free oo Gis BALTIMORE GIs UNITED civilians 250 OP¥.K HANKS a newspaper Vol. 1, no. 3 IN SUPPORT OP DEMOCRACY Ft. Hoiabird
The wars drag on. TEE GUARD FIASCO The poignant smell of death hangs heavy. Recently, a GI walking his guard A helicopter drones above the swamps post at the officer's club was shot In search of its prey: at by a would-be thief. Fortunately, The battered, broken bodies he was not hit. Since he was armed Of men. only with a small club and a flash Strong men once, light, the guard did not try to catch And brave and yo-ung. the thief. The duties and equipment But now they're older, of the guards have remained the same And tired— as before the shooting incident. Those who survived. What does the Chief of Staff ex A widow weeps. pect an untrained and virtually un A child cells out for Daddy, armed individual to do in the event Who promised he'd return. of trouble? The official answer is that the guard is supposed to report And he did. it so qualified help can get to the But silent, scene. That's fine unless the man and in a \rooden box. has stopped a bullet or been jumped And wars crag on. by drunks, in which case the report What are v/e searching for, America? will be made when the guard is found. And why? In the age of electronics, aren't And will v/e know what it is, there safer and much more efficient If and when we find it? ways to guard buildings than by post ing unarmed, untrained, sleepy, cold, LETTER TO. THE PRESIDENT and pissed-off GIs by them? Dear Mr. Nixon: Even if it were impossible to in As active dnaty soldiers concerned stall burglar alarms in the buildings about our country and the war in now guarded, is a bottle of scotch or Vietnam, we find it necessary to ex the petty cash till in the officer's plain our feelings on draft resis club worth risking a man's life for? tance and desertion. If you are an EM involved in guarding We feel that all men who have fled the areas, then no doubt you place a this country, who have fled the arm somewhat higher value on your skin. ed services, or who are serving in Apparently if you are a colonel, your Federal prisons to demonstrate their values are reversed and the safety of opposition to the war should not be the scotch outweighs the safety of punished as criminals. the man. If the men are not going We urge you to grant a general to be properly trained and armed, amnesty pardoning these men. We then the guard duties should be dis harbor no animosity toward these men. continued. It's time you brought We want them to return to their coun some smoke on the men who place such try and work for the betterment of little value on your life - write to mankind. A general amnesty would do your Representative or Senator! much to re-unite this divided nation.- «^ ^r* • -ir-isi.^ OPEN RANKS see page 4 THIS PAPER IS YOUR PERSONAL PROPERTY. IT CANNOT LEGALLY BE TAKEN AWAY. LET]S .CET OURSELVES TOGETHER! COWARD? We know $ou< re out there!" , We know I have »heard ma$y 'Soldiers refer to there "-are GIs at Ft. Hoiabird'-who anti-war •••demonstrators ae£ cowards or want to see the war stopped now, who long haired creeps. These soldiers are fed up with the daily round of somehow feel that demonstrators are Mickey Mouse harrassment, and who are active only because they are afraid concerned about the absence of civil they will be drafted and sent to Nam.- liberties in the Army. It's about This attitude of cowardice is also time we got together. projected to our boys in Canada, Swe This Sunday, Dec. 14, there will den, and in federal prisons because be a meeting for interested GIs at they refused to become part of the the Learning Action Center, 321 East Army system. It seems strange to me 25th Street, 3rd floor, at 7:30 P.M. (I'm a GI too) that other GIs could There will be some goodies to feed foster such ideas. your jgace, and some rapping to feed Sgt. Major Wooldridge and a Major your mind. General were doing many mean and nasty Some of the topics to be discussed things: robbing soldiers and the gov are: developing a stronger base for ernment alike to make themselves weal Open Ranks, organizing a coffeehouse thy. Quite a few high ranking enlist for Baltimore area GIs, and your ed men have been charged by the Senate rights as a citizen-soldier. as being involved in NCO club graft. There will be some short speeches Lieutenant Calley'has been charged by workers in the fields of GI organ with the slaying of at least 10 9 Viet ization and GI rights, and there will namese men, women, children, and babies be active duty GIs and recent vets to Twenty-four other American soldiers talk with. are under investigation concerning this incident. • If you need transportation or if you have a car and will take riders, Reports this week alone include pic contact George Coward at 889-1998. tures of VC suspects being thrown from helicopters because they would not ans wer questions to the US interrogator's H^El COME DE JUDGE satisfaction. ' The UCMJ (Uniform Qode of Military American pilots unload their weapons Justice) is a cruel weapon that was daily on anything that moves in the adopted by uncle Sam to protect the. designated "free fire zones" - man, government and not the people who woman, or child. For months American serve under it. pilots pounded away at North Vietnam daily. Atrocities of the war have not Although the UCMJ is a nasty threat gone unreported. Papers like the Ber to. our own beliefs, it has a few good keley Barb, Vietnam GI, and Shakedown provisions. have consistently reported them, Who It is designed to protect GIs from hasn't seen the pictures of napalmed rash and uncontrollable punishment babies and child amputees? and informs them of their rights, such The war is immoral. That cannot be as they arc. denied. The Army is immoral too, but The Judge Advocate General's of it always finds a scapegoat or hides fice is the legal branch of the Army.• the facts as in the My Lai incident. They are helpful in abtaining legal The Army now is running scared looking advice and in finding the exact word for a place to hide until it all blows ing of regulations. (It is best to over. obtain a civilian lawyer for actually You may be a soldier by c>Joice, may trying cases.) Permission cannot le be not. You know about the Army's im gally be denied to go to: the JAG morality better than anyone else. Sol office, if you go through the chain diers, how can we accuse these men of of command. cowardice because they refuse to asso cont. p, 3 ciate with this sickening immorality? FIRE A DRAFTEE TODAY! CORRUPTION IN THE ARMY How many hours a week are you put People in the Army were made sorely ting in? Dount work or class time, aware recently that rank and honesty KP, guard duty, formations, inspec ' aro not always the same. This gap tions, GI parties, etc. Depressing, was driven home by the actions of two isn't it?'Now ask yourself why you high ranking men, former Sergeant have to slave this way, and espec Major of the Army Wooldridge and ially why you have to "temporarily" Provost Marshall Major General Turner. have to work Saturdays. The official These men held prominent Army position explanation is that there is a work of trust and respect. Then it wo.s overload. But how much time each Sat discovered that they had participated urday ia spent doing productive lab in illegal activities, made possible or and how much is spent at trivial, by the positions they held. worthless chores and formations? While it is true that all high rank Do you suppose that the General is ing officers and enlisted men should scared about the civilian employees not be judged by the actions of two cutback? Could it be that a lot of bad apples, it is also true that one prestige is attached to a large civ should never make the same mistake ilian force? Could he be saying in twice. The circumstances that made Washington. "Look, I have my men the Turner-Wooldridge incident pos- working every waking hour. Wo enn't sibile should bo changed. The blind spare any civilians."? If so, why 16 are we doing the lackey bât for the ^ne^âi^^iâiBs^^rrSpïi^P sake of the general's prestigious easy and prevalent in the Army. body count? The Turner-Wooldridge incident is Let's take it a step further. Why not a fluke. It will happen again are they firing civilians who need and again if something isn't done to that work, and at the same time discourage it. In fact it is happen drafting young men who have better ing all the time end going undetected things to do with their lives? Why in most co.ses. From First Sergeants not keep the civilians and cut back to Company Commanders to Generals it the draft? Again there is a simple is happening. A little juggling of (minded) military answer: draftees the books gets a company commander a are cheaper, since they are virtually television that should have gone to slave labor. But are they really? the^uni^. fund. A minor siphoning of Think of the thousands it costs to mess hall food cuts down on the fam .put a man throagh basic. Count up ily food bill for the Mess Sergeant. housing, chow, and uniforms. Final And a few gifts to a General gets a ly, tally up the cost of supporting soldier a safe assignment. the huge lifer brigade whose only These incidents are happening all job is training (harrassing, break the time and arc made possible by the ing) draftees. Aren't civilians blind faith or fear that the average cheaper? PFC Pistoff, would you soldier has. The only way this cor minit being, fired? ruption is going to be stopped is by individuals watching and reporting illegal actions to their superiors. HERE OPMB PJ; .JUDGE (cont) Be a fink and turn them in to the IG. If you are given extra duty as a They wouldn't hesitate to punish you form of non-judicial punishment with if you were AWOL for a day., If the out the option of an Article 15, you IG doesn't bring action, then let your aren't being dealt with justly. If congressman know the story. you feel you are being discriminated against or harrasscd for no apparent If honesty is a virtue,for a Private reason, you have a legal foundation then it should be the same for a for a formal complaint. The JAG General. officers will investigate matters which deny your rights as a GI. "ARI.ÎY IS A FOUR-LETTER WORD!" -I+- INTERVIEW WITH THE HEAD SPOOK GI rights movement, Ketchum." In an attempt to learn how the Army "Hot Damn!" He lept for the sink and gave the faucet a crank. "Who is reacting to the involvement of GIs the hell do they think they are?" in the anti-war movement, this report His voico was cracking with a strain er requested an interKiew with a high ed high pitch. "We'll get them,, ranking individual in Army intellig every mother's son! They'll be ;sor- ence. After some delay I was cleared ry they ever heard the word rights." not only to approach, but to speak with General Ketchumatit, the Penta 1 e can tel1 gon 's chief spook. On the day of the if ! S£ i§ g^iSäd&tf»^ interview I was met at the gateway to "Sometimes they're sloppy soldiers, the complex that houses the General's don't want to look like part of our offices by an MP escort, two light team.. But sometimes they are the colonels, three majors, a Sergeant best ones, covering themselves. How Major, and a vai-iety of lower ranking ever, a lot of them are middle-of- EM. In a moment I had been ushered the-roaders. " inside, checked for credentials, fris ked,' and had heard the heavy steel "But every GI in the Army is covered gate crash shut. We proceeded down a .by one of those descriptions." long and dimly lit tunned in silence, "Damn straight ! No one is above except fer a creaking and wheezing suspicion - just this morning I had which seemed to be coming from the myself fingerprinted to make sure I Sergeant Major. We stopped in^front hadn't been infiltrated." of a heavy gray door, I was friakdd again and then allowed into thd Gen "How do you plan to get them, Ketch eral's office« um?" Inside the office was a small, "Agents! Agents for every damn GI anemic-looking man with chewed-off in the Army and agents for the agents! fingernails and four huge stars glint An American who thinks is an American ing on each shoulder. On each wall who can'„t .fce^trujst.ed! " At this there was an oversized picture of the point he jumped up and, shaking, little man I now faced - the pictures turned on both faucets full blast. seemed to be eyeing each other suspi When I asked him further questions, ciously. In one corner there was a he would only answer withthe water large sink with a bass drum in it. pouring directly onto his head, to prevent "them" from heaming. Short "Hello, young man," said the Gen ly, he was dead from drowning. eral, "Before you sit down would you turn on the water in the sink?" I obeyed his odd request and the water SUBSCRIBE! falling on the drumhead made a low rumble. Free to GIs (mailed in plain envelope "Why did you have mo do that, Gener $5.00 support contribution for al Ketchumatit?" civilians. "Just call me Kotchum, young man, Want some for other GIs? State the because that's what I do, ketchum, number needed, no charge. ketchum, ketchum! I did that to foil Mail your name and address to: their listening devices." BALTIMORE GIs UNITED "Who are *they', General?" Box 9785 "Ketchum! Call me Ketchum! You'll Eudowood Branch be better off not knowing who they Baltimore, Maryland 21204 are; I don't even know, but I know they arc out there listening! Listen, * OPEN RANKS has joined in unholy list-en,, listen! That's all they do! alliance wüthTTEW SALUTE Turn that water on a little harder, boy." ' BEND OVER, SOLDIER, HERE COMES "I wanted to interview you about the ANOTHER BENEFIT! ""5- but needing further study". Tests by OUT! the Bionetics Research Laboratories RAs: you may have on early out wait linked the chemicals to cancer and to ing for you—as much as cne, or even malformation in fetuses. In regent two, years early. months, reports in the.South Viet namese press have hinted at a con If your enlistment contract prom nection between an increased number ised you (in writing) training ar an of birth defects and the American MO3 which you have not received, you defoliation program. are eligible under AR 635-200 for sep aration after two years' active duty The defoliant used by the US is a because of non-fulfillment of contract. 50-50 mixture of 2,4,5-T and 2,4-D known as "Orange". Between January Our congratulations to ex-SP/4 Mike 1969 and the end of March 1969, the Austin of Fort Polk, who was discharg US sprayed the chemical on nearly ed October 31 after .serving exactly 5,000 square miles—more than 7.5$ two years. Mike had originally enlist of the total land area of South Viet ed for four years and been guaranteed nam. (The Pentagon says things are training and assignment in MOS 16B n't quite as bad as that sounds, (Artillery) . He was denied this since the totals may include areas training when his security clearance that were resprayed. was lifted after he applied for CO classification. announ-Bemgntfte P^a'g^Äunbed :c took his contract to a lawyer, that there would be no change in the who'helped him to draw up a request 泥 8f ÎEFSSp&Xfe^of ^ottesB01- for separation, and the request was has always been to Use Orange in re approved by the brass. There's no way mote areas away from the population.''' of knowing for sure, but the brass' ^he written statement issued by the decision to let Like go might have Pentagon differed in one notable been influenced by his activities in respect from a verbal comment made organizing the GI movement at Polk. by a Pentagon spokesman earlier in - GI PRESS SERVICE the day: it ommitted the spokesman's comment that Orange would continue DEFOLIANT LINKED TO CANCER. BIRTH to' be used against "enemy training DEFECTS and regroupment centers." A few years back, when it was dis -GI PRESS SERVICE covered that the US was "defoliatirig"- that is, using chemical warfare—large THE MILITÄRS ICEBERG parts of South Vietnam, the government was quick to claim that the chemicals My-Lai Wooldridgc* couldn't hurt people or animals, and / Turner anyway they were only used in unpopu lated areas, and besides it was all for their own good, etc., etc... On October 29, the White House was forced to acknowledge that the defol iants used in Vietnam are, in fact, dangerous to human beings. The admis Racsism sion might never have been made were it not for one fact: the defoliants are also in use in the United States. Brutal Stockade: The two chemicals involved are known as 2,4',5-T and 2,4-D. Under the new Influence regulations issued by the White House, Fixed Courts 2,4,5-Ï and 2,4-D may not be used near Peddling populated areas or anywhere where res c idue might reach humons. 2,4-D is "90 /o LIES BELOW THx) SURFACE" classified as "potentially dangerous PJGHT ONI by Zeke Boyd, SSG U.S. Army (Set.), Black Labor Alliance Turning point; Cui Nhon, republic of South Vietnam, 1st Sig Bn 1st Signal Brigade, T'li Nhon switchboard complex. This signal site was run by 2S GIs and 6 Vietnam ese people. I was then a buck sergeant in charge of the day shift of operations. Our job was to provide telephone communications to the Qxd Nhon area. We were using obsolete, under maintained equipment (as usual). We were catching all kinds of hell from stupid officers for not provi ing autorratic service with manual equip ment. Nguyen Thi Mihn (not his real name) came up to noe and asked if he could speak to më outside while he took his rest break. I said OIS when we got ourside. Nguyen asked me why I was in the Army in Victnarm.
"Well," I saidr "We're here to help the Vietnamese people to fight (straight from our U.SARV troop information cards) ...Blah... Blah... "Sergeant Boyd!" "Yeah? " "Sgt. Boyd, why you reallv here?... Vietnam?" "What do you mean, Mihn?"ir""l asked. Mihn then reached in his pocket, took out a copy of the Saigon Times, and gave it to me. I looked at the front page. There were pictures of people, black people... on the ground, up against walls, and lean ing on cars - all in the familiar postures of people being shoved down by cops - except that there were only a few cops in the pictures, the guys holding the guns were U.S. Army National Guardsmen, stand ing over, around, and on their captives. Mihn said, "Sgt. Boyd," I see—U.S. Army, same army you—they do this (to) your people in your country? Sgt. Boyd, why you stay in same army—they do this your people?" I couldn't answer—I had no answer. I had to think Well, that was over two years ago, and I am still thinking. Of course, I didn:t re-enlist. I'm out of the army now, but the condi tions that made those pictures possible still exist. Since I have been home I have been active in various political organizations— doing-research into what makes up the conditions that force people into leading miserable lives in the richest country in the world, and that forces young men into taking up guns to £rotect the exist ence of such a corrupt system. I have been trying to develop ideas - about howto change and/or abolish this system because of what I have seen it/do to me as.«fell --as what it has done to other human beings— my brothers and ,sisters.\ Anyways—here, is part of my analysis. ''vr'^Mfofoe-Ï^^jlfc^^^ in this country are in deep trouble. Indications of this trouble are the economic crises of the world's major currencies', between Sept, 28 and October 2nd the N\Y. stock marke/t\ fell J6 points—this drop came at the same time that ..speculators Were investing in West Germany and the mark. The speculators saw tha^/they could make a profit by simply having their money in Germany, because if the mark were revalued upward it would mean that the value of any money in West German banks would be in creased, For example, if you had a dollar in the bank in the U.S. and that bank revalued all its deposits upward by 10%, you would have $1.10 after the ".-evaluation. Very simple—yes? No, The in ternational money merchants are in a bind, because all of the cur rencies of the world are affected by these moves. These currencies, the dollar, the pound, the mark, the yen, etc. have to be backed up by some goods that are produced by working people. If someone has : RIGHT ON ! ( cont) P 7 a dollar and he wants to spend it, bux no goods are available for him to buy, that dollar is worthless. Or, if he owes a dollar, and the per son he owes comes to collect, and he doesn't have £he money or goods, to pay off his debt, he goes bankrupt, and the person he ovves is left hold ing the bag. This, very briefly, and maybe a little too simply, is the ctux of the dilemrca facing America,. Most of the industry (except war production and aerospace) in the U.S.. is obsolete and rotten. The U.S. is falling apart because of a lack of production of the basic consumer goods and services that people need to survive» Every sector of U.S.. production lags behind West German and Japanese industrial technology. Why? The financiers who hold the proper ty titles (mortgages- loan certificates, etc.) and major industrial plants realize that they cannot invest in new industry without hurting their old investments» For example: The UeS. auto industry could produce a steam car, which would run on kerosene and water, cut down on air pollution 99'", and would cost a consumer about S400 retail. But they won't produce such a car.«.simply because they would go bankrupt, (Confused? Well—the steam car would compete with all the GTOs, MUSTANGS, and other Detroit lemons, and how much do they cost compared to &400? SEE!!?) It's the same with housing—the U.S. needs 9 million units of new low cost housing. In Baltimore, we need approximately 50,000 units. At present the major banks in Baltimore hold the mortgages on most of the slum housing. They collect rents from these socially, worthless wrecks. If some contracter came in to build the 90,000 new needed units, these banks wou] d laugh at the.contractor when he came to them to borrow the money needed. Simply because if he built the houses, the ghetto residents would move to his new houses., They would leave the slums, and the banks would be bankrupt because they would not be able to collect rents from their slums anymore. Think about it. The major industrialists and bankers just cannot invest in the needed new industry that PEOPLE need.. Their reason(?) is that it would not be profitable for them to do so. Well, my position (yours too, I hope) is that regardless of profit, WE have a right to live decent lives and SMASH PROFIT! The bankers and industrialists get around the problem of investing at a profit by putting their bread into business and industries which do not compete with their old holdings. The major '-"dustnes that fit these qualifications are WAR (Defense?) and AEROSPACE, Bombs, tanks, and guns do not dompete with cars and hoiises, Making bombs, tanks, and guns with Defense Department "cost-plus" contracts are very profitible (to bankers and industrialists) , They don H care that WE get killed and maimed—as long as they get their profit. Well, the. porkbarrels were getting scarce, so Pres, Nixon had to go along with the C-5A. the ABM and this obscene extension of the Vietnam "peace'' action, as a way to continue having profitable outlets for bank ers and industrialists. But the money to pay for these boondoggers has to come from somewhere. WHERE? The good *ol U.S. working tax payer. Somehow,Nixon and his regime are going to have to figure out some way to have taxpayers pay for all -bliese goodies through increased taxes—but he has to do this in such a way that the real use of their money is disguis ed or covered up in some way. This brings rs to a discussion of what politics in the U.S. is really all about. The Nixon- -Agnow regime must find political scapegoats to blame their tax increases on, so that wage earners will vent their anger at any target but the rxgnt one—AMERICAN POLITICAL LEADERS! Nixon has already started the groundwork for these divide and conquer tactics, using the construction unions as his first target guinea pigs. A few weeks ago RIGHT ON! (cont) & the President's attack started by announcing that 75$ of new Federal con struction was being cut back as an anti-inflationary move (that is, to leave more money for the war) . -Then he attacked again in the guise of "Federal aid to minority employment in construction trade unions." This means that the U.S. Government is going to actively use Black people and other minority groups to break White construction unions because they are racist. The Government's operators will wage campaigns for proportional job representation in construction unions. This means that there will be a number of white trade unionists who will not get work when there are minorities included in the union. But only because there are less jobs (755k construction cutback—remember?) . What is really needed is an overall increas e in the number of jobs, This type of attack will be facing all unions, all wage-earners, and all taxpayers this winter. When the fighting breaks out, as it will, the the Army is going to be called out to break it up and to help the police maintain law and order. Our job is to understand and prevent such outbreaks - by explaining to students, workers, taxpayers, and GIs and policemen what is happening, why, and what we can do about it. We have to develop political programs which UNITE the same people that Nixon's regime would like to see fighting each other. For instance, a program for the Baltimore construction workers could be: 1. Build 50,000 new low cost housing units. 2. Minimum wages of 89,000 per year for construction workers. 3. The money to pay for the above two demands should come from taxing the income from slum properties (estimated at $150,000,000 per year) and from taxing corporate profits, NOT FROM TAXING WAGES OF WORKING PEOPLE. Fellowsisters and brothers under the green thumb - this is not an idle article about academic politics. The problems we face out here are the same problems you'll face when you ITS. It is important that GIs understand what is going on outside. The brass has been able to control GIs by keeping information from us in the past, or providing us with misin formation. Underground GI newspapers, GI organizations such as the American Serviceimsns Union, and various new left political groups have been able to break the information wall that the military has used so effectively, in the past. Now GIs are able to make decisions on their own - decisions about if and how the Army will continue to use us. Nov/ GIs all over the world are being asked the same question that Mr, Mihn asked me. I didn't have an' answer because I had not stopped to think about all the shit that had been used to convince me to stay in the army then. Bui all that has changed now for me. This brainwashing will not take if you are exposed to the facts, which conflict with the army's slick Cor not so slick) programming. A few questions have been answered, but a whole new raft are here to be answered. Questions like how to get a political movement started that can educate and develop enough GIs, students, workers, and taxpayers so that we can counter the tactics of the brass, the bankers, the industrialists,, and the politicians. How do we unite to defeat these people who have made life so miserable for so many of us? The program of demands discussed earlier is the typpe of thing v/hich we n^ed to discuss and take to others» I think that this type of analysis of the country and the people is necessary for us to develop the organization necessary to undo the foul shit that America is dropping on all the people of the world. *•-»• y free to Gla civiliana 2$^ OPK ï •i ^H Vol. 1» No.tj. a newspaper Ft. Holabird IN SUP}ORT OF DEMOCRACY TÎIXâ PAPÄX 13 YOU. PERSONAL PRCPSHTY A>-D CAKfcOT L3SALLY BE TAKEN FHOH YOU.
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4/DECEMBER 1969/ GENOCIDE /GUARDIAN BALTIMORE GIs UNITED AGAINST the WAR in VIETNAM -«s
But the army's finding out a few things. When white 01s walk into the BALTIMORE RIGHT: Vietnam is company «ommander's office to bitch everywhere about the way their black brothers are being treated, then the army gets wet streets of October scared. Then they know that those Prod, like lonely fingers, -white»--31 s aren't going to hide behind Through stranded thoughts their skins anymore, but unite with the blacks and Latins. And that's Of fire raging at mourning what's gotta be done in the army. Over acme lifeless village. Whites gotta unite with black and brown Lamplights flame embers GIs, Brothers gotta unite with their sisters--in the military and outside it. To tears burning shame Reject that lifer bullshit about women As when children embrace new fears» being around for GIs to screw and ask Silenced, broken by words women what they're around for. You can't depend on good ol' sarge and sir (These strained days of murder) to find cut what's happening. That's I turn one corner after another just a trick to keep you down. With a child's mutilated face The army says it's defending demo Forever a stained cloth shrouding my cracy and they got their* democratic peace. laws, but when they start applying them DJ. stance saves not one of us one way to the officers and another to When mind.s refrain from bearing the EM, that's when they're playing their ace in the hole. When Galley gets The endless flow of blood, charged with slaughtering those people Ed Cox» USB,Ret. . at Song Ky and Medina ain't even charged with anything, and both of them walk around free as birds (with bodyguards event), and at the same time a GI wears an armband or speaks out against SongMy Why? this shit and is thrown in the stock PeOT?le who ain't in the army may not ade—well then, baby, you don't need a be able to figure out how this massa swastika to know what the flag means. cre at Song My could happen, but I'm Goodman/RYM in the Army and I know about it. «Cause the army's a white army» see. In basic training whe» you go to rifle practice they got pictures of yellow people for targets. You're supposed SUBSCRIBE to get it in your mind that the enemy is yellow. They like to use black FREE TO GIs (mailed in plain envelope) drill sergeants so the white guys com ing in will channel their hatred of the $ 5.00 suoport contribution for army into hatred of black people. And then its easy enough to hate yellow civilians people if you're taught to hate black Need some for other GIs? State the weorile and vice versa. And when you number needed, no charge. got" to salute those pig officers and call them "sir" or get thrown in the Kail your nome and address to: stockade if you don1t,•when_you don't organize to prevent this shit, well, BALTIMORE GIs UNITED it ain*t too hard to explain Song My. Box 9783 Thev pdve us all kinds of propaganda w Sudowood Branch abou.t good old America and in the mov Baltimore, Md. 2120I4. ies they show us everybody's white. Be white* think white, act white. The mKrm#m>mm>; Mil MiLMBMlMMWIMMIIgliei^ enemy ain't white, whether it's Song My or Chicago. PEACE NOW!
«onlilm s— Issssssssssssssssssssl ssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssW ssssssssssssssssssssMMsssssssssstssss» NERVE GAS NOTES PROM SDSaWOOP ARSENAL I would like to thank .Open.Ranks 30FFEEH0USE OPENS! for giving Edgewood officers ancT" What were you planning to do Sunday EM a chance to express their opinions night - sit in the barracks and polish about the army in general and about you boots? Go to the NCO club and chemical warfare in particular. listen to the Green Beanies grunting? Hopefully, after this edition of Watch the boob tube? Now there is an 5P5B ^-Q-flk3 is seen at Sdgewood, such ALTERNATIVE. Come to the coffeehouse, c omraent's wi 11 be forthcoming. Remem- in the basement of St, Rita's church ber, there is no regulation that hall (see map). There will be a reg prohibits vou. from distributing this ular meeting of Baltimore GIs United newspaper off base or possessing it. at 6:30, and the oof f eehoa se villi open The experience (to date) of over i\$ at 7:30, this Sunday, January 18. We GI newspapers bears this out. Harnes have professional entertainers, re of contributors will be witheId If freshments, reading matierial from the requested. * national GI movement. All we need now is Y0UÎ It's absolutely legal, so Since much information on chemical don't let anyone narrass you. It's warfare is restricted, although it also free, and within walking distance. appears in the Washington Post and the So come to the coffeehouse - and bring New York Times,' I suggest we circum- your friends. . vent tnïV violation of our constitu - tional rights by simply quoting these newspapers when they run stories about Edgewood or chemical warfare. I also — PLEASE— think it would be important for vol This is your unteers to be more aware of all pos coffeehouse, don*t sible medical and social consequences get it busted. Bring of their work. For example, many NO pot and HO booze. doctors (even at Edgewood) consider The management such research, to he unethical, as no possible good can come of it. Many o.t the people who volunteer to act as guinea pigs are black. ,These people should realize that ..the very incapaci tating agents they helped to perfect Q Strand may be used in the, ghetboes of Balti Theater more and Washington.in future racial disturbances. We are also concerned about the unfortuneate caste system that is responsible for driving individuals .. ßün/no* u/ay who are prone to ao nstructive thinkin out .of„the army, while keeping and promoting hopeless misfits who keep their hands out of their pockets and den't make waves. : • r'; V/e invite your comments. BALTIMORE GIs UNITED Box 97Ö3, Eudowood Branch Baltimore, KD. 2120a. Ed, note: Don't ret you or us busted- don't divulge classified matierial. THE If enough response is achieved, a separate newspaper and coffeehouse PLACE. for Edgewood-Aberdeen is possible. Edgewood Officer M/t»* "PAS*- sVUûPflnûr'alç'^'' * The Sergeant MBU I Of U16 vaenerdib The Sergeant says, "Inspection, tomorrow, In recent months the US Army has absorbed 06OO, in ranks," ïcm groan at the inconven- the brunt of several attacks against its pro i
:, ^i^^^^^^^'^W'»**«*«1***«8**««^ îy menée Ëkkkâû gas***«*«**?*» www 6/DECEMBER Î969 /GEfiOCIDE / GUARDIAN •—i— ^
harvesting. Sut ased in amount» 10 to fores $ with over a half million acres of The U.S. war a! genocide against Viet 100 times holier than necessary, all vege crop land. From 19*52 through 1968, the nam » direct«! agamtft Eh« Umd, crops tation is killed. Further, new crops tot«! was 3,759,819 acres of hnd defo- and animals as well as th* people. planted in "treated" areas often have Iwted and 481,841 acres of crops destroy If is »s though America were trying to even more violent react-ins to the chem ed. wipe I he enure nation off She map or at icals than former crops. When in February 1967, S000 scien least reduce it to « desert unable to sup A war using chemical defoliants indis tists, including 17 Nobel Prize winners, port life of any kind. At teas one-eighth criminately. Dr. Shumkhi Wakatsuki wrote to President Johnson asking for a of South Vietnam has already been poi charged at the Bertrand Russell War public declaration about U.S. CBW pol soned, according to Pentagon figures. Crimes Tribunal, " should of necessity be icy, the response was an order io the which are probably very tow. called a war of annihilation." Office of Emsrgency Planning to insure The primary method of accomplishing famine results. Dr, lohn Mayer, Pro that the military orders for'2,4,5 .T were this objective is through chemicals. It be fessor of Nutrition at Harvard, who has careiully met What this resulted in was gan wish President Kennedy. studied famine on three continents, states 3n increase in expenditures for herbicide Soon after he took office in 1961, that "there has neve? been a famine that warfare to $57.7 million for 1967. Sup Kennedy launched a crash program to has not fir« and foremost affected small plying the poisons were the Dow Chem develop ârsîipSant agents for use in South children and old people.... Crop de ical, Diamond Alkali, Uniroyal Chemical, east Asia. The first field tests were con» struction [constitutes! a war measure pri Thompson Chemical, Hercules. Mon Auctsd tn Vietnam in April !*J62. By the marily, if not exclusively directed at chil- santo, Ahsul and Thompson Hayward and os the year, s fulKscale program of drer., the elderly and pregnant and beta- companies. dectruction of crops, forests and jungles ting women." Forced to ungrate in search Matching the dedication of the U.S. to «S8S m effect. of food, the people are beset with the chemical warfare is its cynicism: the 1967 Tfei purposes of this program are to diseases and epidemics that always attend intensification of spraying was the year of we&fcsn the civilian population through migrations. States Dr. Mayer, "There's al the "Freedom From Hunger Campaign." Starvation and to defoliate the jungles in ways a little bit of plague, cholera and The code name for defoliation is "Opera order to eliminate any hiding place for malaru present in South Vietnam." tion Ranch Hand" and the sprays ere "enemy" civilians oi soldiers. Among the foods attacked, according earned in planes called "providers " And One of the main chemicals is 2.4.D. to a Japanese investigating team, were over the headquarters of the 12th Air developed dating World Wat II by the taros, watermelons, pepper plants, nara- Commando Squadron is the motto, U.S. and Great Britain to destroy the rice mits, bananas, papayas, pumpkins, snake "Only we can prevent forests." fields ol Japan. This chemical is "spectae- gourds, potatoes, sweet potatoes, tapioca In Tayninh province July 18-20. says ritarty" toxic for fish, the second most plants, water plants, icd beans, oranges the PRG's War Crimes'Commission, the important food ia Vietnam. Two other and shaddock and cayenne pepper. U.S. sprayed five tons of chemicals, Sta organic herbicides use«* are 2,4,$ .T and Rice is the most difficult to destroy. ling 50 people outright and poisoning 9N0€. Arsenic product. arc also used, Since ske cannot he burned, herbicides 1000 people. The commission also char Ttes Pentagon mainta ns the chemicals are used-insuring a b0%, to 90% loss oi ge;, 2.3 million acres of ricefields and or- aee harmless to man and are merely in- the crop if' sprayed before the nee is ripe. chants have been destroyed so far this ttmded to remove leaves for surveillance. "They have also stalled throwing harvest year as well as 40,000 acres of rubber le a typical flight, a plane loaded with ed ri ' into the rivers," according to the plantations in Cambodia. barrels containing hundreds of pounds of subcommittee's report on chemical war The World Health Organization re chemical defoliants dips to a height of fare in Vietnam at the Russell Tribunal, ported Nov. 25 that approximately ISO feet with a speed of S10 miles per Another method of destruction consists 50,000 tons of antiplant agents have tour. The tail of the plane releases a fine of dropping barrels of herbicides which been used in Vietnam and that these are blue mist Four minutes later it is over- ate machine-gunned full of holes «HO the possible causes of birth defects. The aad MO acres of crops, forest or jungle nee pse?dies. The chemicals seep into the 16-page report indicates 2,4,S,T causes are destroyed. The spraying gt first seems water of the paddies. effects similar to thalidomide in causing not to have harmed the vegetation. Th* , Not only specific crops, people, cattle deformations of offspring when given to first changes begin a week later: the *r«t fah are destroyed, hut areas sur rats and mice. (Wilfred Bureheti reported pants «re ér«ê and the leaves cr«àte and rounding the sprayed area are affected. in the Guardian Dec. 6 that human birth crumble in the hand. Three months later, Leaves trtd flntsts nave bees found de deformaties have been caused in Viet* the countryside has died. stroyed several miles from where spraying nam ) ' Used is the pressriljci amounts sa nor was do«. Wind, rsi« and watte carry the If eves that« were doubts that th? U.S. mt«! agricultural cfeeuMpances tfea eS«s- chemicals and complete the potsoWsBg of is tryiisg to a&aJStu&te the cMita popttk- icals would fee tswsl to fell »suds, or, fee ft! food eonroes ter people *nd animals. tion ot ViatMtt, America's ismà, OOP, imtftjK«, to maite îî» leave« ef tin coîto« According to Pentagon figures, five animal ami pomM dasfcrtactiofs program phm fall m order to fseilSfet« rneofcankal reuioa «ere« have be** ,9ots©»*i --mostly has r«.-«oread dkam
:SSB:\.<-:^^».^^ •^-•i!M^mm'.-^P^^'m*^»rit Th® Dundalk Area Peace Fellowship will present the film "Time of the Locust" at ?î30 PM Thursday, Jan. 15» at the North Point Area Branch of the Baltimore County Public Library, Merritt Park Shopping Center» Holabird Avenue and Merritt Blvd* An open discussion of th© film and the Vietnam War will follow for all interested. Joe Fanzone, for D&pF CODE OF MISCONDUCT 1. I AM AH AMERICAN FIGHTIHG MAN! S^ *' But I don»t belle-re in war« kt I SE2VK IK PEE P0RC23 WHICH GUARD MY COUNTRY! • 3ut these foroes suppress people in other countries, 1é I /ilLL EEVER SURRENDER OF MY OWN FREE WILL! But as an American fighting wan I have no free will. ii.. IF I AM CAPTURED I WILL MAKE EVERY EFFORT TO ESCAPE! But as an American fighting man» I am already a POW, I WILL ACCEPT NEITHER PAROLE NOR SPECIAL FAVORS PMOM THE ENEMY! But my question ist "'Who is the enemy?" ,6. I? CAPTUHED, 1 W"LL / iEP FAIT-I WIT*1 KY FELLOW PRISONERS! Sut how can î keep faith with those who sent me to war? 7. I WILL OBEY THE ORDERS OF THOSE APPOINTED OVER MS! But how will that stop this madness? 6* 1 WILL REMAIN DEDICATED TO THE PRINCIPLES TRAT'HADE MY COUNTRY FREE! But my leaders seem to hare forgotten these principles* 9, I «ILL TRUST IN KY OOE AID II .THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA! But who will trust the people? 10, 1 WILL NEVER FORCE!' THAT I AM AN AMERICAN FIGHTING MAN« How can I? Th#y never let me forget itI Ft. Meade 3cAles con1t* During the long w©»ks that I was because of it. That happens because preparing my application for CO dia- the scales of military justice are chargs, I became increasingly aware of imbalanced against most men in the ser vice,, Toof no matter how legitimate the advantages that I hadp which other servicemen don't have,, in coning up end w® 11-prepared a case for a discharge with a request that Washington would may be, many of the Navy's decisions consider credible» The regulation» smack of arbitrariness and chance. But anyone has a better chance if his ar-e not easy to cam bys and they are not easy to flgur® out one© you've got e&a® is well-prepared. th*m* I had some good help from a JAG lawyer who« I could trust in interpret Now out of the military myself, I ing them, and we had friends and asso still have ». ganse of outrage at the ciât®» whose credentials as endorsers inequities and injustices of the Sys- of my claim were respectable and. un tem, and have decided to try to do questionable. ,*p#eple like minister» something about it. I plan to do full-- and priests» psychologists» Peace Corps time military counseling in this area staff with «host I had worked when I was to try to bring those scales of justice a volunteer, college professors» etc. Into better alignment» My own experi Wo had the money tô hire a civilian ence In getting a discharge, and ay- lawyer just in esse BuPere refused my study of the UCMJ and of the resources discharge and we had to take my case that are available to servicemen will to civil court. W© happened to live be useful in helping them prepare their ne&r Washington, D.C, where competent cases, and. I hope to be affiliated with counsel is readily available, and we the Baltimore Office of the American had a car. Too8 I enjoyed th© irery Friends. Service Committee. Pm not unusual benefit of being at a Coamand working alone, because there are men that was not hostile to my application, and women both inside and outside the but was well nigh supportive of it, Kilifeary who are committed to making (I was a Corpsman at the Naval Hospital sore human the System that tries to in.Annapolis). In other worda, most deny us our right to life In its full serviceman don't have most of the ad est sense. Baltimore GIs United are vantages that I had» and so they ara themselves Borne of those persons* not as likely to produce a well-articu With Robert Kennedy I say that my crit lated and adequately substantiated icism comes because I want to love my diecharge request*,.and without it th@y country.*«In justice, arc very likely to bo turned down and Larry Stearns to face harrassment and retribution BALTIMORE GIs UNITED VcOlJè Price - 2% FREE TO GIs "—We hold these truths to be self-evident, IHSUDE ,_ . • •ESS« that all men are created equal, that they . are endowed by their Creator with certain Citizens* Commission inalienable rights, that among these are of Inquiry 8-10 Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness." Letters 2 —Declaration of Independence July k, 1776 Statement of Purpose 3 Editorial & Poems k Helen Alexander 11 CBW and How It Got That Way 11 Human Guinea Pigs 6 Religious Freedom: Military Justice? 5 Chemical Corps Hymn 5 Annapolis Scene 12 CTT méem t i .OP» RANKS is the official publication of Fort Dear Open Ranks, Holabird GIs UNITED/P*Q* Bec< 9^3* Dundalk ^mWBWBsm— —maWBEammr Breach, Baltimore» Maryland 21222, Any opin Ttm Bun&alk Area Peace Fellowship is an ions, articles» or cartocma ia «lis mag&zina oxgaaiBatlaa working in the greater Dundalk , should not be coasts*»! as official or reflect i n •Willi tJ for peace snd human rights ing the views of th» Bapsrtasat of the Atmy throughout the mrM, We support the efforts or th® Bepar&stsrfc of teffe&ae, Nor shouM the of all groups genuinely dedicated to these opiaicas thread by the Bepartment of th« Anay eada» especially Baltimore GIs United and and the Department of Be lease or by any of the Baltimore Vietnam Moratorium Committee. their agencies ever be construed as reflecting At preaent -we're planning activities for the viswe of the authors of this publication. th» esmiösg spring to focus attention upon Is««« such ae the war, the draft» and national priorities» To mate the spring successful we need the ideas sad the support of your readers. Anyone living or working in the Dundalk area (including Ft. Holabird) is invited to join ua. MM tings are Saturdays at 2:30 at the Dundalk Public Library, Dundalk Shopping Center. Peace be with you all! Joe Fanzoae, Jr. Chairman, iDAPF »SSsWMHHHMHHHrS»»e*ef»e« P.O. Box ^37 Spring Lake, HC 28390 Baltimore GIs United Baltimore, Mar/land Congratulations on your recent success la oxganislng the servicemen of the Baltimore We ffeel the merger of the "New Salute" '- and "Open Ranks** will enable you to publish ©a® paper with greater unity» «ad greater strength to work toward making A real demand for the immediate end of the imperialistic War in Vietnam. If tie can be of any assis tance, please feel free to contact us. Good luck—and let's work harder to bring POWER Î0 BOB PEOPLE. GIs United Ft. Bragg, I. C. *»*% — The Article •*— .Military Injustice in the Feb. FLAYBOY! i B9H +.&*, We of Baltimore GIs United, like the revolutionaries trho founded this country, believe that «all men should possess certain inaMenable rights. We would like to believe that the Constitution does guarantee citizens of this country the right to free speech, free press, the right to peaceful assembly, and freedom of religion. Our newspaper, coffeehouse project and counseling service are all run with the con viction that individual liberty really is the principle upon which this country was founded. Our original title was: Baltimore GIs United Against the War in Vietnam. We deleted the second half of the name because it is now felt that the longer version may have seemed to restrict the activities and beliefs of GIs United to that one premise. We will continue to staunchly oppose that unjust war so long as the problem exists. However, we collectively plan to direct our support to encompass the numerous problems that plague our society. Among these we pledge ourselves to: 1. Oppose racism in all its forms. 