reinforced by tss is a c seeking answers to questions about ; it deal wi th racism , it plays s. ' Games like: what kind of shoes hustlers wear, what is of game type wine black people drink, the le your fi rst conta ct with ve a brie f history number of major black civil disorders, .ce and gi the percentage of black convicted rself. Th e E-7 at the class ank and s erial rapists, the percentage of blacks in .s name, r prison, the percentage of black "girls" like a pr isoner of war would e Captain s gave a who engage in sexual relations by age one of th 15, the percentage of blacks compared ite talk o n his bac kground. s a movie about a to whites on achievement tests. The :t game wa test question on percentages are a rade clas s which taugh t kids, tion by g iving kids clear case of attempting to reinforce iscrimina the myths of Black inferiority. own eyes power ove r blue eyed A test wa s given e nding the ay of thi s involun tary class. The 4 blacks in the class of 16 pointed out what relates to some of ond day of Racial Awareness the people, what relates to Blacks, onsisted of a movie on the however, this information was received e of Blacks which dealt after the class was over. ly in the Black contribution military. A discussion The GIs should not be subjected to d the movie as did a discussion these racist classes which do not » ng. After this discussion the relate to Blacks or whites. Rac urned to the topic of Puerto Awareness Classes merely «- being drafted into the Army. vicious racist myths that ly, a Lieutenant Colonel said a. P«Opl« tO btll«VÉ »O that ttiaaaaj, right to draft Puerto Ricans, will stay divided. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^_ tiem to learn our language and Racism in the Army is not going to didn't, give them a bad je. The class also heard change because these classes exist but ran be changed if rank and file E unite. »ooooocoooooouijuuTKinnnnnnnnnnnnnnnrrnnrnri—rnnnnnrni-inr-nrrnnnnnrinnnnnnratinnni^—nr r if 13: "What do you mean by that?" : "These dudes made a big deal out of Stockade Rap ir boots being bloused and spit-shined rfectly. Can you believe that kind of of brothers heard this black dude »creaming re in a jail. Also, they were big on his head off in a cell block surrounded by HWY 13: "Any parting comments?" Lrcuts, but they didn't have a barber. white guards. They really put a lid on the GI: "Yeah. Free 'em all! Their only ;y had some inmate butchering our hair." place when that happened.'' crime is reacting honestly to a dishonest program." f 13: "Did you have any rights?" HWY 13: "Do you have any idea how many of the inmates were actually sentenced prison "They told us we could submit a 510 ers—like how many had the benefit of trial?" we needed anything. I put one in ten les to see a lawyer. Never say one." GI: "I never met one that had been to trial, everybody I met, except three, were being 13: "Do they provide any recreation?" charged with simple AWOL.
"We tried playing tackle football, HWY 13: "What would you do if they tried they banned it. They didn't like the to send you back?" a of one of us getting hurt and having opportunity to go to the hospital. It GI: "I d book up. Whoever it was, I d like they could read our minds." hit them and split. It s the kind of thing that you cannot really stand unless you 13: "What was night-life like in that can cement your mind. Thirty days really seemed like two years. Everybody in the :ed?" place keeps track of the days by hash-mar "Pretty cut and dried. The law said king their hats. It's the only place in had to be in bed and asleep by nine. If the world where you never wish you saw a broke that rule you went straight to weekend. You just sit there and rap to itary or the cell block." each other about when your getting out. At least, during the week, they slave you 13: 'Any really strange things ever into forgetting." Jen?' HWY 13: "Whpn you enlisted, if someone had "Yeah. We had this warlock who must've told you that you were bound witnin months . a hundred tatoos on his body. The guy for a military prison cell, how would you have d to set his show polish on fire which "Yqp con't fight o war without on amy." reacted?" GI REVOLT: necessary in order for him to meditate. GI resistance was one of the major for y kept putting him in the disciplinary GI: "I'd have said no way! When I came in ces behind the withdrawal of U.S. around TH« Breakdown of tht I. He wanted to sue them because they troops from Vietnam. US, Army in Vietnam I aimed to be a good soldier. My father was GI Revolts contains two eyewitness oc- s freaked out by us wanting to listen to a Navy lifer. I even struggled for my MOS, counts of GI resistance to the war and the and because he was being denied his right Army in Vietnam. One is about a Black which they've never let me work in. Funny medic who shot his racist top sergeant. practice his chosen religion. I think thing is, when I drove into this place the The second is about the mutiny of a f'll lock him up forever." first day, with my father, the first thing he company of infantrymen ot Fireoase Pace near the Cambodian border in 1971. saw was the jail. He asked me how Id like 13: "Many people flipping out? Any riots?" to be in there. I said, It would never hap 40c—Bulk rotes available from: pen to me.'" UNITED PROMT PRESS "There was a helluva lot of racial pre- PO Box 4009» ce. People were like animals about the S.F., Ca. 94140 By Richard Boyl« There was one near riot when a bunch HIGHWAY 13 PAGE EIGHT NOVEMBER Viet Nam to tue it ol leave it!