2. Work for revision or replacement of the UCMJ. 3. Foster and encourage discussion groups. k. îlake the civilian community aware of the injustices and abuses which abound in the military. 5. Offer GIs legal counsel and advice about their grievances. 6. Make people aware of legal alternatives to military service., GIs UNITED considers itself an organisation dedicated not. to the undoing of this country, but instead to the furtherance of America's highest and most honorable precept, namely that of individual freedom. Any attempt by the military to silence our cause either through overt harassment or re-assignment can only be accepted as evidence that Constitutional rights have never been Intended to apply to US servicemen. INVITATIO» TO A FORUM OF OPINION GROW WE MUST OPEN RANKS is hardly a neutral publication. Baltimore GIs United is actively searching We readily admit to the viewpoint that can for support on other basée in the Baltimore only be characterized as radical left. This area, as well as additional (?) support from viewpoint determines our choice of material, the GIs on Ft. Holabird. The degree of our and strongly influences our modes of expres success to date is evidenced by the material sion. The view from the left does not blind from Edgewood Arsenal found in this, and the us to the existence of other opinions and last issue. We are working in Annapolis other interpertations of events and develop presently, and hope to consolidate with GIs ments in the present American political on Ft. Meade soon. What we are working for context. We invite you to express your opinions is the development of communication between to us andto the readers of OPEN RANKS. We bases in the direction of strengthening the also invite responsible criticism of our GI rights and GI.anti-war movement. These attempts to provide information and opinion concurrent movements must remain vital, must not readily found in the Army Times.' Address grow, if the injustices and suicidal mistakes any correspondence to our subscription address which have characterized the American military and your comments will appear in the next in the past decade are ever to be corrected. Names are not required. We need your support. THE BIG SWITCH . . » 3TI uQUOTIal If you have been watching the newsstands re cently, you have observed a curious, and most rapid change in the substance of the news. All of a sudden, the Vietnam War is over and we have a new enemy with which we can occupy our minds. Pollution has made the front pages. Within the last month, TIME, LIFE, NEWSWEEK, LOOK, SPORTS ILLUSTRATED, and US NEWS and WORLD REPORT have all carried cover stories on this problem. US NEWS and WORLD REPORT went so far in its Feb. 9 issue as to run the following headline: "WHY WE DIDN'T WIN IS VIETNAM." • "DIDN'T", Its past, all over, hadn't you heard? You say you have orders to go there? It must be a mistake, everybody says its over ~ can't you read? What we are witnessing is some of the most irresponsible Journalism since W. R. Hearst in vented the Spanish American War, and began the dubious tradition of "Yellow Journalism." These news sources are giving the impression that the Vietnam War is almost over, while we still have over 1*50,000 troops stationed there, while we remain the only stabilizing force in that shat tered country, and while the combat operations slop dangerously over into Laos and Cambodia. The war is far from over; any hiding from this morbid fact is an open invitation to further disaster. Hiding from the realities of the situation has been one of the main contributing factors in the development of this needless war. Now is hardly the time to repeat our mistakes and let our military operate under a veil of secrecy as it did in the early 60's. Our government must be relentlessly pressured] until the war is over in fact, as well as in words. No matter how critical the pollution The cooks and baissrs mate m» r&vo problem is, it must not be used as a smokescreen They'll drive me to an early grave. to cover further blunders in Vietnam. The only thing ï can't Justify Is why old soldiers never die So drink with me to A.C.C. ALM MATER Drink unto her majesty. (Tone—Maryland, My Maryland) Bora by men's stupidity Has doomed her son's to'mieesy. Hail to thee, Ok A.C.C* An age of wisdom on perade Stronghold of the S„P.P.* Has perished In her sterile shade. Where scientific mystery A fact that no one cas deny Remains unsolved eternally. This is the place where science died. Where civil service workers age Tormenting monkeys in a cage. •S.P.P./Scientific & Professional Personnel Qie only problem to decide A.C.C./Army Chemical tenter Is why the monkeys are inside. S.D./Student Deferment 80 hail to thee, oie A.C.C. Where I dwelled in misery. BOMBS! BULLETS: BULLSHIT! Sweating out on my K.P. Or paid in blood for my S.D.* tr% • il i X Chemical Religious Freedom? Corps The concern over military injustice expressed by your readers in the Playboy Forum might be Hymn intensified if they knew that America's future military leaders are indoctrinated to disregard personal conscience and individual liberty. Her The Chinese had their stinking pots, Here at West Point, one of the most flagrant the Greeks they had Greek fire. violations of personal freedom — as well as of Those early pioneers had lots separation of church and state — is the require of weapons to admire. ment that all cadets participate in religious But modem science came to change services each week. Every cadet, regardless of the methods and the rules, his personal convictions or religious beliefs, since it has learned to rearrange must attend either Protestant, Catholic, or. , the lethal molecules. Jewish chapel services. Even foreign cadet» studying at West Point — be they Buddhist, With chlorine, phosgene, lewisite, Moslem, Shintoist or Hindu — have to go to the a new age has begun. religious ceremonies of one of these approved We manufacture day and night religions. There is absolutely no provision for our nerve gas by the ton. them to practice their own religions. Oh throw away your old carbines, The penalties for not attending chapel are canteens, and olive drabs. quite severe. By exercising the constitutional Hay will not save you from the fiends right to refrain from religious participation, who work in Chem Corps labs. cadets are subject to judgment by a board of officers. Punishment consists of hk hours of That retching gas that you may curse marching with & rifle and two months of con has saved your life instead. finement. During the confinement period, the une re was some mustard in your tea cadet may not receive visitors or leave his and fungi in your bread. quarters except for meals and classes. This How can you know your army nurse punishment is not subject to appeal or Judicial is free from slow infection? review, since it is termed "administrative The Chem Corps will attack, you see, punishment" and is thus removed from the pro ia every direction. cesses of ordinary Justice. When I discussed this situation with a*con Yes, we'll use the air raid signal too stitutional« law instructor, he told me that we'll use all dirty tricks. even if a successful plea could be raised in We'll march encased in rubber suits, court, any cadet who tried it would almost our Geiger counters click. certainly be black-listed by the senior officers, We'll look like monsters out of space, meaning that he might aa well write finis to his When our souls are gone, career. they'll make our final resting place How can we expect the Army to appreciate the with MARKERS, GRAVE, Ml. value of the individual soldier when a gross in justice auch as this is imposed upon, and ac Among the stars that circle high cepted by, the Army's future leaders? above old ACC (Name withheld by request) You'll see a phantom flying.by, __ West Point, New York He was an S & E. ^Reprinted from Bsb. 1970 issue of Playbojr/ Now he is safe from all MP's he needs no phony pass, he pulls no longer his KP's, no sergeants there harass. He never showed for reveille, Read he drank beer by the can, and was to every degree The Article on a Phi Tau Alpha man, a man who saw his duty clear Military .Injustice in and bugged out when he could. Let's raise our glasses to him and cheer the Feb- PLAYBOY! a scholar true and good. "We would never be the first to use thetc things in a war," said Col. Joseph R. Blair, Human Guinea.Pigs deputy director for medical sciences. But ve have to have a strong capability in this field as a deterrent against any chemical Among the sen at this secluded old Army post weapons any enemy or potential enemy might use are 70 human guinea pigs whose minds and bodies against ua. We have to develop these things are used to test a deblitating and deadly cata because they are." He did not identify logue of chemical warfare weapons. "they." All of thea are recruited volunteers. Many of the 70 men for the September-October Tests show all of them are sane. program heard about it from friends who had And yet they've come here without extra pay, taken part. Unanamously, they say, they heard without promise of exemption from Vietnam duty it was good duty and so far have no reason to and mostly without qualms — to allow themselves doubt it. to be gassed, injected and sprayed with the most "Most of them want to come here to uake an controversial weapons of war since the atom honest-to-God contribution to medical science boab. and their 'country," Col. Blair said. Edgewood Arsenal doesn't look sinister enough In an interview with the volunteersx they to be the Nsrve Gas Capital of America. were asked how many were at Edgewood for patri Its grounds tumble gently down the green hill-j- otic reasons. sides to the shores of the Chesapeake Bay. "Aw—!" replied Spec, k Joseph Manahan, 26, Light traffic moves unhurried through typical a burly Irishman from Hew York City. "I'm army-issue architecture. Except for an occa here for just two reasons — a reaction against sional aircraft landing, the loudest noises on Ft. Rueker, Ala.," where he was stationed, post are the birds end tha drying autumn leaves. "and 'cause this place ain't far from the But perfecting the art of Chemical Warfare Jersey Turnpike. If they'da had the seine pro has been the principal function of Edgewood gram in Nebraska I probably would'na went." Arsenal since its founding in,1918. And since Much of the work at Edgewood is unclassified 1922 — for U7 years — -testing on human volun as long as nobody asks about the technical teers has been an integral part of operations. names for the esenta, their chemical structure, But the testing has never been publicized. or their means ~>f delivery to a target. It ia not widely known. It is, at beat, a con Even the volunteers are kept largely in the troversial practice. dark about the aubatance being used on them." How, In the midst of bitter public debate over the necessity of stockpiling chemical and Several arsenal employees have a rather biological we&poas, 'eaid loud protests that they ironic way of demonstrating that Edgewood are» a cruel and inhvcrui way to fight a war, the scientists are not evil. After working all Defense Department granted an Associated Press day to perfect the weapons of chemical warfare, request to tour this facility, photograph it and they spend their evenings developing programs interview the volunteers. to educate teenagers about the dangers-of drus During the conducted tour, officials talked abuse. freely about the volunteer program but turned aside many questions about their work and the Officials at the Arsenal, while not para uf^turs of the agents tested on grounds that noic , are fully aware of the controversy waging information tias classified. over C-B warfare. They allow themselves They described in general terms cheaical moments of black humor when the subject comes tests on the hvewn volunteers*, narvz agents up. which in sufficient quantity can kill in minutes\ After a demonstration of a strong liquid incapacitating drugs that disorient« confuse, irritant called CS, Dr. Ketchumr/Chief, create lethargy and hallucinations» aupress a Clinical Medical Sciences Dept^/ was asked if soldier's desire to fight and destroy his coor the liquid would be cleaned up or allowed to dination; and severe! types of irritants, such evaporate. as tear gas, whese effects vear off in minutes. "Oh, it will Just evaporate and spread over The volunteers also test the protective the area killing people," he Joked bitterly. clothing and equipment which would be Issued to troops engaged in a chemical-biological war. Edgewood officials have Pentagon-approved WASHINGTON POST Editorial oa the House of answers to questions about the necessity of Representatives: "It has too long been developing e chaü.e&l warfare capability, the plagued by the "three 8B" — seci'acy, senoï necessity of testing the amenta on humans and ity, and senility." How about the Ancy? the safety of the tests. ; ^Condensed from the Baltimore Raws Americans Septaaber" ON THE QUESTION OF WR CRIMES: The first CITIZENS' COMMISSION OP INQUIRY ON U. S. WAR CRIMES IN VIETNAM is being held on March U and 12 at the Unitarian Church of Anne Arundel County, 333 DuBois Road, Annapolis, Maryland. This is sponsored by a National Coordinating Coomittee, Maryland Veterans for Peace, and Baltimore GIs United. "War crimes" is a nasty phrese which calls to mind details of the Third Reich's extermination of the Jews or the Japanese atrocities against the Chinese (or, for that matter, against us at Bataan). When it is applied to Americans, as it was in the Russell Tribunals recently held ia Europe, it is dismissed as mudsliaging from the more irresponsible elements of the New Left. However, Song My has left many Jasssrieans convinced that their seas are indeed capable of war crimes, fes "silent majority", which has accepted the war crimes of the Dresden firebraabiag (133,000 dead), Hiroshima (70,000 dead), Nagasaki ßt5,000 dead), and the WL& rifle ('«hose bullets are much more destructive than the outlawed dua-doms of World War I), was left nauseated aad bewildered by the recent disclosures of Life and the 6-o* clock news of the slaughter of Vietnamese civilians. Since we have produced a generation of technicians who use Vietnam as a testing ground for anti-personnel bmbe and gases*, as well as a generation of GIs who look upon Vietnamese as subhuman "gooks", it is our responsibility to bring the issu© of "war crimes" hese—to the "silent majority" of Annapolis and other small towns in the u. S. Eils la not an effort by effete liberals to disparage the average GI, but an effort by GIs themselves to tell the truth about war crimes in Viatnsa »See the booklet WËAKBIE T^PTcOlSiTEKa^SURGENCY. available for $1.00 (10 or more: 60* each) ficmW¥aHonaT"Sfeaca Literature Service, American Friends Service Oomsittee, &6ö 1. 15th Street, Philadelphia, Banna. S«SSIMMHHMs>»SssMs>»SSe^HMMHMHMHHHHMMHMMMM^ •* VJZBtWa. VETERANS AND ACTIVE DUTY GIs WHO HAVE PERSONAL KLTOLEDGE OP COMBAT OPERATIONS, OR TPAINIHG PROCEDURES, WHICH THEY BELISVE ARE POSSIBLE VIOLATIONS OP COMMONLY ACCEPTED UHAL AND MORAL STANDARDS ARE ENCOURAGED TO OGUftCT THE CITIZENS' COMMISSION OF INQUIRY. ON U. S. . WAR CRIMES IM VIETNAM AT 156 5TH AVENUE, SUITE 1005, m$ YORK, NW YORK 20QJO. (212) Ç£9«^16U/691-021^ ssssssssssssssssssssssSssssssl J National Committee for a CITIZENS'COMMISSION of INQUIRY on U& Wat Crimes in Vietnam 156 Fifth Avanue « Hm. 1005 • New York, N.Y. 1001G * (212)989-0164 • 691-0214 STAFs» Jsftmv RiSUn, Nasi. CoawSftsttw Tod Emiflti, HB». CoonHnatw Mer Martin*««, Vt&CoonSnator 8«b .Mutton. VttCoonffwœr LffluH« Hattingar, Adminlttretor "It was die policy of ray unit (l?3rd Airb) to M**ru> The council condemned use of two chemicals used by US prisoners. In da RIM. of combat we took one prisoner-. .wfcen forces in Vietnam (24S-T, 24-D), urging an immédiate halt to penoat surrendered, we just fired *em up (kiHed them). the use of the two herbicides (defoliants) after reports (they) caused birth deformities.. ."* Taped interview with Jetty K, %/4,173rd Air Amer. Association Advancement of borne (deserter-Toronto Science Coven »ion, Boston Canada, Jan. 1970). New York Time 12/21/1969 "Senator Edward Kennedy estimated that civilian casual ties (numbered) between 120,000 and 150,000 in 1967. This rate remains at least at high in light of increased US troop * casualties in the last two years. At this rate, half a million South Vietnamese civilians have been killed or wounded (by 1969) One third of the South Vietnamese civilian population has been dislocated by the war. Richard J. Peters, International Voluntary Services. "Total tonnage dropped on Vietnam exceeds ths total "Since 1962, the defoliation operations have covered dropped in aB theatres of WW II by 60%. ßy Feb. 1969, ; almost five million acres, an area equivalent to about the size 3,200,000 tons. This amounts to 180 pounds of bombs for of the state of Massachusetts." «verv man, woman, and child - we have dropped 25 tons ofl bombs for every sq. mile of both North & South Vietnam." "Defoliation ": New Yorker Feb. 7,1970 Clergy é Layman Concernée About Vietnam, L WfHAT ARE WAR CRIRÎSS? 'The fact that a war crime is committed by a Head of State or other responsible offical does not "Murder, ill-treatment or deportation to slave relieve him from responsibility. labor or for any other purpose of civilians.. .murder or ill-treatment of prisoners of war, killing of "The fact that a person acted pursuant to order hostages, wanton destruction of cities, towns, or of his Government or of a superior does not relieve villages or (other) devastation. him from responsibility... provided a moral choice was, in fact, possible. •«» "Murder, extermination, enslavement, deporta tion or other inhuman acts against (civilians) or "Complicity in crimes against peace, war crime or persecution on political, racial or religious grounds. a crime against humanity is a crime under interna tional law." "Planning, preparation, initiation or waging a ware of agression or a war in violation of interna Principles of International Law as formulated by tional treaties.... the International Law Commission and adopted by General Assembly of the United Nations. Individual soliders should not be made scapegoats rely on the Pentagon and Congressional Armed for policies designed at the highest levels of govern Services Committees for "impartial" reviews of-these ment. Instead, responsibility for war crimes should be charges. Neither Melvin Laird, Representative Rivers placed where it truly belonp - upon the U.S. nor Senator Stennis have been notable in the past for government. seriously questioning any military activity. Thus, at a time when millions of Americans are beginning to II. HAVE U.S. FORCES COMMITTED WAR question the nature of our military tactics & policies, CRIMES? the government has moved to contain any inquiry within pro-military channels. "B-52 pattern raids against undefended villages and populated areas, "free bomb zones," forcible removal of civilian populations, defoliation and crop V. THE CREATION OF CITIZENS COMMISSIONS destruction, and "search and destroy" missions have OF INQUIRY been sanctioned as official tactical policies of the United States Government. ... The overall conduct Local Citizens' Commissions of Inquiry are being of the war in Vietnam by the U.S. armed forces established in communities throughout the U.S. to involves a refusal to differentiate between combatants gather testimony and evidence from Viet vets, active- and non-combatants and between military and non- duty GI's and other regarding the nature of American military targets." < military policy in Vietnam. These inquires will take the form of public hearings so that the American Dr. Richard Falk, Professor of International Law people can be informed about the war directly by Center for international Studies those who have taken part in it. The commission Princeton University panels will be composed of vet« and GI's with local anti-war organizations and professional groups pro viding assistance and support. In addition, volunteer Each of these policies violate treaties ratified by attorneys will serve as advisors to protect the rights of the United States Government and qualify as war ail concerned. crimes under international law. HI. WHO IS RESPONSIBLE? A National Coordinating Committee and national staff has been established to coordinate and support "Search and destroy," "free-fire zones," "strat the local commissions and to accumulate testimony egic hamlets," etc., are all policies designed at the and evidence pthered at the several commissions for highest levels of government and then passed down appropriate national distribution. through the chain of command for conversion into Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) in the field. Many of the over one million GI's who have served in Vietnam have been forced to employ military tactics VI. OWECTIVES OF THE CITIZENS' COMMIS which violate the Rules of Land Warfare* the Geneva SIONS OF INQUIRY Convention, and the Nuremberg Charter. a. To examine the nature of the war being waged by the United States government in Vietnam. IV. WHY AN INDEPENDENT INQUIRY? . b. To revitalize the anti-war movement in the U.S. by providing a new vehicle around which Thus far, President Nixon has refused to establish existing and emerging groups can cooperate. a civilian commission to investigate the allegations of c. To bring into the anti-war movement signifi genocide, despite the requests of the American Civil cant segments of the American public that have Liberties Union and a panel of 34 prominent Inter previously been uninvoived, such as Vietnam vets. national lawyers & jurists. Instead, he has chosen to active duty Gl's, Blacks, Puerto Ricans' and Chicanos. I UNDS ARE URGENTLY NEEDED. Send Contribution* (checks to: Cititti»' Commission of Inquiry) C.C.I.. 156 5th Ave., #1005. N.Y.C.. N.Y. 10010 CITIZENS'COMMISSION of INQUIRY on U.& War Crimes in Vietnam ANNOUNCES NATIONAL SPEAKING TOUR • Cottage Campuses « Peace Organizations Church Groups SPEAKERS on U.S. WAR CRIMES INCLUDE • Bob Johns©«, Former Captain, U.S. Army West Point Graduate, Alt-American Lacrosse, Vietnam Veteran • Peter Martinsen, Former,Prisoner of War Interrogator, Sp/4, 541st Intelligence Detachment, US Army Vietnam Veteran • Ralph Schoenman, Secy .-General, Internationa) War Crimes CAPTAIN ROBERT JOHNSON Tribunal, Dir. Amer. Found, for Social Justice • Susan Schnall, formerly Lt J.G. U.S. Navy. First Female Dr. Gordan Livingston, MD sentenced to hard labor for anti-war activity. former Major, US Army West Point Graduate. • Jeremy Rifkin, National Coordinator CCI, M. A., Inter national Law. Tod Ensign, National Coordinator, Attorney. ALSO AVAILABLE • Taped interviews - eye witness accounts of atrocities from Gl deserters now living in Canada & Sweden. • Film and color slides of war crimes. • Proceedings of International War Crimes Tribunal, Stockholm also "Against the Crime of Silence, " (official volume) • War Crimes Theatre Company Book Now! Contact: Louise Bellinger, Administrator (212) 989-0164 Citizens* Comm. of Inquiry 691-0214 156 Fifth Ave. #1005 New York City, N.Y. 10010 "IF YOU'RE HOT MM Of Bffi SOLUTION, on. RICHARD MCCARTHY YOU* BE 3*RT OF DIE PRQMâM* Helen Alexander is a fortyish ©at»telephone ; operator at Port Detrick, the biological-war ON CBW AND HOW fare center of the world» who quit her job in 1967 and became known as the "lone picket" GOT THAT WAY-' against CBW at Detrick. She became an acti vist because she felt that "even answering "Is the Pentagon, I wondered, becoming an telephones for Detrick was iemoral." end in itself and even a law unto itself? Dr. Louis ïbiser of Harvard, on the other Has the basic American concept of civilian hand, woited with Edgewood Arsenal to develop control of the military become impaired by napalm during World War II (it was first the huge spending power of the Pentagon and successfully detonated behind the Harvard its ability to act and create situations in football stadium). In 196?, he explained his the nation and abroad to force Congress and past work to the Haw fork Tiges: "You don't the President to merely follow? know what's coming. That wasn't my business. "Is there not something wrong when a few That ia for other people. I was working on a members of Congress can allocate in secret technical problem that vas considered pressing session miHic a of dollars for CBW and then "I don't know enough about the situation in hide the money in huge appropriations bills Vietnam. It's not my business to deal with that are place before the Congress for approval political or moral questions." with little advance notice? These are broad Aa Kurt Voanegut, Jr. says «tie» confronted questions which Congress, and indeed, the with our hopelessly sehieophreaic world, "And American people will have to answer." so it goes." "...We should begin an area of openness about our activities ia the chemical warfare field. A free and open society can't live in a kind of supersecrecy -that has prevaded our CB¥ effort in recent years. If we can not ON THE DAY WHEN CRIME DONS THE APPAREL OF openly discuss the public policy questions INNOCENCE — THROUGH A CURIOUS TRANSPOSITION PECULIAR TO OUR TIMES — IT IS INNOCENCE concerning a particular program, we should THAT IS CALLED UPON TO JUSTIFY ITSELF. scrap it." CAMUS —pp. 139, 152 of CBW: The Ultimate Folly (Vintage, 1969}. m Think about this when Security warns you about the curiosity of Cessminist agents and tells you should keep your mouth shut. He's .BLESSED WhlHrMiU' rOR THEY really talking about the curiosity of the SHALL INHERIT: THBEARTH," - American public. Also, remember that a concern for a "Pree and Open Society", if too overtly expressed, can get you 20 years. CBW READUO LIST 1. CBW America's Hidden Arsenal by Seymour M. Hersh, Doubleday Anchor", 19^8 (paperback). A classic by our«favorite author. Sirong on CBW public relations efforts such as 'Operation- Blue Spies' in 1961, and on the . use of CW in Vietaaa. Occasionally draws ' unwarranted conclusions from newspaper items. CBW edited by Stephen Rose, Beacon Press, 1969 (paperback). 2. CBW: The Ultimate FoUy by Richard McCarthy Vintage, 1969 Ip&perback). Delves more deeply into the ethical aspects of CBW. Also deals well with Not aa comprehensive as (l), but supplies CW in Vietnam. Represents the results interesting details on CW bases in the US, of an anti-CBW conference held in crop destruction in Vietnam, and CHASE. England recently. T*a»y"*!*~~imr •rjSBTBBfaBpBnBrfBt THE ANNAPOLIS SCENE businessman In response to the crying need for an adequate draft and military counseling lyij? myn Pb^s i service here in the State capital, a group of concerned recently organized THE ANNAP OLIS DRAFT INFORMATION SERVICE. Free and aad talk Vietnam impartial information from trained counse Year fattier—or a friend of your fethsr. lors is finally available. Business Executives cf B.E.M. have marched sida try. side trüh ycu In Wash* A newly-organized EPISCOPAL PEACE Sngtoa» in San Frsffictoco, fa many ctfcflir FELLOWSHIP hopes to assist the Church to put into action its pronouncements on war We hen bsan cetapdfeea aad direct: and peace: "War as a method of settling "SHOPIT. NOW!" international disputes is incompatible We used more testasse esacafâtes to with the teaching and example of our Lord." aœpïu? oar voices—years ma oars. Help as recruit. We'll ecad f©tt material. Six Midshipmen and one West Point Cadet- FIE fa ÖL« ecapan. filed a suit in Federal District Court last month stating that the academies' require ment of compulsory chapel attendance vio -BEM lates the constitutional ban on establish ment of religion. BUSINESS EXECUTIVES MOv*I • rORVBTKAMVIACS OPEN RANKS first came to Annapolis with its December issue, and from the numbers I will talk to a businessman aboai Yifctaam. who clamored for copies, it's here to stay! The Midshipmen seemed especially interested. Please send me more te&ormaüc a sfeoai B.E.M. Things are beginning to move in this historic ole towne. MâXDBB Larry Steams, ANNAPOLIS te car -Si - % • em Wail to: Backtet« Bmeottvee tfom f sat Vtetstssa Jteaea Ml UaMacfcMOtU Awe*», U.E. (Ectm SIS) Wait*«**, O.C. ÎSS03 Tti.:ace-seM9S3 JWteal 03IS9: 301 K«?& Sesard ßreot SUBSCRIBE Battu»©*«, ï^stij'm&'i 21SÎ1 FREE to GIs (mailed in plain envelope) $5.00—Support subscription for ; Civilians (one-year) $3. CO—Students \. NEED SOME COPIES FOR OTHER GIs? . STATE THE NUMBER NEEDED, NO CHARGE. gjllllMtt ^Sfc-ss**sssssssssfcJss^X Name FHBKBt (XL SWBKSli Address^ 90 Ï331 |0 (Writ)* dt)OlrtA/T/fr WQNb OS City State ZiP. m isssWmt^sssssssswMa OPK N RANKS VOL. 1 NO. 6 THIS IS 'YOUR PERSONAL PROPERTY, IT CANNOT LEGALLY BE TAKEN FROM YOU MARCH 1970 Ode to the SPHINX Holabird The sexual life of the camel, is greater than anyone thinks. UNDER Fire One night in a fit of mad passion, he tried to bugger the sphinx. Part of the lid of secrecy However, the sphinx's channels, that covers Ft Holabird was are clogged by the sands of the blown away recently when an ex- Nile. MI Captain wrote a story for Which accounts for the hump of the Washington Monthly. The the camel, article covers a subject which and the sphinx's inscrutable roost persons on Ft Holabird smile. are quite familiar with-the developement of information files on persons and acts *The SPHINX is the official symbol of US Army Intelligence Command. (such as Civil Rights or GI Dissidence etc) which the Army feels should be watched. The article is basic; CPT Navy Leadership Crisis and Roger Priest Pyle revealed no classified Mr. Jack Anderson wrote a "The Navy's first reaction information. Everything he column entitled "U.S. Navy Suf- was to fire him from his desk says is common knowledge to most Holabird GIs, yet his tfa.ni.taj imfinrihLc^r^s-isAsn sJJLä* " JJL job in the Pentagon and to send which he states, "To scrape away him to work at the Navy Yard a- disclosures brought a storm the barnacles and find out what cross town. As many as 25 Navy of protest from the Congress. is really wrong with the Navy, Investigators were assigned to From the facts at least two this colusm talked to Navy per-- spy on him. They even went basic questions arise: sonel of all ranks. Their gener through his trash. But the 1. What right does the army al answer: The Navy is suffer Navy, apparently mindful of con have to monitor civilian ing from a leadership crisis. stitutional guarantees of free activities of any nature, let Desk bound admirals at the Pent speech and freedom of the press alone legitimate political agon have put loyalty to each brought no charges against activities? other above loyally to the Navy Priest. 2. Why hasn't someone and the nation. Many of them "But when the June issue of spoken up before this? still live in the era of bat his newsletter contained a slap We of Ft. Holabird have tleships, and follow the rules at Rivers, the S. Carolina Con stood and watched - and par of the Admiral's Club, a closed gressman fired a letter to the ticipated - as the Army In clique of senior officers who Navy accusing Priest of a gross telligence system has en band together to keep their abuse of the constitutional r croached further and further gold braid untarnished." right of free speech' and ask into the lives of the civil In a recent column Mr. ing for an investigation for ian populace. Now an ex- Anderson illustrates quite well possible violations of law or serviceman has spoken and the how this leadership crisis, man Navy regulations. Six days Array is, hopefully, being ifested in the admiral's lack aater, Rivers recieved a re whipped back into line by of courage, resulted in the ply assuring him that a full civilian lawmakers. court martial of Roger Priest. investigation was under way." The greater danger to our He says, "Confidential cor— You know the rest, shortly liberties as Americans lies respondence obtained by this thereafter the Navy brought not in foreign threats but column established clearly that charges against Priest, which in the growth of institutions the Navy was acting to appease if he is convicted (and you within the U. S. which seek House Armed Services Chairman know a fair trial is unlikely) to destroy individuals who Mendel Rivers when it ordered could result in 39 years im dissent. Our own paranoia is a seaman courtmartialed for prisonment. our own greatest enemy. The publishing an antiwar news Jack Anderson has reported Army Intelligence system is paper. The seaman, a rangy, "more than 70 goofs" by the a prime example of the forces mild mannered Texan named Rog Navy's top brass "ranging from which would mistakenly des er Priest, began publishing his the loss of the nuclear subs troy our freedom from within irreverant monthly newsletter Thresher and Scorpion, to the while trying to protect those called 'OM' last April during disastrous accidents aboard very freedoms from foreign his off duty hours. See, PRIEST, p. 6 threats. See HOLABIRD, p. 3 Page Two OPEN RANKS March 1970 We've got a Reflections Words long way Words have lost their power When the dead are cornered And pictures their passion. In coffins of small type Or is it we who have allowed And their dreams this to pass? Lost between commercials to go, Baby! Batting averages All of you sisters are aware And stock indexes As in these days of the problems women face in Have replaced The shame revealed Words and the lives the outside world; you know a- They seek to convey bout the poor pay, the boring In photographs of Become as cold jobs, the lack of respect for Starving, forgotten As the lips that mouth them. a brain that happens to be in a Children. female head, the confinement of The List of Dead & Wounded "womens place", and the general Blurs to a forgotten smear Ed Cox, September 22, 1969 In our media minds; frustration at being considered ***** something less than a function A name in 6 point is hard to ing human being. But have you read, considered your position in the Harder to realize Green Machine? That it once was VICTORY A voice that laughed B ullet has muzzle velocity, so great, Do you realize that as an Army Or cried at impending death. 1235 feet per second wife you are considered to be We turn and 1.2 seconds later it meets Steel Helmet Government property? If you get pages, compute increasing who held up as well he might Bullet a parking ticket on post, if you wages, but Bullet's force was great and he have an overdue library book, if As life moves forward was melting and vaporizing and you give the commanding general To the comic strips. the bird, your husband is held spritzing out tiny blobs of lead responsible for your actions. Ed Cox, June 16, 1969 as Helmet gave in This is because the Army does inward bulged the steel and not consider you to be capable on rushed Bullet 1.204 seconds of managing your own affairs. after leaving Muzzle - Have you tried to get decent jagged edges behind him he met housing at the inflated prices Hair who held him up nowise -that prevail in an Army town? in his Journey ^sSs^^^cnrcr Have you tried to get a job in Skin gave way tu inüsUiü;vinti u unx that town? The only jobs that Bones deformed at his will can be found are menial, low- 671 feet a second he went as he tore paying sweatwork, and even then vessels too surprised to bleed you have a hard time being hired then Bullet nosed through soft gray-white stuff because the boss knows that the hardly hard as butter Army may transfer your husband First he cut through the memory of Mom at any time. And of course you then a small gray dog have to find that job, because through a first car, a wreck but what the hell you can't live on Army pay. it ran Did you know that if your hus How do you WACs and WAVEs through a huge area of scraped knees and band is in the bottom two like being considered Govern pulled pigtails then grades, you fall within the ment inspected meat? Do you a little bit of fear -- about this "deprived" category according find yourself surrounded by about that to Federal standards? contempt, from all males, no about bullets matter what their rank or then through a first kiss and the warm soft Have you been to the dispen abilities when compared with skin of a girl and sary lately for your "free med yours? Do you find that the plans for a boat -- someday ical care"? If so, then you know men around you have no respect and tears -- what it's like to sit for three for you as a woman, let alone of acrid wine first tasted -- hours in one waiting room after as a SP5 or a Colonel? the rememberance of raucous birds calling in another to see a doctor for five Did you notice that all of the soft gray dawns of winter minutes, and get the same medi these statements are in the of food cooking warm and pungent -- cal advice your grandmother form of questions? That is of sex and school and sandwiches and sorrows would have given you. because we have very few women then he was. through that map of life and out in our organization. Are these the otherside easy as punch How is your marraige holding just my opinions, or do you flicking Helmet's edge up? Do you enjoy knowing that agree? I'm sure you women who continuing on your husband spent a year or are in the services have much erratic now partly flattened more away from you lately? Do you can tell us Army wives. going 662 feet per second you enjoy knowing that you WE should get ourselves to slowing down until 853 feet on he might have to pack up and move gether and see what we as rests himself in a palm tree AGAIN at any time? Does your women, working with OPEN RANKS, sitting there warmly -- can do to aid our situation. husband come home frustrated duty done -- Please write to me, care of and unhappy day after because to map Hell where Paradise had been. of the Mickey Mouse crap he had OPEN RANKS. This will be your to take from his Sergeant? column; Bitch, sisters, bitch] Ronald J. Willis March 1970 OPEN RANKS Page Three STATEMENT OF PURPOSE HOLABIRD, from p. 1 We must continue from the We of BALTIMORE GIs UNITED, like the revolutionaries who founded point where Chris Pyle left this country, believe that all men should possess certain inalien off - he informed the Con able rights. We would like to believe that the Constitution does gress and the people as to guarantee citizens of this country the right to free speech, free what happened while he was press, the right to peaceful assembly, and freedom of religion. in the service. It is our Our newspaper, coffeehouse project and counseling service are all responsibility to make sure run with the conviction that individual liberty really is the prin that the Array complies with ciple upon which this country was founded. the new directives which Our original title was: BALTIMORE GIs UNITED AGAINST THE WAR IN legitimate authority is try VIETNAM. We deleted the second half of the name because it is now ing to impose on the armed felt that the longer version may have seemed to restrict the activ forces in general. Pyle ities and beliefs of GIs UNITED to that one premise. We will con makes six suggestions as to tinue to staunchly oppose that unjust war so long as the problem what should be done to in exists. However, we collectively plan to direct our support to sure the control of military encompass the numerous problems that plague our society. Among Intelligence activities in these we pledge ourselves to: the future, they are listed below - we are citizens re 1. Oppose racism in all its forms. sponsible to our country 2. Work for revision or replacement of the UCMJ. and countrymen before we are soldiers. Contact your 3. Foster and encourage discussion groups. Congressman if you feel that the Array is ranging 4. Make the civilian community aware of the injustices and beyond its legal limits in abuses which abound in the military. its intelligence activities. The six suggestions 5. Offer GIs legal counsel and advice about their grievances. (paraphrased from Washing ton Monthly, Jan. 1970): 6. Make people aware of legal alternatives to military service. 1) Instruct its agents to limit their collection of GIs UNITED considers itself an organization dedicated not to the CONUS intelligence to re undoing of this country, but instead to the furtherance of America's ports of incidents, except highest and most honorable precept, namely that of individual where the reports describe frscdom. Any attempt bv the military to silence our cause either violations or" the UCMJ or through overt harassment or re-assignment can only be accepted as of Army regulations. This evidence that Constitutional rights have never been intended to would dry up the source of apply to US servicemen. most blacklists and person ality files. INVITATION TO A FORUM OF OPINION 2) Forbid the Intelligence Command to convert incident re ports into personality reports, except where they relate to OPEN RANKS is hardly a neutral criminal or deviant activity by persons subject to military publication. We readily admit law, or employed by the military. to the viewpoint that can only 3) Establish effective technological, legal, and adminis be characterized as radical left. trative safeguards against the abuse of individual rights in This viewpoint determines our the process of collecting, reporting, storing, and disseminat choice of material, and strongly ing domestic intelligence or personnel security information. influences our modes of expres 4) Establish separate headquarters, preferably in separate sion. The view from the left cities, for the CONUS-ihtelligence and personnel-security does not blind us to the existence staffs. of other opinions and other in- 5) Request that the U. S. Judicial Conference or some sim terpertations of events and de ilar body nominate a civilian advisory board to review and velopments in the present American report annually on the sufficiency of the Intelligence political context. We invite you Command's procedures for safeguarding individual rights. to express your opinions to the 6) Improve the professional quality of Intelligence Command readers of OPEN RANKS. We also personnel and security-clearance adjudicators. In the final invite responsible criticism of analysis, the Army must be the front-line defender against the our attempts to provide informa dangerous consequences of its own actions. tion and opinion not readily found in the Army Times. Address Black Newspaper Davis, the civil rights acti any correspondence to our sub vist (no, he's not a Black Pan scription address and your comments Black GIs at Aberdeen PG and ther) responsible for the will appear in the next issue. Edgewood who have not yet seen paper, distribution rights were Names are not required. a copy of the David Walker not granted. Incidentally, the Journal, published locally by paper is named after a pre- the Hamilton Court Improvement emancipation black freedman and *Send $2.00 to, David Walker Association, can obtain a copy phamphleteer who believed that Journal, P. O. Box 68, Aber either by subscribing* or from despite the then prevalent deen, Md. 21001, or call 272- the civilians who work at these racial hatred, it was not too 5311 for further information bases and who manage to pass late for the races to recon about what you can do in the copies around. At Edgewood cile. Are our Colonels prov local civil rights struggle. Arsenal, according to Clarence ing him wrong? Page Four OPEN RANKS March 1970 War Crimes Tribunal mLwm^;£m$£: Meets in Annapolis The first Citizens' Commission 30-31 (secret - counterintelli on U. S. War Crimes met on Mar. gence) as being, "illegal". 11th and 12th at a Unitarian When this reporter asked him Church in Annapolis, Md.. The what, after two years of post program consisted mainly of tes hoc soul searching, he had to timony by Vietnam vets. A series say ta counterintelligence of slides, alternating pictures students at Holabird he re- of smiling Vietnamese children plied, "Sure. If you believe and wounded and decapitated VC in the rules of war, which have and civilians was also shown. been incorporated into the legal It received little press cover AR's, don't join. If you don't age, but Open Ranks was there. it's allright." Among the speakers were: -Dr. Gordon Livingston, a psych * * * iatry resident at Johns Hopkins After receiving a leaflet ad and a West Point graduate. He vertising the Tribunal, Mrs. ON THE EVE OF TRIAL told of watching a, "Bell Tele Wayne E. Meade, Sr. of Annapolis If I ever carry a flag phone Hour," where prisoners wrote to the Annapolis Evening were tortured by placing wires It will be the banner of the from a field telephone on their Capital and complained : brotherhood of man genitals, then cranking the No flag of red phone, creating an electric "If we do not agree with the No flag of red, white and blue shock. government it is so easy to But a patchwork quilt of a flag -Bob Johnson, a West Point grad change things by simply going Made of all colors of the earth and former Army Captain. He to the polls on election day And the sun told of "free fire zones" com and casting our vote. And the stars. prising 90% of the area of S. I just wonder if this couple A flag never torn by the Vietnam where civilians were realize just how lucky they are bayonets of soldiers considered fair game if they to be living in our wonderful Never burned by the torches of were unwilling to come to the country instead of a Communist anguished citizens ' secure areas, or, "New Life country where they would be of one country Hamlets". Burning of suspected executed as a traitor? Or another. VC villages was the decision of I guess what I'm saying is A flag that can be held high in the ARVN Battallion Commander - Love America, Support it, or the gentle wind of a Spring Bob would usually agree, "OK, Leave it. I for one love my afternoon burn it." When asked by a member country, and I don't like to Or used as a blanket for a wet of the questioning panel if he see anyone try to pull it down and hungry child. ever questioned what he was doing,to their Bohemian level. Christian Hayden Bob replied, "No, not at first. The whole idea of duty is to please the officer above you - sometimes the real questions aren't asked." "Accomplishing - the mission was important, but no one asked, 'Is the mission itself important?*." -Jim Dietrich, a CID administrat or at Long Binh until Jan. '70. Many reports of war crimes passed through his hands, but few were publicized. An example was the case of a Sargeant who raped and murdered two VC nurses, and was tried and sentenced with a loss of pay grade to E - 1, and loss of that pay for two months, At about the same time a GI who raped a US Army Nurse was given a 20 year sentence. -Peter Martinson, former POW Interrogator, Sp/4, a graduate of, "Holabird, '65", who used (( torture by electric shock to get information. He described the In War, Troth is The First Casualty." training manuals used at Hola bird - 30-15 (confidential) and Aeschylus, The Greek Oramalisl... March 1970 OPEN RANKS Page Five 2' Abolish EM/officer Class Distinction men are confronted with this One of the most overt results 9 by SP5, U. S. ARMY type of attitude, what do they of poor leadership, is the feel? Most likely, contempt; military's insistence in main The military has corrupted contempt for the individual taining two distinct classes the doctrine of leadership to and contempt for the system (officers vs. enlisted men). the point where it is archaic, that created him. This class distinction has or inefficient, stifling and in igins in the past where it was need of radical revision. the custom of aristocracy (Athens, Rome, England ) to Unfortunately, many of the purchase commissions, while the higher ranking positions are poor were drafted as common not occupied by the best qual footsoldiers or sailors. The ified personnel. Promotion with custom is obsolete now, but the in the military is too frequen military still maintains the tly rewarded for staying out archaic doctrine of class dis of trouble rather than for ab tinction where it is no longer ility or competince. An officer applicable. Why? Because- of interested in promotion is (at lack of leadership. The mili the expense of the mission) tary feels that the best method forced to be overly concerned to keep the troops in line is with maintaining a good image too limit their rights, take in the eyes of his superiors. away their dignity and contin Arousing the displeasure of ually remind them of their lowly* any superior can considerably hamper his bid for promotion. position as members of an infer It isn't surprising that off ior class. It is carried to icers are reluctant to make such a farcical extreme that officers are subject to repri decisions ar apply novel, yet GEORGE D. McCLliLLAN functional, approaches in car mand or even lower ratings in rying out orders or in solving Efficiency Reports if they are HAIR caught fraternizing with E.M. problems that arise. Instead An Italian Army Circular advises of applying his total resources The archaic and pretentious all men that long hair is effem to best solve a problem, the doctrine of maintaining rig- inate and short hair is a sign officer must take into consi erous class distinctions is of virility and military eclat. deration what approach best totally unnecessary. An officer It advises all Italian soldiers appeals to immediate superiors. could discard with the formal Consequintly, the officer rel to get their hair cut. ities of saluting, be called by ies on methods and approaches his first name, establish a that have been "tried and pro Several members of the Ital social rapport with his subor ven" regardless of their inef ian Parliament, however, insist dinates, treat them with a ficiencies. the order is hogwash. Was Gari degree of respect and still re baldi a coward? Did the Duke of tain his authority; if he is a Wellington lack Military bearing? leader. If a man can't handle In the final analysis, it And how about Frederick th Great this type of relationship with seems that professional com and Adimiral Horatio Nelson? his men for fear of losing petence is insignificant. authority, a silver bird on his Unfortunately, incompetence i Their ire aroused, The Ital shoulder will not automatically is no hindrance to making rank ian legislators have written extend to him the quality of as long as an officer is adept their Defense Department, deman leadership. at (as the saying goes ) "cov ding to know what right the army ering your ass" and also adept Unfortunately, the presently at secind guessing the wishes has to concern itself with the bad system of class distinction of his superiors. sexual rather than the fighting will be maintained. Removing prowess of the nations troops. the seperation between officers Leadership, within the mil -Parade- March 1, 1970 and enlisted men is heresy, to itary, is actually a quality the military mind. seldom found. When it does ex Why don't our legislators ist in an officer, the military ask our defense department the way of life usually supresses same question. General McClellan "Well, I don't. They've got it. For example, in dealings CShown here) looks well groomed a chaplain and a god of their between officers and enlisted but in today's army he'd be own, haven't they?" men, rank is infallible. An busted to private. "No, sir." officer is always right. Un "What are you talking about? less an officer carries it to You mean they pray to the same foolish extremes, he has the Catch-22 God we do?" total support of the system "Yes, sir." backing him in the misconcep "I'm sorry, sir. I just as- "And He listens?" tion of his infallibility, so sumed you would want the en "I think so, sir." it is not surprising that he listed men to be present.'* "Well, I'll be damned," re- actually believes it as an marked the colonel. absolute truth. When enlisted --Joseph Heller Page Six OPEN RANKS March 1970 PRIEST, from p. 1 A Failure to Aquarius! There may not have the carriers Forrestal and been a GI Movement in your day, Enterprise" and including the Communicate? but neither was there a Viet slicing in two of the destroyer Open Ranks and the 60 other nam or the assassination of a Frank E Evans by an Australian unofficial GI newspapers are Martin Luther King. The times carrier with the loss of 73 US the inevitable results of a are indeed responsible,). clash between what we have Because this propaganda has seamen. What happened to the assumed as US citizens to be been openly distributed at brass responsible for all' our rights under the First Edgewood, BALTIMORE GIs UNITED this? Most were not even Amendment and the Amy's sys has asked Col. Cerar for the charged. tematic negation of these right to openly distribute The officers responsible rights. OPEN RANKS which will accept for the destruction of the When Open Ranks was intro letters and articles reflect EVANS received a reprimand. duced to Edgewood Arsenal, at ing all points of view: The Admirals least three units there had March 9 1970 who refused to give the Pueblo their lockers searched for Dear Colonel Cerar: adequate defense got away scott copies. To fill the informa We understand that the Com free. Yet Roger Priest, who kil tion gap, it promotes such mand at Edgewood Arsenal has led no one, who exercised his incredibly biased but "unoff recently come into possession constitutional rights, who boos icial" publications such as of our GI newspaper OPEN RANKS. ted the morale of many GIs, faces Army Times - whose headlines We would like to take this op 39 years in prison for publish stress the bennies of being portunity to express to you ing a paper in his off duty hours a lifer - somewhat offset, we some of our ideas and goals, with his own funds. What answer might add, by its listing of and to invite your return com does the Navy have for the waste Vietnam war dead, and Army ments. We feel that this news of taxpayers' money in the inves Magazine, which is so react paper represents an open forum tigation and court martial of ionary that it would cry out of opinion and free exchange Priest (including paying the DC for immediate withdrawal if of ideas and information. It sanitation dept for a special the average GI suddenly began does not in any way interfere truck to pick up the garbage to like Vietnam. with the mission of the United from his house)? Is this justice? Army's Jan. '70 issue illus States Army and your command, The Navy brags about their great trates its dedication to, truth nor will it adversely affect system of justice, one of the and fair play; the following the discipline of the men at cornerstones of which is the articles are examples: Edgewood Arsenal. Conversely, Court of Military Appeals (or The C-B Warfare Decision: A it can be a good builder of COMA-an appropriate title). COMA Failure to Communicate - the morale and esprit-de-corps. recently turned down Priest's author feels that if CBW had We therefore respectfully appeal of two of the charges been better publicized, and request your written permission (these alleging solicitation to thus accepted, critics like to distribute OPEN RANKS on the commit sedition and desertion). R. McCarthy wouldn't have post. An additional advantage Even without these he still mounted the anti-CBW campaign of granting such permission would face six counts under Art. in 1968. (In fact, the Army would be to continue the 134. The Court Martial should tried and failed to legitimat paper's policy of being com begin next month. ize CBW by a public relations pletely open and above-board, SAVE THE PRIEST! rather than "underground." WRITE YOUR CONGRESSMAN! effort called "Operation Blue Skies" (OBS) in 1961. OBS tried Although you may not agree to convince the public that with the philosophy of some »defensive' CBW R and D was of the articles we feel rea Disclaimer sonably sure that you will OPEN RANKS is the official pub beneficial, partly by planting pertinent articles in techni agree with most, if not all, lication of BALTIMORE GIs UNITED, of the Statement of Purpose P. O. Box 9163, Dundalk Branch, cal and medical journals, but it soon found that the pub on page 3. Allowing "on-post" Baltimore, Maryland 21222. Any distribution would provide you opinions, articles, or cartoons lic's distaste for CBW was too overwhelming for even the pub and your command the opportun in this magazine should not be ity to reply in an open news construed as official or reflect lic relations experts. Military Discipline and Public paper to any articles with ing the views of the Department which you might disagree. of the Army or the Department of Opinion - written by "S. 0. Aquarius" - a pen name for a We are looking forward to Defense. Nor should the opinions hearing from you in the near spread by the Department of the retired general. The author deplores the 'light sentences' future. Sincerely, Army and the Department of Defense Edward B. Cox Bait GIs United or by any of their agencies ever handed to the Presidio 'muti be construed as reflecting the neers* and the Ft. Hood blacks 12 Mar 1970 views of the authors of this pub who refused to fight their Dear Mr . Cox : lication. brothers in Chicago after Dr. This is in reply to your King's death, peace stickers letter of 9 March 1970 request Should a GI offer a on cars, and the "far cruder ing written permission to dis and obscene FTA." "The real tribute OPEN RANKS on Edgewood Colonel an culprit is the time in which arsenal. The requested per OPEN RANKS we live, the era of the gener mission is hereby denied. ation gap and general lack of PAUL R. CERAR respect for law, order and Colonel, CmlC authority." (Right on, S. O. Commanding March 1970 OPEN RANKS Page Seven One Way of Saying "No More Death" Letters to the Editor that they threaten national security. Ironic By Column McCarthy *• ally, what will probably make America more Dear Editors, secure than all the bombs, bullets and missiles I am pleased to see GIs United growing so A FEW weeks ago, a group called the D.C. combined is a nation that does precisely 9 was convicted of ransacking the Washing what these dissenters urge: food to all the rapidly. Your paper is full of exciting and ton offices of Dow Chemical, a maker of war hungry, justice, education and health for all enlightening items. OPEN RANKS is providing goods. Shortly after, another group gave the the poor, a tolerable living environment for a forum for troubled GIs who have felt iso same treatment to General Electric, another all Americans. Defense Department contractor. The list of Another group for whom the action of law lated and at the mercy of the military. GIs less dissent clouds the symbol of the gesture these anti-war groups is long and the numbers United is pointing up the moral responsibil are running out—the Catonsville 9, the Mil- ity man men are recognizing as that part of The writer is a member of the editor a. them that can not be owned by an Army or ial page staff of The Washington Post. government. The articles on CBW are valuable az for all citizens to read. waukee 14, the Baltimore 4, the Boston 8, to name a few. A good many in the groups ï I would like to hear some ideas from GIs believe Christ taught that war is morally, 10 United concerning the latest proposal for a always and absolutely wrong; many of the best of them have worked among the poor. S volunteer army.* You, who are close to the All admit they broke a law, purposefully, in military philosophy might be able to provide the same way members of the Boston tea ï party in 1773 broke a law. proposals and answers for the general public. Not everybody, needless to say, accents o It seems now is the time to investigate such that analogy. But neither is it all that easy £ to reject; the groups of 9, 14, 4, 7 and the a ideas rather than waiting to see what the others have raised a moral issue so funda Pentagon, and the president try to push mental to our society and our beliefs and (- our historical origin that it deserves a re through a congress willing to get out from spectful examination at the very least. ! under the pressure the public is bringing to vu WHAT THESE latter-day American revo DANIEL BERRIGAN bear on them because of Vietnam. lutionaries are saying is that the minor civil law they break is less important than the are those who oppose Vietnam, but not to the major moral law they uphold. This is the point of destroying property, even war-mak In love and peace, moral law as expressed by Pope Paul: "No one ing property. When a few pacifists like the is justified in keeping for his exclusive use D.C. 9, Berrigan and Zinn stand up and say FRANCES DONELAN what he does not need, when others lack no a little too loudly, well, it is »unsettling^ necessities." Or expressed by John Cogley Aren't they happy with Mr. Nixon's with-" •The April edition of OPEN RANKS will carry when he worked in the Chicago slums in drawal plan? Why don't they support peace an article on the Volunteer Array question. 1947: "When life is dripping away from men, candidates this fall? Why don't they keep it is not time for speculation or self-satisfying calm and work through channels? IL * * * theory-applications. This is the time to stop But the question arises, What channels? the flow, to heal the wounds, to bathe the How can the military be controlled, or even To the Editor, sores." Or by Daniel Berrigan, one of the questioned, when it is protected by men like We live in a land built on the principles of tonsville 9, a priest, a teacher at Cornell Mendel Rivers or Johif Stennis, who in turn and a 1970 nominee for.the national book are protected by seniority. Congress has a life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. award in poetry: "We have chosen to say, few men who agree with Daniel Berrigan, but This is true as long as they meet with the with the gift of our liberty, if necessary our their power is slight. Worse, much, of the lives, the violence stops here, the death stop^- public which had been -thinking all «long that - specifications and approval of the CIA, FBI, NSA , here, the war stops here . . . Life and gentle good politicians could produce good results— and Military Intelligence. And, I almost forgot, ness and community and unselfishness is the only to see Vietnam grow, grow and grow— only order we recognize. The time is past now know better. So do the politicians. God. These so-called principles that our foun when good men can remain silent, when- Candidly, Sen. Gaylord Nelson, an early anti ding fathers fought and died for are a myth; a obedience can segregate men from public war figure, said last year that Congress is risk, when the poor man can die without largely to blame. It defaulted "in all matters great white myth built on the principles of hate, defense." of judgment on the military budget, on the mistrust, exploitation, and genocide. Our true Since one goal of the anti-war groups Is theory that the military knew best and that founding fathers were a group of wealthy bour the end of U.S. involvement in Vietnam and we were dealing wih purely technical military the beginning of U.S. involvement in com matters and not political ones. This has geois who composed a small percentage of our bating poverty, injustice, pollution, racism, been our great mistake." country's population. These opportunists hood a basic question is raised by their "law- S By invading the draft boards and acting breaking": how far does a citizen go who like crazy men, the anti-war groups may well winked the peasant and working classes into wants to say—and be heard—that the killing be telling the rest of us that we are the fighting their war. How can a group of men ends here, let us be for life? Is feeling bad crazy ones. We're crazy because we are as about the war enough? Will marching on calm as a plumb line in a situation that write about freedom when they own slaves? moratorium days do it? Refusing to pay the should literally enrage any person whose soul phone tax? Sending $10 to a peace candidate? and values are still half-intact. Today, when How can one live in a land fed by TV dinners Or are the war planners so remote and the nation's social programs are handed pen and air pollution? We are controlled by a giant the system of representative government so nies—and often, like OEO, quickly condemned unresponsive that one must go out and break because the results also have been penny- machine that checks our every move and attempts a minor law in hopes of drawing attention to ante—when schools, hospitals, slums, courts, to control or program our thoughts so that a a crucial moral law, one that is being broken cities go begging for money, the defense through war? One man who supports the spending for the 70s looks as if it will easily great "silent" majority believes itself to be latter answer is Howard Zinn, a professor of surpass what it was for the 60s: $550 billion. free. They gave accepted the myth that has been political science at Boston University. "Dan Such a war atmosphere seems possible only Berrigan is facing jail for who-knows-how- 'for horror fiction or the secret plans of fed to them. They sit in their warm suburban many-years," wrote Zinn, "because he de demons. But the public lives with it so homes watching their children die feeling their cided to protest the mass murders of the calmly that weapon systems like Minuteman Vietnam war by destroying draft card files I, II and III. Poseidon, Safeguard ABM, Sen deaths justified. They accept the premise that in Baltimore. Of course he violated the law. tinel ABM, ICBM, MIRV are as beyond hu they are saving themselves from the terrible But he was right. And it is the mark of en man comprehension as the figure $550 billion. "red menace" when, in reality, the menace is lightened citizens in a democracy that they know the difference between law and jus In a book called "Why War?" by Albert facing them at their doorsteps.They themselves tice, between what is legal and what is Einstein and Sigmund Freud, the scientist are the menace. It lies within their hearts ad right. It is the mark of wise men to know asked the psychiatrist a question more rele what is important and what, is unimportant. vant perhaps today than then. "How is it minds. It grows each day like a cancer, and the The flesh of Vietnamese men, women, chil possible for the ruling minority to force the cost is just as great; one's personal freedom. dren—the blood of young American soldiers masses to observe a purpose which rewards —the anguish of parents grieving over lost them only with suffering and loss? Why do. Holabird GI children—that is important. The papers and the masses permit themselves to be inflamed to the point of madness and self-sacrifice by' paraphernalia of the system that selects men these means?" ****** for war: these are unimportant." More than a few young men are answering KEEP THOSE CARDS AND LETTERS COMING that question by serving prison terms rather THE TROUBLE with invading Dow, GE than serving in the military. Others, among and the draft boards is, first, that the people the young, not so strong in spine but still Our thanks to the SP5 from Arlington who replied who should be heeding this dissent are in strong in conviction, drift into drugs, aliena to our "Invitation to a Forum of Opinion" with stantly turned away. Whether it is Spiro tion, or asylum overseas. Their departure Agnew bellowing against snobs and kooks wall not keep the lion from swallowing the a letter which is both encouraging and informa or the millions of quiet citizens who believe lamb; but locked in the jaws of death, they tive. Due to lack of space we are unable to re "our leaders" knoV best, there is too much may at least take comfort in their belief that rudeness and roughness in lawless dissent for their protest has something to do with life. produce that letter in this issue. It will ap this group to take it seriously. The strongest What actually comes of it will be the concern pear in its entirety in the next issue. argument againt D.C. 9-style dissenters is of historians—or anthropologists. Page Eight OPEN RANKS March 1970 OPEN NOW! Take a u^nia,sîiâ®iw w2&(c HOURS: Your father — or a friend of your father. Business Executives of B.E.M. have Daily 11 AM to 10 PM marched side by side with you in Wash 7 DAYS A WEEK ington, in San Francisco, in many other war protests. UNISEX BOUTIQUE We have been outspoken and direct: "STOP IT. NOW I" We need more business executives to Bells Posters amplify our voices—yours and ours. Help us recruit. We'll send you material. Body Shirts Incense Fill in the coupon. Black Lights Dresses Leather goods BEM Hip Gifts BUSINESS EXECUTIVES MOVE FOR VIETNAM PEACE SOMETHING For Everyone I will talk to a businessman about Vietnam. Please send me more information about ®BtößAU$ COME B.E.M. §I»ÖM<§ LOOK US OVER Name Address_ City State Zip Mall to: Business Executives Move for Vietnam Peace 201 Massachusetts Avenue, N.E. (Room 310) Washington, D.C. 20002 Tel. : 202-546-8552 National Office: 901 North Howard Street Baltimore, Maryland 21201 NEW ERA BOOKSHOP INC Subscribe 408 Park Ave. Baltimore Specializing in books and Support OPEN RANKS! literature on politics and Civil Rights. FREE TO GIs (Mailed in plain envelope) OPEN RANKS available here. $5.00 — Support subscription for Civilians (One-year) $3.00 — Students BALTIMORE GIs UNITED SUPPORT Box 9163, Dundalk Branch NEED SOME COPIES FOR OTHER GIs? Baltimore, Maryland 21222 STATE THE NUMBER NEEDED, NO CHARGE. FREEDOM OF Name. Address^ SPEECH : City State Zip SUBSCRIBE MAIL YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS TO: TO YOUR BALTIMORE GIs UNITED LOCAL GI Box 9163, Dundalk Branch Baltimore, Maryland 21222 NEWSPAPER None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free - Goethe OPK'X RANKS _ THIS IS YOUR PERSONAL PROPERTY, IT CANNOT LEGALLY BE TAKEN FROM YOU APRIL 1970 • ——-— ni • , i .,——_—. Keep The GI, the Supreme Court, the Draft and Military Justice civil courts? A civilian trial, in other words, I am young. I was drafted. My tour of duty in the "History teaches that expansion of military discipline is held in an atmosphere conducive to the army was a two year bummer-totally without value, beyond its proper domain carries with it a threat to ' protection of individual rights, while the reward, an intensely frustrating experience to me as a liberty. " v s Supreme Court military trial is marked by the age-old person, as well as professionally. Given a choice, I O'Callahan Decision, June 1969 manifest destiny of retributive justice... would rather have done anything but spend those two As recently stated...None of the travesties years in the green machine. Yet, I am wholeheartedly In that decision Justice William O. Douglas in writ of justice perpetuated under the UCMJ is AGAINST an all volunteer army, as I believe many ing for the majority argued that U. S. military courts really very surprising, for military law has people like me are. consistently despense an inferior brand of justice. He pointed out the well known fact that enlisted men are always been and continues to be primarily My contention is that all the things we hate about an instrument of discipline, not justice." tried by a panel usually composed of officers, who the current army, such as the regulations, lifers etc., reach their verdict by a two-thirds vote, instead of by would be magnified a thousand fold in an all volunteer Justice Hugo Black states: a jury of their peers whose verdict must nearly always army. After all the people now responsible for all "Traditionally, military justice has been a be unanimous. In characterizing military tribunals as the evils in the army are all volunteers. The only san rough form of justice, emphmsumg summary "singularly inept in dealing with the nice subtleties of ity, if there is any, is as a result of drafted people who procedures, speedy < constitutional law", he further states: do not have a vested interest to protect, and thus are "A court-martial is not yet an independent far less subject to the carrer man's two great com instrument of justice but remains to a sig mandments - "Cover your ass" and "Don't make nificant degree e tpecuüaed part of the waves." These two, which prevade the volunteer part overall mechanism by which of the army now, are responsible forppotential death cipline is peeBerwed...Anicie /i-' and destruction which staggers the mind. Let us ex as a crime oil disorders and neglects to atcfeamt IO tpeabte o* tW mctM o( tkt amine a few examples. the préjudice of good order end discipline ~mäittry mind" to the above Witctm. It a not in the armed forces .' Does this satisfy the unreasonable to suppose that if they appeared in this SEE DRAFT, pg. 2 standards of vagueness as developed by the newspaper without quoting the sources, the military muujuiy un uiiiii iumeiMJe , ievo-— lutionary", or "undermining." (They might call them that hey wen spoken by a GI he GI Movement Center Open would probably be court-martialed under Art. 134. Why don't these same military minds reflect on why Baltimore GIs United has opened a Movement Center we now have a permanent place to hold meetings, work the Supreme Court is curbing their power? In over at 315 East 25th Street, Baltimore, next to the Ameri on putting together OPEN RANKS, and maintain GI turning the 1956 rape conviction of Sgt. James can Friends Service Committee Building. This means Movement literature. It will also serve as a distribu tion center for OPEN RANKS, including books which O'Callahan, the Court ruled by a 5 to 3 majority, that we will sell on concession. unless the alleged crime is "service-connected" an The Center includes two rooms on the first floor, accused serviceman in the US may not be deprived of his constitutional rights to a trial by a jury of his and is presently equipped with desks and a telephone peers. (235-8310). The address will also serve as our new In this decision the Justices have taken a large mailing address. Donations such as folding chairs, step in breaking the unbridled and unconstitutional ex benches and of course money would be appreciated. tension of military authority over off-post, off-duty At present, money for rent is provided by the United actions of the serviceman. The scope and retroactivity States Serviceman 's Fund, a non-political, GI-oriented of this decision will be tested in the case of Cpl. Isiah organization. Felford now before the Court. The opening of the Center is a significant step for us, in that it represents a broadening of our objectives: While this curbing of military power is commendable, to involve more GIs in our Movement - to have a place it does not go far enough. WHY SHOULD A MAN BE where groups of GIs can attend anti-war talks and films, GUARANTEED HIS CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS and to have regular meetings where GIs from different ONLY IF AN ALLEGED CRIME IS NOT "SERVICE- area bases can rap about problems on their posts. We CONNECTED"? Are not all citizens guaranteed their presently plan to hold meetings on the second and constitutional rights at all times? Oh! You say the fourth Wedensday of each month - at about 8 o'clock. soldier is not a citizen? Richard M. Nixon, on June 4, (Also see, calendar events, elsewhere in this paper, or 1969, at the U. S. Air Force Academy said "I believe call the office during the day or evening). that every man in uniform is a citizen first and a However, an office doesn't make a Movement - serviceman second, and that we must resist any attempt GIs do. If you attend our meetings, you'll find a group to isolate or separate the defenders from the defended." of GIs anxious for change, both in the Army and Thank you Mr. President, we've been saying that all society? those who have attended our meetings in the along. Hopefully, the Supreme Court will say that past are encouraged to bring their friends. And since, too and someday grant all citizen-soldiers their con we, as critics at large (via OPEN RANKS), are a young stitutional rights - but it may take years of suffering and growing organization, you can come along to criti before such cases reach the Court. In the meantime, In Nazi Germany cize as well. the Commander-in-Chief and all his military officers Aside from the regularly scheduled meetings, our should read his words and guarantee our rights. First they arrested the communists but I was not a office will be open (at least) on Monday, Wednesday I SEE JUSTICE, pg. 2 communist, so I did nothing. Then they came for the and Thursday afternoons and evenings, so you can drop social democrats - but I was not a social democrat, by and pick up copies of OPEN RANKS or other and I did nothing. Then they arrested the trade union This country, with its institutions belongs to the people literature, find out about local anti-war activity, or just ist - and I did nothing because I was not one. Then who inhabit it. Whenever they grow weary of the ex rap. Volunteers who are interested in more active par they came for the catholics, but I was not a Catholic isting government, they can exercise their constitutional ticipation in Baltimore GIs United are also needed to and I did nothing. right of amending it, or their revolutionary right to man phones during the evenings and to work on the At last they came and arrested me and there was dismember or overthrow it. OPEN RANKS Staff. Give us a call and we'll tell you no one left to do anything about it. when you can help out. A. Lincoln, First Inaugural Address Martin Niemoller Page Two OPEN RANKS April 1970 what he believed was right. Dr. Stanley L. Portnow of New York City testified that Duffy's father "did not The Draft from pg. I offer a model of behavior and LT Duffy turned to other male authority" for his model. He said the army Who dreamed up the insane plan to ship tons of to Duffy became a paternal organization. "Almost deadly nerve gas across the USJ in unsafe rail cars, on every aspect of his life is dictated by a desire to please accident prone tracks, through major population cen authority", Portnow said. ters? Who was thus going to risk millions of lives This is the kind of man most attracted to the army. without even informing the congress or the public? We all have seen that most lifers have the same psyche Your all volunteer lifers in the pentagon, thatîs who! -the worship of authority for its own sake. This is Who leaked the story to congress, and the public? A highly dangerous as was seen for example in Germany dispassionate, disinterested, non-career, person. The where the Nazis only "followed orders". The only insanity was stopped. people in the army without the blind, unthinking, Whose policy was the insanity of the biological war obedience to all authority are the drafted EM and fare arsenal? Who wanted to create a "doomsday bug"/? More courageous and secret work by all volun officers who are only putting in their two or three teers. Who leaked these horror stories to congress and years. the press, causing the public outcry resulting in the The arguments in favor of an all volunteer force Nixon ban of offensive biological warfare research and should be considered. There are two major ones. The destruction of the deadly germ and toxin stockpiles? argument that increased pay and "bennies" will What other secret and deadly things can our all attract better people is at best wishful thinking, and volunteer force try to get away with without the at worst a delusion. It is not based on fact, since most of the bennies e.g. the large re-up bonus, far RCOBB watchdog eyes and ears of people who are drafted, and ©M*.7h. ».WIS *M*vtt! who have their country's interests first and their own outweigh many cmlianr.jobs, especially with certain advancement and gain second. levels of education. These advantages were even larger before inflation and yet we still have our current crop JUSTICE from pg. 1 Remember, before Vietnam, we had essentially an of Ufers with their abnormal behavior patterns. all volunteer army. Who was General Shoup talking These include not only our rights under the Consti about when he said that the Vietnam war was fought We should also point out that many of our brave,, tution—the First Amendment (freedom of speech, courageous career soldiers who defend our war policy to provide a new generation of young combat seasoned press, assembly, and petition); Fourt Amendment would not be "caught dead in it". As of June 30, officers (provide them for what? - for the career, all (due process); Sixth Amendment (impartial jury); 1969, when 36.4% of all army EM were draftees, there volunteer army, that's what), to test new equipment, Eighth Amendment (cruel & unusual punishment); were 21,085 EM killed in Vietnam of which 54.2% and new theories of war. Did drafted people want all but also our rights as citizens to be treated by all this tested? were draftees. Where were all the brave volunteers? This points out that an all volunteer army can (and (including superiors) with the dignity and respect Who told the story of the My Lai massacre to the due all human beings. world? Was it a volunteer career man or a draftee? will always be able) to get us into a war and draft Who orders men to their deaths every day in Vietnam, people to fight it. This concept must be changed by The Congress should abolish the UCMJ, es to cover their ass, get a good combat record, and the congress asserting its rights over the president and is pecially Article 134, and set up a true system of next promotion. That doesn't happen you say? Ask not going to change by abolishing .the draft. justice for the serviceman equal to that of citizens' someone from a helicopter unit why a CO when told The other major argument for the all volunteer (i.e., civilian) courts. The Commander-in-Chief by by mechanics that two ships won't fly, tells his CO force is that up to WWI, this was always our national executive order and moral leadership could pre that all ships are OK, and eight men get wasted. Not policy. It was great then but cannot be so now with vent such mock trials and travesties of justice as true? Ask the US Army why according to its own the control of the weapons of'mass destruction now inl the Presidio 27 and the Court-Martial of Roger figures 50% of the aircraft lost, were not lost to hostile our hands. The advocates of this argument are all Priest. Justice already wears a blindfold, let us cease fire. WWII veterans, who think of the army as it was then her continued rape by the military. »rotectinx the world from cooaoest They have neve —•••* 'ma. leal with the kind of person ^^^serve^d in tr ^ army. They were not a that was and is attracted to the all volunteer force. part of the massive and insane buildup of the suicidal Disc/aimer Many people have stated officially in the press that those weapons of CBW, by the peacetime army. They were who remain in uniform are inclined to be the more not part of the nuclear, MIRV; ABM race of the OPEN RANKS is the official publication of Baltimore mediocre men who prefer the security of the army to peacetime army, nor of the road to Vietnam, which GIs United, 315 East 25th St., Baltimore, Md. 21218. the uncertainties of the outside world. However, as we were led down by the peacetime army. Any opinions, articles, or cartoons in this magazine much better insight is provided from the Longbinh • Our national policy should be PEACE, and if the should not be construed as official or reflecting the court martial of LT James B. Duffy accused (later con cost of that means two years of my life, to help in views of the Department of the Army or the Depart victed of first degree murder, which was changed to some small way to bring reason and sanity to this ment of Defense. Nor should the opinions spread by involuntary manslaughter and conspiracy to commit volunteer army, then I and many others are willing to the Department of the Army and the Department of same-and sentenced to 6 months) of ordering the pay that price. Defense or by any of their agencies ever be construed summary execution of a Vietnamese prisoner. Three as reflecting the views of the authors of this publication. psychiatrists testified on March 27 that LT Duffy did HOW ENGLAND CONQUERED THE UX U5 HOT, A MrVfloM w& TMEN,rW WORLD MOT &0H-P A FAtSÉ WITHOUT A UCMJ fAITH AMP between im WSNAW wove tu- H&VU6 muxes- OUR We are told that the UCMJ is necessary to maintain discipline, for without discipline AßraoAP- there can be no army. What the military is blind to , is thae fact that discipline comes from within, and is gained through mutual respect, not by pointing a gun at someone's NEITHK. tf «5HAU- MKT head. The crackdown on minimal GI dissent AMP mm& 6OTH OR W| the denial of freedom of speech and of the ne nem SKAU, HKT- press, the absolute worship of rank and OF <*# authority, are all done in the name of disc ?eCPl£ AT HOME. ipline. Of 17th century England, Macaulay states:" the common law of England knew nothing of courts-martial and made no distinction between a soldier and any othe subject asoldier therefore, by knocking en.i jm j%i^ down his colonel, incurred only the ordinary penalties of assult and battery, and by refusing to obey orders, by sleeping on guard, or bv deserting his colours, incurred no legal THE TWENTY-THIRD AR penalty at all." AND ENGLAND DOMINATED THE WORLD The Army is my shepard, I shall not think, it maketh me to lie down on essential jobs, it maketh me disgusted, it FOR THREE CENTURIES so that the"sun leadeth me blindly. It destroyeth my initiative. It leadeth me in the path of the parasite, for my country's sake. never set on British territory"....and all Yea, though I walk through the valley of laziness, I feel no censure, for the Army is with me, it's longevity without the benefit of a UCMJ. allowances; they comfort me. It maketh me believe in great falsehoods; filleth my head with false security; my inefficiency runneth over. Surely the Army shall care for me all the rest of my life and I shall dwell in a fool's paradise, for ever and ever...at ease. April 1970 OPEN RANKS Page Three STATEMENT OF PURPOSE We of BALTIMORE GIs UNITED, like the revolutionaries who founded this country, believe that all men should possess certain inalien able rights. We would like to believe that the Constitution does guarantee citizens of this country the right to free speech, free press, the right to peaceful assembly, and freedom of religion. Our newspaper, coffeehouse project and counseling service are all run with the conviction that individual liberty really is the prin-t ciple upon which this country was founded. Our original title was: BALTIMORE GIs UNITED AGAINST THE WAR IN VIETNAM. We deleted the second half of the name because it is now felt that the longer version may have seemed to restrict the activ ities and beliefs of GIs UNITED to that one premise. We will con tinue to staunchly oppose that unjust war so long as the problem exists. However, we collectively plan to direct our support to encompass the numerous problems that plague our society. Among these we pledge ourselves to: 1. C^ppose racism in all its forms. 2. Work for revision or replacement of the UCMJ. 3. Foster and encourage discussion groups. 4. Make the civilian community aware of the injustices and abuses which abound in the military. 5. Offer GIs legal counsel and advice about their grievances. 6. Make people aware of legal alternatives to «ilitary service. GIs UNITED considers itself an organization dedicated not to the undoing of this country, but instead to the furtherance of America's most honorable precept, namely that of individual ~Any'^aWPPPBHs^ the military to silence our cause eil through overt harassment or re-as>ign»ent can onlv be accepted evidence that Constitutional rights have never been intended to apply to US servicemen. FREEDOM of SPEECH at Edgewood Arsenal On Saturday, April 4, Dr Alfred J Daniels (CPT, MC) of Edgewood Arsenal exercised his When finally reached by OPEN RANKS for com constitutional right of free speech at a chemical-biological warfare conference at Jefferson ment, he would only correct the misquoting of his Medical College in Philadelphia. speech, and said, "Ask the Edgewood Arsenal PIO. I'm On Sunday April 5, the local radio and television stations reported some of his remarks sure you'll find him very helpful." So as a result of his expressing his opinion, he created and on the following day, the Sunpapers carried the story. Monday was significant for a stir from one end of post to the other- the likes another reason - all hell broke loose at Edgewood Arsenal. The Command, various military of which were only duplicated by Nixon's CBW speech and civilian lifers, and assorted passers-by, all wanted to hang, shoot, kill, poison, send to when all the lifer civilians thought they'd lose their jobs. Vietnam, and/or use as a medical volunteer, the beleagured Dr Daniels. The Edgewood PIO, when contacted by OPEN RANKS said, "I have no comment. This is an internal affai' and All this, without anyone bothering to get the facts, which were written in the News the case is closed as for as we are concerned. Dr Daniels American on Thursday April 9. has been re-assigned to Kirk Army Hospital." Dr Daniels spoke in a highly critical framework about the medical volunteer * * * * program based on his opposition to chemical warfare, and his feeling that "We should begin an area of openness about our activ doctors participating in the volunteer program is contrary to medical ethics, and ities in the chemical warfare field. A free and open society the lack of medical volunteer follow-up. can't levé in a kind of supersecrecy that has pervaded our The Sun (and the networks) misquoted him as: 1) saying the volunteers were CBW effort in recent years. If we can not openly discusss "subtly coerced" (Dr Daniels flatly denied this); 2) insinuating that the volun the public policy questions concerning a particular program, 5 teers got out of Vietnam by their 60 day TDY at Edgewood (also denied). we should scrap it." The rest of his statements are a matter of personal opinion to which he was fully entitled last time we read the First Amendment to the Constitution. From: CBW: The Ultimate Folly, by Congressman Richard McCarthy. Vintage, 1969 pi 52. We quote from the News American article:"...nor did he notice any arms being twisted in obtaining recruits for the program." 