The U.S.-controlled Thieu government has continued to escalate the war in South Vietnam, where the major part of the ter ritory is in the hands of the Provisional Revolutionary Government (called the "Viet Cong" by the press here).This government holds all the northern third of the coun- .try except for part of the coastal strip, which is mostly under Saigon control; it holds the whole Cambodian border region, and other areas in the center of the country; and it controls virtually all of the countryside in the Mekong delta, though in this area, Saigon still holds all the towns, even small ones. "U.S. STILL TURNING THINGS .iNMOd 30TSdfl The liberation forces thus control much the same area that they held in 1965, when the U.S. first sent combat forces (as op posed to advisors) into the war. At that Not only does Thieu s policy betray the on the city was right after the halt in the time,the revolutionaries ruled the major overall hopelessness of his situation, it U.S. bombing, when the liberation forces ity of the South Vietnamese population. actually hurts his chances of long-range had not yet recovered all the losses they As a result of the criminal war policies survival by destroying the economic via had taken. Also,with the Mekong river swol of the U.S. forces, this is no longer bility of his domain. Already, with GI's len to a huge lake by the monsoons, the Lon true. American policy called for the-re scarce on Saigon's streets, the millions Nol army could use their American riverboats moval of the majority of the Vietnamese who were herded into the city and forced to to bring in supplies, while the libm-ati on peasant population to the cities, where work as cab-drivers, shoe-shine boys, pros forces had their less mechanized supply vast shantytowns grew up, or to concen titutes, or laborers on American bases are line slowed. Norodom Sihanouk, head of tration camps, and the physical destruc being forced into unemployment. Add to that state of the'anti-U.Sa government, has said tion of a large part of the Vietnamese a country-side being destroyed and a rural that his forces will wait till December be land by herbicides. With so many people population in concentration camps, and you fore launching any more major attacks, since driven from their homes, and with so get a picture of a country without an eco by that time the rivers will have receded, much land no longer habitable, it is pos nomy. In fact ?0£ of Saigon's budget is a and the liberation army will have built up sible that only a fifth of the people gift from the United States. it's strength. While most of the guerrillas still live in the liberated areas. rest, however, there is no rest for the Lon Nol army, which is subject to constant har In the liberated areas," things are differ rassment and pressure, as the guerrillas ent. In Quang Nam province, the people have The policies which caused these relocat continue to probe the outskirts of Phnom been producing cinnamon on a large scale. ions of people are continuing today, with Penh and block the major roads. the support of the United States. It is Since they had to sell the stuff, they un- well known that people wishing to return to their homes in the liberated zones are aac s«rmltt«4 to 4o ao.aad taet ami1 tan oe- TOM'S policies is jailed and *. tured. In addition, however, the policy of the destruction of the land is being car ried out «vea more vigorously than before: while the war was still in full awing, herbicides w%re used in coniunction with military operations. Now, with the war supposedly over, Saigon is using herbicides and toxic gas to create zones of sterility between it's territory and the liberated zones. In the delta, where the two areas Americanization with "Herbie are so thoroughly interspersed, this means alot of destruction of farmland and nature, Cyde's" help!! as well as villages. The reason Saigon is trying to seal off the liberated areas is because they have failed to make inroads by conventional military attacks. The revolutionaries have succeeded loaded it on the corrupt Saigon province a in overrunning some Saigon outposts set up chief, who", of course, had only one commod in their territory in violation of the ity on hand in any abundance to pay the peace agreements, both in the highlands and ••enemy" wiwi -- namely, u.o, mxxxueuy equip Still, the American press and government in the delta. However, according to a Wash ment! So he traded with them, and sold the continue to refer to the Phnom Penh crowd ington Post reporter, the people are afraid cinnamon abroad for a tidy profit, all the as the "Cambodian Government", though they to go out at night not because of the so- more tidy because he didn't have to pay for control only a quarter of the