'my main objective was to express the view that it is unethical for doctors to work on incapacitating agents which are potentially offensive in nature,' Daniels said. He added, it 'seems ridiculous to save lives in an army or civilian capacity! only to en danger them by the chemical and biological testing." (ed note - The reporter writing the article for the News American used the term "biological." As far as wi know, there is no biological testing at Edgewood). "Daniels also said that he was not acting as a spokesman for the Army in his statements pertaining to the testing program. It is his feeling that the entire concept of 'defensive' chemical and biological warfare can 'only be misused'." \ THE BALTIMORE Support HÄRRV UNDERGROUND' JOURNAL1 Page Four OPEN RANKS April 1970 \\ That these men shall not have died in vain" A friend of mine died the other day, or was it the Yes, Mr. Nixon, these men daily die in vain. other week or month, or year-or does it matter in the The reasons you give to fight on are wrong. light of 40,000 deaths in nine years? You always ask They are lies. When is that great silent majority the unanswerable question why, when someone dies, who you say support your war policy going to especially a 21 year old with a lifetime ahead. wake up to the facts? When are you going to Lincoln at Gettysburg said "...that these men shall wake up to the facts? When are you going to not have died in vain..." Have they? Do they daily stop accepting these myths given as reasons why die in vain? we fight on? When are you, Mr. Nixon, and the King Lyndon told us in 1964 that he "would not great silent majority, going to answer the most send American boys 12,000 miles away to do things important question on the war: At what point Asian boys should be doing for themselves." And they can we say we have fulfilled any commitment went—and died. Mr. Nixon says we fight for democracy, we may have had? Is nine years of war, 40,000 to give the people the right to self-determination, to dead in battle (thousands more from disease and stop the spread of communism. Me is now getting accidents), and One Hundred Billion Dollars, Asian boys to do this for themselves by "Vietnamiza- enough to fulfill any commitment to anyone? tion", to preserve the current democracy in South When will the silent majority realize that Vietnam. WHAT DEMOCRACY?' A democracy where President Thieu jails his election opponent, closes down When will the silent majority realize that newspapers who print the least bit of opposition to supporting our boys in Vietnam does not mean him, and in his latest move has a military court convict waving an American flag at anti-war demon Tran Ngoc Chau, an elected member of the House of strators and saying "love it or leave it." Representatives, "for consorting with known commu We love it and think that supporting our nists" (which happened to be his brother and was done boys in Vietnam means bringing them all back • in conjunction with the CIA). Is there any difference today, If you disagree, just ask the boys them between Thieu's non-communist dictatorship and a selves. communist dictatorship, say in Russia or China? Yet When is the silent majority going to exert its we are told this petty dictator is one of the five power over Nixon (who will do what they wish greatest statesmen in the world, by none other than so he can get re-elected) and make him stop Richard Nixon. this useless, senseless, and futile war so that Why does Thieu permit the open Saigon black more men shall have to die in vain market to flourish, and the making of many Vietnamese millionaires to continue when their money is made JOSEPH HELLER' Catch-22 from our blood? Remember in 1965 and 66 when a GI couldn't get equipment such as boots from supply but had to buy it on the well stocked black market? "Catch-22 says they have Why does Nixon and Congress let Thieu and Ky rob us blind? Not onlv do they demand more war mater ial of every kind, but they tax us at least $1 million a a right to do anything we month for the material and services we supply. nam over to the South Vietnamese. This is fine with can't stop them from doing." Thieu and Ky, as long as Vietnamization never takes place at their level, and as long as the people of South Vietnam never have a real voice in running their "What's All That Talk About Our Not Being JOSEPH HELLER, Catch-22 own government. A Broadly Based Government?" CARDINAL CUSHING ASKS AMNESTY FOR Although all Americans are guilty of this Freedomr VIETNAM WAR PROTESTORS Security exchange (actually, a degree of exchange is Richard Cardinal Cushing in an Easter message urged Lifer Mentality unavoidable and often desirable), the lengths to which amnesty for all jailed war protesters, draft "deserters" The military likes to call them Career Men. The the exchange may go, the point at which Total Security and other young Americans in trouble because of young dissident GI calls them "Lifers", a term which is nearly reached, is best illustrated by the career political dissent. He said that such an amnesty would bears no accidental relationship to the term used for military man, the Lifer. give real meaning to the national observance of Easter. convicts serving life imprisonment. Both situations The military is a total Security system, a warm The spirit of re-birth symbolized by the Easter cere are analogous; both entail an escape from Freedom, blanket where one can hide from all the responsibili monies would find real expression if the young who in the one case voluntary, in the other enforced. ties that Freedom entails. The Commanding Officer are either in jail or in exile would be pardoned by the Freedom is a responsibility, often an awesome, is called "the old man". He is just like everybody's country which they fled for moral reasons. frightening responsibility that many people cannot father, someone to talk to about any problem, someone He called for the release from jail of all anti-Vietnam accept. The opposite of Freedom is, of course, who always has a kind word and friendly pat on the activists, and said young men who have fled the country slavery, which may be either physical or mental. His head. For the Lifer the "old man" is a warm replace to escape the draft should be given a chance to come torically, the American slaves suffered under a primar ment for the father who is no longer around to fight home. ily physical slavery, while today nearly all Americans- the son's battles. Clergy and laymen concerned about Vietnam both black and white-suffer under a form of mental There are some people, both military and civilian, (CALCAV), the main religious body opposing the war, slavery; conformity. The price one pays for this who feel that there is no danger in the Lifer Mentality > has endorsed the idea of remitting penalties imposed "voluntary" enslavement is great, but the exchange is since it is restricted by the discipline and closed system upon draft resisters and dissenters and urged the Demo not an uneven one. Our system is effect says that for of the military, i.e. it keeps the Lifers "off the streets." cratic platform committee to write an amnesty plank each piece of Freedom one is willing to give up one After all, who can object if someone chooses to give up into its 1968 platform. will receive an extra piece of Security. Indeed it seems his Freedom for Total Security? If this was a matter that Security has replaced Freedom as the number one of personal choice there could unfortunately be little The Cardinal said: concern of most Americans today. objection. But today it seems that the Lifer Mentality "Would it be too much to suggest this Easter that Any Security the "old man" cannot provide the is being forced upon those who still feel that a good we empty our jails of all the protesters - the guilty and Lifer, the military provides in the form of food, measure of Freedom is something to be valued. Those the innocent - without judging them; call back from clothing, and shelter-the three necessities for a secure who have "escaped from Freedom," the Lifers, cannot over the border and around the world the young men life. The Lifer need never worry about starving, going stand the sight of a Free Person because that person is who are called ('deserters"; drop the cases that are still without clothes, or having a warm place to sleep. He a constant reminder of what the Lifer has given up. awaiting judgment on our college youth?" knows the military will take care of all of it for him. The encroachment of the Lifer mentality upon the From an article in the Washington Post by James Stack Such a total system of Security was never dreamed personal Freedom of others has taken both harsh and of by those who first propounded the idea of the subtle forms. In the 50's and 60's it took harsh form 1IHIIIIHIIHIIIHIMIMI Welfare State, and even in the most totalitarian of of Internal Security, Joe McCarthy, and the House Un- JOSEPH HELLER, Catch-22 countries such Total Security is rare. It is indeed a American Activities Committee. In the 70's it is taking paradox when the military with its system of complete the more subtle form of Spiro Agnew, who may be "Oh, don't get me wrong, Chaplain. It isn't that I totalitarian Security is charged with the task of de more subtle than Joe McCarthy, but certainly not less think the enlisted men are dirty, common and inferior. fending the Freedoms it itself will not accept. dangerous. The Lifers, both civilian and military, will rUKHIUIIIIIIIIIIIIII >IHMIMMI«SIIIMISS«IIIM«IIIHIIIIHS»MI«mMmtSSIIIlS««IIIHHMlSSSS«ISSSSMH«IIIISS«m mtllimMM"«! not be happy until the last Free Man is no longer Some of my best friends are enlisted me, you understand I hate war as only a soldier who has lived it can, but that's about as close as I care to let them come. around to remind them of their enslavement. This is only as one who has seen its brutality, its futility, what the Resistance is all about; this is what the its stupidity. Honestly now, Chaplain, you wouldn't want your Conspiracy is all about; and ultimately this is what the sister to marry an enlisted man, would you. DWIGHT D. EISENHOWER Revolution is all about. April 1970 OPEN RANKS Page Five OPEN RANKS has requested permission to distribute mi openly on Fort Holabird. The following two letters m m Letters to the Editor are the correspondence regarding that request: Dear sir: March 26,1970 March 24, 1970 all. I have seen its effect in the positions I have taken in my own office here in the Pentagon. Resisting Since January 1970, OPEN RANKS has been distributed Dear Sir: arbitrariness and unwarranted autocracy on idealistic for several nights each month in front of the main gate Although I am not a member of the radical left of Ft. Holabird. This undoubtedly is no surprise to wing, I do believe that your paper has some good grounds has the effect of moral persuasion on all the you. In behalf of Baltimore GIs United (BGIsU) I points. Some facts about the Army belong in black enlisted and civilian people in the office, which brings would like to draw your attention to the "Invitation and white, but you leave too many questions un- subtle moral pressure to bear on the officers to amelio to a Forum of Opinion" which has appeared in the unanswered. Can you propose solutions to some of rate their typically hard military stances. Your paper last two issues of OPEN RANKS. We mean that invi the problems, or must you continue to merely add can have a similar effect with a much larger audience if tation sincerely; if needed reforms within our national your voice to other protestors? directed intelligently in this vein. political and military structures are to be accomplished Sincerely, without conflicts which are both tragic in human terms Dennis Miller Ron L. Jinkerson and wasteful in time and material resources, then our SP5 US Army two opposing positions must learn to communicate We appreciate your letter. We feel, however, that your 491-44-6159 their differences in a meaningful dialogue. If we fail criticism is based in a superficial reading of our paper. GRIN AM» BIHAR IT BY LICBTY to construct this dialogue then the polarization of our We do propose solutions to problems in the March society may well continue until the decisions are made issue as an example, specific suggestions are made in violence rather than in reason. There will be change; regarding the Army's EM/Officer caste system, the it is the responsibility of both sides to insure that our problem of military intrusion into civilian affairs, country survives this critical period of change. women's rights and military justice. Further, though we agree that constructive comment must be made It is with this need for open communication in mind whenever possible, sometimes it is enough to merely that I make the following request in behalf of BGIsU: state that a problem exists, especially when no one We wish to distribute openly on post. We are willing has even bothered to go that far, before your time. to provide you with the times, places, and dates in The questions must be asked before answers can even advance, and will provide you with a finished copy to begin to be developed. examine before that issue goes into actual distribution. Editor This is as far as we can go; we hope that you can see your way clear to allow us on post under these circum Dear Sir: stances. In accordance with your invitation extended in the current issue of OPEN RANKS, 1 am submitting some Sincerely, comments and first impressions which may or may not prove helpful in some way. Edward B Cox a. I am so deeply in sympathy with your cause. I for BALTIMORE GIs UNITED can only evaluate your paper in terms of strategy for Dear Mr. Cox: its furtherance. I believe it contains some useful, 7 April 1970 hard-core ideological "fuel", unlike some of the "bitch papers on the lunatic fringes of the far left. This is I hare taken under close advisement your request to d or had, dependin on which group of people distribute the publication, "OPEN RANKS", at this W military installation and the invitation extended to me GIs with enough education and political a .> appreciate this non-emotional, semi-intellectual approach ". . . But ue Hore men-ioned publication. are in the majority in this Baltimore-Washington area; blunders and delays and exorbitant costs yom comf world-wide, this wouldn.'t be true. The "emerging" about ARE scheduled!" Your request to distribute "OPES RANKS" at Fort Holabird is denied. As Post Commander, I have a res intellectual (young, bright high school grad. coming into DULCE ET DECORUM EST political awareness), I believe, would be particularly- ponsibility to maintain morale and discipline of the by Wilfred Owen susceptible to the reasoned, ideological, factual persua military personnel under my command in order to sion of your paper, as opposed to the fire-eating, emo accomplish the mission of Headquarters, Fort Holabird. Bent double, like old beggars under sacks. In view of the tone of several of the articles appearing tional extremism of many of the GI papers. (Don't Knock-kneed, coughing like hags, we cursed through in the latest issue of "OPEN RANKS", I feel that get me wrong, the extremists serve their purpose too, sludge, the discipline and morale of military personnel at they just couldn't get to the same audience you do). Till on the haunting flares we turned our backs, Fort Holabird would be adversely affected by granting b. The truth is, many, many of the rank and file And towards our distant rest began to trudge. permission for the distribution of this publication. In GIs would have to be classed with Mr. Nixon's Men marched asleep. Many had lost their boots. denying distribution of this publication, I am exercis "silent majority". Their silence is largely born out of But limped on, blood-shod. All went lame, all blind; ing my authority under Army Regulation 210-10. ignorance of the real issues of the war, apathy toward Drunk with fatigue? deaf even to the hoots the great issues of the times, and brain-washing from Of gas-shells dropping softly behind. In regard to my personnel participation in the "Open DOD and government propaganda.. We would all Forum", once again I must answer negatively. Such rather believe that "all is well", and if you examine Gas! Gas! Quick, boys! - - An ecstasy of fumbling, participation would not be appropriate nor would any DOD public statements from 1961 on, you see that all' Fitting the clumsy helmets just in time. meaningful purpose be served for me to comment on the services and the government have been lulling the But someone still was yelling out and stumbling subjects mentioned in your correspondence. public with the "all-is-well" line in the best traditions And floundering like a man in fire or lime. of "cover-your-ass" propaganda; it has had its effect. Dim through the misty panes and thick green light. Sincerely yours, Nixon is characterizing the good guys as the "silent" As under a green sea, I saw him drowning. WILLIAM A. McKANEY' Jr. Colonel, Armor majority; thus, by inference, whipping up red-neck cen In all my dreams before my helpless sight Commanding sure for the vocal dissenters. A silent America is so He plunges at me, guttering, choking, drowning. much easier to govern, you see. Therefore, many GIs, too, are wary of the loud, emotional fire-eaters who If in some smothering dreams, you too could pace have been radicalized into activists. Your paper should Behind the wagon that we flung him in, INVITATION TO A FORUM OF OPINION try to serve as a bridge for the GI finding himself with And watch the white eyes writhing in his face, a dim, knawing awareness of wrong, but who hasn't His hanging face, like a devil's sick of sin? OPEN RANKS is hardly a neutral publication. We yet crossed over into intelligent opposition to the Green If you could hear, at every jolt, the blood readily admit to the viewpoint that can only be char Machine and the status quo. I hope you will maintain Come gargling from the froth-corrupted lungs, acterized as radical left. This viewpoint determines and enlarge your present rather moderate approach. Bitter as the cud our choice of material, and strongly influences our Your alliance with respected civilian resistance surely Of vile, incurable sores on innocent tongues. modes of expression. The view from the Left does enhances your "responsible" image, also. My friend, you would not tell with such high zest not blind us to the existence of other opinions and c. In the opening pages you unfold your resistance To children ardent for some desperate glory, as being deeply rooted in the best American ideals of other interpertations of events and developments in The old Lie: Dulce et decorum est the present American political context. We invite you our own Constitution and Declaration of Independence. Pro pa tria mori. This idealism ("clean Gene kids" image) is THE most to express your opinions to the readers of OPEN IIIMIIIIIIIIMIHIHIIinilllllllllllllllllllHIIIIIIIIIIHIItHIHHIIIIIIIIIIIIMIIIIIIMHIIMIIIIHIIIIIIIIIIIMIHIIIIIIHIIIIIIHIIIIIIIHIIIIHHimi unassailable position anyone opposing the Military in its RANKS. We also invite responsible criticism of our present form could possibly take; I believe it is the one "...The professional military mind is by necessity an attempts to provide information and opinion not which can ultimately win the broad-based political inferior and unimaginative mind; no man of high readily found in the Army Times. Address any rorrespondence to our subscription address and your support which will bring about real change. Even lifers intellectual quality would willingly imprison his gifts and career officers have their Achilles heel of conscience in such a calling;..." comments will appear in the next issue. Names are which can be touched through this approach. The H. G. Wells not required. truth is truly "sharper than any two-edged sword", after THE OUTLINE OF HISTORY The Editor mniiiimiiii i iiiiniiiiiiiiiiiniMiiiiiiiiililillliiiiiMiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiinirrmrim— —" .•••••.•MHUIUM.I Page Six OPEN RANKS April 1970 Crackdown on GI Dissent VIEWS from WHY OPEN RANKS CANNOT BE DISTRIBUTED ON POST BAINBRIDGE The Defense Department rewrote and tightened its Resor told the committee that the guidelines were guidelines for dealing with dissent in the military after "our best judgment as to what the Constitution Dear NUC, the House Armed Forces Committee angrily criticized means, applied to these circumstances." them as too permissive and threatened to "find some "I think i is very important to the army" he constitutional amendment" to help in "stopping this said, "that we adopt a position that appears to Had any second thoughts kind of thing." the public as a wholly reasonable position and not lately? You must have mem Committee members scathingly rebuked top Army an arbitrary one... The military is under attack ories of recruiters who are officials in closed hearings last summer, saying that from many elements and if we are going to . less than truthful, and the guidelines then in effect were "nauseating" and survive, we must show that we are acting in a counsellors in boot camp "most repugnant." reasonable way and show we are standing up for and later who were less than "God help us if we continue to worry about in the Constitution." sympathetic. You know the terpretation of the Constitution at the cost of Rep. A. Pirnie (R. NY) said, "If you try to difficulty of securing sol losing our country," Rep. John Hunt (R-N.J.) told keep one eye on the Supreme Court instead of both id information. You know how Army Secretary Stanley R. Resor. eyes on the mission of the Army, you are apt to suf long 6 years i s turning out Committee Chairman L. Mendel Rivers (D-S.C.) fer." to be. told the Army, "the committee is going to spend Rep. Hunt said. "I have never read anything which At Nuclear Power School, a lot of time trying to find some constitutional to me was more repugnant than this particular docu in addition to the run-of- amendment whereby this kind of thing...We recognize mentation." He urged the Pentagon to revise the the-mill Navy bullshit, you the Supreme Court decision as a pretty sorry guidelines, adding, "We will deal later with the Sup will be subject to unreason opinion." reme Court- two years, three years, or five years." able rules concerning time Six weeks after hearing the committee's criticism Committee Council John R Blandford told Resor, spent outside classes ded in a closed session, the Defense Department issued "I think it is one of the most damaging documents ijew guidelines, incorporating nearly all of the specific ever put out by the Army." icated to study. You will changes recommended by the committee, which At one point in the rambling gearings, Rivers be ordered to clean up after recently made public the transcript of the July hearing. ordered Resor to read aloud, from a plaque in the officers who have a school A committee spokesman said there was no longer Committee room, Art 1 Sec 8 of the US Constitution, of their own. You will find any move to prepare a constitutional amendment, but which states: "The Congress shall have the power a school whose non-white he noted that a special subcommittee is still looking to raise and support armies; provide and maintain population is nearly invis into "this damnable problem" of dissent and military a navy and make reles for the government and ible the US Navy is an discipline. regulation of the land and naval forces." The original guidelines were issued by the Army, equal opportunity employer. When Resor finished, Rivers asked, "Under that the service most troubled by dissent and demonstra What can be done? We can section of the Constitution, do you questiin the tions, on May 28. work together, and learn fact that the Congress could enact the statute that In conciliatory language, they gave post commanders together, and get things the Secretary shall have no authority to permit... - guidance on dealing with demonstrations by soldiers changed. Don't be chained a demonstration on a military post?" , and civilians, underground newspapers, coffee houses, to the local chain of com At another time, Rivers asked Army Chief of servicemen's •organizations and possession and distri Staff Westmoreland about the guideline memo. mand. BALTIMORE GIs UNITED bution of political materials. :ffers an alt. you don't agree with it," Rivers said, "Now if you Baltimore GIs United officer of Ft. Meade, Md., permitted 40 persons have got one drop of Suth Carolina blood left in your 315 E 25th St -*~" guarded by military police, to distribute antiwar leaflets veins, you don't agree with it. This is an awful thing Baltimore, Md 21218 and demonstrate for 90 minutes inside the installation to come to pass. It is very difficult for me to com on June 20. Phone - 235-8310 pose myself...' ***** The guidelines told commanders that "a specific request for a permit to conduct an onpost demonstra The new Department of Defense guidelines, issued THE QUESTION IS: tion in an area to which the public has generally been Sept. 12, make virtually all of the changes suggested Richard Nixon, Melvin granted access should not be denied on an arbitrary in the hearings. Laird, John Chaffee, Earl basis." The do not include the admonition to "impose Wheeler and Thomas Morrer INTERFERENCE*^ KEY only such minimum restraints as are necessary," (the top of your chain of s which Blandford criticized. The new guidelines says: "The commander of a command) have subscribed On each issue, they simply tell commanders what to some beautiful words military installation shall prohibit any demonstration is not permissible without suggesting what is per or activity on the installation which could result in about your infinite dignity missible, as the original guidelines had. Rep. F. Edward interference with or prevention or'»rorderly accom and worth (check the bulle plishment of the mission of the installation, or Herbert (D-La) had complained that "to announce these tin board by the auditorium). present a clear danger to loyalty, discipline or morale things as permissible is to give a license and the dissenters / Compare Ali Oe•s Wonder of the troops." can start from there." land with theirs and yours. The earlier guidelines stated that "it is the policy Discretionary authority, expressed in the original "When I use a word, said of the Department of the Army to safeguard the guidelines as what a commander "may" do to restrict service-member's right of expression to the maximum dissent in a variety of situations was made mandatory, Humpty Dumpty, "it means extent possible, and to impose only such minimum expressed in the new guidelines as what the commander just what I choose it to restraints as are necessary to enable the Army to per "shall" do. mean-neither more nor less." form its mission," and cautioned that "complaining "When did the services ever come down to using the "The question isy said Alice, personnel must not be treated as "enemies of the word 'may'? Hunt asked in the hearing. "Everything "whether you can make words system." I ever read and had to comply with said 'shall.' I res mean so many different things, In closed hearings, Rep. Charles E. Bennett (D-Fla.) pectfully say to you, Mr. Secretary, we should get "The question is," said told Resor, The dissent paper concerns me more than somebody who is a grammarian in the Army vernacular.' Humpty Dumpty, "which is to anything I have ever read from the Army...Ittis just be master-that's all." nauseating to me to think that such a publication would Condensed from an article in the Washington Post L Carroll Through the be possible from the Army." Looking Glass CALENDAR OF EVENTS GI Movement Center (315 E. 25th Street). April 14 - Roger Priest's trial begins at Anacostia Naval April 29 -- Tentative Meeting of BGIsU (Movement Ctr) *Call 235-8310 for further details. Air Station, Washington, D. C. Gordy is a West Point graduate and a Maj. Call (212) 638-4126 for reservations. in the Army Medical Corps who was given a May 1 - May Day! Right On! general discharge after six months in Vietnam April 19 -- Benefit Concert for Roger Priest, starring (he had 3Vi years yet to go) after he distri May 13 -- Tentative Meeting of BGIsU (Movement Ctr) Rennie Davis and Phil Ochs, at Leonard Gym, buted "The Blackhorse Prayer," which called American University (DC) at 7:30. for more death and destruction in God's (and May 16 - Armed Forces Day. Traditionally, most bases Tickets $2.00 (Available from BGIsU) Col. Patton's) name at a ceremony for the are open to the public today. Whoopie! notorious Col. George S. Patton III. He is April 22 -- Gordon Livingston, MD, speaks and shows also concerned about the dehumanization of TDAÜ! The Day After the Roger Priest trial (date slides about his experiences in Vietnam. He Vietnamese civilians. undetermined) DEMONSTRATE!! will speak at 8 p;m; call 212-638-4126 for details. This will serve as a regular meeting of will speak at 8p.m. either at the Unitarian Church, Mt. Vernon Place area, or at the BGIsU of whom Gordy is an honorary member April 1970 OPEN RANKS Page Seven today's Action Army provides line medical and dental care! (CHAPTER ONE - see p. 8 for chapter two.) WHAT MAKES THE DOCTOR RUN (from the ARMY)? The Army needs doctors, right? Well, okay, but wouldn't it be much better if there were a computer that took care of sick people? Just imagine, it could be told exactly what to do and not to do, without thinking or answering back, and thus never embarass the people running it. SOUND FAMILIAR? It should to anyone who has endured the frustration of knowing that he is expected to be some kind of decerebrate automaton, that an appalling number of his superiors are. Hopefully, he escapes this legacy of mid-brain function Chough to properly care for patients, or medical volunteers. How much more difficult and mortifying it is to be forced to partici pate in various juvenile and masturbatory games that the proponents thereof somehow find satisfying. What specifically makes the doctor run from the Army? For starters try these'. 1) Being told to go to a retirement ceremony, and if he does not go, being told to send a note upstairs explaining why he did not. In other words, bring a note from mommy. The doctor is being told that he neither has the judgement nor the maturity to decide whether his regular duties may be more important than watching some old goat being let out to pasture. (Editor's note: his regular duties include taking care of you and your family). 2) Spending an entire afternoon at the theatre listening to a moron explain how to use a telephone. u The entire content of the afternoon's festivities were BAND AID! . later dispatched in a 3 sentence DF. 3) Spending 5 weeks at Ft. Sam Houston, where the biggest collection of incompetents outside the rt r pentagon babble and drone interminably about what could be learned by the average fourth grader in half an hour. - a î fîfiï 41 Being told by the surgeon general that to help one TDY medical conference a year - then (iblsPV by Army Materiel Command, no, you can't go if you GET have less than 6 months left to ETS. Why? Because it won't do the ARMY any good. To hell with the professional training. ^ This could go on and on. What it means is that Ëi'Gl MOVEMENT NEWS Cj&? as long as the army insists on treating its professionals like children, it will have trouble keeping them. More TACOMA, WASHINGTON...PVT Bruce Maclean, an MEMPHIS, TENN...The four black marines who were promotions and more money may make it more en anti-war GI was hustled off the base at Ft. Lewis and charged with conspiracy and rioting have won a tre durable, but not professionally attractive. forced into a plane ~ destination Vietnam - during the mendous court victory. Facing possible sentences, ONE WHO RAN night of February 19th. PVT Maclean arrived at Cam for the charges, of up to 86 years in the bring, each. Ranh Bay the following morning. The American Instead the maximum sentence was six months, and (Editor's Note: the above article by a former-Major Serviceman's Union initiated legal action to have him[ the others ranged from four months to 30 days. (Medical Corps) at Edgewood Arsenal gives the brought back. Civilian attorneys for the defendants said "It was reader some insight into the type of medical care PVT Mclean happens to be one of the organizers of a great victory. Of course they shouldn't have re received by GIs. A doctor's lateness or curtness the October 20th ASU meeting at the Cascadian ceived any sentence at all for defending themselves, when he examines you might be explained by his pre Service Club on the base. He and 34 other anti-war but it is a victory when you consider what they occupation by some of the above problems, which are, GIs were arrested that night at the club. He was also could have gotten." along with your medical and dental care, provided one of the key witnesses at the people's trial of the In a similar case now pending at Fort Knox, Ky. FREE by the modern action army). Army at the University of Washington on Jan. 21st. one man has already been sentenced to two and a Maclean, then AWOL, declared his support for the half years at hard labor. It is very possible that the National Front for Liberation of South Vietnam. difference between this and the Memphis verdicts FORT BLISS, TEXAS...On his visit to Ft. Bliss, Gen. was a direct result of organized protests that poured Westmoreland had an unscheduled confrontation with into air station after the case became known to the anti-war sentiments. Some 100 citizens turned out for vast public. the demonstration. Nearly 80 were Ft. Bliss GIs. FORT GORDON, GA....The four GIs who in January GIs for Peace planned and executed a peaceful, of this year formed the "GI War Crimes Commission' legal picketing of his appearance before the local at Fort Gordon, have been tried separately in special chapter of the Association of the United States Army court-martials. on Jan. 15. The picketers carried signs protesting The verdicts handed down by the Cour different "stockade brutality", stating "Peace is Patriotic" and judges were typical of military justice. Three con "GIFP Welcomes General Westmoreland." tradictory verdicts were reached on the disloyalty Of course, the General carefully restrained from commenting on the demonstration as much as charges. Only one of the four was convicted, two possible although he was forced to acknowledge them. were acquitted and the charge in one case was ruled Their presence that evening forced him to amend his "unconstitutionaly vague." planned entrance to the Hilton Inn to avoid the The government did better on the second charge demonstrators themselves. in which they achieved two convictions. The fact that they convicted the wrong persons is of course, Should a GI oiler a irrelevant. PFC Johnson, who openly admits dis tribution of leaflets in his company area was aquitted Colonel an because of lack of evidence, while PVT Czaplyski and PFC Horner were convicted in spite of the fact that OPEN RANKS ? the only leaflets found on base were found three "Oops" (Opu» Sun/U»S) DU miles away in Johnson's company area. Page Eight OPEN RANKS April 1970 are both "individual" training programs. While this is somewhat true of the latter, today's Action Army provides (CHAPTER BCT is nothing but a regimented hell from the day you enter till the day you leave. The idea is to reduce every man, by whatever means necessary, to an un line medical and dental care! TWO) thinking puppet who obeys automatically and who would march over the lip of the Grand Canyon if given the order. The St. Louis papers are carrying stories about trainees dying at Ft. Leonard Wood The process by which young Americans are so reduced is cruel and inhuman from meningitis. One newspaper item tells of one boy dying from pneumonia in his beyond anything the American public can realize. It's up to GIs, themselves, bunk, simply from neglect because he had been scared into staying off Sick-Call when to tell it like it is. Maybe you. GI. were one of the strong ones; maybe you he needed it. No matter what any public information officer may tell the public, the didn't get meningitis or get sick, you made it through with no sweat. But, ARMY KILLED THIS BOY just as surely as if they had shot him in the head. Here what did you see happen to the less fortunate guys? Physical abuse (kicking are some of the facts which GIs will recognize as those which operate during Basic a man in the ribs when he's down in a push-up position), psychological humil Combat Training (BCT), official statements notwithstanding: iation and mental cruelty beyond imagination, intimidation, and out-right Companies compete on a point system for "best company"; platoons compete in criminal neglect which sometimes makes the papers - all these things happen in the same way within a company. They are docked points for AWOL's and TRO's Basic Training. Ii*s the old Nazi axiom: "The end justifies the means." It will (Training Required Over), and fiercely compete for top scores on the Physical Train be up to Americans on the outside, and courageous dissenters on the inside to ing (PT) tests. keep up pressure on the military to bring their practices in line with our na tional ideals. Don't fail to get the word out through the mail when abuse of DI's and company commanders routinely assume that everyone who asks to go on authority occurs. Write the truth to loved ones, even though it may upset them Sick-- Call is "dragging his ass" or malingering, therefore, they try everything under to hear it. Write your political leaders and representatives, including the one the sun from day One to make you scared to hell about asking to go on Sick-Call. which may not be from your state, but is in a position to bring pressure on the You are threatened with TRO (Basic for another 8 weeks of hell); you are called military. The place to stop facism is in Basic Training, not an after-the-fact everything from a panty-waist to a shit-bird; you are singled out for special humiliation investigation of My Lai, etc. and harrassment, verbal and physical; in most cases, you are required to pack up your Humanistic practice does NOT equate to weakness; it can equate to high full gear at 5:00 am, fill out slips, wait in line to clear with the SDI - all this just to motivation and unshakable loyalty among the troops in any cause in which even get to go to the Clinic, then more waiting there. The kid who is really ill would America's Army is engaged. The Brass at HQ, DA might consider the price usually rather wait and hope it goes away than to risk all this "special" treatment. If, they are paying for the bitter aftertaste of BCT with the average GI, and the like the boy at Leonard Wood, you get sick at some other time than 5:00 am, or if image points they lose with the public when their cruel expedients come to you are too sick to get up off your bunk to pack up your gear, then you can forget it. light in the press. It would be delicious to see the DI and Company CO held legally responsi Now, why does America's Army allow (even encourage) this, situation which has ble for murder through criminal neglect every time a trainee dies. But, the resulted in a string of such incidents as those reported at Leonard Wood and elsewhere? real blame lies higher up in the Pentagon. Any real change in the wind will Well, the point system of competition sounds like friendly fun and games, doesn't it, blow down from the top. Mr. and Mrs. Silent Majority? But, in practice, the DI's and Company CO's efficiency ratings, promotions, and egos are deeply tied to this "friendly" competition. It becomes,, "The streets of our country are in turmoil. The then, a desparate little contest. Any man in the platoon with any kind of problem ~ universities are filled with students rebelling and physical, mental, emotional, or otherwise - represents a threat; and he is treated just that rioting. Communists are seeking to destroy our way. A sick trainee is a liability; he is to be "whipped" into line, never mind the conse country. Russia is threatening us with her might quences. The Director of Individual Training, Hq, DA, will tell you that BCT and AIT and the country is in danger. Yes, danger from within and from without. We need law and order. Without law and order GI ANTI-WAR PETITION our nation cannot survive. Elect us and we shall restore law and order. The this D Y*> nrinreH in newspapers in various parts of the country in We will be respected by the nations of the world • ]fj^^imBBmm%BBBmm ! wsrtB a minimum of 1.500 signatures have be< d, Adolf Hitler, 1932 necessary to print fewer signatures than the total that have signed, We are asking GIs who sign Hamburg, Germany to list their home town papers in cities where large numbers of GIs have signed. (For example, 200 GIs from Chicago sign the ad, we may print just their signatures in a Chicago paper.) * Subscribe * TREK "MäSSS Support OPEN RANKS! SIGH IT! CIRCULATE IT! FREE TO GIs (Mailed in plain envelope) I authorize my name to appear in advertisements sponsored + by the GI PRESS SERVICE of the Student Mobilization Committee to $5.00 -- ONE YEAR Support Subscription * End the War in Vietnam. The advertisement(s) will appear in news $3.00 -- STUDENTS paper(s) published in the United States, and will have a headline reading "GI'S OPPOSE THE WAR!" NEED SOME COPIES FOR OTHER GIs? STATE THE NUMBER NEEDED, NO CHARGE. The text of the advertisement(s) to which my name will be * appended is as follows: Name * "We are active-duty servicemen and servicewomen. Address_ City_ State Zip * We are opposed to the American involvement in Vietnam. * We oppose the continued wasting of lives in a cause op MAIL YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS TO: posed to the best interests of the American and the Vietnamese BALTIMORE GIs UNITED * people. * 315 East 25th Street We believe that many of our fellow servicemen and service' Baltimore, Maryland 21218 women share our view that the war must be ended by the immediate * and unconditional withdrawal of all American troops from Vietnam * in order that the Vietnamese people may settle their own affairs. Baltimore GIs United 315 E 25th St * Baltimore * We, the undersigned, members of the Armed Forces of the * United States, hereby petition the United States government for redress of these grievances as provided in the First Amendment to * the Constitution of the United States." * * * Signature...... •...... •*...... «...... • * Name (printed) • * /0 /ßsSrf$g< * * Rank (not grade) Base , * * Home town Military mailing address * ff^&l<£ •/.•£*' * *«#***# *-*•*•*#*¥* *mu4 »*«• *#**#*** + ** *••*••-*»*«¥. »*»f FRANKLIN D.ROUSt SPECIAL MAY 16 DEMONSTRATION ISSUE : RALLY NEAR FT M.EADE (See Map, page 4) None are more hopelessly enslaved than those who falsely believe they are free - Goethe OPEN RANKS Vol. 1 No. 8 THIS IS YOUR PERSONAL PROPERTY, IT CANNOT LEGALLY BE TAKEN FROM YOU MAY 1970 Military Injustice M-16 DAY: RALLY NEAR FT. MEADE and „Roger Priest The rites of spring. Each celebrates them in their own way. The military does this in a most curious The trial is over, the verdict in, and what is left? fashion...by parading the tools of destruction...and glorifying those who have become most adept at the What does it all mean? We are overjoyed that art of destruction. This is insanity. This has bought us to the most shameful chapter in a national his Roger Priest is free. His bad conduct discharge, tory that is already doused in blood and needless sacrifice. When will it stop? NOW! if you wish it. reprimand, and reduction in rank mean nothing. Baltimore GIs United and many other peace groups from the Baltimore/Washington area are planning They only come into perspective when you think theirown May 16 Rally. We will celebrate life by demanding an end to the insanity of Vietnam (Indo of what he COULD have gotten if gived the max China), ABM,' MIRV, and all the things that the military will be glorifying, join us! Rally to stop the imum sentence for two convictions under article war NOW! 134(or the 39 years in jail if convicted on all counts). The Washington Post said in an editorial Armed Forces Day was originally set aside to honor GIs. It has become a day during which the Brass "Small wonder that he remarked to reporters, felexes its military might, with parades featuring the latest implements of mass destruction and speeches and with tears in his eyes, 'I'm very.fortunate'." glorifying the expansion of U. S. militarism. This Armed Forces Day will be the first time in the history Why the tears Roger? We shed our tears also of the celebration when GIs at bases throughout the country will tell the public how they feel about all because it seems incredible that while we die in this. Asis to preserve a dictatorship in S Vietnam, Many GIs have asked themselves that question and the visible result has been the flourishing at GI orga a man, a fellow serviceman, in this "free" dem nizations at almost every base in the country and even some overseas. Independently, they have staged ocracy was tried because he chose to exercise actions which have focused on the tragedy of the war in Vietnam, the racist nature of the war, the mili his constitutional right of free speech, and freedom tary and the country, the repressiveness of the military upon those who dissent from the "approved policy of the press. The American military with their and the war profiteering of large corporations." GIs Uniform Code of Military injustice (UCMJ), at over twenty - five bases across the country will be ssssWsssssssMsssssI ili mmmmmmfil II njiu. i u M i liiul voicing' tHiHi'leHIUiy's jHWWf fBgWgt th* military and amendment rights(Thieu does this daily too). the government, they will be rallying and marching We shed our tears because one man is so throughout the country with civilians who have also powerful in our "democracy" that he can com reached the point of sickness and disgust over the mand the entire US Navy (he controls their Vietnam War and the policy that has made it possible. purse strings), to court martial Roger Priest GIs United along with the New Mobilization Com on charges that could have gotten him over 39 mittee to End the War in Vietnam is sponsoring an years in jail, and then on April 11, 1970 in Altus Armed Forces Day Peace Rally to counteract the one Oklahoma, make a speech saying he will attempt being put on by the BRass. The rally will start at * to stop the MyLai courts-martial. We quote the noon and be located on Route 175, 1/4 mile from the honorable gentleman from South Carolina, L. parkway. The following events are scheduled: Mendel Rivers, Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee: "They're not going to get away with this. I had a little something to do with stopping the Speakers Green Beret business and I'm going to have something to do with stopping this." We ask the honorable gentleman from SC if the moral of his story is that murder is fine, but people who speak out freely should go to ABBIE jai, especially when they criticize him. We remind the honorable gentleman from SC, THAT WE AS ACTIVE DUTY SERVICEMEN SWORE TO PROTECT' UPHOLD AND HOFFMAN DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES' INCLUDING THE FIRST AMENDMENT' AND WE WILL DIE TO SUS A N DEFEND ROGER PRIEST'S, AND ANY ONE'S RIGHTS UNDER THAT CONSTI TUTION. The Washington Post, a normally good SCHNAUL paper, commends the Navy for the pro ". . . who bore midst sage EX-NAVY OFFICER. FIRST UNIFORM ED ceedings and outcome of the trial with the advice, a banner with a words "immensely credible". They say "The strange device. . ." WOMAN TO SPEAK OUT AGAINST THE WAR. treatment of the defendant was considerate and compassionate throughout; and the sentence -30 s showed a sense of proportion as wess as a sense but we cannot believe these statements. It seems LOCAL gï of the Navy's dignity and integrity." Then comes the Post is saying that it is all right to try, con their most incredible statement: "In large mea vict and sentence someone for no crime as long as sure, this exemplary performance was attri you are considerate and compassionate through butable to the military trial judge, CPT B out. We wonder if that's how the Jews felt in Raymond Perkins, who presided with imper Hitler's courts or the Russians and Poles in turbable firmness, fairness, coolness and good Stalin's courts. They were also tried, convicted humor." and sentenced for committing no crime. IS We know the Post as a paper often on our side Priest fortunate, because he was. not killed as and critical of many of the same things we are, see PRIEST, page two. MAY 1970 OPEN RANKS PAGE TWO PRIEST - cont from p. 1 4?" Letters to the Editor they were? Is it dignity and integrity on the Navy's part, to bow before one man, to try the First Amendment, and then be held up to the The following is a reply to D Miller, who April 6, 1970 public as commendable? CPT Kangaroo Perkins wrote us stating that he felt that we of allowed no defense witnesses any significant .. I'm writing a hook about censorship in the mil fer only criticism, with no constructive testimony, including law professors who know itary pjess and would "welcome comments from advice or comment Our thanks to Mr better than he what the rules of evidence are. your readers. /Especially needed are statements by Jinkerson for taking our part in this ques The Post says it is fine to violate the Fifth former Combat Correspondents and photographers. tion. Amendment (due process of law) as long as • Any aspect of censorship is important, including censorship of mail, reading matter and examples of Dear Dennis, you do it with good humor. Perkins even "slanting" in military news releases. Also G.I. news I get your "Is-bitching-all-you-can-do; how-about- stood for General David Shoup, retired Marine paper data. some-solutions" line, too. During my brush with Corps Commandant, but would not allow him to testify on the charges. I was a Marine Combat Correspondent, RVN, the Green Machine I have come up with some so« 67 lutions at two levfels: (1) as a citizen wanting to -68. The Post bypassed the real issues of this prevent more Vietnams; (2) as a soldier wanting Anyone wishing to contribute should forward a mockery called a trial. Our First Amend biographical sketch and a summary of his military to "Americanize" the Army. ment was on trial but they ignore this. Our history. , 1. Citizen solutions: stand on that is in bold face type obove. The Post obviously does not read OPEN RANKS, Thaak y.o.u.. ... a. Reassert Congressional "war power" over the executive branch. since our stand on Article 134 was in the last Gustav Hasford b. Bring to bear institutional checks and issue. We spent a long time quoting Justice 2821 Terry Avenue balances over the military. Limit their external Douglas on its unconstitutionality, and said it Longview, Washington 98632 autonomy; put checks on their internal autocracy. should be repealed by Congress. This won't 2. Soldier solutions: happen for three reasons: 1. The committee that wrote it is headed by a dictator from S a. "Americanize" the Army. Carolina and repeal would enable more freedom Library of Congress (1) Put an end to saluting and 'sirring' among GIs. 2. The House is too busy trying Washington, D. C. April 14, 1970 officers. to impeach Justice Douglas. 3. Erstwhile res (2) Give all constitutional rights and guaran ponsible papers like the Post write doubletalk tees to servicemen. Make the Army "show cause" Dear Mr. Cox: editorials that skirt real issues.and avoid dealing for abridging any one of them ; as it now stands, Thank you for your letter of. April 1, 1970. I am with the facts, namely that 134 (the overall we exercise our 1st Amendment freedoms at great pleased to report that the publication Open Ranks catch-22 of the UCMJ) is unconstitutional. is to be added to the permanent ..collections,of the risk, whether or not they interfere with mission The conduct of kangaroo Perkins was abhor Library o f Congress, where it wilLbe. shelved, and accomplishment. rent to our constitution. OPEN RANKS has eventually cataloged and bound, when a sufficient b. Vitialize and civilianize the IG, making it consulted two unbiased lawyers (ie civilians) number of issues have been received. an "ombudsman" function reporting directly to who agree that Perkins violated the Fifth Am Your interest is appreciated. the SofD, out of the line of command influence. endment of due process of law in not allowing c. Inject a degree of democracy into the pro the defense witnesses to testify. In our view it Sincerely yours, motion procedures. When an officer/NCO is pro is like trying a man for murder, and when the Nathan R. Einhorn moted, his superiors comment on his mission defense wishes to put the living victim on the Chief accomplishment. His subordinates should also stand to show he is not dead and thus no Exchange and Gift Division comment on the means he has used to accom murder was commetted, it is disallowed as plish his mission. Their comments should be in evidence. In our view, Cmdr Thomas Jef In the last issue of OPEN RANKS we printed corporated into his record and follow him. Some- ferson Jimmerson, and Lt Cmdr John J a letter we had sent to COL McKaney, Com.-... „ _ _ how, w». must assu're that the dregs settle instead McGrath Jr should be court martialed under manding Officer of Ft Holabird in which we of iisi«-g7 as they now so often do. article 134 for their hysterical prosecution.. - requested that we be allowed to distribute' "" Soün'd gööa'fDennis? If so, decide to join a summations, comparing Priest to those who our paper on Post. We also reprinted COL program for responsible change. The brass have killed John and Bobby Kennedy and Martin McKaney 's refusal of our request. The Mendal Rivers; they don't need you rooting for Luther King. This is also conduct unbecoming following letter is in response to that ex the other side. an officer (another catch-22 of the UCMJ), change of letters. particularly when Sen Gruening said Priest Your fellow GI, should get the medal of honor, and Gen Shoup Don L. Jinkerson said he felt that "What one or two or a few Ft. Holabird, Md. SP5, US Army young people say or is not going to have April 19, 1970 491-44-6159 very much effect at all on the morale of the I would like to briefly comment on Col. McKaney's armed forces." (The statements were not ad recent decision not to allow OPEN RANKS to be mitted as evidence). distributed at Fort Holabird, not to participate in INVITATION TO A FORUM OF OPINION Mr Nixon, the Commander-in-Chief of all this your "Open Forum." I was quite disappointed has issued much popular rhetoric lately about that he took this action. However, it is an attitude the draft. On April 23 he said: "...there is OPEN RANKS is hardly a neutral publication. We which is prevalent with career officers, and I am another essential element... that is vital to the readily admit to the viewpoint that can only be char sure tlat there are few, if any, other career officers high morale of any armed force in a free society. acterized as radical left. This viewpoint determines It is the backing, support, and confidssnce, of who would have reacted differently, in the same our choice of material, and strongly influences our the people and the society the military serves... situation. This, of course, is rather sad. Because, modes of expression. The view from the Left does At few times in our history has it been more lik-e an advertisement says, "To communicate is not blind us to the existence of other opinions and needed than today!' That may be true but the beginning of understanding." And his action other interpertations of events and developments in you left out one important group whose back "officially" prevents you from communicating •the present American political context. We invite you ing, support, and confidence are necessary to the with fellow soldiers; and he in turn declines to to express your opinions to the readers of OPEN high morale of the armed forces...US... the communicate with you. In effect, understanding RANKS. We also invite responsible criticism of our poor goddam troops themselves. each other is impossible; and consequently, erad attempts to provide information and opinion not icating problems, and eliminating injustices in the readily found in the Army Times. Address any Admiral Arnold E True (not allowed to testify service is not possible. I would hope that in the correspondence to our subscription address and your for Priest) said: "A pamphlet issued by a sea future such an attitude would not exist. But, comments will appear in the next issue. Names are man should not be a threat to the morale of unfortunately, I cannot see any indications at all not required. the military services. If it is then that morale that this attitude will change, and if anything, it The Editor must be in a very weak state and it is time to will become worse before it becomes better. examine the reasons." The two greatest reasons in our view are: 1. THE WAR'2. The Sincerely yours, treatment given men like Priest, who are heroes Randolph J. Forrester with the courage to speak out, the same kind 2LT, Military Intelligence Disclaimer of courage it takes to win the medal of honor, United States Army OPEN RANKS is the official publication of Baltimore the kind most of us do not have. Yes Mr Nixon, GIs United, 315 East 25th St., Baltimore, Md. 21218. April 22, 1970 you would do will to listen to men like True Any opinions, articles, or cartoons in this magazine instead of Mitchell and Agnew. You would should not be construed as official or reflecting the do well to stop the persecution of patriots Your efforts to bring truth to the GIs of the views of the Department of the Army or the Depart like Priest, you would do well \o revise the Baltimore area is certainly in the best American ment of Defense. Nor should the opinions spread by guidelines on dissent that Rep Rivers rammed journalistic tradition. the Department of the Army and the Department of down Secretary of the Army Resor's throat... Defense or by any of their agencies ever be construed or you soon may not have any armed forces, Peace, as reflecting the views of the authors of this publication. Mike Taggart volunteer or otherwise. MAY 1970 OPEN RANKS PAGE THREE Earth Jay at Edgewood Arsenal: Who will get tiie contract for bio- dégradât!« napa lm? to cope with this situation by tossing childish cartoons, witticisms and even a line of poetry into a speech that dealt with such deadly serious subjects as Editors note: nerve gases, mustard gases and lewisite. The following article, by a Later, Jay R. Paul from the Dow Chemical Co. spoke on deep well disposal friend of OPEN RANKS, will of industrial wastes as the "complete and final solution" for the disposal of hopefully appear in a national toxic, alkali, acid and radioactive wastes, at up to 4,000 gallons per minute. Even the industrialists wouldn't buy this "complete final solution" line, magazine in the near future. MAN In the mean time, we are and he was plagued with questions about such wells causing earthquakes, and publi shing a shortened version DEMONSTRATING HIS the danger that earthquakes would erupt the deep rock level allowing these of it for our readers. It is an im SUPERIORITY OVER toxic chemicals to enter the water supply. portant article, since it points ANIMALS. During the panel discussion period that wound up the first day of Earth out the manner in which dec Week, a representative of the Naval Ordnance Weapons Command showed isions are made and the in that the recycling message of the ecology activists had caught on. "Why dividuals who make them. We create the problem in the first place?" he asked. "You could recycle the are vitally effected by groups wastes from TNT to use in the production of a different type of explosive!" such as the A merican Ordnance Dr. Lacy hastened to add that with government grants such recycling could Association; only through un be made to pay for itself. derstanding them can we hope The discussion shifted äs one executive aired a common complaint: "If to control, and eventually el you went up to any street corner and asked are you for it (pollution control) iminate, them. Our thanks they'd say 'yes'; but the public is not willing to pay a nickle to control a to the author. particular company's pollution." "Everyone is for environmental control now - it's motherhood some people are against," another panalist cracked. Another said that it didn't really matter if the public was willing to pay or not, since either way they would -- either through higher prices or taxes. Conservationists and "the criminal left" aren't the only ones who celebrated "He's the one who wants cleaner air, he (the consumer) should pay for it." Earth Week. The chemical and biological division of the American Ordnance No one asked whose air it was in the first place and who had polluted it. Association (AOA), an organization of weapons contractors promoting "de After an evening of cocktails, banquets and the all important informal fense preparedness", also joined in these rites of spring at the Edgewood Arse shoulder-rubbing, contact building and deal making, these bleary-eyed nal Post Theatre and Officer Club. executives sat through papers on acid rain falling near the army's stacks Representatives from Dow, AAI, Dupont, Edgewood Arsenal, Rocky Moun and other examples of its massive pollutionof the environment, and its tain Arsenal (chemical warfare), Ft. Detrick (biological warfare), Pentagon incipient Environmental Control Program. - R&D, American University, and the CIA (agents Arthur J. Shanakan and Jack Then Dr. K. Jones of the National Air Pollution Control Administration Chernack) met to discuss ways that they, too, could hop on the anti-pollution (NAPCA) showed charts showing that the amount of their funds channeled band wagon FOR PROFIT. During the sessions, members of Government into contracting had risen in comparison to that channeled in-house, through Agencies dropped hints on what areas seemed most promising for private con universities, and through other government agencies. Though there is 180 tractors (ie, disposing of nerve gas), and the contractors themselves seemed to 200 million dollars worth of work to be done to clean up pollution from more like friends than rivals; in fact, during a question period, one of the corp federal facilities, he said, NAPCA is currently under-funded and under orate executives referred to the audience as the "military-industry complex." staffed, at a time when more technical people sould be participating in Looking for new contracting opportunties and federal grants was the pri solving social problems. The only court case brought by his agency against mary motivation of virtually all of the industrial attendees; and the problems a company for interstate pollution was against a chicken plant in Shelby, of ecology were discussed from this angle, with no mention of the underlying Maryland -- after five years the case is still in litigation. ecological crisis. Most of the presentations dealt with technical means of amel As I looked around 1 noticed that some of the representatives were sleeping, iorating specific pollution "problerns" and government grants for in-plant others had gone home (later the.rest.were. to vote to drop the last discussion pollution cleaTwrp^ session and go home early), and a few were chatting in the lobby. But those For example, one of the early speakers, S. H. Bass, Jr., the director of the who were still listening heard R Hauze of the Atlas Chemical Company dis weapons development and engineering lab at Rocky Mountain Arsenal in cuss Army Ammunition Plant pollution, and how their new technique might Colorado, spoke of Project Eagle ~ the attempts to dispose of surplus war enable them to stay within the Tennessee law for acidity 90% of the time. gases. This project is a successor to Operation Chase which had planned to He showed slides illustrating how they had complied with state color pol dump these deadly gases into the sea until public furor and congressional lution laws by dying their red-water waste a beautiful blue. They were able criticism deterred it. First, Bass explained that there were 21,107 M 34 GB to comply with thermal pollution laws in the winter, he said, but it was clusters with 76 nerve gas bombs in each cluster for a total of 1,604,132 highly really asking too much that they be able to do so in the summer as well. dangerous bombs to be disposed of. Atlas retrained some of its operators so that they could keep the smoke The poblem is that opening the cluster shell can set off the fuze. So, sparing stack producing white smoke more and yellow smoke less, though even the no expense (contractors— watch this one!) the army is constructing an im white smoke was "still too much, but its the best you can do." While his pressive, explosion-proff demilitarization center with mechanical arms and plant is currently producing 256,513 lbs of water and obnoxious smelling conveyor belts to punch and drain the agent from the cylinders. They will air pollutants per day, they are spending six million dollars to reduce it. then burn the explosives out of each bomblet and process the nerve and mus Hauze concluded bu telling about an experiment done at the Army Am tard gas fumes into ordinary pollutants such as sulphur dioxide which would munition plant in which sixty Black-tailed deer, brought to the area es then be released into the air. Have no fear, for in addition to spending $10,315, pecially for this test, were found to actually enjoy living in a polluted at 000 to "demilitarize" the nerve gas, and $2,933,000 to destroy 420,000 gallons mosphere, preferring it to clean, natural forest air. of mustard gas, the Army is spending $1,351,000 to monitor the air in surround Suprisingly, a few islands of sanity did emerge. During several of the cof ing areas. When the level of ground contamination reaches too high a level the fee breaks, and over cocktails at the officer's club, I found that the dissent fumes can be rerouted into scrubbers, or the process slowed down. in our society had begun to invade even these corporate ranks. Meanwhile, the military is spending about four times as much money develop "None of these presentations have dealt with the basic issues of ecology ing even more exotic poison-gas weapons. Currently, "the major effort in re and survival," complained one representative of a corporation which search and development is...on the so-called binary weapons. The concept is produces anti-personnel weapons for Vietnam. "As long as we have an ex one in which two non-toxic components are reacted in the weapon in its final ploitative (of resources) economy," he continued, "we will be unable to trajectory ...As such weapons become available they will replace the current prevent the depletion of the earth's resources. Eventually the successful stockpile of toxic weapons..." (letter to Dr. Richard Novick from the office of corporation will be the one which is able to maintain a zero-growth rate." John Foster, Director of Defense Research and Engineering at the Pentagon, "This will, even mean that we will have to cut our high standard of living, 2/3/70). two cars and so forth. Its true that technological advancement holds out Another speaker, sporting a beard, was D. William Lacy with the Federal the hope not only of a better way of life, but even of survival for much of Water Quality Administration of the Dept. of Interior. He told these corporate the underdeveloped world. But the US has already hone through the tech representatives that 85% of his agency's R&D money was spent through grants nological stage, beyond fulfilling our real needs, and it has become counter and contracts. He also told the assembled businessmen that federal grants productive." could finance up to one million dollars of 70% of the cost of creating a waste On the other hand, this same executive was unwilling to acknowledge that treatment plant for their own water pollution. He spoke of capital advantages the US consumption of over sixty percent of the world's resources, with only for recycling: rapid tax write-offs, incentives for waste water treatment plants, six percent of the population, might be a reason for the growing anti-American cost-sharing type contracts, and contracts bearing the full cost. Best of all, feeling in the third world. He did not think that the US corporations which for some, he mentioned that the enforcement efforts of his agency, required are using the manpower and earth resources of Latin America, Asia, and by the Water Pollution Control Act, had resulted in only one court action and Africa to maintain this fantastic rate of consumption might be the cause for 4 meetings to try to clean up corporate waste. cries of imperialism. Neither, he thought, was this the cause for the revolts of During the question period'a representative from Monsanto, asked Lacey the Vietnamese and other peoples against participation in the US "free enter about the Atomic Energy Commission's thermal and radiological water pollu prise" world economy, which these people feel leaves them poorer and the US tion. Lacy answered: "You know I can't touch that question with a ten foot richer with every boat of subsidizing "foreign aid" they bring in. The cor pole." While the talks by the government agents about grants and so forth awoke porate representative preferred the explanation that this growing third world considerable interest, the overall mood of the audience toward the technical sentiment was merely a result of fear of outsiders, a kind of politicised papers presented was one of boredom. "This is the biggest waste of time in my xenophobia. life," one executive commented during the coffee break. One speaker sought see EARTH DAY-page four. MAY 1970 OPEN RANKS PAGE FOUR AN ENLIGHTENED PEOPLE IS A FREE PEOPLE- EDITORIAL Quantico Speaks: well, thats not really true, but a little knowledge is more dangerous to THE MAN than it is to you. For a nominal Nixon makes an anouncement-arms and men to Cam Attention GIs-at Marine Corps Base, Quantico, sum, BGIsU will provide you with any of the following bodia—and this country reels closer to the point of no Virginia. At long last we now are able to obtain books or pamphlets (look for a longer list next issue): return; the war is bigger, less likely to be resolved with information important to us that has been sup out engulfing the entirety of Southeast Asia, and this pressed by our so called "superiors," or has been country is closer to total exasperation, unlikely to be kept quiet in order not to arouse an uproar. 1. VIETNAM by Mary McCarthy (1.95) some observations resolved without chaos in the streets. The moderate Presently thru OPEN RANKS we can learn prob of the war and the land. voices will cease to be heard as the middle ground lems we and our fellow servicemen face, possible 2. CBW - AMERICA'S HIDDEN ARSENAL, by S. Hersch. washes away in a flood of extremism, leaving two solutions to them and issues of interest that we ( 1.45) Cannisters of insanity. pola'ri'zed sides which fear and hate each other, con hear very little about such as the "Roger Priest 3. BLACK POWER by S. Carmichael & C. V. Hamilton vinced of their own total rightiousness and dedicated Fiasco." ( 1.95) Black power, what, and why it is. "i'3 the destruction of the other side. Just as Nixon Hopefully, in the near future we will be able to 4. JUSTICE, MILITARY STYLE by R. Sherrill (.25) escalates the level of violence in the Asian war, so the publish our own newsletter, but this can only be Reprinted from the Feb. 1970 Playboy. potential level of violence escalates in the intemal con done with the total and united support of all of 5. MILITARY DUTY-SERVICE OR SUBSERVIENCE? flict confronting our own nation. It is as if we are act us. This can really be a together project depend (.25) Critique of GI rights and problems. ing out sönie suicidal ritual in which we kill senselessly, ing on your reaction. USE OUR SUBSCRIPTION ADDRESS TO ORDER and simultaneously bring penance upon ourselves for Read this entire issue closely. Study the con acts which we know have no justification either in law tents. Write to us and tell us what's right, wrong, or logic. pro or con. This is our beginning and we've got I artr a moderate, long involved in the Anti-war/GI to make it go. RALLY NEAR FT. MEADE Rights movement, and I stand frozen in shock as I Doit! t watch a society tear itself apart to a tune played by Right on to individual freedoms! DIRECTIONS TO RALLY: WASH idiots. Law ceases to exist as the national paranoia - QUANTICO GI expresses itself in wire-tap and conspiracy un-laws, and as the counterparts to Nixon and Agnew do their best to destroy whatever remains of a legal structure by rejecting all law, and all courts and bringing all ques tions into the streets. Just as we are replacing the deep isi jungle and rice paddy with napalm and fire support bases, so are we replacing the forum and the court with the bugged line and the fire bomb. RALLV Are we in our death throes? Has this country chosen i to expend'its total energies in a gory prostitution of SITE to everything that it supposedly has stood for in the past? CLUB Is the nixonagnewization of the world our final act? fa 5 The choice between American fascism and chaos is i close at hand; perhaps there is no way to avoid that choice RT 175 h* If so, this much must be said for chaos—it offers the -j possibility of change and growth at a later date. When rr Mr.ADE Meade, < the middle ground finally ceases to exist, I for one will 0Q throw my lot in with those who have rejected the sys "....I announced a decision to withdraw an additional BALT tem which has brought us to this choice. At the same 150,000 Americans from Vietnam over the the next time ho we,vc'r, J will jnourne the passing of reason, and year..." R. Nixon, April 30. WE DO NOT ADVOCATE ILLEGA Ü live for the day when just law will be established.. By sending them to Cambodia? ENTRY ONTO BASE! PAYR AISE FOR PEACE Ask yourself the following question: What does the peace movement look like today? * In spite of the growing anti-war sentiment across the country, the peace movement is in trouble: * Subscribe The New Mobe has closed its HQ; Newspapers are under pressure to close; Demonstrations are * shrinking. At a time when publicity for the anti-war movement is needed, the mass media are ceasing to cover events-and the peace groups do not have the bread to produce their own publicity. Thus, Support OPEN RANKS! at a time when Nixon is widening the war, the anti-war forces are in financial trouble. * FREE TO GIs (Mailed in plain envelope) WHA T CAN GIs DO? Our Proposal: Pay raise for Peace! $5.00 - ONE YEAR Support Subscription * Recently, every GI received an extra paycheck to cover the retroactive clause in the pay raise. This * $3.00 - STUDENTS pay was over and above your regular pay. We ask that GIs opposed to the war give all or part of this bonus to help the antiwar movement. * NEED SOME COPIES FOR OTHER GIs? SOLDIERS CA NNOT A FFORD THE L UXUR Y OF IGNORING THE PEA CE MO VEMENT! * STATE THE NUMBER NEEDED, NO CHARGE. PLEASE HELP! Mail contributions to the OPEN RANKS subscription address. * Name EARTH DAY - cont. from p. 3. * Address However, another of those I spoke with, who planned to quit working for his company which had recently come under public protest for its arms manufacture, was opposed to the Vietnam war, and City State Zip g had been so since 1965. He looked upon the radical youth movement as a healthy and vital stimulus * to social change—which would then be instituted by the technocrats. He also criticized the conference MAIL YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS TO: for dealing only with specific technological solutions, rather than underlying ecological effects and relationships, though he said such a bias was only to be expected from such a group. * BALTIMORE GIs UNITED "For example, in dealing with the pollution caused by the production of TNT> I would ask to ex * 315 East 25th Street amine whether we need to produce TNT at all.Which Is our priority, clean water or production of TNT?" He also agreed that no one had even hinted a* questioning the ultimate pollution—the pur poseful pollution of Vietnam with gas, bombs, and herbicides, and the CBW manufacturers produc * Baltimore GIs Ûnîîe»f" / .< ' { s - vA - "*•»... ®L tion of gases which could fatally pollute the whole world. * 315 East 25th S^eet P' I. jj* ? ^ It was apparent from this meeting that government and industry intend not only to make the Baltimore, Md. 21215"^ I | I •- C * public pay for cleaning up pollution, but are trying to convince the public to avoid the underlying * issues and believe that the fault lies equally with everyone. They avoid completely the suggestion that the pollution caused directly by individuals is really caused by corporations through the beg ging and brainwashing of advertisements ("Me and my Winstons...", "Things go better..."). Simi * larly, support for the pollution that is war is won by Government advertising ("Fighting for peace * and freedom...", "Defending against aggression...") by which the public is led to believe that they * not only need all of industry's useless products, but a mammoth defense establishment as well. « Where the fault really lies was hinted at by two of the points which were made during the program. * First of all, HEW has designated the Department of the Army as the worst polluter in the Federal * Government. Secondly, 90 to 95% of all pollution, solid, liquid and gaseous, is caused directly by * industry and government. %\\o ^Wte,^. ^^^ In one of the sessions a speaker quoted Pogo's oft-repeated adage with more immediate application than he had perhaps intended: • 55-70^ "We have met the enemy, and they is us.' t Non$ are more hopelessly enslaved falsely believe they are free - Goethe OPEN RANK THIS IS YOUR PERSONAL PROPERTY, IT CANNOT LEGALLY BE TAKEN FROM YOU No. 9 ARMED FORCES DAY CANCELLED BYJALI1M0RE GIS UNITED Guest speaker Abbie Hoffman (right) raps with his troops at the Ft. Meade rally. Hoffman: "America, love it or leave it7 I've left it'" Interested spectator (above) looks on. More photos on p. 6. PEACE MARCH CLOSES FT MEADE ! FONDA & FRIENDS way) and would not cancel any of its planned activities. However, the PIO must have been misinformed. The VISIT G.I.CENTER On Armed Forces Day, 1970, civilians and GI's com rally did not fizzle, the military's Armed Forces Day Friday, May J2, Jane Fonda ana Mark Lam- {Rush ro Judgement) rapped with about twenty bined under the direction of Baltimore G.l.'s United to celebration was called off due to inclement weather form a Non-Armed Forces, and a successful Rip-Off of GIs at BALTIMORE. GIs UNITED Movement (on one of the nicest days of spring), the entire Center They arnved at GIs UNITED after being the military's chance to display its advanced and all- Sixth Cavalry Regiment (about 6,000 men) was act expelled from Ft. Meade for attempting to get to-effective weaponry at Fort Meade. The demonstrat ivated, and put into full combat gear, the stockades signatures for a petition to Congress denouncing ion, with speakers Abbie Hoffman, and Susan Schnall, were blocked off, and more heavily guarded, walking the War. Fonda was indignant: "'Petitioning to was peaceful and controlled (to the great surprise and guards were placed in each unit, and an M-60 mach Congress (soliciting signatures) is perfectly legal. seeming dismay of the Fort Meade brass.) ine gun was set up overlooking the rally site An MP arresting someone for this is commiting On Friday, May IS, the Maryland Gazette ran an In addition, state and county riot control squads a federal crime. Yet they busted us f6r it We article on the proposed counter-Armed Forces Day were alerted, two armed M.P.s, and four Sixth Cav asked them what we had done that was illegal They said they didn't know They pushed us rally in which the Fort Meade Public Information alry GI's were posted at each entrance to the post. around too. We all have bruises." Miss Fonda Officer stated that the military was not worried about Troops were restricted, and alerted at Edgewood is planning to press charges against the officers this demonstration (which would probably fizzle any Arsenal, and the entire WAC detachment at Fort in charge. Meade was restricted to barracks. At GIs UNITED, Fonda wanted to know what This gross over-reaction by the brass dramatically she could do to assist GIs. She and het people shows what we, as GI's united, can do. are opening an office in Washington whose sole The demonstrators gathered in a church parking function will be to receive complaints from GIs. lot about a mile from Fort Meade, and marched to She wants the harrassed GI to know that "there's within 100 yards of the base boundary. Then, someorie behind them, someone that wül stick up settling in a sunny meadow, Abbie Hoffman spoke for them..." Fonda stated. "Most of the activism which soldiers are harrassed for is completely to the six or seven hundred marchers (50 to 75 of legal, if they only knew that " whom were GI's, with several in uniform) about Regarding the activities of GIs United, Fonda the urgent need to support the GI Movement - the offered, "If it would be any help for me to come most important faction of the New Left in dealing or if there's anything I can do, tell me." with an end to the war in Indo-China. Two films were also shown. The first con Armed Forces Day rally was a giant step in pub cerned with the dehumanizing process of basic training and the inequalities of military discipline. licizing the GI Movement. At over 25 bases across The second was a documentary revealing the the country, the brass was denied the opportunity hostile feelings of the South Vietnamese citizens to brainwash children, and their Middle-American towards their 'saviours' , the US military. parents. Huge military demonstrations at Ft. Dix - The rap session with Jane Fonda is only the continued on page 7 beginning. Check OPEN RANKS for all future GIs UNITED group activities Page Two OPEN RANKS June 1970 *W# m Ni Letters to the Editor Wm \ r\ ! o/^ /a /mû r TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE Disclaimer OPEN RANKS is the official publication of Baltimore calendar Peace in America is attainable if we, as Americans, GIs United, 315 East 25th St., Baltimore, Md. 21218 never lose sight of peace as the primary goal. Our friends, Any opinions, articles, or cartoons in this magazine children, and relatives are being killed mercilessly in S.E. should not be construed as official or reflecting the Asia. We may vary on our views concerning the legality views of the Department of the Army oi the Depart llune IT G^S UN"™ or illegality, morality or immorality of our involvement ment of Defense. Nor should the opinions spread by in S.F. Asia; we cannot be. divided by these differences. the Department of the Army and the Department of meeting at the movement center We all agree that we must have peace, and -ve must have Defense or by any of their agencies ever be construed peace now. We must join together, form a vocal majority, as reflecting the views of the authors of this publication. at 7-ZO all G.I.'S welcome truly representative of the feelings of Americans and make public these opinions. (JrMwGVIES at the MOVEMENT CENTER , Look ahead Americans. Let us all demand peace. Suppor r ^7$30 P.M. your local Veterans for Peace Organization. 3 (J G «I» SUMMER OFFENSIVE-BEGINS The American Veterans for Peace had to organize because existing veterans' organizations were not providing the necessary leadership essential for a democratic examination of this nation's priorities. We hope to provide the leader MEETING at the MOVEMENT ship necessary to prove that this nation wants and demands JULY I peace. CENTER 7:30 F.M. American Veterans for Peace G.I. COFFEE-HOUSE (SEE F. c) May, 1970 opens in WASHINGTON, D.C. Dear Sirs, I would like to take this opport ity to express MOVIES AT THE MOVEMENT CENTER my beliefs on Vietnam and on the Service, I feel that the United States was justified in it's initial 7i30 P.M. involvement in Vietnam but in its subsequent hand ling of the situation the United States government from the Executive to the Legislative to the upper 13 at the EMERGENCY. exhelons of the armed forces were guilty of crim inal negligence, incompetance, and stupidity, which BENEFIT ROCK CONCERT "OR G.I have cost untolled thousands of American and Vietnamese lives. 1 feel, too, that due to this UNITED in GEORGETOWN , WASHINGTON ineptitude and hesitant policy, the withdrawals FROM 1J30 to U30 A.M are the best solution. invitation to an (1330- 0130 for you lifers) The service. I believe, attracts and encourages latent homosexuals, weak-minded individuals, sadists, and individuals who are too cowardly to open forum attempt to make a livelihood in the ngors of the OPEN RANKS is hardly a neutral publication We MOVEMENT CENTER civilian life. readily admit to the viewpoint that can only be char I would greatly appréciai it if you publish my acterized as radical left. This viewpoint determines A quick note of recent changes in the Baltimore Gl's letter with my name attached as this would be the our choice of material, and strongly influences our U11 ted off ice at 315 E. 25th St to inlorm our readers means whereby I register my disgust and abhorence modes of expression. The view from tn< Left does The foremen!toned office will be staffed ever} night of a system of which I am a part by the result o not blind us to the existence of other opinions and from 5 to I OP A 10 handle questions by phone, and in of one foolish act. I am proud that 1 could risk other interpert-tions of events and developments in person Whereas before, our staff of this nature was lim my life for my beliefs but ashamed that I was stupid the present American political context We invite you ited to one person, causing J iot of confusion, it has rec enough! to put my sie f in a position where I am sub to express your opinions to the readers of OPEN ently grown m number four people al different limes of ject to the whims of perverted individuals such as those I have mentioned RANKS. We also invite responsible criticism of our ihe week These people include the lone former member attempts to provide information and opinion not Ed C v\. and three other ex-GI's just recent I v discharged readily found in the Army Times. Address any from the Navy These new members include Bob Lindsay, Very truly yours. correspondence to our subscription address and your Joe Harding, and Ron La\ale(te The new staff takes comments will appear in the next issue Names are this space to welcome any. or JII of you to come in and L/CPL Michael E. Murphy USMC MCB Quantieo, Va not required. rap anytime Even now, there are plans to create new In addition to letters, articles are also accepted means and methods to make GI's United more acceptable The Editor and together Think about it"' DON'T MOURN - ORGANIZE ! -Joe Hi// 1970 OPEN RANKS Page Thr«« Attracted by the warning, "RESTRICTED DEALING WITH IT AT EDGEWOOD ARSENAL AREA", posted on the fence surrounding a remote corner of Edgweood Arsenal, this OPES RANKS Years from now. if we ever make it until reporter, sensing a story, gained entrance to the area then, we'll give a thought now and then to the DUE TO SOME RECENT. and soon came upon a bunker hidden among the outrageous war in Indochina, and the images SPtCTACULAR, BREAK trees. I used methods learned from Holabird stu that will come quickest to mind will be those THROUGHS, ift OUR CBW. dents at Baltimore Gl's United meetings^ force open that are repeated over and over in today's liberal RESEARCH, WE, HERE-AT the door, and pr:>ceeded down a dark passageway press: The confused and bitter grunt hating the THE PROVING GROUND- until the air became hot and sulphurous. The passage war and all Vietnamese, and sometimes killing in- ARE NOW PREPARED opened upon a huge chamber, and I found myself To ANNOUNCE TO THE faced with the Devil himself, and realized at once discrimanately, his leaders making endless cover- AMERICAN PEOPLE,WITH that 1 was in Hell, Shaken only for amoment, 1 your-ass decisions, the political bungling that led GREAT PRIDE, AND PRO assumed my role as a reporter and asked, "What to expansion, etc.. Those of us at Edgewood - FESSIONAL CONFIDENCE, are your duties here in hell'" Are you harrassed by enlisted men and officers who, because of special THAT EVERY MAN,WOMAN the brass like BGI's IC" He replied that although training in chemistry, physics, engineering or data AND CHILD ONT* FACE OF the specifics of the instruments of torture he used processing will never see front line action - will THE EARTH , REGARXESS were classified, in general his duties were to lead hu be saying to our children, 'It was a terrible war, OF RACE, CREED, PLACE or- man beings from the paths of righteousness, to but I wasn't involved - I was lucky to spend ORIGIN, OR CHOICE-CAN cause wars and pestilence, and finally to torment evUdoes for all eternity after death. I remarked my time working in a lab (or behind a compu FROM THIS MOMENT FOR WARD, BE EXPECTED To that it all sounded pretty terrible, and asked if ter).' If our kids are audacious as today's are. he ever suffered from an uneasy conscience because they might challange us with, 'What kind of lab, GIVE THEIR LIVES.' THAT of the type of work he did. He replied, "No, of dad - what did you make?' 'What did you THIS NATION SHALL NOT ourse not. The way I look at it, you can always process?' 'If things were so bad, why didn't you __ PERISH • be idealistic and criticize m* because of thw work work for change?' I do, but if 1 didn't do it, someone else would. Besides, I have to keep busy, or the other side I think that our answers might reveal more will win." 1 understood at once what he meant, for about our current society's sickness than all the I had heard it before, and thanked him for his testimony of a Lt. Calley at his court-martial or, interview. for that matter, any number of leaders on 'Meet the Press'. For we are part of a society bent on destruction that, as C. Wright Mills says in The Power Elite,, has given its people no voice RÛBB in making the era's crucial decisions: the develop What will our answers be? The Army psychiatrists call a maNn uncle sam ment of the A-Bomb, Hiroshima, the Arms Race, who lays down his gun and refuses to kill a "case of battle Korea, Vietnam, the role of the CIA in the fatigue"; what will they call an army researcher who refused, as third world, and last but not least. Chemical and he well might when in a university setting, to work in chemical Biological Warfare. The Power clearly belongs to the Elitec the National Security Council, a warfare, or an army clerk who refused to process orders for succession of Ivy League presidential advisors (the Vietnam?, or a black GI who realizes he has an intimate relation real 'campus bums'), saintly ascetics like Einstein with the third world's struggle for freedom, or any of these Gl's and Oppenheimer, Gen. Westmoreland: ("I bet the who express their desire for change in the pages of an under Russian Army is jealous as hell. Our troops are ground newspaper? Ihtil they can come up with a diagnosis, here getting all this experience...those Russian generals would love to be here...any true pro we'll call ourselves patriotic Americans, Baltimore GIs Lhited. fessional wants to march to the sound of gun This will be our answer to our children's questions. Join with fire."), social scientists who see Vietnam as a us and DEAL WITH IT! J golden chance to apply their theories about sudden changes in primitive cultures* (for more on this, see Gunnar Myrdal's "Asian Drama," V. 1,) and of course the pi* scientists at the Nerve Gas Capitol of the World. BE AH ACTIVIST Students and teachers at many American universi ties are beginning to see that the power should be As a Gl I am becoming increasingly de- longs to the people, with the result that much war pressed at the limitations on my right to research is being thrown off campus, and may dissent, But what depresses .me more is that of the Elit's institutes are being trashed. Recently, most GIs don't use what legal grounds they students at the University of Montreal refused to have to express their views and attempt to allow a well-known scientist from Edgewood ARsenal change what they feel is wrong. (A branch chief in Bldg. 3220) from reading a Many GIs don't seem to understand the paper, because of his connection with the war ma seriousness of their situation. As GIs they are chine. Edgewood GI's who request reprints of scien required to perform immoral and unjust acts tific articles from University scientists or their civilian As GIs they are carrying out J foreign policy scientist bosses often get such reprints marked. that is limiting the freedoms of people around "not to be used for war-related research". One the world rather than ensuring their freedoms. such envelope was returned empty, with its corners burned off (with napalm?). These people realize There are many servicemen who realize this, BLEEDS YOU that decisions to kill or to celebrate life can be made yet make no attempt to do anything about it. by them-in the laboratories and in the streets-and They would rather submit to slavery for a few are no longer to passed on to the aforementioned years than make waves. They would rather "Elite". help repress the peoples of Spain. Greece, South America, and elsewhere than make waves. They THE AMERICAN WAY would rather murder Vietnamese people, and Have you ever been called 'unpatriotic' or un-American Galileo: "If only I had resisted. If only possibly be murdered themselves than make waves. for your anti-war activities'* Stop to consider who is "pat the natural scientists had been able to As one GI who has become sick of being evolve something like the Hjppocratic Oath riotic" in our country today of doctors, the vow to devote their know abused by the fascist military principles, sick of hearing frort, my nations "leaders" that 1 must To be considered patriotic, one must possess certain ledge wholly to the benefit of mankind! qualities and perform various activities which will sep As things now stand, the best one can hope murder gooks to stop commies, sick of being a for is a race of inventive dwarfs who can be tool used to su press the freedom of people arate him from the ordinary American. Some of these arc hired for anything....I surrendered my know around the world. I have chosen to act against 1. He must be white and employed ledge to those in power, to use, or not to the system. By using my legal right to dissent, 2. He must have short hair and be clean shaven use, or to misuse, just as suited their pur I am trying to change what is incredibly wrong 3. He must have at least one "America. Love It or poses -from Galileo, by B rtolt Brecht. with our country. 1 realize that, even though Leave It" sticker on his car what I do is legal, I will be harrassed by the 4. Me must be politically ignorant so that he can carry military. But 1 have no choice. If I do noth on a contradictory argument with anyone who chal ing, I will just be another GI who has sold his The question that faces RfëtyCI in Vietnam soul to the government in exchange for a more lenges his patriotism faces us as well and we'll have to answer it, so we'll secure future. 5. He must support the war effort, and look forward have an answer ready for our children in the fu to the developement of more effective Anti-Personnel 1 The problems facing our country now are ture: "What is to be done? David Darst, one of weaponry the Catonsville Nine arrested for burning draft very, very serious. To do nothing about them files, answered this at his trial: is to be part of the problem. People are going 6. He must support the DAR because it is one ol America's most 'patriotic" organizations "The records were burned with a kind to have to sacrifice in order for change to come 7. He must be a good Christian because everyone will of crude napalm. We made it from a about, and I would rather make sacrifices to helf. formula in the Special Forces Handbook bring about thus change than sacrifice my moral look up to him as the example of a good American published by the School for Special War values, and possibly my life, for an immoral If you don't fulfill all of the above requirements, you fare at Fort Bragg....We felt it was fitting policy. get five extra points for every American flag you have in that this agent which had burned human PFC William W. Roberts your car, office, or home ( American flag stickers count flesh in the war in Vietnam jind in many other alio) places should now be poured on the records However, if you have a plastic Jfijsus on your dashboard, which aave war and violence their cruel EDITOR'S NOTE: legitimacy." and wear Red, White, and Blue underwear, you can forgoe Bill Roberts is a GI at Aberdeen Proving Grounds, all the previous statements and jump into the role of Super- (from. The Trial of the Catonsville Nine. who tried (unsuccessfully) to get a CO. discharge. Pat not He has just returned ID .VG after being 25 days by Daniel Berrigan Can you relate to all this bullshit, or do you think that AWOL, and is now awaiting itial by our actions in tils United we are shown to be real Americans'* _ ^ /? Page Po OPEN R/sHKS June 1970 specMtîBlh Franklin EDGEWOOD LEGION RESERVISTS Killed in Action may 12 POST SEGREGATED UNITE! "The question is whether or not my death has been in The Edgewood American Legion, located 106 yards from Reservists and guardsmen in the Baltimore vath. My answer is yes. " Feb 27, 1970. the main gate at Edgewood Arsenal, where many civilian Metropolitan area have organized to end mili and Army lifers drink when off duty (and sometimes during tary injustice, to opposé the war in Indo China, In the April issue of OPEN RANKS we asked the same and to establish an information otnter. question and answered it papaphrasing an Abraham Lin duty hours), maintains an active policy of segregation based on racial grounds. It is time to secure your constitutional coln quote. We, despite the military repression, are still rights as a United States citizen, and to per here. Army SP4 Keith K. Franklin, of Salamanca, New Because of this, the Arsenal band no longer participates in local Legion activities. A further step has been suggested: petuate change in the present military system. York, is not. He died in Cambodia on Tuesday, May 12, A monthly newsletter will soon appear' for 1970, where he served as a medical corpsman. He said as with segregated housing, any off-post facility that prac the benefit and information of all reservists and many of the same things we did, even earlier than we, tices racial segregation can and should be declared off guardsmen in our area. and despite the fact that some of us have returned safely limits to military personnel. Since any active duty GI ia We solicite your support and response- from Vietnam, we are particularly saddened by his words eligable to join the legion, it has been suggested that black comments, exposure of personal and unit "inci written in a letter given to his parents on Feb 27, just enlisted men, officers and veterans apply for membership. dents", and all questions and answers. before he left. When they are turned down, they should notify the post Please supply a means of contact to: IG, who is aware of the situation. If enough evidence is collected, the EdgewoodP ost can be declared OFF-LM ITS- RESERVISTS' UNITED "If you are reading this letter, you will never see me snd the superpatriot racist lifers will have to find mother c/o BALTIMORE GIs UNITED again, the reason being that if you are reading this I hangout. (We suggest they try Rising Sun, in Harford 315 East 25th Street have died. THE QUESTION IS WHETHER OR NOT County, where their soul-brothers, the Ku Klux Klan, rec Baltimore, Maryland 21218 MY DEATH HAS BEEN IN VAIN. MY ANSWER IS ently met.) YES' The war that has taken my life and many thou Personal identities will be preserved, and - sands before me is immoral, unlawful, and an atrocity Do it, brothers! names disposed of. unlike any misfit of good sense and judgement known to man. 1 had no choice as to my fate. It was pre- be willing to start a war which we knew would result in deiermened by the war mongering hypocrites in Wash the destruction of our productive industrial capacity, ington. As I lie dead, please grant my last request. Help l&m simply because wé thought that 90% of our citizens would me inform the American people, the silent majority who escape death from the blasts (forget about radiation), and have not yet voiced their opinions." because we could at that time inflict extensive damage on an adversary? Hopefully we would not. Why should China There are many reasons to be sad. During that week, be different in its desire to preserve itself as an industrial 217 of our brothers died in vain and 1,281 were woun (and liveable) nation? ded in vain. Sadder yet is the cold, sickening reality that The answer is that China is not different, but we (that as long as less than 100 of our brothers die each week, is, the Department of Defense) choose to look at her as that is acceptable to Mr. Nixon and his public opinion being different (totally insane, in effect) in order t *.