Cambodian called "enemy", but because they are afraid the American jeeps and ammunition -which he people, and is recognized by ever fewer of getting shot by Saigon troops. The vil gave the revolutionaries. More than likely, countries. Not only did the Soviet Union lagers have nothing to fear from the V.C. by the way, part of the 10# of Saigon's finally recognize Sihanouk as the Head of who visit their villages at night to raise budget that isn't an outright gift from State of Cambodia last month, but at a con their flag, the reporter claimed, and they Uncle Sam probably came from taxing that ference of underdeveloped nations in Alge pass through "V.C." roadblocks with no has cinnamon when it was exported, so that that ria, Sihanouk's representative and a repre sle. came out of our pockets, tool sentative of the P.R.G. were seated as the legal delegates from Cambodia and South In spite of it's constant violations of the If Thieu s crystal ball is cloudy, there's Vietnam by a unanimous vote of the 77 na agreements, the Saigon regime constantly a guy in Phnom Penh who'd probably be glad tions present. If they stick by their guns, accuses it's enemies of planning to renew to trade places with him. Though Lon Nol those countries have the voting power to have Sihanouk's government seated in the the war. The P.R.G. has naturally used the styles himself President of the Khmer Re U.N. when credentials are presented. time since the cease-fire to build up it's public, it would probably be more accurate forces to defend itself against the incur to call him the mayor of Phnom Penh, since sions launched by the Thieu army. Saigon only the capital, the city of Kampong Cham, In any case, it is only a matter of time now claims that the P.R.G. forces are mas the port of Kampong Som, a few other towns, before the dictators are forced to accept sing for an offensive, which they have no and some border areas held by his Saigon at least a co-aloition government of the intention of doing as long as there is any and Thai allies are still in his hands. In type now being formed in Laos, which will hope for the implementation of the Paris The other 90% of the country, liberated a- mean the beginning of the end of their days agreements, which call for the release Of reas are not even interspersed by occupied of corruption and oppression.Even the grow all political prisoners and free elections. towns or roads open to the puppet army, as ing quantity of American arms and advisors The reason that Thieu doesn't want to re in South Vietnam.. (there are now 22,000 in South Vietnam, lease his prisoners is because he knows he and an unknown number in Cambodia) cannot would lose any election in which anyone was The American press has made much of the prevent the inevitable fall of the brutal allowed to run against him, and his prison failure of the Cambodian revolutionaries to regimes who had to depend on half a million ers are all potential political rivals. take Kampong Cham in September. The assault of us for their survival. NOVEMBER HIGHWAY 13 PAGE NINE • It CHINA SOLIDARITY
As the war in Vietnam continued, anti war groups in the United States renewed In this area, the two groups got together, their efforts last month to make clear to since the tour's visit to the Washington the American people that the war isn't o- area coincided with WAW/WSO s Indochina ver. Solidarity Campaign in the first week in October. On Oct. 4, the tour spoke to a- In a series of actions across the country, bout a thousand students at Georgetown U- the Vietnam Veterans Against the War/Win niversity in DC, while WAW/WSO people dis ter Soldier Organization publicized the tributed literature to the crowd. The support the American government is giving organization also helped -organize and sup to the dictatorships in Saigon and Phnon port the tour here, and provided a security Penh, and demanded the release of politi force the next night for a public meeting cal prisoners held in Saigon s dungeons at the All Souls Church on 16th Street and concentration camps. Actions included in DC. That afternoon, the tour had vi a demonstration in Cincinatti, and rallies sited the University of Maryland — despite in New York and St. Louis, where mock tiger the Maryland State Legislature s resolu cages were set up in public parks to show tion prohibiting Jane Fonda from setting people how prisoners are kept and tortured foot in the state — again with the support in the jails paid for with our taxes. Else of the College Park chapter of WAW/WSO. where, WAW/WSO members leafletted, pick- The group left the area Oct 6 after a meeting etted, put up posters, and spoli at which representatives of local groups etted, put up posters, and spoke at commu discussed the campaign