*- polls. But we feel a special kinship to Keith, and are sad cuse our own aggressive militarism. Our Defense De dened most because we feel his words fall on deaf ears. partment is manufacturing the threat of a Chinese Nuc When we and fellow GIs all over the US say these words lear attack in order to produce a state of paranoia in the we are called "subversive," "Communists," a "danger to American people great enough to allow the military the the morale and discipline" of our fellow soldiers, "dis free rein it desires in both national priorities (the military loyal to the US," etc. Would L. Mendel Rivers and the is afraid ''hat money will be spent on things such as ed Military brass call Keith Franklin disloyal? College stu ucation, pollution control, urban renewal etc., and cut dents echo his words and are called "bums" or worse. back on bombers, missle bases, submarines etc,) and Would Mr. Nixon consider Franklin a "bum"? He was international politics (a field in which it is totally in 19 years old. Would a National Guardsman shoot him? competent and in which it has no constitutional right Would a member of Fort Meade's 6th Cav. stick a bay to meddle). onet in his face as they did to us in Washington? Would In effect, the military estableshment is beyond control the construction workers beat him up? Would the Vice- in this country at this time. They are controlling the President call him a "criminal misfit"? Agnew once said .. Disgusting ! , i. killing women and children point-blank flow of information to the American people, and they he would trade the whole zoo of protesters for one pla with M-16 rifles!" \ are intent upon conveying the impression that war with toon of men in Vietnam. Would he take Keith Franklin China is a distinct possibility due to China's aggressiveness. in his platoon? Mr. Agnew doesn't have to decide bec In fact the opposite is true-war with China is a threat, ause Keith is dead. Someday Spiro should ask that pla DEPARTMENT OF but that threat is due to our military aggressiveness, not toon what they think of Nixon's war; not when they theirs. This is not to imply that China is a peace loving / are there and can only think of survival, but after they OFFENSE model for all the world to admire, but it is true that at ' return, or before they leave. That's us, Mr. Vice-Pres Ajccent story in the Baltimore Sun (22 May, *70) gave this time there is only one nation which is rattling the sabre ident, us and Keith Franklin. We say to Keith, we shall a clear indication of how strongly the policies of the De of nuclear war-that nation is'the United States-under help you, we shall grant your last request, at least until partment of Defense are governed by dangerously aggres the influence of a military establishment that is concerned they jail us, and then others will take our place, and sive attitudes. The story dealt with our Anti-Ballistic' only with its own myopic view of the world. The time is still others after them, all helping to grant your last Missle (ABM) system and the Administration's attempts near. Our survival and that of the world is dependent upon wish. We will try to inform the silent majority, from to push for complete installation of those parts of the the re-establishment of democratic control over our mil sea to shining sea. If only they and their President will system all ready programmed, with no delays. The im itary; the citizens must act. We must break the grip pf listen. portant aspect of the story is the rationale used by the fear that the American military has imposed upon a once Deputy Secretary of Defense, David M. Packard, in re free and democratic society! questing immediate installation. His rationale is that our ability to destroy, with weaponry which we presently have, 90% of China's industrial capacity and 9-11% of ok, big brother, books&buwper stickers her population with retaliatory strikes is not sufficient deterrent, since, according to him, the Chinese are ready An enlightened people is a free people- and able to accept that degree of loss in a nuclear war up against the ACLU! well, thats not really true, but a little knowledge is with the United States. That is , they could sustain that WASHINGTON POST CHARGES ARMY WITH USE more dangerous to THE MAN than it is to you. For damage and still remain a functioning country, with ap** OF "FASCIST'' TECHNIQUES AT FORT HOLABIRD a nominal sum, BGIsU will provide you with any of proximately 90% of her population still alive. The ar the following books and pamphlets for your head, and gument proceeds from here that for this reason, a nuc Despite a suit by the American Civil Liberties bumper stickers for your car. lear war initiated by China is a distinct possibility, since Union, the Army continues its surveillance and stor they supposedly feel that they can live through it; even age of information on all sorts of activities of civil 1. VIETNAM by McCarthy (1.95) some obser though in an industrial sense they would be almost totally ians, including participation in protests, attendance at vations on the war and the land. destroyed. Hence, China is likely to initiate WWIII, so political meetings, and signing of petitions. Big 2. CBW - AMERICA'S. HIDDEN ARSENAL by we must build the ABM to protect ourselves'from a likely Brother's electronic data bank at Ft. Holabird waits Hersch (1.45) cannisters of insanity. nuclear attack. like buried bullets to shoot down a blossoming car 3. BLACK POWER by Carmichael & Hamilton (1.95) eer. Even worse, US District Judge George L. Hart 4. JUSTICE, MILITARY STYLE by Sherrill (.25) ^The argument is almost believable on a superficial level, Jr. dismissed the ACLU suit as "ridiculous," (an ap 5. MILITARY DUTY-SERVICE OR SUBSERVIENCE but reflects an overt aggressiveness when looked at closely peal has been filed). The Washington Post in a recent (.25) Critique of GI'rights and problems. Is it logical that any country in the modem world will be editorial expressed the sentiments of OPEN RANKS SUMPER STICKERS (.35) willing to sacrifice its total industrial system in what can exactly whin it said: "Government snooping into 1. Vietnam, Love it or Leave it! only be a losing cause just to inflict a certain degree of the private lives of citizens charged with no violation 2. How Many Vietnamese Fought in OUR Civil War? damage on another nation? It is hardly logical, especially of law is worse than a nuisance, worse than an in in the case of China, who is still trying to gain the indus timidation. It is a fascis: technique, which fosters USE OUR SUBSCRIPTION ADDRESS TO ORDER!! trial capacity to su£ain herself successfully. Would we I fascism. " /,' June 19 0P3N R/M.S Page Five War-The American GI Movement News CounselingAvailable FORT BRAGG - - The longest basic trainee in the history of the Army Way of Life was released from the control of the military on March for Victims of 24, 1970. PV1 David H. O'Brien spent 20 months and A short time ago the end of the war seemed near. Peace 17 days in basic training at Fort Bragg, constantly stni| movements were going out of business; closing shop for lack gling for his release as a conscientious objector. of relevance. Nixon had moved Vietnam from the headlines the Military to the back pages and had lulled the nation to sleep by the The final ruling granted O'Brien's separation under false sense of security that peace was a short step away. How the Army's regulation for lack of jurisdiction. This The U.S. Military is big business. In fact, it is the world's ever, in one address, Nixon rudely awakened the country with resulted from the fact that he was denied due pro biggest business. For cadre, this fact always brings a cer his report on escalation of the war into Cambodia, and the cess by his Selective Service Board. tain amount of inspiration and self-satisfaction. Unfortu resumption of bombing in North Vietnam. Those who felt nately, this same sort of confidence or inspiration often confusion or surprise over his decision to continue an active O'Brien was active in Fort Bragg GIs Inited and fails to emerge when the focus turns to evaluating the mil war had been either too idealistic or simply niave. In the U.S. in publishing "Bragg Briefs," their GI newspaper. itary's corresponding ability or willingness to attend to the hving in war or under the threat of war is a way of life and personal needs of its large and essentially captive member will probably continue to be so unless existing governmental ship. policies change. FORT JACKSON - - The bodies of Mark Younnce, a Vietnam vet Cadre like to rap about taking care of their own. It When questioned on the function of the military or the eran and member of GIs Inited Against the War, would probably be more accurate to say that they take purpose of the war, the average American probably would at Ft Jackson, and his pregnant wife were found care of their own kind. reply that it protects the national security or serves as defense the first week*, in April in the back seat of their for the nation. This reply is only half the answer because there burned-out automobile. An attempt had been made For the military, manpower resources are practically are hidden, or implied, non-military functions of the war to camouflage the car. unlimited. They are also cheap. This 'priveleged pos system which are deemed essential to the management of ition' — combined with the fact that servicemen cannot this country by those in power. The military function of war The tow were apparently murdered on March 16. just quit when they feel they are being exploited or needs no explanation. As stated before, it serves simply to Younce had written afticles for "Short Times", the their rights are being 'deferred' - probably accounts for defend the national interest (whatever that is) by means of Ft Jackson GI newspaper, which often receives the immense degree of lethargy and insensitrrity that is organized violence. However, what does need explanation is threatening phone calls from local rednecks. evident in providing troubled GIs with adequate as the non-military functions which play such an important role sistance through military channels. in our government. It is these hidden functions that will insure No arrests have been made, and the whole case the continuance of a strong and active military, regardless of Repression and depersonalization have always existed, SALT, disarmament talks, or any peace negotiations this country is, in the words of GIs Inited, "being hushed up." at least to some extent, within military institutions. But will ever make. The Columbia police are apparently occupied with never before has the level of outright hostility toward in what they consider more important matters...such as dividual recognition swelled to the level at w' " it is Politically, war or the threat of war is an organizational factor. the recent trial for conducting a "public nuisance" at marked today. Criticism is tolerable when you are win It is sybonomous with our nationhood or national soveirgnty. which three members of the IFO Coffeehouse were ning; when you ire losing, it hurts. An attitude of in The military has constantly warned us that there are foreign sentenced to six years in prison and the C offeehouse creasing intolerance and suspicion toward servicemen powers that represent a real threat to our national security. was fined $10,000. with problems of conscience is becoming apparent. The It is quite obvious that Vietnam never provided political sta opinion grows that military service is a mandatory and bility to this country, but only because of lack of credibility. necessarily painful initiation by which EVERY young It could never be a formidable threat to our national security. male residing in America, regardless of personal creed or The spread of Communism in Southeast Asia was much too commitment, must arduously earn his right to the ben feeble a threat also. However, the administration has attempted efits of a "free and affluent" society. to compensate for this by constantly warning the nation about the magnitude and frightfullness of Russia and China. Any An institution, society, or nation cannot consider it type of action by either has ramifications on our defense and self free or democratic unless it recognizes the right of national security. In this area alone, the administration, in con each of its members to live in a way that is consistent junction with the military, has produced such widespread paranoia with his or her individual convictions and beliefs. One in Americans that the war system's continuance is insured. Re set of rules or attitudes, belonging to a particular man or gardless of the internal tensions over Vietnam, the nation is un group of men, cannot be permitted to cancel out or to ited through fear of Russia and China confine those of another: instead, a variety of styles THREE WEEKS IN THE DEEP SINK: and beliefs must be encouraged to flourish, each in To Edward Hochrider, seventy- variably interacting with, and strengthening the others. We could have peace if the administration desired it; we pro seven and blind, who finally sur bably will not because our economy is dependent on the war rendered to the U.S. Attorney after (see May Playboy, "The War Machine"). Nixon is fully aware of going A.W.O.L. from the Navy in Central to the lives of some men and women is a con what Hobart Rowen, financial editor of the Washington Post, 1931. viction, born from conscience, that participation in any observed, "If there were not the war going on in jull bloom, we activity or organization aimed at taking human life is might be in the throes of a full fledged recession". Sen. Fulbright vitally wrong. REGARDLESS OF JUSTIFICATION M-16 DAY ACROSS THE US • - saw the business mans view of the war as "a nice little war, not too much killing, but still a big help to the economy." Nixon has In addition to Ft. Meade and Aberdeen Laws and procedures have been estableshed in order calculated that his 'silent majority' would prefer more war and Proving Grounds-(where no demonstrations to allow consciencious objectors WITHIN THE ARMED killing than a tightening of its purse strings. An active military b were planned), about 25 other bases can FORCES to be recognized and to resolve their dilemma budget provides the omy large segment of the total economy that celled Armed Forces Day activities on May Unfortunately, considerable confusion and obscurity is subject to complete and arbitrary control by the federal gov 16. The reasons Leafleting and demonstrations are scheduled to Marching down Rt. 175. The take place during June and July at Edgewood Ar press estimated our numbers at 500, senal, Fort Detrick, and Washington DC. The action including about 15 GIs. To handle ts sponsored by members of "A Quaker Action this small group, thousands of police Group" and other peace groups who are opposed to and fellow GIs in battle dress were chemical and biological warfare. The feel that these needed. Shades of Vietnam. "Arsenals of Death" should be converted to environ mental and health research centers. Their schedule for action is as follows: Month of June - Leafleting campaigns directed at Edgewood townspeople and Arsenal government workers. CBW teach-ins at local schools. July 1st, 10 AM - Mass demonstration in front of White House. 1 PM - Mass demonstration on Cap itol steps. 8 PM - Mass rally in DC (place to be announced). -"*»^t&-* July 2-4 - Walk to Baltimore, planting trees along the way to celebrate the Green Revolution. July 5th - Mass rally in Baltimore (place to be an nounced). The Ann Arundel County Police, wearing their American Flag arm July 6th - Start walk to Edgewood Arsenal and patches, maintaining lawn'order. Fort Detrick. July 7th - Demonstration at Edgewood Arsenal. July 8th — Mass rally in the evening at the end of the walk to Frederick, Md. (location of Ft. Detrick) July 9th - Mass demonstration at gates of Ft. Det rick. Some will try to walk in to convert it to a world health center, they will block the entrance if stopped. Gov. Mandel's storm troopers with little to do. Needless to say, most of s opted for non-violent revolution n May 16. Crippled Vietnam Veteran demonstrates for peace in Denver, Colo. What is he* Coward7 Commie7 Bum ' Go to the DMZ! Fellow GIs stationed in the DC area are opening a Coffeehouse called the DMZ, hopefully by July 4, (Independence Day!). It's location is 918 9th St. N.W. three blocks East from the Greyhound and Trailways bus stations and six blocks North of the Department Nor everyone in the march was there for peace, A bove Our rent-a-truck drove through Fort Meade with an escort of Justice. Music, including occasional live entertain is a suspected Ml Agent (wow) caught by the OPEN of two helicopters, an unmarked car iFBf' and two MP ment, a library with books on consignment, a coun RANKS photographer. Our apologies it we are wrong' cars. We kept on truckin', very can fully. seting service, and information on tegal aid will be available. Its a badly needed alternative to the USO, so patronize it when you make that bus trip to DC. o June 1970 OPEN RANKS Page Seven MEADE RIP-OFF continued New Jersey, Fort Bragg - North Carojina, Ft. Ord - California, as well as Ft. Meade - Maryland were POWER cancelled-, and replaced by peaceful and meaningful LL WE ARE SAYING, IS GIVE peace a. CHANCF demonstrations by G.I. groups. The Fort Meade rally was short and peaceful - but very much to the point. The brass at Ft. Meade now realize that it is not dealing with one or two OPEN RANKS "commies" trying to stir up trouble, but rather JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF with the average fed-up G.I. - fed up with the sub- servienl nature, the unjust nature of the military MILITARY RFPRFSFNTAT1VES power structure. PF,- BILL ROBFRTS Aberdeen f*roiing Grounds Ft Meade SP4 JIM FFLTON SP5 RICK GALLAGHER Observations Fori (reorge G Meade I had vaguely heard about the threat of demon Due lo military repressiveness, strations and knew that the command had cancelled the May 16 Armed Forces Day ceremonies. I was un the names of other GI representa prepared for the feelings that would overwhelm me on that day, and which still persist. In driving around tives have been withheld as » post that day I met jeeps full of military police, and 6th Cavalry troops everywhere - at the PX's, the Comm security measure. We can say issary, the Officers Club, some of the barracks, and all that there are enlisted men and entrances. The stockade was heavily fortified with barbed wire and troops. The air of tension was new officers from Hambrtdge Naval to me and to Ft. Meade. Everywhere I went, norm ally calm people were anxious, housewives were buzz Training Center, Edgewood ing to each other in fearful tones, and employees fingered change nervously. The whirring of a chopper Arsenal, and Fori Holabird on could be occasionally heard overhead. As I passed the jeeps full of men, the crackling our staff sounds of radio transmissions could be heard. This seemed to make the men, who already appeared somewhat on edge, to squirm a little,, as if in ant CIVILIAN COORDINATORS icipation or foreboding of some ill to follow. I wondered what was happening to my green and Ed Cox (Navy Veteran) peaceful post. It looked as though we were pre pared for war. I laughingly wondered if there was Joe Harding- (Navy Veteran) going to be a Russian invasion. My thoughts then turned to the afternoon's picnic Ron Lavalctte (Navy Veteran) we planned and I packed my family in the car, and headed out towards Washington. On the way out, I Bob Lindsay (Navy Veteran f noticed many people in the housing areas were out side, looking down the road. I drove past platoons of of MP's in full battle dress, and saw .what looked to be a mounted M-60 machine gun. Almost sim ultaneously I came to an intersection where the JOIN US ! police had blocked traffic, and had to turn right. I saw what was coming toward Fort Meade. There were no hordes of Red Chinese, no columns of Russian tanks. Before me was a rickety red truck, and a bunch of people with signs against the war, flanked by My only crime is being against.-*tfé~war, and I fought PRISONERS ESCAPE AT FORT (>R[) dozens of blue suited, helmeted police, and two in it too." I would not want to be the officer in Vict C.O.'s"* or criminals' choppers flying low overhead. Then it hit me, an charge there, because I think that before the GI At least, at last, a slash of unrest overwhelming sense of terror at what was happening. would shoot his fellow GI, he would turn around, and Takes that tidy base I pulled over onto the side of the road. I recoiled shoot the officer giving the orders, and that's us. Where lawns and children's hair at the thought of hundreds, maybe thousands of General Seaman, you and me. Are sheared precisely. soldiers in full battle dress, not just gas masks, but It is time Mr. Nixon, to allow GI's to demonstrate Playgrounds every six blocks. FULL BATTLE DRESS, with camoflaged steel pots, and air their feelings openly. I recall a very peaceful Two cars in every duplex. flack jackets, and FIXED BAYONETS. Against what? demonstration last year, before the regulations were Artillery fire rattling over kid's changed Against a few hundred, unarmed people carrying signs, Laughter some of whom were easily recognized as GI's. (The Mr. Nixon, time is getting short. What are we all like blood papers and television later said 500 demonstrators, afraid of? Why can 500 peaceful people create an Of the heifer httting tin gutter with over 50 GI's, and some former GI's, and gave armed camp out of a huge post like Ft. Meade, and No strolling. the number of soldiers in battle dress as 2000? *'Oh 25 others like it across the nation? Is it PARANOIA? Nothing to see for anyone ouï my God", I said, "are we going to have another Kent Are we afraid to let our fellow soldiers who fight carries his destination like a wreath State here? Do the troops have live ammo? What if and die, speak openly? Why do I wear my uniform Wives in station wagons • off to the PX, someone decides to use the machine gun? Will lovely if I can not defend the right of citizens of the U.S., determined joggers in sweatshirts. Fort Meade be bathed in blood?" I felt weak and and fellow soldiers to speak out? Perhaps if we let No dogs off leashes. sickened by these thoughts. GI's speak out freely, we would be shocked at the But the cats have revolted large numbers against the war, including those who Abandoned by two-year householders. I parked my car, and left my family inside and fought there. Gone wild in packs, fertile. walked back to see what thousands of armed men Mr. Nixon, you must change the rules before it They threaten all domesticity. were defending us against. What I saw were men and is too late. You must allow GI's to vent their pent Discipline, rank, control. women wearing peace buttons, sitting in the grass, up rage. You must prevent more Sgt. Mike Sharps, They thrive near bomb and grenade test fields. listening to speeches. Again the horror of the con who go from Vlietnam hero with 18 lecorations, to trast hit me - this group of people sitting in the grass, Under captains quarters. Jog houses, mental patient, and criminal. You must allow open I see the last prisoners and just over the hill, troops ready for battle - not and peaceful dissent. You must allow demonstrat with Russians, Chinese, or even VC, but with fellow Growing sleek like the cats. ions in uniform, discussion groups, GI coffeehouses, Underground, on Army Miss, Americans, and even fellow soldiers. I stood ponder and GI newspapers, all of which can be done with ing what would happen when the first soldiers killed Going iron muscled, rifle straight out violence, and without loss of discipline. The They learn the prowess of rats a fellow soldier. It reminded me of the civil war repression of all of these shall only lead to blood epithet in history books - "brother killed brother". I to resist. shed. I dread the day when our men fight one They learn. realize now it will only be a matter of time before another. I think we shall know what civil war, and that happens - and that is the Coming Climax, unless They burrow, burrow the earth. revolution really mean when that happens. This is Couple with the land. the people in power act now to prevent it. When it. This is the Coming Climax, Mr. Nixon, and that first GI stands face to face with his fellow GI, Shoot in their revolving seed. only you can prevent it. I pray to God, please do And aim for the ancient root out of uniform, unarmed, and says to his brother it before it is too late. 0 with fixed bayonet - "why do you want to kill me? Of the cannon's corps. ALICE LATVIN My family, and I went home. We had no picnic!! Page Sight OPEN RANKS June 1970 Senator Frajik Church: NATIONAL G.I. The United States is stilJ stuck fast in the longest war of its history in the former French properties known as Indochina. Three Presidents, representing both political parties, have been un ALLIANCE FORMED willing to put an end to the American involvement in this Asian war. On the weekend of May 29-31, GIs from across the nation met in Atlanta, Georgia, and organized a National This war has already stretched the generation gap so wide that it threatens to pull the country GI Alliance. Among the GI dissent organizations present apart. The new generation never saw in Vietnam the demons our generation envisioned. Unlike at the meeting were GIs from over 30 bases, or areas, American Presidents, who were mesmerized by the "lessons" of World War II, our brightest young and members of the New Mobilization's GI Task Force. people never believed that. Ho Chi Minn was Adolph Hitler in disguise, or that our failure to fight The most important and necessary functions of the new for the government we subsidized in Saigon would amount to another "Munich." They knew that alliance were: improve communications between all GI the safety of the groups; coordinate activities on bases; raise funds for Vietnam really had nothing to do with the security of the United States, the safety of the Amer legal and press support; and provide material for poli ican people, or the well-being of our society. And so they soon came to view the war as an un tical education. warranted intrusion on our part in a Vietnamese struggle which shouldn't have been our affair. The New Alliance was broken down into five regions to expedite the proposed functions. Baltimore GIs Un It does no good to tell these young people that onr "will and character are being tested," that ited was placed in the Northeastern region. All of the we shall not be humiliated or accept our first defeat. They do not believe a mistaken war should regions are to be coordinated by the national office in be won. They believe it should be stopped. That, for them, is the path of honor. Washington DC. A member of this national office will attend the upcoming USSF-SOS (United States Service Little woifder, then, that our génération has lost communication with Young America. We men's Fund - Support Our Soldiers) conference, to in move in two different worlds; we speak two different tongues. We'd pass each other by., like two form the members what GIs plan to do. ships in the night, were it not for the collision course we oldsters have charted; we keep drafting them to fight our war. We persist in that course, even at the price of alienating millions of young Increased security measures within the GI Movement Americans. were discussed, and it was decided that local groups take necessary steps toward more security, as different problems The deep disillusionment of college students in their country and its iristituticnshas its roots in were present at different locations. The many civilians Vietnam. When the power of the state is used to force young men to fight a war they believe present, all ex-GIs, contributed methods for enrichment of to be wrongful, under penalty of Imprisonment if they refuse, the seeds of sedition are sown. We their support, such as urging Congressional investigations, now reap the bitter harvest, manifested in the angry uprisings on campuses from coast to coast. and leafletting on bases. Whenever tne limb is shaken, all the leaves tremble. Once the moral authority of the government is rejected on an issue so fundamental as an unacceptable war, every lesser institution of authority As the meeting progressed it was decided to call for a is placed in jeopardy. Every sacred principle, every traditional value, every settled policy becomes month of intensive action to begin June 30 (the announ a target for ridicule and repudiation. Cauldrons of anarchy soon begin to boil. ced date of US troop withdrawals from Cambodia) and to extend throughout the entire month of July. This move So it has happened that our country is coming unstuck. The crisis in our land, the deepening ment, titled "GI Summer Offensive" desperately needs the divisions among our people, the festering, unattended problems at home, bear far more importantly support of GIs- across the nation; and specifically for upon the future of the Republic than anything we have now, or have ever had, at stake in Indo OPEN RANKS, GI support in Maryland, fou are the china. That is why the time has come for Congress to draw the line against an expanded Amer people to make this thing work! Move with it! ican involvement in this widening war. Unfortunately, time ran out on Ihe conference, but Too much blood has been lost, too much patience gone unrewarded, while the war continues though there was much left to discuss, there was sat to poison our society. If the Executive Branch will not take the initiative, then the Congress and isfaction that the conference had achieved enough to the People must. make it a success. The GI Movement is growing fast, become a part of it! Give peace a try in July! rightonrightonhghtonrightonrightonrightonrightonrightonrightonrightonrightonrightonrightonrightonnghtor. Subscribe Brotherhood at the May 9th peace rally in DC. Support OPEN RANKS! FREE TO GIs (Mailed in plain envelope) $5.00 - ONE YEAR Support Subscription $3.00 - STUDENTS Coin type contributions & Stamps are needed. NEED'SOME COPIES FOR OTHER GIs? STATE THE NUMBER NEEDED, NO CHARGE. Name Addreas_ City _State Zip MAIL YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS TO: BALTIMORE GIs UNITED 315 East 25th'Street Baltimore, Maryland 21218 Baltimore GIs United -sa*"1'' 315 E 25th St Baltimore, Md. rt-o^f/\j ï/c siitsF. s~l ?c \ We dare be free"- MOTTO OF THE SONS OF LIBERTY'. 1774 OPEN RANKS 1 THIS IS YOUR PERSONAL PROPERTY, IT CANNOT LEGALLY BE TAKEN FROM YOU Œ»e« Defeats Edgewood Arsenal : x; Sunpapera nhoto—William LAPorce. Jr. |I| ^.;fl#"'ï&?Ks' >??''•••• • "*•••-• ' "• • * s* Demonstrators get a jenced-out view of Edgewood Arsenal as they sit on grassy knoll f Six would-be planters—with their pine seedling—are led away by guards LIEE vs. DEATH (EDGEWOOD DOWN, TREE TO GO) News Front Starting on July 8, 1970, the "CBW Project," sup townspeople, and members of the CBW Project rapped ported by 9 pacifist groups including "A Quaker Action about the Arsenal of Death 8 miles away. Honored (In case you missed it in the Army Times) Group," began demonstrating at the Edgewood Arsenal guests included a CID agent from APG and THREE gate against Edgewood's role in Chemical Warfare. They MI agents, two of whom admitted their roles and pro attempted to plant a "Tree of Life" at the Arsenal; in mised not to report individual GIs. Straight on!! The Reservists Committee to Stop the War has their attempt, lasting thru July 16, 29 protestors were filed suit in Washington to have all members of arrested and will be tried at Edgewood Arsenal on On July 16th, at 3PM a tree was presented to Congress thrown out of the Reserves and National August 4th. (That gives us time to talk about a GI George Baker, of the Edgewood PIO (who clearly ex Guard. counter-demonstration at the gate on the day of the pressed the Army viewpoint over the mass media There are 59 reserve officers in Congress, of whom trial). during a discussion with the Project: "You have your 20 are colonels and above. Three members of the principles, we have our regulations.") who accepted it House Armed Services Committee are reservists. In It was obvious to the pacifists that they were ag as a "gift of beautificarion." Not ones to be co- addition to the 59, there are 63 Congressmen in re ainst the institutionalized violence of the Nerve Gas opted, the Project members leafleted the base on the tired reserve status, including those two stalwart Kapitol of America, rather than against the GI's. The same day, thanking GIs and workers for their support racist war lovers, Maj Gen Strom Thurmond and Maj feeling was mutual; this OPEN RANKS reporter coun and inviting them to a Peace Picnic at the Noyes Es Gen Barry Goldwater. ted 30-35 off-duty GIs, including 4 officers, who dem tate on Vale Road in Bel Air. This was held on the The US Congress is supposed to guarantee civ onstrated at one time or another, and a colonel in following day, July 17, and attracted at least 50 GIs. ilian control of the military. The conflict of in Bldg. 3100 was reportedly sympathetic to the demon OPEN RANKS was told that this area will be avail terest in having members of Congress being also mem strators' cause. A sympathetic civilian employee/dem able for GI Peace Picnics once weekly if enough piople bers of the military is obvious, and dangerous. onstrator said: "This is the first time anything like this are interested. • » * has ever happened...a lot of people at the Arsenal are Nearly one-third of a suburban Washington reserve talking about it and the things some of them are saying CBW Project members will be staying at Stony unit's enlisted men are turning over their last three aren't all bad." 70% of GIs flashed peace signs as they Run meeting house on N. Charles St. in Baltimore months' military pay to Democrat Royal Hart, a drove past the gate (more about that later) and many until August 4th (at least) and may be working with peace candidate, in his effort to unseat Rep L, J. MPs, after putting in many hours at the gate, were Edgewood GIs, workers and townspeople. This raised the Ilogan in Maryland's fifth Congressional District. still quietly sympathetic. None had been called pigs. the question: "What can we do, and where have we Tne men are members o* the 354th Civil Affairs Even "Judge" Creekmore of the SJA Office said to failed to respond to, 'The Spirit of the Tree*?" A Unit, which meets in Prince George's Cou.ity. a CBW Project member^ "I respect those who ?.re peace sign at the demonstrators may not be enough to willing to go to jail for their beliefs-1 think they're stop CBW. We need to show more ACTIVE support, straight on." "You mean right on," said a demon and less simple-mended FTA sentiment for the CBW The Pentagon paid out $176,000 to a San Diego strator. "Right on, straight on," said the Judge. Project, and for the GI movement. If interested, contact: Psychiatrist on a military health insurance program in (Now we see how radical rhetoric gets its start. From CBW Campaign, 20 S. 17th St., Phila., Pa. This, as 1968, a House subcommittee reported recently. WE that point, "Straight on" became a part of the dem well as demonstrating oft-post in civilian clothes outside WONDER WHY? onstrator s' language.) of duty hours, is perfectly legal. Straight on! Plant a Tree!! This openness contrasted with the spirit of secrecy see page 7 for related story. An Air Force recruiter, Tech SGT R. W. Knapp, and paranoia that has surrounded CBW and has fos was relieved of his duties for portraying the Air tered its growth, exemplified by the fact that the Force as "virtually noncombatant," and Army draftees father of Paul Gustafson, one of those arrested, could "On the plains of hesitation bleach the bones of as "cannon fodder." He said "Did you know that the not discuss CBW with his son because, as a high rank countless millions who at the dawn of victory, sat vast majority of the US forces killed in Southeast Asi;i ing civilian at Aberdeen Proving Grounds, he was down to wait-and- waiting, died." have been draftees?" bound to silence by a security regulation. -Adlai Stevenson DO IT NOW!!! Apart from the ma'n demonstration, meetings were held in the Bel Air Unitarian Church, where GIs, Page Two OPEN RANKS July 1970 Disclaimer OPEN RANKS is the official publication of Baltimore GIs United, 315 East 25th St., Baltimore, Md.-21218. Any opinions, artistes, or cartoons in tVtis magazine POWER should not be construed as official or reflecting the ALL WE ARE SAYING, IS GIVE "pëacë A CHANCE views of the Department of the Army oi the Depart ment of Defense. Nor should the opinions spread by the Department of the Army and the Department of Defense or by any of their agencies ever be construed OPEN RANKS as reflecting the views of the authors of this publication. JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF MILITARY REPRESENTATIVES: invitation to an open forum PFC BILL ROBERTS Fort George G. Meade OPEN RANKS is hardly a neutral publication. We readily admit to the viewpoint that can only be char SP4 RICK GALLAGHER acterized as radical left. This viewpoint determines Fort George G. Meade our choice of material, and strongly influences our modes of'expression. The view from the Left does Due to military repressiveness, not blind us to the existence of other opinions and the names of other GI representa other interpertations of events and developments in tives have been withheld as a sec the present American political context. We invite you urity measure. We can say that to express your opinions to the readers of OPEN there are enlisted men and officers from Bainbridge Naval Training RANKS. We also invite responsible criticism of our Center, Edgewood Arsenal, and attempts to provide information and opinion not Fort Holabird on our staff. readily found in the Army Times. Address any correspondence to our subscription address and your comments will appear in the next issue. Names are CIVILIAN COORDINATORS: not required. In addition to letters, articles are also accepted. Ed Cox (Navy Veteran) The Editor Joe Harding (Navy Veteran) Bob Lindsay (Navy Veteran) 1. Which of the following geometric diagrams constitutes a pentagon? Mai Provost (Army Veteran) DA. Beetle Bailey (Army Veteran) s Donald Duck (Disney Veteran) DB." ***** J. Eclgai HUUver (Class Struggle Veteran) DC. JOIN US ! DD. $ $ $ $ $ Submit your answers (with money) to OPEN RANKS. ENLISTED MEN HAVE RIGHTS offence may, through properchanneis, personal property or article of value of any appealed to obtain a "general discharge It is obvious that GIs have few appeal to the next superior authority. kind. under honorable conditions." Constitutional rights. There is no free An Aug. 1, 1969 change 1) requires the Art. 134. a) "communicating a threat" speech, no free assembly, no freedom from - Army to provide "certified" counsel for b) "taking, opening, abstracting, secreting, HELPFUL MILITARY PERSONNEL unreasonable searches, no jury trial. There special or general court-martial, 2) allows a are however rights under the Army's own destroying, stealing or obstructing mails" JAG. The Judge Advocate Generals office is summary court-martial to be refused in lieu c) "all conduct of a nature to bring discredit the legal branch of the Army. They are regulations. These should be taken of a special court-martial, 3) provides for advantage of. upon the armed forces." helpful in obtaining legal advice and in "military judges," to replace lifers in a finding the exact wording of regulations. (It MILITARY RIGHTS special court-martial when requested. DISCHARGES AVAILABLE AR 381-135 All GIs have the right to Art. 31. No person can be compelled to AR 635-20. Persons who, because of is best to try and obtain a civilian lawyer for receive any written matter they desire in the answer questions that might incriminate religious training and belief, are opposed to actually trying cases). Permission cannot be mail, and have the right to keep any books, himself. No person suspected of an offence participation in war in any form will be legally denied to go to JAG if you go newspapers, or pamphlets they want. may be interrogated without first informing discharged "for the convenience of the through the chain of command. AR 600-23 "Degrading or depersonalizing him of the nature of the offence. government." IG. The Inspectors General investigates and actions such as the practice of requiring Art. 138. Any person who believes himself AR 635-89. corrects injustices. You cannot legally be heads of soldiers to be shaved or cropped Persons committing wronged by his commanding officer, and homosexual acts denied permission to go to him if you have extremely close are forbidden. Hair will be who, upon due application to that CO, is exhausted all remedies in your company. well groomed, cut short or medium length, refused redress, may complain to any AR 635-200. Persons returning to school, You may be harrassed if you go to him, if so preferrably 2 inches or less ... A neatly superior commissioned officer who shall starting teaching, joining a police force or just keep going back until it stops. The IG trimmed mustache is permitted." working in seasonal labor may be discharged may be helpful, but it is not good to AR 600-20 GIs may participate in public take steps for redressing the wrong complained of. up to 3 months early. Persons suffering completely depend on him. demonstrations when they are off duty and from hardship in financial support of Chaplain. They are usually gung-ho, but out of uniform. occasionally you can find one that will ACTS PUNISHABLE BY COURT-MARTIAL dependents may be discharged. AR 635-20 An "individual who applies for Chapter 10: Persons facing, a court-martial listen, and possibly use personal pressure to (often committed by officers) help you out. discharge based on conscientious objection (follow procedure under Art. 138) with a possible punishment of a bad will be retained in his unit." Art. 93. Cruelty toward, or oppression or conduct or dishonorable discharge may be Hospital. Good for medical problems and AR 210-23 Permission to distribute maltreatment of any person subject to his discharged upon request for the good of the obtaining recommendations for a medical unofficial literature on base may be orders. service. discharge (also contact civilian doctors). obtained by submitting a request to the AR 635-212. Discharges for the following: Sick call is a right, not a privilege. Provost Marshall Office. Art. 97. Unlawful apprehension, arrest or "frequent incidents of a discreditable nature Red Cross. They are necessary for AR Personnel on holdover status are confinement of another person. with military authorities"; drug possession recommendations for a hardship or to be treated as permanent party. Art. 98. Unnecessary delay in the or use, an "established pattern of shirking," dependency discharge, and for disposition of any case of a person accused homosexual tendencies. Discharge is only compassionate reassignment. UNIFORM CODE OF MILITARY JUSTICE of an offense. possible when the proper authorities Article 15. Punishment may not be imposed Art. 107. Signing, with intent to deceive, consider "rehabilitation" to be impossible. of the person has demanded trial by any false record, or order, or false official AR 40-501. Discharges for . numerous court-martial. statement. technical medical reasons. A person who considers punishment under Art. 117. Using provoking or reproachful this article unjust or disproportionate to the words or gestures. / Some of the above (esp. 635-212) result in Art. 121. Wrongfully taking, obtaining, or undesirable discharges which may be withholding from any person any money, July 1970 OPEN RANKS **age Three Kent State Revisited 61 Summer Offensive Hopefully, deaths due to the confrontations between The students are striking, the 'freaks' are demonstrating, military riot control forces and peace demonstrators the movement 'heavies' are planning for a stronger offen ended at Kent State. It is incredible to think that the sive. The outrages of Cambodia, Jackson State, Kent, and August have put more life into the movement. More military has not taken steps to prevent these murders people are beginning to realize that our nation's leaders from recurring, but apparently this is the case. Existing are not guided by a compassionate interest for the people military philosophy and policy toward handling dissent of America, and the word. For the war to end, for invite the likelyhood of future Kent States. rascist policies to end, for the people of this country to receive the freedoms they are entitled to, Nixon, Agnew, In the aftermath of Kent State, the 519th Military Mitchell, Mendel Rivers, Strom Thurmond, General Motors, Police Battalion, an elite Army riot-control unit, were Dow Chemical, the universities, the labor unions, the deployed from Ft. Meade to protect the White House 'silent majority', the military, and the rest of the establish during the May 6th March on Washington. On the ment must be shown that they have no choice. For this night prior to the demonstration, the troops were told to happen, the GI's have to become part of the move that the task force command would give the order to ment force. Having successfully ripped off Armed Forces fire on the crowd if the battalion suffered two "cas day at over 25 bases, GI's are now beginning their summer ualties." offensive. In continuing to keep the GI movement growing, GI Right on, to those in the battalion who felt that they groups at bases across the nation have planned many pro would absolutely not fire, and clearly preferred to be "WÏU THE REAl DICK NIXON grams for GI's who want to show their dissatisfaction on the other side. Undoubtedly some felt differently. PIEASE STAND UP?" with the country's policies. This includes the following Those who could not relate to the protestors looked witl actions: ( 1 ) Turning in their sayings bonds. Savings bonds enthusiasm at the chance for confrontation, and it was are helping to finance the war. (2) Making out allotments these people that the battalion CO was encouraging Right on! to Capt. Robert G. Thomas who gave to various movement groups. The smallest allotment when he claimed that they would have had the weekend the peace movement a victory over the military. allowed is 25 cents a month. Every allotment made out off had it not been for the hippy protestors. This was A doctor stationed at Edgewood Arsenal, he refused costs the government $500 per year to process. Therefore, inexcusable provocation. an order to remove a bumper sticker stating, "How twenty 25 cent allotments would cost the government many Vietnamese fought in our Civil War?" Capt. $10,000 per year to process. Also, making out $5.00, or Another policy that invites risks is order number Bob said, "I am a doctor and an individual first, $10.00 allotments to the local GI movement group, be three of the eight Special Orders that the men in this and an Army officer second I don't think the Army side the forementioned good, strengthens the force that's battalion must know and obey; it states^ I will should use its authority to uphold war." Right on working for the oppressed military personnel. (3) Chang not load or fire any weapon except when authorized again!!! The army issued a denial that the military ing the beneficiary of their (servicemen) life insurance to by an officer under specific conditions, or when re attempts "to suppress an individual's political views." a movement group. Therefore, if a GI dies, the government quired to save my life. Thus the situation exists where The same army spokesman then, possibly unknown pays $10,000 to a movement group such as the Black a soldier feeling that his life was in danger could open ingly, countered that statement by saying "the Panthers, or the GI Alliance in Washington D.C. (4) fire on a crowd, and possibly start a chain reaction provost marshal did not consider the bumper stick Post beautification programs (5) Writing to their cong where others might assume that the order to fire had er to be in good taste and that he asked the ressmen, the president, and anyone else, to express their been given. officer in charge of the dispensary to speak to dissatisfaction with the nation's policies. (6) Signing pet Captain Thomas about removing it." I wonder itions. This mix of loose conditions under which fire will how many days in the stockade the spokesman On August 6, many GI's will be going on sick call, and be authorized, the psychological prodding by comman got for that one. boycotting the mess halls. Any other protest actions will ders before a confrontation, and the possibility of fire Captain Thomas then stated GI's United belief be left up to the individual GI's imagination. due to chain reaction, is at the least alarming, and that "having been drafted into the Army is no It is imperative that the GI's act now to help reform the at the worst sets the conditions for future Kent States. substantial' reason^for me to change my political nations policies. It may soon be too late if there is much views." delay. - A MEDIC WONDERS WHY Many times I bend over to fix a wound Cm n^^n Letters to the Editor &u Praying to God that this war ends soon. ' Now we are going home. Where every American boy belongs. I should be smiling, but I can't People of the World, Thinking about the one's that ain't Again here I sit thinking about There happens to be no malice within myself for The Mothers and Wives, Dear OPEN RANKS anyone. This is how I feel: And their sons and husbands who lost their lives I am being abused and misled by an ideology that The Father who never saw his baby smile. has no meaning on the planet earth. Brothers are Tell me: Is this war worthwhile? It was said by one Brother that the 1st Sergeant Brothers and Sisters are Sisters all over the world— I ask myself: Should your son and I said that he would not promote him and we know it. Die for a foreign land? because he didn't like him; the reason being, "Because Before, I didn't care about what was happening. Tell me, because I don't understand you're black." When the Brother came up before the I turned my back for the past 32 months and tried to I have seen many die, and many try Board, however, he was promoted. Then the 1st Ser ignore the wrong my society has been doing. I've Who didn't know the reason why. geant called him into his office and threatened to tried to become a part of that society; thats why I Now tell me: Who is right and who is wrong? have him busted, because an E-6 (no name given) had am here now in the military. I couldn't get a good Should your son and I pay for what has been done? told the 1st Sergeant that the Brother had cussed the job, couldn't go to school, so now look where I am. And how much longer will this war go on? 1st Sergeant out, behind his back. This was not true. Fighting! I have to be a war monger to exist in a How long before we can come home? The Brother finally got this straightened out after go society like yours. I don't want to do so, there I hope not long. ing to the Old Man. Even so, this seems to be a pure fore I must try to change our society. This is my case of prejudice to me. Vietnam last recourse to peace within myself. from Edgewood Arsenal Get off my back! SP4 Kenneth D. Smith (forgive me) GÖTlöBE HMOREEFFÊCWE m lb PREVENT UN&fflEFUL AMERICANS FboM imwmimPGE OF FREE SPEECH!! &sr>or..