with Tom Hayden and nity gatherings. made plans to continue the work of education and protest on the war. In addition, a group known as the Indo china Peace Campaign has been touring the People who think the war is over should re country to spread the same word. It con member that it was only because of public pressure reacting to military losses that sists of seven members, a Frenchtschool teacher named Jean Pierre Debris, who spent Nixon "de-escalated" the war in the first place, As long as people are lulled into two years in a Saigon prison; a vet name. thinking that it s finished, it Will in Bob Chenoweth; who spent five years in a fact continue, because Nixon will feel that Hanoi POW camp, Holly Near and Jeff Lao- he can do what he wants, since nobody cares fley, a folk music pair; Tom Hayden, a anyway. Last month, Congress missed by long-time anti-war activist; actress Jane several votes rejecting Nixon s request for Fonda, and Tom and Janes's six-week-old son Troy, who is not yet very active in foreign aid authorization for South Vietnam. the group. The group has just completed The money for that aid, however, has not it's tour of 25 cities, where they spoke yet been appropriated, and it is still to tens of thousands of people at rallies possible to reduc« or cut off taw and singing protest songs. The most dra of our •». dollar» that «ill hs matic part of the program was the contrast tcri-re çmmmtmrr* erne Waha for Äi between Jean-Pierre's story of torture and forces. Only Ä *«»» "*°*""» vota.» ae«l to t»«= degradation in Saigon s prisons, and Chen switched in Congress, so everyone should oweth' s account of his humane treatment at put pressure on their congresspeople to pr^ the hands of his Nort Vietnamese captors.- vote arainst any more aid to Thieu.
IS VIETNAM OVER? II- NOT— CO OF 526th WHAT NEXT? ^ANSWERS" The Air Force has a special detachment on Andrews AFB that has one purpose: The men in it learn foreign languages. The de tachment has a ratio of about three offi HIGHWAY 13 cers to every enlisted man. They attend the Foreign Service Institute in Virginia and the Defense Language Institute at the Naval Annex at Annacostia in D.C. If the THANK YA! Never let it be said that this Vietnam War is really over, then why did a Dai Uy doesn't appreciate a kind word, even class (20 men) that was enrolled in Viet from the One-Three Crowd, but the SP O's and namese (Hanoi dialect) graduate in August, PVT A's don't get enough credit. I'd like followed by a class that graduated October to make one counter-point—true s me personnel 26, with a class that started in August encounter rocky Article 15 and admin action and another that started in September — roads but they strive and work hard solici and more to come! ting the CO's time and attention for their That isn't all! The USAF has a couple of misdeeds; but fortunately those GIs are a dozen enlisted men learning both Hebrew minority, an inconvenience to all commander*s (at FSI) and Arabic (at DLI). Makes one who still take pride in their Post Soldiers wonder what's going on! of the Month, Distinguished Honor Graduates, and Honor Graduates of numerous schools and The USAF isn't the only service with people overall hardworking, excellent performers, learning languages at FSI and DLI. The Navy, in the Company, PMO, and stockade. It should Marines, Army and of course, the Green Berets, be to the conscientious majority that lau are studying such languages as Cambodian, datory attention is directed, not the sub- Thai, Chinese, French, Russian, Swahili and performers, but human nature being what it Spanish. is the shady, shifty heads, malcontents and Congratulations are in hand for USAF Major DUDs (Definitely UnDesireables) get the Oscar Dockery, who will complete his course flash. No question about it, GIs do need in Spanish and will be on his way to — of unity—the majority of good troops against all places — CHILI. Tell us what's going the druggies, vandals, rip-ofl' artists, shir on down there, Oscar. We will be waiting to kers, and hoodlums. If you disagree just hear from you. We know the enlisted men will ask the guys who have had their stereos be listening to foreign radio communications, stolen, car windows smashed, or worked ex but what are you gonna be doing, Oscar? With tra shifts xo fill in for the AWOL. We're the recent military takeover in Chile, one getting it together, as they say, but for has to be very curious as to what American military men are doing there. Anybody got my good majority Qualitative Management any suggestions? is the unified destiny of the subperformers. PAGE TEN NOVEMBER HIGHWAY 13
Chu Lai, Vietnam. GI's on patrol wear black armbands to show support for anti-war demonstrations back in The World. See 14th.