-.noux iuj^nw^tMn yj!! "•"_ Page Four OPEN R/iNKS July 1970 THE TIGER CAGES AT GONSON A Haunting Refrain The Haunting Refrain: Is it Nixon's war or Johnson's PRESIDENT THIEU IS ONE OF THE FIVE GREATEST war? The following quotations undoubtedly will STATESMEN IN THE WORLD - Richard M. Nixon. •larify the muddled state of affairs once and for all. (i.e. "Let me make one thing perfectly clear.") It is frustrating to sit here and think about how the JOHNSON: war mongers in the White House and Pentagon have tried to twist our minds. They even spent 40 million "We could no longer stand by while attacks moun dollars last year on propaganda, termed "public rel ted and while the bases of the attackers were immune ations" at the Pentagon. We were told that Ho Chi from reply." Minh was Hitler in disguise, yet the people of North and South Vietnam revered him. We are told that NIXON: Thieu is a democratically elected president, just like ours, (come to think of it, there are a lot of similar ities) and is the savior of South Vietnam. We are "We will not allow American men by the thousands told the leaders of Russia and China are bad because to be killed by an enemy from privileged sanctuaries." they are Communists. In previous articles in this paper we have tried to tell our readers the truth... If the leaders of Russia and China are bad, it is not because they are Communists, but because they are dictators who oppress and enslave the people, just as Hitler did. The only difference between Thieu and Hitler is that' Thieu has not killed any Jews, except those who died on his battlefields in American uniforms (for whom Nixon shares the guilt). u" CEtL IN CON SON'S MAXIMUM-SECURITY BLOCK Maximum security, gruesome mistreatment. We are not fighting for freedom, we are fighting to keep a DICTATOR in power, one who jails political op Roy W. Johnson, a spokesman for the US Embassy, ponents, closes newspapers which oppose him, and op said: "They tell me in many ways it is ahead of many presses the people. What goddam difference does it advanced penal institutions." Incredible, that Nixon's make if he is a Communist or not a Communist? When mouthpiece in Saigon would say that after Rep. Ander will our silent majority, and their President, wake up and son compared it to Auschwitz and Dachau (Yes, realize this?? If we were truly fighting to free the Anderson is the WWII sub officer). people of South Vietnam, the first thing we'd do is get rid of Thieu, and then get the hell out of their The hawk committee of Congress that went over country, and truly let them decide what they want, there to "investigate" the charges tried to whitewash "LYNDON, THE WHOLE GENERAL AREA not impose on them what we want them to have. Conson in its report. SEEMS TO ACHS. . . 1"- That, Mr. Nixon, is self-determination. WHY SHOULD WE DIE FOR THIEU'.S DACHAU, JOHNSON: The latest sickening manifestation of Thieu's "Dem WREN OUR FATHERS DIED TO DESTROY HITLER'S ocracy" was discovered by two Congressmen, W. R. And DACHAU??? "If we are driven from the field in Vietnam, then erson (D. Tenn) and A. F. Hawkins (D. Calif). They no nation can ever again have the same confidence ip Can any of the silent majority still support the war American promises or in American protection." were on a fact finding tour when they left the pro and this Hitler called Thieü? Why oh why do you let paganda briefings to go to Conson Prison. The guards your sons die? .. . v -, NIXON: .^^^ .. , ,,,.,, tried to keep them from seeing the things they saw, but the men persisted. Anderson (now a dove, who was Ask yourself that question as you read the fol "If we did, credibility of the United States would a hawk before the trip) a former submarine officer lowing interview of a young girl in the tiger cages be destroyed in every area of the world where only and bronze star winner, said: "It was the most shocking of Conson. *> the power of the United States deters aggression." treatment of human beings I have ever seen." "How old are you?" JOHNSON: Conson has 10,000 prisoners, almost all South Viet "Eighteen." namese, and prisoners of war sent there for other "Are you a student?" "Our conclusions are plain. We will not surrender. crimes. They are all political prisoners, including many "No, I am a laborer. I worked in a factory." We do not wish to enlarge the conflict. We desire arrested for demonstrating against the regji ;n "Why were you arrested?" peaceful settlement and talks." arrested for demonstrating against the regime. Under "I was in a peace demonstration." Thieu's "democracy" a person can be jailed for any "Are you a Communist?" NIXON: reason for two years without a trial. IS THIS WHAT "No, I am not a Communist. I am concerned about YOUR SONS ARE DYING FOR, MR AND MRS politics. I am concerned about peace." AMERICA? "We will be conciliatory at the conference table, The guard beside me(questioner) demanded: "Will but we will not be humiliated. We will not be you salute the flag?" defeated." The tiger cages are windowless cages of solid con The girl answered defiantly: "No, no, I will not crete, with three quarter inch thick bars on top. They salute your flag, which represents all the things you JOHNSON: are 5 by 9 feet, and each cage contains 4 or 5 people. have done to me." (Anderson estimated 200 men and 150 women were The guard retorted: "Then you are a Communist and "The United States still seeks no wider war." caged here, later the US said there were actually 500). should be killed." The only sanitation is a single wood or porcelin con NIXON: tainer the size of a waste basket. There is one straw mat for five prisoners to sleep on. None of the male // we are to die for the tyranny of Thieu, then maybe "We shall avoid a wider war." prisoners were able to stand up; probably paralyzed we should say with Patrick Henry, "Give me liberty or from a combination of malnutrition, lack of exercise, give me death," and maybe it would be better to and beatings. They were tortured with lime thrown die on the streets of A merica. in their faces, which makes breathing very difficuly. One prisoner said that they ate "leaves, grass, fleas, beatles, and an occaisonal lizard, all eaten alive." This was to supplement a diet of rice, often mexed with sand and pebbles anda form of fish that "people in South J. EDGAR HOOVER Vietnam buy to use as compost for plants." There are more shockers to come. The US Agency for International Development (AID—a nice name to cover our propaganda, and it does not appear in the On both the local and national levels, the Communist Defense Budget) contributes $442,000 last year to the Party, USA, is continually exploiting social, economic, Vietnamese penal system ($1,370,000 since 1963). F. and political grievances for its own tactical purposes. E. Walton is head of AID's "public safety program" For this reason, the "Party Line" will frequently co which dishes out the prison money to Thieu and his SS incide with the views of many non-communists on guards. (The total AID "public safety program" for specific issues. We must not, therefore, indiscriminately last year, including training Vietnamese police, was label as Communists those whose opinions on a par $11,905,000). Mr. Walton is in charge of the 11 mil ticular question may, on occaision, parallel the of lion, which also pays 200 Americans to instruct Viet ficial Party position. We must also guard against the namese police. He used to be a cop in LA; Rep. tendancy to characterize as Communists those who Hawkins wants to know how à man who was "by merely disagree with us or who advocate unorthodox reputation, and my observation, tough on minorities," or unpopular beliefs. got his job. J. Edgar Hoover, from "J. Edgar Hoover on Communism" p. l4z. July 1970 0P3N RANKS Page Five CHEMICAL WARFARE Antiwar Candidate All this is very nice and logical, it is unfortunate that it is also daydreaming. The GI has not, so in my Alfred J. Daniels, M.D. mind he will not, become active in his own behalf. fot Gl Rights Lethargy has too strong a hold on the mind of the in I would first like to state that the opinions I am dividual for him to break free and become involved in about to express are my own and are not necessarily Dear OPEN RANKS: meaningful work — somewhere an excuse for inaction those of the Department of Defense, US Army, or will be found. Edgewood Arsenal. I have expressed my feelings The willingness of GI's to speak out against the con publically about Edgewood Arsenal in the past, al tinuation of the slaughter in Vlietnam is just about the though my remarks were somewhat distorted by the only encouraging aspect of our involvement in that vile press (especially the Harford Democrat). Speaking little war. The readiness of the brass to use illegal and as a human being, and a physician opposed to Chem unconstitutional methods to silence the GI's United is ical warfare, I will do so again today because I con part of the depressing total picture of repression sider it totally meaningless to practice medicine, Perhaps it is inevitable that while our armies defend saving lives only to a very limited degree, while in tyrrany abroad, the traditions of liberty are endangered sane instruments of mass destruction are being at home; that's one good reason to fight even harder developed just a few hundred yards from where I for an immediate end to the fighting. But the quest treat my patients. While the sore throats, earaches, ions of military free speech, and of military justice hyper-tension, or diabetes that I treat may be im generally, did not begin with the war and will not end proved, or resolved, I have no way of treating the with it. The Uniform Code of Military Justice stands Vietnamese of very young, and very old age once in desperate need of revision; we need an end to comm they are killed by CS, a "riot control agent," when and influence in courts-martial, as a starter. Beyond trapped in tunnels, or Vietnamese of any age after that, it must be made clear to the higher-ups that a they are exposed to helicopter, or artillery fire by man's freedom to think and to express his thoughts does not end when he puts on a uniform. flushing them out with this same, "riot control agent". Nor do I have any way to treat their burns Keep up the struggle, and keep the faith. If there's from Phosphorous, Magnesium, or Napalm. These some way I can help, particularly once I get to Cong weapons of mass destruction, as opposed to convent ress, let me know. ional weapons, are especially inhumane because they don't distinguish between military, and civilian targets. For Victory, Partly because of our use of these weapons, our pol icy of saturation bombing, and partly, in my opinion, Parren J. Mitchell because we are fighting on the wrong side in a Peoples War, the Vietnam Conflict has the highest percentage EDITORIAL of Civilian casualties of any U.S. war with the poss ible exception of the Indian wars. Dear Mr. Mitchell: It is always better to prevent disease than to treat it once it has occurred - this is a cardinal ruüe in The Staff of OPEN RANKS fully supports your medicine. All of us- not just physicians - can prevent candidacy for the 7th Congressional District of Md. many of the casualties in Vietnam and in future We will assist you in your campaign to the best of Vietnams by insisting that the scientific facilities of our abilities. The political processes of this country Edgewood Arsenal be dedicated to the preservation of at this critical period in its history are sorely in life on our planet, through conversion to an environ need of the efforts of men who are willing to ex mental Research Center (another example of prevent press radical viewpoints in an outspoken manner. ive medicine), rather than being dedicated to the The needs are so great, and the disillusionment of development of the insane kind of weaponry that it dur contemporaries is often so total, that nothing'' specializes in today. At present, very little good short of radical truth will have even a hope of results from Edgewood's activities, except for the accomplishing change in our system. We welcome economic benefit the community derives from its the chance to support an individual whose views presence. If the people of Edgewood and employees are so closely in line with ours. of the Arsenal show their concern, it can mean the beginning of a grass roots effort to save Edgewood Mai Provost Arsenal both from Defense Department cutbacks, and for BGIsU from the inhuman mission it is presently involved in. God forbid we should ever be 20 years without... For many of us it would mean a research center, a a rebellion. town, and a job to be proud of, and I, for one, would POLITICAL ACTION?? T. Jefferson, 1787 no longer suffer the incongruity of practicing medicine Mai Provost a few hundred yards away from the so-called Clinical Research Lab, and Weapons Development Labs. The letter from Parren J. Mitchell expressing sup port for the GI Anti-war movement is unique in our As revolutions have begun, it is natural to expect experience. Never before has an individual so close to that other revolutions will follow. "the system" had the courage to endorse our activ Tom Paine, 1791 $$$ for Propaganda ities. This is encouraging to us, and important to the continuation of meaningful opposition to the insanity THE HIGH COST OF PROPAGANDA and repression of the Indo-Chinese war and the present American political conte.xt. Finally, it seems, someone Senator J. William Fullbright revealed what the is getting into a position where he might be able to KKK in Amy Defense Department spends annually for its prop do some good. As Parren Mitchell endorses our ac aganda apparatus. In 1970, public relations spend tions, so do we endorse his outspoken opposition to During the spring, after complaints by Black and ing was $40,447,000 (a fifteen fold increase over war abroad and political repression at home. Puerto Rican GI's in Germany about the existence of 1959). What kind of country is this that allows Ku Klux Klan units in Germany, the Army announced children to starve while spending over 40 million an investigation. The GI's charged organized racial On another topic, Parren Mitchell poses a question to sell the war, chemical and biological warfare hostility, and harassment, aided or tolerated by NCO's for the great bulk of GIs who are acquainted with (this propaganda program even has a name - and Officers. Of course the Army said this was all OPEN RANKS and the movement in general. That "Operation Blue Skies"), and other wasteful pro untrue, and that the GI's were troublemakers. question is: "What excuse will I use this time to grams to the American public. Perhaps Senator The Army then, for reasons unknown, announced avoid getting involved in what is happening to the Fullbright was correct when he compared the vice it was re-opening the investigation. Shortly there world and my country?" president, not to Joseph McCarthy, but to Dr. after, Robert M. Shelton, imperial wizard of the Joseph Geebbeis, the infamous propaganda minister united klans of america said the klan has units in of Hitler. Senator Fullbright said "The role of the Involvement in Baltimore GIs United/OPEN RANKS the armed forces both here and abroad. "Yes", he is easy to back out of; its underground, therefore sus vice president is more reminiscent of Dr. Joseph said, "we have units in the Army, and in" the Army Goebbels, in the early thirties, than of Joseph pect, maybe dangerous. If nothing else it is a real has in Germany. What's wrong with a man wanting to sle with no likelihood of reward. So even though most McCarthy in the fifties, because he speaks for a GIs receive the paper enthusiastically, and "oppose" the be a white man, and join a fraternal organization different branch of government than did McCarthy." army enthusiastically, they find many ready-made ex like the klan?" He continued, "We haven't heard He goes on to state that the vice president, "speaks cuses for their non-involvement, and OPEN RANKS is of those pseudo-intellectual congressmen making for 'the' executive - the power backed by the FBI, put away when the time comes to visit the local Pub investigations into black power insurgents in the the Department of Justice, and all the courts of or to watch the idiot box. ranks of the Army, Navy, and Marine Corps who this land, and above all by the 3Vi million men openly advocate the overthrow of the very forces armed by the most powerful weapons ever devised But here comes Parren Mitchell, not a GI organ in which they serve." by the human mind". We think the senator's izer, not a "radical," he's a man running for the Con One can recall Hitler calling the brownshirts a analogy lacks just one fact; Nazi Germany never gress of the United States. He's working in the system; fraternal organization too. We wonder if the klan spent $40 million on propaganda, but then too, guaranteed he won't throw a fire bomb at your mother. would feel more at home in brown shirts instead Agnew and Goebbels came without cost to their And he digs YOU, the GI, he wants to keep you alive. of white sheets. respective war departments. Remember too, the So maybe it would be in your own best interest to do The GI's are members of the 14th Armored Army won't allow GI newspapers to be distributed a little work for him, to try to get a man in Congress Cavalry regiment in West Germany. We hope they on post to help counteract that $40 million bucks who is on your side. will keep us posted on what happens. worth of filthy lies they throw out Ever feel like David facing Goliath? Pag« Six OPEN RANKS July 1970 NOT ALL OFFICERS ARE PIGS thighs. All G.l.'s are warned to stay away from any (some are kangaroos) invitations to such sport offered by Captain Kangaroo, as the game is degrading, and distasteful to the human SEMANTICS WARNING TO G.l.'s: Beware of Captain Kangaroo. spirit. Laboring under the sad delusion that it belongs to 5- FAVORITE TOY: WEAPONUS MURDURUS- C.K. another common species, HOMO SAPIENS, this exhibits a marked fetlish for this object, commonly creature is extremely dangerous. Having cleverly known as a gun, with the ability to kill or maim. To disguised itself, CK. can be spotted through care him, it is a symbol of virility (manliness), of strength, ful observation and by the exhibition of the follow= a crutch to rely on, and thereby hide his weakness, ing human characteristics: and inadequacy. Avoid such playthings unless you want Captain Kangaroo to exercise his virility on YOU. 1- AUTHORITARIANISM (or FASCISM)- Known by psychological terms as a high F-Ratio, this 6- FAVORITE ASSOCIATES: SOLDIERUS BALDUS- characteristic consists of conventionality, super- Captain Kangaroo bestows great favor on those show stitiousness, rigidity and aggressiveness. Psycho ing the following appearance and tastes: logical experiments in 1950 by Adorno proved that (a)-bald or shaved head- his acknowledged favorite the high F-Ratio so generously shown by Captain symbol of depersonalization and degradation. Kangaroo to be related to various forms of person (b)-shiny brass and shoes- so C.K. can observe his al prejuAce, hostility and autocratic tendencies. own rel own reflection during inspections. (c)-a great desire to play the game Embracus 2- THE NAPOLEONIC COMPLEX (also known to Derrierus on or off duty. the layman as the LITTLE HITLER COMPLEXI TES consists of an insatiable need to degrade others (d)-a marked tendency on the part of C.K.'s fav to reassure the subject of his "superiority". Captain orite "inferiors" to imitate his behavior by practicing Kangaroo is an insecure creature aware of his own it on THEIR inferiors". worth as an attempted "human", Since this real The abovementioned characteristics should enable ization causes traumatic physical reactions such as you to identify CAPAINUS KANGAROOUS! Others nausea, regurgitation, severe depression and other similar to this species can be found anywhere on various forms of psychosomatic sickness, C.K. re post. Please address all comments to G.l.'s UNITED sorts to repression and denial of his mental and SOCIETY FOR PIG-WATCHING. .WHITE emotional essence (Freud), and rationalizes all by 1 displaying a marked tendency to gaze into a mirror, " intolerance* kiss his little finger, and place it on the bars found on the shoulders of his uniform. He then proceeds The provision of the Constitution giving the war- to reinforce this narcissism (self-love) by showing making power to Congress was dictated, as I under all symptoms in Section 1 (see Authoritarianism). stand it, by the following reasons: Kings had always been involving and impoverishing their people in wars 3- HOBBIES: FOOTUS IMPLANTUS - C.K.'s favorite and pretending generally, if not always, that the good hobby is planting his foot in the face of an "inferior" of the people was the object. This our convention (to him, this is anyone beneath him in rank). The understood to be the most oppressive of all kingly intelligence, integrity, and constitutional rights of the oppressions, and they resolved to so frame the Con individual to his personal beliefs are not taken into stitution that no man should hold the power of consideration, being dismissed by C.K. as irrelevant bringing oppression on us. But your view destroys since they are not included in a Book of Rules and the whole matter, and places our President where Regulations. To spot Captain Kangaroo, be on the kings have always stood. lookout for said book. However, do not be deceived Abe Lincoln if it is nowhere in sight. He has it memorized and filed away in his somewhat undersized imitation brain. This lack of cranial area is not evident to the casual observer, since the area between his brain BUTTONS AND BUMPER STICKERS FOR SALE! and skull is filled with hot air. The latter, causing severe pressure on the subject, is often allowed to BUTTONS: (4 for $1) Ban CBW escape through the oral cavity (mouth). This is Time to Act fairly easy to detect, and occurs with some frequency. 4- SELF PLEASURES: EMBRACUS DERRIERUS- BUMPER STICKERS: ($.35 ea.) Captain Kangaroo is afflicted by a peculiar wish for Vietnam, Love it or Leave it. BLACK inferiors EMBRACER SUR SA DERRIERE! Known How Many Vietnamese Fought in Our Civil War? commonly as a desire to have kisses bestowed upon VIOLENCE! the posterior (rear) region found between waist and (see subscription block[p. 8] for address) WHERE IT'S AT, WHAT IT IS, WHO THEY ARE etc. Baltimore GIs United 235-8310 315 E. 25th St., Baltimore IS Black Panther Party 342-8536 1248 N. Gay St., Baltimore AFSC (apply for CO. 366-7200 319 E. 25th St., Baltimore status while on active duty - ask for Jeff having Hayes) HARRY (the Baltimore 243-2150 233 E. 25th St., Baltimore harry underground journal. They lend us their fac ilities for putting SAT AUG. 1 together OPEN RANKS' $4.00/yr. Subscription) 7-12 P.M. BENEFIT Project CBW - 676-2638 433-8212 xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx SUBSCRIBE: at Center Stage 211 E. NORTH AVE. Win Magazine - "Peace and freedom through non-violent action." Published by War Resisters League, 339 Lafayette St., New York, N.Y. $5.00/yr. ^f HCWDy DUTY Guardian - "Independent radical newsweekly" (Marxist) 32 W. 22nd St., New York, N.Y. 10010 $1.00/yr. for GI's GEEGCCy sKIHN JOSHUA Liberated Guardian - created in opposition to Guardian's "sectarian ism". 14 Cooper Square, New York, N.Y. $10.00/year AUX & CLIPPER MILL The Black Panther - Ministry of Information, Black Panther Party, Box 2967 Custom House, San Francisco, Calif. 94126 (weekly) rates: 3 months: $2.60 / YOU CAN GET IN FOR $2.00 6 months: $5.00 1 yr: $7.50 xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx .«jDl!, I July 1970 OPEN RANKS Page Seven News continued from p. 1 The Selective Service System has been virtually blacklisted by many landlords across the country be cause of anti-draft violence and terrorist bombings, a Senate Sub-committee was told on July 16. The government has been forced to reconsider its entire program for housing local draft boards throughout the country. The problem was said to be espec ially disconcerting since many towns have no fed eral buildings where SS might be put. Sen. Jacob Javits said he was weary of repressive legislation and suggested the bombings might subside when the issues subside, especially the war in Vietnam. Admiral Thomas H. Moorer, now Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said there is no room at the top for atheists. He testified that "An atheist could not be as great a military leader as one who is not an atheist. I don't think you will find an atheist who has reached his peak in the armed forces," the Admiral stated. A sociology prof essor wrote a let ter condembing this curious breach in the separation of church and state and went on to say, "Given this frank admission, it occurs to me that from now on, a young man seeking to avoid the draft can declare himself an atheist and resist induction on the grounds that he will be denied promotion because of his rel igious opinions—and he will be able to quote the highest military authority as proof of his contentions. Rep. R. L. Ottinger called on Congress to enact a war tax on corporations making excess profits from the Vietnam war. He named General Dynamics, Gen eral Electric, Boeing, and McDonald-Douglas Aircraft as companies whose defense contracts "experienced BALTIMORE GI'S UNITED, BUSY DELIVERING OPEN RANKS TO LOCAL BASES unparalleled growth in profits since the Vietnam war began." He forgot General Motors (the M-16 rifle that doesn't work), and a host of others. He also ne THE HIDDEN COST OF THE VIETNAM WAR glected Bob (let the troops die laughing) Hope's rise in W&eeà>(contlnued)\ prestige, if not profit. BOYCOTT THESE COMPANIES' The Pentagon, in its usual sneaky fashion, has said lOMBARD THEM WITH LETTERS OF PROTEST! The following editorials are reprinted from the Baltimore Evening Sun, in which they appeard o the war will cost us $19 billion this year. The cost is July 10th and 16th, respectively. far greater than anything reflected in the Defense bud get, which totals $71.8 billion this year. Non-defense The latest idiocy in new weapons, which Sen. A Little Tree aspects of the federal budget, including research, are Proxmire says could eventually cost the taxpayers 20 laced, with costs that are basically military. By the es BILLION dollars are sensors strewn throughout the Some Gandhi in the bud, some reborn Martin timate of Arthur Burns (a Nixon appointee), the entire Asian jungle to detect enemy troops, but can Luther King, some fresh incarnation of passive protest tangential military costs lifts defense spending to over not tell a man from a monkey or a water buffalo. was calling the signals yesterday at the gates of Edge- $106 billion. Maybe our planes can make the water buffalo extinct wood Arsenal. This genius didn't holler and scream Due to the war, the public debt is $373 billion, like they are doing to the Vietnamese. Proxmire has a at the servicemen who crouched inside. He didn't up $50 billion since 1965. The fiscal '71 budget con new book worth reading about the billions for weapons let his followers, all opponents of man's chemical and tains interest of $19 billion, of which $11 billion is that don't work and the cost overruns on some that do: biological inhumanity to man, tussle with the people from the war. What a mindblower-$l 1 billion in REPORT FROM WASTELAND: America's Military on guard. No, he simply held out a little tree, a INTEREST ALONE on the war since 1965. How Industrial Complex, published by Praeter. We wonder pine seedling resting in a little pot. Couldn't he many children would that feed? why so many in Congress (e.g. Maj Gens Gold water and plant it inside on the Edgewood grounds? The Veterans Administration costs this year are $8.9 Thurmond) object to feeding hungry children and call Edgewood, as the genius knew it would be, stood billion in disability pensions, educational aid, and medical it welfare, but don't mind putting corporate giants like flummoxed. A genius on the inside would have de costs. Economist James Clayton of the U. of Utah estimates the total costs of pensions for Vietnam vet Lockheed on welfare. flated the one on the outside with the obvious counter erans alone will reach $220 billion. Robert Eisner of stroke: why, come in, he would have said, plant your Northwestern calculates that the Vietnam war has al tree—then stop by the mess hall afterward for a nice ready cost $219 billion (the official US figure of cup of tea. But no, instead there ensued the regulatior money spent on the war is $120 billion). Eisner brandishing of trespass orders, of military police and estimates the loss of production by men drafted or civilian security guards, of arrests and bail and hearings. staying in school to avoid the draft resulted in a loss All over a tree, a pretty spindly tree at that. Edge- of $82.5 billion to the civilian economy, plus another wood behaved as if it were confronted by a carboy $23.1 billion as the economic loss because of the dead slopping over with napalm, not a little tree. and wounded. The war has also created a great economic distor All this may be no more than a tossing about of tion by the relationship of the Pentagon to defense rival life styles, but it was a skirmish all the same. Oui contractors. Not only do they want to put Lockheed guess is that the little tree came off first, mighty Edge- on welfare, but some of the nations most inventive wood second. companies, some of its best minds, scientists, managers, Trees as Trees and skilled workers are wasting their energies on Let's make one thing perfectly clear: Edgewood, military production. Assistant Secretary of the Trea symbol of the most bone-chilling side of war, is not sury Murray Weidenbaum wonders if they can ever con retreating. It is not accepting that little pine teee as tribute much to a civilian economy. He said to Con any symbol of protest against war. No. What Edge- gress: "The Defense Department has slowly taken r wood is doing is executing a retrograde movement: over many of the decision making functions of business "We'll accept the tree," the acting deputy comman management, the choice of products to produce, the der says, "as a tree." Yes. source of capital, and the internal operations of the PHOTOS BY: U.P.I. firms." WIDE WORLD The wonder is that it took Edgewood a week of An ironic fallout is that after spending all these THE AGNU confrontations with peace marchers, 29 arrests, end billions, the government cuts off school aid to handi (Blunderus PoliticusJ less humiliating pictures of husky M.P.s glaring at the capped children (dependents) when a GI is killed. offensive seedling to get the point. The point is that, Until recently, the Agnu was little known and rarely seen The government restricts such payments to active duty if rival were to be juggled, the tree had them licked servicemen and of course if you are dead, you are no outside his small preserve in the Eastern part of the U. S. before they started. In symbol language, when the Today, however, he is a national creature and a household longer on active duty. This leaves widows and their nu tree said life, all Edgewood could say back was death, handicapped children tto pay for their own special word. The Ag makes great attempts to move forward, but no matter how daintily it picked its phrases. has to spend much of his time back-tracking to make sure educational needs. The total cost of continuing this where he's at. An awkward beast, he often stumbles while program would be only $250,000; small in compar Let Edgewood now adjust its ruffled feathers as it trying to decide to move to the right or the left. Some ison to the extravagant costs of the war itself. may. For our part, we think that we shall never people feel that the Agnu should not be allowed to roam ALL THIS MONEY WASTED ON THE WAR CAN see, a gas mask lovely as a tree. wild due to his susceptibility to hoof-in-mouth disease. NOT PAY FOR THE COST OF ALL THE HUMAN SUFFERING AND DEATH. Page Eight OPEN RANKS July 1970 Me? I JUST 1 JUST Trta expewnewr SPECIFICATIONS WITH \ CHBM AND't AND t JU&T JUST PUU/ A D&CIV&R SWITCH, FR&lGrHT. \ END THE WAR support McGovern -Hatfield THIS IS OUR FIRST CHANCE TO END THE WAR WITHIN THE SYSTEM!! THIS AMENDMENT WILL CUT OFF ALL FUNDS FOR THE VIETNAM WAR ON JUNE 30, 1971. IT IS NOT A LAW REQUIRING PRESIDENTIAL APPROVAL-NIXON CANNOT VETO IT. IT IS A CUT-OFF OF FUNDS FOR THE VIETNAM WAR. THE SENATE CAN ACCOMPLISH THIS ON ITS OWN, SINCE EITHER HOUSE OF CONGRESS CAN BLOCK FUNDS WITHOUT THE AP PROVAL OF EITHER THE PRESIDENT OR THE OTHER HOUSE. IF THE SENATE SAYS "NO" THERE WILL BE NO FUNDS FOR THE WAR FILL OUT THE ENCLOSED PETITION, GET YOUR FRIENDS TO SIGN IT AND SEND IT TO YOUR PARENTS FOR THEIR SIGNATURE AFTER YOU HAVE CIR CULATED IT, SEND IT TO YOUR SENATORS - US Senate. Washington, DC. THIS CAN STOP THE WAR!!!! DEAR SENATOR I FULLY SUPPORT THE MC GOVERN-HATFIELD AMENDMENT. I URGE YOU TO WORK TO BRING IT TO A VOTE AND TO VOTE FOR IT. IN SO DOING YOU WILL IDENTIFY YOURSELF AS A TRULY PATRIOTIC AMERICAN. Subscribe NAME: Support OPEN RANKS! FREE TO GIs (Mailed in plain envelope) ADDRESS: $5.00 - ONE YEAR Support Subscription $3.00 - STUDENTS CITY: STA TE: ACTIVE DUTY Gl? YES NO (circle one) NEED SOME COPIES FOR OTHER GIs? STATE THE NUMBER NEEDED, NO CHARGE. LISTED BELOW ARE THE NAMES OF OTHER SUPPORTERS OF MC GOVERN-HATFIELD Name Address NAME: City State Zip ADDRESS: MAIL YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS TO: CITY: STA TE: BALTIMORE GIs UNITED 315 East 25th Street NAME: larylanVr2J2 ADDRESS: 6&" ^ Baltimore GIs Uifôd^H1^27 CITY: STATE: 315 East 25th Str' Baltim ire, Md. 21 NAME: ADDRESS^ CITY: STA TE: 9-^k \fafk)*r^Çs0ter*)dto T^Ltn$A~ NAME: — ADDRESS: CITY: STATE: 5M*4 QUOTE OF THE MONTH A member of a military band who plays at the white house for all presidential parties says, "I feel as if 1 am fiddling while Rome burns down". We dare be free"- MOTTO OF THE SONS OF LIBERTY', 1774 OPEN RANKS_ THIS IS YOUR PERSONAL PROPERTY, IT CANNOT LEGALLY BE TAKEN PROM YOU SEPT 1970 MILITARY COURTESY WEEK DECLARED In reaffirmation of the Declara tion of Independence's statement that "all men are created equal", the week of Sep 26 - Oct 3 has been de clared "Military Courtesy Week" at Edgewood Arsenal. During this week, all enlisted men will be encouraged to salute each other in a friendly manner. Participating personnel will address each other as "sir", regard less of rank. It is anticipated that officers, NCO'* ?nd GI's alike will get into the spirit of this patriotic program. A request for official sanction of this event has been for warded to the base commander; so watch your Daily Bulletin for more information. Let's show that all Americans really are created equal, even if they are in the Army. Sa lute your favorite E-8 lifer, and let him know he's just as good as you. "Saluting is just a friendly way of saying 'Hi."" - quote from GEN Hoisington, WAC BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING There has been increased public concern over the wisdom and legality of some of the data banks which are being constructed by Federal depart ments and agencies. One of these data banks was con structed by the Army at Ft. Holabird, Maryland. After a congressional in quiry, Secretary of the Army, Stanley Change of Commands Resor asked for the immediate de There has been a change of command In response to complaints of seg struction of such data banks. In at Open Ranks headquarters. The paper regated barber shops and VFW and Amer March 1970, the Army stated that it is now being published by G.l.'s sta ican Legion posts just off base, our had disassembled its computerized tioned at Edgewood Arsenal, the moral leader has stated he is just taking data bank on civilians at Ft. Hola armpit of the Army. With a little no action at all, hoping the problem bird. help from our friends (Read that, will go away. But it won't. His rea The Army failed to mention the "Give us your time and your money".) son is that if he had to declare the existence of: we can continue to outshine the Aegis American Legion off limits, he'd 1 - A two-volume loose-leaf and Sunpapers. Open Ranks also wel have the whole legion down on him. encyclopedia on dissent known as comes literary contributions. We straight on, Colonel! "the Compendium". don't care if you can't write worth Open Ranks contends that up 2 - A computerized data bank a damn, if you have something to say, holding the morale of the G.l.'s on civil disturbances at CONARC write it down and we will print it. is much more important than the headquarters, Ft. Monroe, VA. Our new mailing address is P.O. Box risk of alienating the racists in 3 - Non-computerized regional 915 Edgewood, MD 21010. Edgewood. We trust that Colonel Con data banks at each stateside Army Coincidentally, Edgewood Arsenal nell will take our advice and command itself has also experienced a change declare these places off-limits. It is clear that the Army has of command. Colonel George "Sandtrap" maintained its deterrent power over Connell teed off last month in typical In the future our "new command" the individual rights of American Army style. Confronted with the prob |will have other sensible suggestions citizens. The Army still watches lem of racism in the Edgewood commu for the Army's "new command". We civilian politics. More than 1000 nity, the Colonel calmly buried his look forward to a long and mutually plain-clothes soldier-agents continue head in the sand. rewarding relationship. to monitor the activities of law- See BROTHER, Page 3 SEPT 1970 Page Two OPEN RANKS Disclaimer Vietnam Veterans s March for Peace OPEN RANKS is the official publication of Baltimore GIs United, 2525 Md. St. Baltimore, Md. Any opinions, articles, or cartoons in this magazine should not be construed as official or reflecting the views of the Department of the Army or the Depart ment of Defense. Nor should the opinions spread by the Department of the Army and the Department of Defense or by any of their agencies ever be construed as reflecting the views of the authors of this publication. invitation to an open forum OPEN RANKS is hardly a neutral publication. We readily admit to the viewpoint that can only be char acterized as radical left. This viewpoint determines our choice of material, and strongly influences our modes of'expression. The view from the Left does not blind us to the existence of other opinions and other interpertations of events and developments in the present American political context. We invite you to express your opinions to the readers of OPEN RANKS. We also invite responsible criticism of our attempts to provide information and opinion not readily found in the Army Times. Address any correspondence to our subscription address and your comments will appear in the next issue. Names are not required. —AP WIREPHOTO. CARRYING mock M-16 rifles and dressed in bedraggled route George Washington once took and passed the same In addition to letters, articles are also accepted. uniforms, some of the almost 150 Vietnam veterans end an spot at which Washington once reviewed a body of troops. The Editor 86 mile march at Valley Forge Monday. The group, Vietnam The march started at Morristown, N.J., on Friday. Veterans Against the War, ended their trek over the same ALTERNATE ARMY Nixon Consulted FAN MAIL GIs United is proud to offer a new service to the military community. An Edgewood Arsenal officer who We have formed an "Alternate Army" Youth Experts has expressed his opposition to CBW consisting of 90 toy soldiers armed received the following literary gem with Ml6s, flamethrowers, mortars, a On Cambodia on a postcard. The author, of course, plastic truck, and several brave poly did not sign his name. WSamoaimmm** ethylene officers to gallantly lead The massive campus demonstrations the troops into battle. The " A.A. " that erupted last sping after U.S. will be available for war games on a troops were sent into Cambodia did 24-hour-a-day basis to all suffering not surprise President Nixon, his from attacks of chronic militarism. daughter Julie Eisenhower said re This is an excellent opportunity for cently. lifers and brass to workout their hangups in an inexpensive and harm "He really expected it," Mrs. less way. The possibilities are unlim Eisenhower insisted. "He knew . . . ited : play "Inspection", test nerve what the reaction would be. If he gas on real (plastic) human volunteers, was tuned out, he wouldn't have try "Vietnamization"- it's easy - all known." you do is call the occupation forces She made the comments when asked "advisors" ... during a television interview whether A.A. needs your support. Bring all she felt her father was aware of the donations of equipment to the GIU restlessness among students concerned office soon. We especially need toy about the war and pressing domestic tanks, gas masks, generals, and problems. plastic CID agents. She added that the President call Coming soon - we restage the historic ed her and her husband, David Eisen battle of Dien Bien Phu. hower, before announcing his decision publicly to discuss it with them and possibly to get their reaction. David Eisenhower predicted campus unrest will not dissolve when the "obviously unpopular war in Southeast Asia" is over. "At one point, that might have been true," he said. But now "I think the movement has gotten to the point that it has an inner momentum of its own and will move in other directions." CHEMICAL WARFARE FILM Where: Loch Raven United Methodist Church; corner of Loch Raven and Glendale Rd. When: Tuesday, Oct. J3, 8:00 PM. Sponsored by Project CBW R.COBB and Ecology Action. FREE! SEPT 1970 OPEN RANKS Page Three *»«"*» BIG BROTHER-continued from page 1 People Sniffer? ON THE HOME In a recently published book, a abiding citizens. retired Marine colonel condemns the Higher up the chain of command, FRONT... armed services for advocating the officials at Ft. Holabird balked at Edgewood Arsenal, whose claim to Vietnam War because they wanted a carrying out the new policy. An In infamy lies on the development of realistic proving grounds for the new telligence Command spokesman refused chemical weaponry for Vietnam and for playthings that technology has added to say whether the computer tapes use as a "deterrent", has turned its to their arsenal. Unfortunately, some there had actually been erased or scientists to the control of blacks of these instruments were used in merely placed in storage. He admitted, and students right here at home. combat without proper prior non-com however, that the.input to the data bat testing. Witness the repeated bank (the key punch cards) had not A storefront "town", constructed problesm with the M-16 rifles, not to been destroyed. in a remote corner of the Arsenal, mention the F-lll scandal. All this is common knowledge and serves as testing ground for a foam can be found in the Congressional which is sprayed on storefronts when A prime example of a toy that was Record. An Open Ranks reporter has property destruction (Nixon's idea prematurely rushed into combat is the also learned that the Army has re of penultimate violence) is antici XM115 personnel detector. This de assembled the data bank in another pated. When the situation gets vice, also known as the "people sniff building at Ft. Holabird. This data worse, CS is sprayed into the foam, er", is largely the responsibility bank is now in use. Meanwhile, the thus to remain there for long periods of the Limited Warfare Lab at Aberdeen Army takes interested congressmen on of time. Envision downtown Newark, Proving Grounds and the Defense Devel a tour of the empty building that once Detroit, or Baltimore all lathered opment and Engineering Labs at Edge- housed the data bank. The new loca up and ready for a close shave! wood Arsenal. tion is not mentioned and is faith fully avoided. Anyone with additional Even more astounding - something These instruments are mounted in information is encouraged to contact that only Edgewood scientists are ca helicopters that are flown over the Senator Sam J. Ervin (D -NC). pable of dreaming up - is what one jungles of Vietnam. The devices Wherever the lines around the Army worker calls the "Thunder and Light allegedly detect the ammonia that is spy program are finally drawn, action ning" project. In this psychedelic emitted by humans. The Army will not on them should begin promptly. Incred sound and light show, high intensi reveal how well or how poorly they ible though it may seem, the Army has ties of sound and light are used to actually perform. already assembled the apparatus of incapacitate dissidents. a police state. That apparatus must What is known is that these instru be disassembled before it falls into One small problem, of course, is ments were used in combat situations the hands o f those who would delib that bystanders and residents will without first conducting even the erately or inadvertently misuse it. also be affected by these indiscrimi simplest tests of their effectiveness. nate weapons. Another is that the For instance, it was not until more intensity of sound contemplated by than two years after their initial Personnel connected with Edgewood the Edgewood scientists is over 95 employment in Vietnam that the first Arsenal and APG have had responsi decibels, enough, according to Army tests of the effects of humidity on bility in awarding contracts for this sound experts at Ft. Knox, KY to the detectors were performed. Tem project. They have now concealed permanently damage the inner ear. perature effects were likewise not the effectiveness of the product un investigated until this time. This der the label "secret". In view of Do