San Francisco, Calif. Sailors from the Coral Sea "Stop Ou r Ship" movement lead an anti-war march. See 6th. MUSIC! November 2 Roy Buchanan Georgetown University, D.C. November 2-4 Dizzie Gillespie Etcetera, 1825 M St., D.C. November 4 Gordon Lightfoot DAR Constitution Hall, D.C. November 4 Dave Mason Catholic University, D.C. November 6 David Crosby DAR Constitution Hall, D.C. Graham Nash November 10 Judy Collins " November 11 Focus Spencer Davis Group " November 17 John Prine „ Fat City November 18 Doobie Brothers " November 23 Todd Rungren (2 Shows) East Wind, 9000 Pulaski Hwy (East of Balto. on Rt. 40) December 4-5 The Allman Bro. Band Capitol Arena, Largo, Md. December 6 The Who "
Plus Bluegrass Music every Tuesday & Friday Night at PT Barnum's, 2.131 Penn. Ave. in D.C.
San Diego, Cal. Crewmen of the USS Constellation refuse to go back to their ship. See 9th. NOVEMBER MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY
1971. Chicopee, Mass. City offi cials, under orders from Westover AFB brass, orders Off the Run way, GI organizing center, closed for "health violations."
1965. Arlington, Va. Norman Mor rison burns himself to death with gasoline at the entrance to the Pentagon to protest the Vietnam 1 1970. Iwakuni MCAS, Okinawa 1906. Brownsville, Tex. When 197V S.F.. Ca. 300 iari 1965. Vietnam. Green Berets 1864. Sand Creek, Col. Sand BUSINESS George Smith and Claude Mc- Creek Massacre. Colorado militia LOOKS FOR Clure, POWs for 2 years, are attacks unarmed Cheyenne Native released by NLF in honor of Americans camped on govern BIG WAR Norman Morrison {see 1st). When ment reservation. 450 men, PROFIT Smith and McClure say N LF women, and children slaughtered, treated them well and they want scalped and mutilated by soldiers. to work for peace, they are re- imprisoned by US Army and held incommunicado in Okinawa for 6 months. 25 26 27 28 29 30 NOVEMBER HIGHWAY 13 PAGE ELEVEN FARAH STRIKE IN 2nd YEAR Pretty awful, huh? The 3500 Farah Before you buy some jeans, look at the stripes workers thought so, and asked the Amal at the inseam. Do they line up? Is one of the gamated Clothing Workers to represent legs longer than the other? Yes? Then they them. But the boss, Willie Farah, tried are probably made by Farah!" to smash the union by transferring all the organizers to the other 5 Farah plants. "Gee whiz," you say, "so what? I'm not His trick backfired—the transfers helped gonna work at Farah's. I'll get a job up the union spread. The workers took a in Hoboken, where there's a union shop." vote, and the majority said they wanted Yeah, except that all those factories up the ACW to represent them. Willie Farah North are moving down South, where there illegally refused to recognize the union, aren't many unions. Where the wages are and the confrontation began in May of '72, a lot lower. Where the profits for the when he fired 35 workers in the El Paso companies are a lot higher. They're called plant. The entire factory walked out in "runaway shops", and the only way to stop At a San Francisco rally, striking wor support of the 35, and the strike spread 'em is to support worker's unions that kers carry signs saying "Don't Buy to all the other plants. will protect the people in those factories. Farah Pants" and "Viva La Huelga" Instead of negotiating with the union, So the next time you buy a pair of jeans ("Long live the strike"). as the National Labor Relations Board re check out the label. If it says Farah, quired, Farah hired armed policemen and don't buy it. Tell thé store manager he'd attack dogs to stay around the factories better get some decent jeans on his shelves, WHERE ARE YOU GONNA WORK AFTER YOU ETS? to frighten away the picket lines. But and tell him about the strike. The PX's "Oh, you know, man, I'm gonna move out the workers were firm. They organized a are buying a lot of Farah trousers now, so to Colorado in my '54 VW bus, make candles national boycott of Farah pants, with be especially careful there (& watch out and sandals and live off the land." Sure- picketing at stores and demonstrations for the Courtesy Patrol, too). By boy nice dream, and I wish it could come true (last year over 4,000 people marched in cotting Farah's you'll be helping out 3500 for all of us. But the VW will probably Baltimore to support the strikers). Other courageous people. And you'll be helping blow up in Indiana, land in Colo costs unions helped, too—the Longshoremen yourself. Like a Chicana woman said, beaucoup money, and there's some big com started a $l-a-month club to donate funds "We are on strike not just for ourselves, pany turning out nice hippie candles (with to Farah workers. Shell Oil Co. woiskers but for our children and the children of Zodiac signs) that have captured the head our children. We are on strike for every shop market. promised their support. A textile workers union in Japan called for a boycott of one in this worldI" More likely, you'll wind up working for Farah products, and longshoremen in Aus some company in a warehouse or maybe on tralia and English and Mexican textile an assembly line. And if your employer workers joined in. Employees in Farah's is anything like Farah Manufacturing Co., Hong Kons; factory refused to handle cloth you'll be in a world of hassle. from the striking Texas plant. Farah Workers at Farah's plant in Texas & Strike Support Committees have formed in New Mexico start at Sl.70/hr. After 20 most cities on the West Coast, and are years they get $2.20. Women (who make up growing in the East (there's one in Bal 80% of the workers) lose all their senior timore, too! Call 947-3070 for more in ity when they take maternity leave, and formation ) Farah's management forces its employees to work so hard that none of the« has been able to stay on the job 20 years, wh FARAH LOSING $ $ which is required for the pension the company says it gives. On Oct 30 workers fro« tbe Farah plants "KNOW YOUR spoke in Baltimore abou- niggle, the boycott & strike hare been mtcc -.bey explained. spirited dc rat ors , toy RIGHTS!* picketing and leafleting and marching and telling people about the strike, have Send For gained wide support, aausing stores to cancel Sl3 million .of Farah slacks orders. Even chain sotres like Macy's have stopped Our Free ordering Farah Pants. Although the man agement ol Karahs nasn't given in, tne Life-Saver strikers are strong. As a Farah worker said, "We stood summer in 104° temperature. Kits. We stood winter this year, and many of us are ready for this year's summer and tbe next and the next. Why? Simply because we have nothing to lose and everything to gain! We do not possess property, luxur ies or a roof over our heads, bat thanks to you, our working brothers Mid sisters, ^r (CLIP CLIP CLIP CLIP ) we know that Farah is losing part of his wealth and support. It is also common FVee time on your hands? Have you ever.' sense that since we have nothing to lose, hurried up only to wait? Try reading our ' we know who is going to be victorious!" free booklets. They provide good infor mation on discharges, servicemen's rights A woman who had worked for Farah sewing in- and other interesting topics. seams together talked with Highway 13. She explained that the boycott has been so suc AVAILABLE BOOKLETS ON GI RIGHTS - NO COST - cessful that Farah has tried selling jeans under different labels, like Super-Jeans or Getting Out (A guide to Discharges) Brand X. "But you can tell if they're made by This Suit Doesn't Fit, Sarge (Unfitness/ Farah", she said. 'The top button, above the Unsuitability) fly-if it is covered by a plastic top, pull it _ Who Needs You the Most? (Hardship/ off and you will see a Farah button, with the Dependency Discharges and Humanitarian/ Big PF'". She said there is an easier way to Compassionate Reassignment) tell, too. "The quality of Farah pants is so I Was Only Following Doctor's Orders bad, they don't care about quality at all. (Medical Discharges) _ Who Let You In Here? (Erroneous Enlistment/ Induction) If War is Hell (Thinking Through the Basis of Objection to War) _ American Servicemen Have Rights - Do You Know Yours? FARAH Mail this request form to : Military Law Project 1590 Annapolis Road Odenton, Maryland 21.113 STRIKE Booklets will be sent directly to you. They are your personal property and can not be taken away. SUPPORT Name: Address : GROWS -Zip: HIGHWAY 13 PAGE TWELVE NOVEMBER guaranteed job. He told me to get a copy of appointment to' see him. He listened to my (Air Force Noise continued) my contract and see if it was still listed story and tnen took me to the USAF officer there. Well--that was easier said than done. who helps work out the answers to questions Next thing I knew 1 was on my way to Lack The Commander and the sergeants in my detach that the congressional people have about the land Air Force Base for my brief stay (a mere ment would not have anything to do with get USAF. After finding out the proper channels six weeks). In ray basic training flight is ting me a copy of my contract. Finally, to go through, the case worker and I de where I found irçyself in the Air Force. The after conning one of the sergeants to get a parted. The Congressman's caseworker prom Recruiter was right—you really do find your copy of my contract, I found myself standing ised me action within a week. self, but he never did say where. In the Air before the Coomander. He asked me what I Two days later, I was pulled out of my Force I found myself cleaning floors, clean wanted the contract for', and I told him that ing walls, cleaning dishes, and cleaning first morning class by the chairman of the I was supposed to have a guaranteed job, and Vietnamese Department and told to phone ray parking lots. I also found myself standing that I never got it. I had to explain how two inches from some son-of-a-bitch who was Commander. When I called he told me to it happened, but I myself didn't really know doing his damndest to convince me how stupid process out (disenroll). I reported back to I was because I had left a finger print on Well, a few days later I again found my the base where he showed me a letter that the chroms part of my razor. Ky entire basic self before the Commander. This time he had he was sending recommending me for my guar training flight also found itself with me — a piece of paper to give me that would clear anteed job. Two days later I received a sitting in the barracks waiting on both up the whole matter. It was a copy of the carbon copy of a letter from the US Congress Christmas and New Year's Day for inspections cardboard folder on which I had written down to a Mai. General in the Pentagon. Htaim! that never came. my schools and signed—but there was some So now I find myself waiting for orders thing else: Directly above where I had sign that are supposed to send me to my guaranteed These are only minor incidents compared ed my name were tbe words "I TOUTÜTKSR FOR job (after taking 35 weeks of a 37-week to where you ultimately find yourself. As I LANGUA3E TRAINIIß.,, However, it wasn't in Vietnamese course). After all of this, I've progressed through training I had occasion my writing. Nevertheleea, mj Cormader said found that you're better off if you find to meet a Captain who wanted me to become that this cancelled-oot mj guarantee. yourself on the OUTSIDE of the USAF. After part of the Air Force Security Service. This I didn't really la»» what to do, »o I de a year in the Air Force I find myself still was a volunteer job. Only if you volunteered cided to eo see »*tr C .mmm—II. I got an trying to find my way out. would you be considered for the USAFSS, or so he said. (Middle East Continued) What' this Captain wanted was for me to doubt, Brertuoev ana komygiB similar ganda purposes and as justification for volunteer for language training in Russian. promisee for their «M military preparedness. Neither side has yet I was not at all impressed by this offer, be shown a sincere effort to resolve this a- cause I had my guaranteed job, or so I thou£rt. bomination, thereby leaving terrorism as It was here that I realized that the USA? vas Within tbe American political community, the event aammm to mare caused a rush by the only response to starvation, disease, trying to con me out of my guaranteed Job. almost a-rerjr faction to line up Vietnam- and severe humiliation. The upcoming ne They sent me to an interviewer who wanted style behind one aide or the other in gotiations will offer everyone still another me to take language training because It order to further their own political line. opportunity to sell Palestinians further was "such a great opportunity". Voll, I down the river. Watch. wasn't really interested in any languagea The Left welcomed an Arab entrance into the at all, and toll him so. However, be con raagmmrd of liberation struggles, while the This latest war has once again demonstrated tinued to try to sell me this language stuff, Right applauded Israel as a small, fiercely that the ruling elements of the United so I told him if he could guarantee me a independent and democratic country fending States and the Soviet Union will stop at specific language that I would consider it. off Arab hordes. A more factual alternative nothing to promote their own wealth and would be to see both as victimized puppets He informed me that he couldn't do that, but self-interest. As long as there is oil e- of Soviet-American imperialism, and neither if I were to pick a choice of three, he nough, markets enough, ore enough, and as much of an example to progressive minded would get me one of the three. I still was foreign labor enough to meet both their peoples. not going for it, so he asked me if I would needs, they will work together to insure let them do a background investigation on that the real needs and rights of working Israel, in the throes of Zionist fanaticism, me, so that I could be given a security people are consequently denied or minimized. is neither democratic (a theocracy whose clearance. I said that he could check all Their strategy is simple: divide the people he wanted, but if he could not guarantee a religion has been raised to the level of specific langauge that would be taught at state policy and whose immigration practices and divert them from their common interests the school in Monterey, Calif.(my home is are distinctly discriminatory), nor small and requirements. Racism, sexism, and near "tvhüre), I wocûLd no-fc be considering any fhavihg militarily expanded its territory pseudo-nationalism, as well as individual tr.r.^.fnl.1 in i H«, par.« 2T. >-«-•>-—^ •*• wa.»l + K and y. ow*- »- , «»*-.- _ 1 >MB. vervien-ST said be would try, and ,..-. built and mortgaged in order to activate that strategy. ' •neantime, they would start my back through American finance capital). The of these things supply what most Arabs ground check. This meant that they had to Arab states., ruled by and serving the and Israelis really need. But until they send a letter to the police chief in the interests,of^either^semi-feudal or bourgeoi are able to see that, their blood, and town I had lived in and one to my family sie classes or oppressive military cliches, the blood of so many others, will spill doctor. He let me read the letters and ask do not make any better heroes. The truth together. ed me to sign them, which I did. He told of the matter is that this war—like most— me that they would also have to check all has served the economic and political pur As for the cease-fire, haven't we really the schools I had gone to. So he gave me a poses of the ruling classes on both sides heard it all before? The life and death cardboard folder on which I listed both the almost as much as it has benefitted the struggle between the rival imperialisms high schools and both the universities I had imperialist powers who wield the puppet underscores how insubstantial all of the attended and asked me to sign it, I signed strings. The real losers—and the only ele rhetoric about detente really is. The the folder and said goodbye to the inter ments which Highway 13 can clearly support— danger of the Middle East hostilities en viewer, expecting not to hear from him are the working people, the soldiers, and veloping still wider portions of the world again. He could only give a choice of three refygees suffering on both sides. They gain and possibly leading to a nuclear showdown languages, and I would get the one the AF nothing but pay the biggest price. between the superpowers (how much longer decided on. will they both be able to get what they want and remain super?) demonstrates, too, At the end of basic training I found my Meanwhile, the Palestinians continue to why US-Soviet "agreements" cannot serve as self waiting for orders that I never got. I serve as a punching bag for everybody. They reliable bulwarks of peace. No arrangement was placed in another barracks on the other are the most brutalized victims of the that attempts to "normalize" inequality side of the base. My basic training flight Arab-Israeli wars. Israel offers them no and domination or which permits the super had all received their orders and gone, and acceptable solution except to live as powers to intervene in the internal affairs I was still waiting for mine. When I finalty second-class citizens in an alien wasteland. of other countries can ever bring peace to got my orders (from a sergeant who only want And the Arabs need them in Limbo the way the world. ed to fill a quota and was not interested in the Israelis need Russian Jews, for propa my guaranteed job), they were for Andrews AFB, Maryland, and I was going to school to learn Vietnamese. Well—I found myself, alright, but not SUBSCRIBE! where I wanted to be. I tried numerous ways to get out of the school, but they were of MAIL TO: Militan la» Project / Kighwav 13 1590 Annapolis Road no avail. So I phoned my recruiter in Cali Odenton, MD 21117- fornia and asked him what happened to my HIGHWAY 13 nvne 1590 Annapolis Road address. Odenton, MD 21113 »DRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED RETURN POSTAGE GUARANTEED grrfi ßcr