the experts really believe that was a $10,000,000 research and devel the inadequate pre-combat testing streets filled with CS-foam, sirens opment project; yet the men responsi of the equipment, the public has wailing, and lights flashing are the ble for it had not even bothered to good reason to suspect that it has answers to our country's problems? investigate the effects of climate not gotten its money's worth. This Do they really think that an incom on performance. Combat missions were suspicion could be confirmed or re petent, jittery policeman or national being planned and executed on the ba futed by a lifting of the veil of guardsman with his M-16 will be any sis of "sniffer" run data. American secrecy that masks the performance more calm or rational standing in the ground and air forces were risking record of the XM-115." middle of one shitstorm the "Arsenal their lives. But the developers of If the "people sniffer" is a for the brave" is preparing! Ap the XM115 had no idea of its opera success, the Army should be proud to parently so, and police departments ting efficiency in a hot, humid, announce it. If it is a failure, then throughout the country are eagerly tree-canopied region such as Vietnam. the public deserves an explanation. awaiting the latest achievements of Open Ranks challenges the government: modern technology. does it work or have American boys No GENERAL I DONT FEEL risked their lives while depending on yet another worthless military toy? THAT GENOCIDE IS BASICALLY Perhaps a Congressional investigation , Dangerous Drug INCONSISTANT WITH could reveal the answer. I was wondering why the military JUDAO CHRISTIAN THEOLOGY has not been banned by the 1914 Nat- cotic Act. It definitely is a de pressant. It attacks all the senses, culling them into insignificance from boredom and lack of stimulation. Furthermore, I believe it has a po tential for psychological dependence. Have you ever noticed the great num ber of empty-eyed, fuzzy-faced career types who seem to exist in a perpetual 3ô\-3U-7200 state of insomniatic trance? If the military is such a dangerous, habit- American Friends Service Committee forming drug, why is it so readily available on the open market without 319 E. 25th St., Balto., Md. 21218 a prescription? VOICES OF REVOLUTION OPEN RANKS Page Four he first went to the Congo to fight previously taught in Laos and the Ernesto 'Che' Guevaraagains t Tshombe's mercenaries, then Dominican Republic, the mission was (Note: Most of the staff and readers secretly returned to Cuba and orga concerned with the "moral strenth- of OPEN RANKS are far from being revo nized a nucleus of guerillas to ening" of the human material and lutionaries, in fact, several of us fight in Bolivia. Before he left, its "political education." A Col. were recently criticized by a civilian in 1966, a message from him was Joseph Rice, based in Cochabamba, radical because our non-violent stance read, 'to the peoples of the world', declared that there are 50 officers kept us from teaching military tac in which he called for, "two, three, and NCOs in this mission. As Roper says tics and markmanship to those who many Vietnams," and he criticized says after detailing this in his dis want a revolution now. Although we not only the US, but also the Soviet patch, "The international imperial believe in non-violence and the Bill Union for not becoming involved. ist network is really international." of Rights, we feel that radical chan Che by this time felt that his main When Che was captured by the Ran ges are needed in our society, and to enemy was US imperialism, especial gers, he was detained in a school- accomplish this we must draw on the ly in South America and refusing to house before he was killed. At ideas and examples set by revolu Toe any line other than a purely one point, two officers looked tionaries who were, in quite differ revolutionary one, met with fail at him sitting on the floor. "What ent circumstances, fighting for free ure and death in Bolivia on Oct. 9, do you suppose he's thinking about," dom.) 1967. The Communist parties in one said. "About the immortality Che was born in 1928 in Argentina. Bolivia were too much a part of the of the burro, of course," the other Although he studied medicine, he soon system to consider revolution, and replied, repeating a fatalistic became a political activist, and his Che couldn't recruit any peasants saying about the inevitability of early travels took him to Bolivia, to fight. poverty. "No," Guevara broke in, to Guatemala, where he fought against Perhaps the easiest criticism of "I'm thinking about the immortalyry Armas' invasion, which had been Che is that he was not a Bolivian, of the revolution." Soon after, planned and financed by our CIA and and in any case, the Bolivians weren't a Warrant Officer entered the room, State Dept., then to Mexico, where ready for revolution. The latter hesitated, then opened fire with he met Fidel Castro. In 1956 they may have been true, but Che thought his M-2. Che raised his hands to sailed to Cuba aboard the "Granma", in terms of a worldwide revolution his mouth and bit down on his fin intending to overthrow Batista. They against imperialism, and wasn't gers to stifle a scream, and fell met with initial failure, until fi bound by nationalistic ties, as his dead against the wall. Photographs nally only twelve were left to con past demonstrates well. of the dead Che show him with his tinue the fight in the Sierra Maes- The United States was deeply eyes open because a CIA photo tra region. Guevara became a master involved in the pursuit, capture, grapher kept opening them for the of guerilla warfare, the revolution and possibly the death of Che; they purpose of getting good pictures, was successful, and Che was faced had their interests in Bolivia also. until rigor mortis set in and they with the task of helping restructure The CIA constantly supplied the Bol could not be closed. the Cuban economy. His nationaliza ivian Army with intelligence data If Che was an outsider in Bolivia, tion and diversification of industry on Che. Che, Regis Debray (a repor so are the CIA, AID, Gulf Oil and aroused the wrath of the USA, and ter who had accompanied the guerillas) Special Forces, all known by Che Cuba found itself depending on Soviet and others were interrogated and as American imperialism. We still aid, which of course meant that she beaten by CIA experts. Christopher have military missions throughout had to toe the party line, and final Roper, a Reuters correspondent, said South America, and they're part of ly accept Russian missiles on her that a Special Forces school, run of the same Army that we are. And soil. by 'Pappy' Shelton of Nashville, Tenn. as long as this situation conti While this was happening, Che and Capt. Leroy Mitchell, "an Amer nues, Che lives. dropped out of sight, and many be ican Negro recently arrived from Material detailing the activities lieved what the CIA was saying: that Vietnam," was established in Bolivia of the CIA vs. Che can be found Fidel, in the best Stalinist tradi to train the Bolivian Rangers who in, The Great Rebel: Che Guevara tion, had had him killed. In fact, eventually captured Che. Besides the in Bolivia, by L. Gonazlez and G. usual subjects, which Shelton had Sanchez Salazar (Bolivian teachers, newspaper editors and correspondents) Grove Press, N.Y. ($1.45): " a diamond edged account....penetra UP THE CHAIN OF COMMAND ting and just..."-N. Y. Times Book Review. Subscribe Support OPEN RANKS I FREE TO GIs (Mailed in plain envelope) $5.00 - ONE YEAR Support Subscription o $3.00 - STUDENTS NEED SOME COPIES FOR OTHER GIs? STATE THE NUMBER NEEDED, NO CHARGE. LU Name \ J Address C«ty_. State Zip < UJ MAIL YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS TO: BALTIMORE GIs UNITED CL 2525 Maryland Ave. Baltimore, Maryland 21218 (W SPECIAL CO. ISSUE We dare be free ~ MOTTO OF THE SONS OF LIBERTY*, n74 OPEN RANKS THIS IS YOUR PERSONAL PROPERTY, IT CANNOT LEGALLY BE TAKEN FROM YOU OCT. 70 CO. IN UNIFORM Federal Peace Note As American foreign policy skips merrily from war to war This note entitles the <£> and its society at home becomes bearer to legally more repressive an increasingly refuse to serve in USA large number of draft-age citizens are declaring their rejection of establishment values and priorities. Some have chosen to fight force with force while others are dedicated to PEACE change from within the system. This concern is also exhibited by those swallowed by the military system. Daily, soldiers are declar ing their rejection of war and vio lence. Requests for conscientious SUPPORT THE 6.1. MOVEMENT objector discharges and non-comba tant status have increased greatly OPEN RANKS needs your support!I month to keep us going. If you within the last year. We no longer receive funds from feel the paper is a necessary item the United States Serviceman's for truth to exist in the military, Fund and we now operate solely on buy a subscription for yourself or donations from our readers and G.I. a friend or send a dollar, quarter, Some men are inducted without full dime or nickel to: knowledge that they could have been stationed at Edgewood Arsenal, the chemical warfare armpit of the U.S. classified by Selective Service as BALTIMORE GI'S UNITED conscientious objectors. Others en It costs approximately $200 per month to publish 5,000 papers, thus P.O. BOX 915 list in good faith, feeling it is EDGEWOOD, MARYLAND 21040 their patriotic duty, but later find requiring only 40 per reader per out that they can not in good con science remain part of the military establishment. Unfortunately, many 6 AT EDGEWOOD APPLY FOR C.O.'S of these military objectors are una ware of the possibility of discharge One Discharged The applications of Lt. Moore after they have been inducted. and Cpt. McGrady were disapproved OPEN RANKS has learned that six by the Army. Both took their officers assigned to Edgewood Arsenal cases to Baltimore Federal District Department of Defense Directive have submitted applications for dis Court. Cpt. McGrady is awaiting 1300.6, titled "Conscientious Ob missal from the service because of action on his case, while the court jectors" establishes procedures for conscientious objection to war. has OVERTHROWN the Army's decision processing requests for CO. status. in Moore's case. He will complete This document governs all military The si> are: hi9 obligation in alternate civilian personnel. It reads in part, CPT. Wade J. Adams, CmiC service. At this writing the other "claims based on conscientious ob CPT. Hayden I. Lipp, SigC officers are all awaiting decisions jection growing out of experiences CPT. James R. Marsalis, CmlC on their cases by Department of prior to entering military service, CPT. Joseph P. McGrady, CmlC the Army. but which do not become fixed until lLt. Thomas W. Moore, CmlC Many of the other Officers and entry into the service will be con CPT. Richard R. Sankey, CmlC G.l.'s at Edgewood have expressed sidered." sympathy and agreement with the ac tions of the "Edgewood Six". It is "We should be proud of our country because the anticipated that many more CO. ap To those in the military who Americal Division rules of engagement are based plications are forthcoming at Edge- feel revulsion toward war and kill on Judeo-Christian traditions and are moral, un wood, another indication of the ing, the following steps are recom like those of the enemy." :'. . ' growing wave o-f dissent that is: mended : Lieutenant Colonel James E. Shaw sweeping the base. OPEN RANKS Chief Chaplain. Americal Division applauds the patriotism of the Edge- 1. Talk to a draft or military Chutai, South Vietnam counselor. All major col November 29, 1969 wood Six and hopes that their action leges have people (usually will inspire other G.l.'s to follow C.O.'s or veterans) who will "The only good Dink is a dead Dink." the dictates of their conscience. James Farmer ingly advise. American Specialist 4 in United States Army (Americal Friends' Service Committee Division) can be helpful in locating Quoted in New York Times (See page 3 for related article) Chulai. South Vietnam counselors. November 29. 1969 SEE CO., p. 8. OCT. 70 Pag« Two OPEN RANKS Disclaimer Electronic Battlefield OPEN RANKS is the official publication of Baltimore Dr. King & The Jf.^.3. Congress has never voted it any GIs United, 2525 Md. St. Baltimore, Md. funds. Few Congressmen would recog Any opinions, articles, or cartoons in this magazine Quite often lately the news media have stated that Dr. Martin Luther nize its name. Yet it exists, a should not be construed as official or reflecting the reality growing day by day, dollar views of the Department of the Army or the Depart King had a sex life. It appears to ment of Defense. Nor should the opinions spread by have' been an ordinary one by American by dollar: the electronic battle the Department of the Army and the Department of standards and not much dif ferentfro m field, an entirely new concept in Defense or by any of their agencies ever be construed many other prominent men. As Nicholas waging war. as reflecting the views of the authors of this publication. von Hoffman has written, it wasn't What is the electronic battlefield what Dr. King may have done in bed toward which U.S. taxpayers have con that made him the superior of so many tributed $2 billion over the last two police chiefs, senators, and presi and one-half years? invitation to an dents . ; Proponents of the idea envision a open forum John A. Williams, a black novelist, network of sensory equipment capable OPEN RANKS is hardly a neutral publication. We in his latest book accuses the gov of detecting any voice, footfall, any readily admit to the viewpoint that can only be char ernment of clandestinely snapping acterized as radical left. This viewpoint determines gun or troop carrier; high-powered our choice of material, and strongly influences our pictures and taping events in the laser beams to light targets and modes ofexpression. The view from the Left does civil rights leader's private life guide bombs; millions of tiny "button not blind us to the existence of other opinions and and then politically blackmailing bomblets" — when stepped on they beam other interpertations of events and developments in him. He was told to soft-pedal his signals to a remote receiver; and the present American political context. We invite you activities or be exposed. A number finally an elaborate command center, to express your opinions to the readers of OPEN of newspaper men say that attempts where all this electronic data will be RANKS. We also invite responsible criticism of our were made to unload these tapes and attempts to provide information and opinion not decoded, coordinated and displayed. readily found in the Army Times. Address any pictures on them. Imagine FBI agents correspondence to our subscription address and your peddling smut, trying to get it According to General Westmoreland, comments will appear in the next issue. Names are printed in family newspapers and all the electronic battlefield will not required. the time telling us its the Commu revolutionize ground combat. The In addition to letters, articles are also accepted. nists that are behind the obscenities. concept is the outgrowth of ex-Secre The Editor tary of Defense McNamara's notion of The question now arises, what were building an electronic wall between the FBI agents doing when Dr. King North and South Vietnam, and thus end was assassinated? If they were in a ing forever Viet Cong infiltration BANANAS?? position to know what kind of under through that border. wear the man was wearing, where were It has come to my attention that these girlie-magazine cops when the Still in the experimental stage, when a military person has more than rifleman was aiming at Dr. King? one "banana", if a specialist and it will cost an estimated $20 billion more than two "bananas", if hard . more to complete the electronic battle- " What was their role in the inves stripe; then he is referred to as a field. tigation of the murder? They appear "Pig". This is on the same order as to be the persons who discovered the middle-Class referring to anyone The system has one serious draw with long hair and strange clothes James Earl Ray, the man who is sup back: electronic sensors cannot dis as a "hippie". People seem to group posed to have done it alone, although tinguish between soldiers, animals, everyone: cops="pigs", longhairs= he says he was involved in a con women or children, friend or foe. "hippies", workingmen="hardhats", spiracy with other seemingly unsought All look like targetable enemy to southerners="rednecks", and the si individuals. Lately a witness has the command computer. What's more, lent "majority"="dummies". The been found locked up in an insane once we "seed" an area (drop sensory grouping of all people that look asylum who says the man running from devices by air) it's out of our con similar is a sign of the kind of the fAop house bathroom where the trol. An American unit could trigger simple-mindedness that most thinking shots were fired was not James Earl the same bomblets as an enemy unit. people are opposed to - the kind of Ray. What knowledge does the FBI reasoning that is keeping the war have of that? Theoretically, any new weapons going for the sake of those that have system requires Congressional approval. already died. Martin Luther King was a leader. But in this case, as with the ABM Millions of people followed him, both system, the Pentagon has already spent Do you feel obligated to classify literally and by holding their minds everybody you see? Do you feel like large chunks of its research budget open to his instructions. He made his on the system before getting any okay Spiro? Must you be like the "silent mistakes, had his weaknesses as all majority"? from Congress. Later, the money al leaders and all people do. However, ready invested becomes the rationale No? Then give each individual a he remains the outstandingly admira for continued development. chance to be himself. You ask the ble public figure of our time. He same of everyone else, can't you do began as a leader of black men and In 1967 the Defense Department the same? We do have the complaint died a leader of men. He was such budgeted #3.5 million to study sen a leader that he taught even his that some of the lifers are definite sors . In 1968 the sum skyrocketed enemies. Today, what he said 10 ly immature, inconsiderate, incompe to $8.28 million. In the same manner years ago can be heard coming out of tent, etc., but does that give us procurement costs for the new devices the mouth of an Agnew, a Mitchell, any more right to classify all lifers rose from $192.6 million in 1967 to or a Nixon. as "pigs"? Can't you give those that $524 million in 1969. might be in for legitimate reasons,- poverty, chance of education (see How much will be spent next year? the former), security, etc., a The only thing I ask is to give What proof is there that the costly chance? each individual attention before devices work? How does the Defense Strange as it may seem, there classifying him. Give a lifer a Department plan to use the new weapons? have been people that have derived break - he may be a good person. When did the program receive Con benefits for their families for the Take a lifer to lunch - if he is a gressional approval? Sen. William humiliation they have had to suffer. "pig", make it dutch. Proxmire of Wisconsin has asked these and other questions of Secretary of Defense Melvin Laird. OCT.,1970 OPEN RANKS page Three DISCHARGE IS ORDERED Edgewood Officer's War Views Held 'Religious' A federal judge ordered the Army yesterday to discharge a lieutenant stationed at Edgewood Arsenal on grounds that his anti-war views had "crystallized" after he entered the military service. Lt. Thomas W. Moore, of Daven port, Iowa, a chemical engineer, had agreed to do civilian work as re quired under Selective Service laws to fulfill his military obligations. But then, Lieutenant Moore, who was under orders to go to Korea, applied for discharge from the Army on grounds that the pain and suffer ing he saw in hospitals while he was training in Germany made him opposed to killing. His application for discharge under the conscientious-objector law was heard by a panel of offi cers and rejected. According to one officer who in terviewed Lieutenant Moore, the con scientious objection to war which he explained, was formulated before he enlisted in the service. Lieutenant Moore had done gradu ate work in chemical engineering after he received an undergraduate degree at the University of Iowa. He said he enlisted in the Army when he knew he would be drafted. -—i «mm After basic training, in Germany he applied for a commission and Wild bull of Spin»! was sent to the Defense and Engi neering Laboratory at Edgewood. Lieutenant Moore said his early religious training formed the basis il for his anti-war views. OPEN RANKS Oun, teadent &Uf~ 2525 Maryland Ave. "WITHOUT FACT" Baltimore, Md. In handing down an opinion on Lieutenant Moore's appeal to the in ©rder to show that they are Federal Court, Chief Judge Edward S. Northrop declared that the Army's Dear OPEN RANKS, "with it", out they don't seem contention in the case was "without In past issues you have been to really give a damn. I'm afraid basis in fact." critical of Spiro Agnew's "silent our "silent majority" is just as majority". I've noticed that the iuseless as Spiro's. I confess that The judge rejected the view that Army has its own "silent majority". I used to be a member. However, Lieutenant Moore's objection had These are the guys who give you I've wised up and now realize that crystallized before his entry into peace signs, or even have peace if I don't act now, then I'll have the Army. He said the report of stickers on their cars, but aren't no real gripe the next time the other officers who interviewed actively doing anything to oppose system craps on me. I hope that Lieutenant Moore showed that he the war or even to try to change the more of our silent majority becomes was sincere and that the "conviction army system. Peace is "in", and vocal and starts to work for PEACE. is religious in basis and origin." An Edgewood Officer they adopt the superficial symbols Judge Northrop declared that the officer was entitled to a dis charge but gave the government two weeks to decide whether to appeal. FOLIATE THE ARSENAL Reprinted from the Baltimore Sun. If you hurt any man, God is not on your side, So there's no Holy War, 3ö\-3U-7200 There's just slaughter and shame, \ THE ARMY There's just hatred and pain, LOVE IT OR LEAVE IT! American Friends Service Committee Though we try and change its name; Hey, we'll blame it on God, 319 E. 25th St., Balto., Md. 21218 And then cry Holy War, And cry Holy War. - by Juniper A Page Four OPEN RANKS OCT., 1970 ACROSS DOWN The FTA Crossword 1. Indentured servant, 2yr., 1 ea. 1. Actions. 6. State (Abbr.). 2. and . (Abbr.). 8. Friend of Church. 3. Basis for budget. 11. In the future. 4. Lifer summer homes. 13. "Cakes and " (by Maughm). 5. S (Abbr.), (C-day). 14. Nixon's new playground (Abbr.). 7. South Vietnamese Spiro. 15. Insane ranting and raving. o # Organization of Army Resis 18. Preposition. tance Movements in New York. 19. The '. (2 words) . (Abbr.). 20. Lifer ov- cop . (sometimes) 10. Army regimen. 23. Tri. 12. He signed up. 24. Does not understand Chicanos. 15. Lots of this Greek letter. 26. What we call 1-A. 16. Micks against the British 27. Rancid butter raw material (Abbr.). furnishers. 17. Unit of entropy. 30. How Lon Nol got in. 18. -47. 32. Priest's paper. 20. Transistor type. 33. Culpa. 21. Army inspector. 34. Fitting. 22. Type of plug. 35. Mercaptan or thiol group. 23. Government's reaction to 37. Disavow. change. 38. Ponce de . . 24. Military Telephone System. 40. Warren Giles organization 25. Ham (PL). (Abbr.) 28. Site of N.G. rampage. 41. Formerly, the best policy. 29. Lifer greeting. 42. Bill. 30. Turkish rulers. ALTERNATIVE TO WAR? 43. "I'm just mad about ," by 31. Baltimore GI's United pub. Any thoughtful person who gives even Donovan. 36. NVN George Washington. a cursory examination of history as it 44. On time (Former RR abbr.). 37. Destroyer escort (Abbr.). relates to man's involvement with war 45. Lifer's bed partner (2 words). 39. Sequitur. must come to one conclusion — war is 48. Antonio. 40. Lifer generic term. (Abbr.) politically irrational and morally 50. Stanford Research Association 46. "Who did it, private?" indefensible, whoever perpetrates it. (Abbr.). " ," said he. (2 wor Contrary to what Mr. Nixon and the 51. The Weathermen are part of this . 47. Intercourse synonym. 49. Victim of army repression. rest of the political machine would 52. Muslim sect. (Freud). have us believe, history teaches that 55. s, predecessor of the preparation for war guarantees on 52. Nazi elite corps. ±P down. 53. Pronoun. ^^^^^^^ ly one thing — more war. The prepar 56. Low ranking porcine types, Chemical warfare capital of ation itself is an atrocity and an act 54. sometimes. the world (Abbr.). of dehumanization. The Communists 57. Aloysius, for one (Abbr.). are no more to blame for the volatile Guevera. 55. situation which exists in the world the last TV news report you saw that than is the U.S. and its allies. Be didn't show in all its gory the "pro GI News Front advised, however, that neither the gress"? Ft. Lewis - SP5 Eill Thompson was Revolution to liberate mankind nor court-martialed and given a bad the war to "insure a just and last conduct discharge and two years ing peace and protect all the values All of this points to the conclu at hard labor for refusing to of democratic and Christian civiliza sion that we cannot rely on conven board a plane to Vietnam. Thompson tion" can work. And yet, we contin tional methods of political behavior is black, and a veteran of both ue to allow our government to mesmer to resolve our conflicts. There Vietnam and Korea. ize us to the point of chauvinism. must be some new pattern of action, Blindly, we are led into war after some radical solution, for only a Washington - The convictions of war. But not one of the professed radical solution can cope with such two black marines, imprisoned in aims of Communism (classless and war- a radical problem. 1967 on charges of promoting dis less world and the rest) or of the loyalty, were reversed July 10 by democratic and Christian faith (the It seems inescapable, therefore, a D.C. court of Military appeals. sacredness and infinite worth of that we have to be ready to take uni But the military court upheld every human soul) can be advanced by lateral action to renounce warfare as lesser charges of insubordination or salvaged after the holocausts a means of solving disputes. We must and refusing duty against PVTs which are being planned in Moscow, take it upon ourselves to disarm. William L. Harvey Jr. and George W. Washington, and Peking. Disarmament will never come from an attitude of "I will if you will" Daiiels. Their sentences are to bargaining. be reassessed by a lower .court. Our situation is so perilous that Daniels is serving a four-year the supporters of the military-indus prison term because he urged other It is therefore of the greatest trial complex resort to consolation black soldiers not to fight in import that each of us does what from the idea that deterrence (i.e. Vietnam the very fact that weapons are so he can. We must all work within destructive) is somehow going to our environmental sphere to bring Reservists - Florida Marine reservist prevent war. They assert that we about necessary changes. This challenge to each human being to Maj Joel T. Davis hasn't broken actually have "peace" now, since take at least his own fate in his any regulations, but the marines general war has not broken out. own hands in this matter of war is are giving him a hard time anyway. However, if there were any truth to what you.face today. The challenge Davis announced his intentions to this gibberish we would feel it in has never come more insistently run on an anti-war platform for the out everyday lives. We'd be able to each man and woman, or when it U.S. Senate. The platform calls to take a deep breath and relax. was more appropriate to support for an immediate and total withdrawal But when was the last time you were the organizations which, in an age from Asia. Five days later the able to take'a deep breath and relax? of apathy and conformity, call on marines stripped him of his unit When was the last time you picked up men "to take at least his own fate command and put him in non-drill a major newspaper and did not read a into his own hands." status. headline referring to war? When was OCT., 1970 OPEN RANKS Page Five f\Mr\T/\RE\ (I'M SPRAYING TU£SE) ' YOU DOHVG?) V3UGS WXTH^UG KIUEtt O. J. CBW ^WHEN THE TR££W jf SUFPOSBD TO HILL] FALLS ON TffFM ' N Tr/fßuGS.T" w JJON/Y WORRY, tenture. !! **** Edgewood Arsenal officials took At the arsenal, there is a 24-hour three chemical warfare protesters, ARSENAL UNSAFE a day Toxic Aid Station, staffed by including one juvenile, into custody G.l.'s from the laboratories. A G.I. when they went past the main gate ATTN.: COL. CONNELL assigned to the toxic aid roster in of the base to distribute copies of formed OPEN RANKS that if a casualty Open Ranks, an underground army had ever been brought to the station, newspaper. " OPEN RANKS has learned that the he would have been at a loss as to The three—members of an organi vast majority of employees in the what to do. He further stated that zation against chemical and biolog toxic chemical agent laboratories at most of the men on the roster feel ical warfare that earlier this year Edgewood Arsenal are virtually un that their training is woefully in tried to plant a pine tree here— trained in the handling of casual adequate. were later released and given "de ties caused by agent exposure. Fur barment letters," warning the pro thermore, some of the labs have been handling lethal chemicals (including OPEN RANKS would like to take this testers they risk arrest if they opportunity to call this situatior try to return. The base provos*-—— nerve agent) for more than fifteen years, without adopting basic stand to"the attention of the Edgewood marshal said tonight the protesters command block. It is all too easy had not been arrested. ing operating procedures for the handling of incidents. for lab chiefs, anxious to cover Taken into custody were David their asses, to hide the facts from G. Richards, a member of the Quaker the base commander. Action Group, who lives in Philadel phia; Robert Tatman, also of Phila This reporter queried 23 soldiers To the question,"Is it safe to delphia and a 14-year-old boy from assigned to the Edgewood labs. Not work at the Edgewood labs?" the an long Island. one of the surveyed G.l.'s was able to state that he considered himself swer must be an emphatic "NO!" It's Mr. Richards said the group, which adequately trained to handle an bad enough that the arsenal's work arrived at the 4:30 P.M. dismissal emergency situation involving agents. is immoral. Must it be unsafe as time of arsenal employees, decided Observation indicates that this same to leaflet in an area which, they well? The commanding officer is re situation exists among the civilian claimed, was open to all other sponsible for the safety of all per employees. "members of the public." sonnel on post. Let's get on the stick, Colonel Connell! —Reprinted from Baltimore Sun. PUZZLE SOLUTION: WHAT I* HARASSAfENt?? Harrassmeht is a word you They know that once they've •y J 4- IB*-- b A F T t t "'K never heard much before you got you to the point where came into the Army, but now you'll get down on your hands c \oyo p E ^m- £ [ • R 1 Yl you hear it all the time. and knees and police an area L E I IB I N C A 1 M The harrassment you've that doesn't need policing, '5 lu 17 experienced in the Army is buff a floor that doesn't need r i R A D f 1 A 1 intentional. Harrassment is buffing, get a haircut when R M Y S u 1 c K S P / ù> what the Army, particularly you don't, need it, or any of Et • 2 S basic training, is all about. the stupid things you've had 1 AJ G L- $ u A A c?, 1A O According to the diction to do in your Army "career", -s 31 u S Y' A 5 C C U p I ffe H ary, harass means "to tire then pretty soon you'll be with repeated and exhausting willing to go 10,000 miles and ft! • M E f\ \ P T %ï efforts .... to worry by repeat run through the mud and shoot il i-l 0 £ tu / L. £ WN t— ed attacks." at some man you've never seen, 4i 'il Why does the Army want to who has never threatened you A) S T i/ G \ C i~ H 0 1 1 c t w 0 or your family or your country. •44- break down its own men? h A _F F A o rV 1 °T They are trying to break They are trying to change 4/ m you down so you will cease to you. That's what harrassment F 1 / r A A/ | h S xlK be a man; so that you will not is all about. And in the end M § R n [A, f û [si think for yourself. they'll tell you the way to be i'2 Si :>4- : "'••-•SÜ They know that once you've a man is to go out and kill a H l \ T E K • s ST lost your selfrespect, you'll "gook." And you'll nod. And ft £ a ù> e A W r S C H ^pl lose your feelings of compass the harrassment will end. ion and honor and love. Page Six OPEN RANKS OCT., 1970 RESERVISTS AND NATIONAL GUARDSMEN You probably didn't join the reserves "EVERY INDIVIDUAL IN THE MILITARY SERVICE IS ENTITLED TO THE SAME CONSTITU for the money. So how about giving some TIONAL RIGHTS, PRIVILEGES, AND GUARANTEES AS EVERY OTHER AMERICAN CITIZEN, or all of your drill and summer camp pay EXCEPT WHERE SPECIFICALLY DENIED OR LIMITED BY THE CONSTITUTION ITSELF." Judge Robert E. Quinn to groups working to stop the war on Court Of Military Appeals, 1954 Indochina and fight oppression, racism, poverty, and pollution? In July, 40 men Unfortunately for the men and women in service this enlightened opinion does not square with the reality of life within the military. As General Leonard F. Chapman, Commandant of the United States Marine in a Boston unit gave $424 of summer pay Corps, states, "I can think of nothing less democratic than the military." to peace groups and candidates. Freedom of speech, for instance, is guaranteed only to those GI's whose opinions are in agreement with official military policy. This is certainly true of expressed opinions relating to the war in Indochina. RESERVISTS AGAINST the WAR (RAW) has **At least one GI has been arrested for distributing subversive material when he passed out copies of been formed to organize and publicize the Bill of Rights. such donations. Fill in the form below **GI's are regularly harassed, intimidated or arrested for having a perfectly legal "underground" if you want to contribute, organize, or newspaper in their possession. find out more about RAW. The RAW TRUTH ••Unpopular opinions (especially political ones) often result in job reclassification, sudden shipment newsletter describes RAW's activities & orders, harassment, additional details promotion pass-over, or: those of groups which do good work and ••Selective application of the UCMJ and excessive punishments for trivial or non-existent offenses while those holding "proper" opinions get away with murder — literally. need $,provides a forum for problems ••Those GI's who don't have a "popular" skin color (white) are too often discriminated against in common to reservists, and accounts for money given to or through RAW. military courts, job assignments, promotions, etc. ./Mass, Servicemen and women who write their Congressman or Senator to complain about denial of Constitutional send to RAW,, 65A i&nthrop St, Cambridge, rights often discover they have written to someone more Gung Ho military than the person who denied } those rights in the first place. The usual response is advice to shape up—or a form letter from an assistant name unit saying the complaint has been forwarded to the "proper" agency. That usually means the letter will end up address rank back with the CO.-and more "heat". _ I enclose $_ (cross out one:)(to There are, however, certain Senators and Congressmen who do want to help. Unfortunately they lack the be given by RAW to antiwar actions) machinery to document and check each letter received. But now servicemen and women have their own (to be sent on to: . G.I. OFFICE ) (make chock out to RAW or ••Letters to Congressmen and Senators sent through the GI OFFICE will be hand deliveried to those any antiwar, political, etc. group) most appropriate and sympathetic. ••The GI OFFICE will immediately send a receipt to the sender stating to whom the letter has been Send me the RAW TRUTH given and what action is being taken. In short the GI OFFICE will "bird dog" your complaint. ••Certain Senators and Congressmen have agreed to pass along letters received directly from servicemen to the GI OFFICE so complaints can be documented and collected in one central place. This is so it can be shown that your unit or post is not the only one violating the rights of individuals. KEEP YOUR The GI OFFICE is yours - Use it G.I. OFFICE P.O. Box 9746 PLACE, BOY Washington, D.C. 20016 • An OPEN RANKS reporter has learned Please state if you desire your name to be kept confidential Always include a return address. that a former member of the Edge- If you want copies of your complaint sent to the Senator and Congressman from your home district also wood "command block" threatened to include your home address. send black Edgewood GIs to Vietnam as punishment for giving the black power salute. According to a reli able source, the colonel stated that he would personally see to it that Negro GI giving t*he salute would get orders to Vietnam. OPEN RANKS believes that brothers should be able to greet each other any way they please. Furthermore, if the command block thinks that a man has committed a UCMJ violation, the only permissible way of handling it is through the military's "kanga roo courts". (Notice we say "per missible" rather than "just".) It is no wonder that blacks at the Arsenal are disturbed about rac ism in the community and on the Arse nal. When the deputy commander threatens to punish them without regard for the established system of justice (?), what hope can blacks have that conditions outside the post will be corrected? Cut your own hair, boy; and join your own American Legion, and don't get uppity, or we'll send you across the pond. PLACES TO BOYCOTT: American Legion "I've lived under situations where every decent man declared Ray's Barber Shop war first, and I've lived under situations where you don't declare Edgewood Barber Shop war. We've been flexible enough to kill people without declaring VFW war." Lt. Gen. Lewis B. Hershey OCT.70 OPEN RANKS Page Seven it One way to peace is to go to war for it. That way everybody loses, including the winners. it Because war is an'extremely inefficient way of settling international disputes. Who knows better than.we do? Look what Vietnam has done to over 40,000 American families. Overheating our already inflated economy. Keeping the lid on social problems till they boil over in the streets. Yet we still talk as it a [email protected]. "rights" war is worthy of patriotism. It's time Christians in North America tooK another look at Jesus Christ's way.The way of the peacemaker—healing hurts, n reconciling enemies, building bridges of under In the May 1970 issue of Army is standing and mercy. It's time we give a an article entitled "The Soldier's peace a chance. War is over. Rights in a Free Society." Although Why fight it? published by the unofficial Associa tion of the United States Army, the magazine follows the brass line. Cop B* ies of the article were distributed as Command Information at APG. Here are some quotes from the article whose s> * it ft # * it it it it it * • • * & ft it it" * it ft it ft ft it ft ft it ft i^ main theme is that soldiers have no "Today, however, the soldier is rights, only the privileges the brass decide to give them. required to be completely loyal and obedient to his unit and to his ser PASS IN REVIEW: vice. In return, the institution THAT'S SOME CATCH, THAT CATCH-22 '"It is one thing for society to assumes a paternal concern for its grant its defenders specified privi members, looking after their wants leges or liberties ; it is another to and welfare with all the details I read Catch-22 pre-army, and re declare that they have inalienable that a total institution can muster. member it as humorous, black humor, rights which may not be abridged." From care of dependents to burial of but nevertheless humorous. I laughed the dead, the institution provides at the movie but now it hurts. Two "Most systems of punishment, its members with continuous attention hours of condensed military insanity thought by some to be archaic rem and succor." has an overwhelming effect. nants of a colorful past, are actual ly the mechanisms of human engineering "We must avoid the common error A woman behind me said that she developed over the years to assist in of attempting to project civilian preferred "M.A.S.H.". But in creating an environment of loyalty, values,_methods and objectives into "M.A.S.H.", the heroes were hipsters V$ who escaped the system byT>eing organizational identification, solidar- an institution in which many are ity and teamwork." above it. We had very little feel dysfunctional or even dangerous." ing for its victims since they were nameless bodies. But in Catch-22, "Any punishment meted out must be "In the context of rapid change we see guys which we learn to like viewed more from its effect on the it would appear to be highly danger getting ground up (sometimes liter unit as a whole than in its effects ous to weaken or limit the authority ally) by the military machine. on the individual," of command at the very time we are likely to need strong controls." At the end the hero, Yossarian, "Although frequently accused of is told he can be sent home on a being authoritarian, dogmatic and in "We can anticipate that the in P.R. job if he will only say that flexible, the professional military dividual will be given more respon he likes his tormentors. However, leader is more apt to be conservative, sibility while a higher degree of he discovers that he doesn't have bureaucratic, disinclined to take un conformity to group expectations to accept any more crap, that he necessary risks and highly group- will no doubt be demanded." can make it on his own. He made oriented." ??? me feel we all could. As these quotes show, the brass "Religion offers no particular feel they have the right to take MILITARISM,U.S.A. by problem so long as its requirements away any of your rights they_choose Col. James A. Donovan, do not conflict with military needs." to. In exchange, they offer a Big Brother paternalism. In the final U.S. Marine (Ret.) "Whether soldiers should publish analysis, you have no rights if you In this book, a veteran with over private periodicals depends largely allow someone else to grant them to twenty years service, much of it in upon their purpose and the degree of you as privileges. No system which the Pentagon, relates the forces which control the authorities choose to does this to you anyone else deserves have made militarism so dominate in the loyalty the Army wants. Only America. Donovan describes careerism, exercise over them." when people decide their destinies do the race for the stars, which cre rights have any real meaning. ates that most dangerous species, the "When we ask ourselves what inher Power to the people! ent rights the soldier has, the ulti zealous military bureaucrat. Finally mate answer must be that he has none." he shows the military role that led to Vietnam. It was considered a "War for everybody". The Army got a chance "Today, conformity in dress, ap Get off. to prove its Insurgency doctrines. pearance, attitudes and behavior is The Marines got their private war in - much more highly valued than it was I Corps. The Navy got a chance to 50 years ago- a fact which, upon re your apathy.hav e a battleship again and the Air flection, is caused by hard practical Force mad bombers got to keep their necessity." B-52's flying. Everybody got some thing, including the people of the "You cannot organize civilization around the core of US and Vietnam, they got screwed. militarism and at the same time expect reason to control human destiny." — Franklin D. Roosevelt Available at EA post library. Page Eight OPEN RANKS OCT. 70 In recent years, the American flag has become more and more the rallying point for those who sup Subscribe port the Vietnam war and other administration policies. Gas stations and grocery stores hand Support OPEN RANKS! out flag decals for us to display FREE TO GIs (Mailed in plain envelope) on our boats, cars and store win $5.00 - ONE YEAR Support Subscription dows . , $3.00 - STUDENTS This sudden upswing in the dis NEED SOME COPIES FOR OTHER GIs? playing of flags has caused a STATE THE NUMBER NEEDED, NO CHARGE. unique problem: how can I, the individual citizen, display my Name flag without saying I am for the Address Vietnam war, for beating up long- City State Zip hairs, and for Spiro T? The an swer is that there is no way. MAIL YOUR NAME AND ADDRESS TO: The American flag has been cheapened and commercialized to the point BALTIMORE GIs UNITED where it is no more than an expres 2525 Maryland Ave. sion of political beliefs. It no Baltimore, Maryland 21218 longer represents all Americans, but only a small segment of them. It is an expression of blind patri otism—the same blind patriotism that sends thousands of young men GONK! off to their death for a piece of colored cloth and the national Consider "a civilization in which pride of never losing a war. conflict over religion, territory, principle was resolved by each side's There was a growing concern selecting fifty young girls, making Two questions you must ask yourself: of citizens this last July 4th as sure they had only the prettiest and (1) Will I fight in a war in which to whether or not they should fly fittest, and then throwing the hundred I do not believe? (2) Do I believe their flags. Many wished to fly into a crocodile pit. The victor in in the Vietnam war? Your answer, it in support of the ideals on the, conflict would be decided by not someone else's, should deter which this country was founded and whose girl would be the last to be des mine what you are to do when you're not in support of the former county troyed." Call this process of arbitra called to go to Asia. The war is commissioner of Baltimore County. tion "gonk". The practitioners of spreading! "gonk" certainly seem to be a perverse The blind patriotism that the and barbaric lot, don't they? You current trend is starting is re don't like that method of arbitration? CO. in Uniform — continued from p. 1 miniscent of the Joseph McCarthy "Let me offer you an alternative. 2. Secure a copy of the HAND hearing of the 1950's. It scares Instead of fifty young girls, let's BOOK, "Thinking Through people such as myself who feel take five hundred thousand young men, the Basis of Conscientious that wearing the flag as a blind making sure that only the healthy and Objection" and the relevant fold and a gag is not what our strong are included; let us line them regulations from Central forefathers had in mind for this up and equip them with adequate instru Committee for Conscientious country. ments of destruction. That side which Objectors (CCCO). Most coun most effectively destroys the youth selors are in contact with The commencement speaker at Yale of the other side will be declared the CCCO. in 1969 put it very amply when he stated that patriotism is the "con winner. We call that method of arbi 3. Draft tentative answers to stant search for good and better tration "war" and yet even while we the questions on religious policies. When old policies are oppose it...the word has become a part training and belief. Submit shown to be wrong, patriotism gener of our daily lives and in so becoming, these to your counselor for ates efforts to implement new ones." has ceased to be an offense to our advice. gut." 4. When satisfied with the an You better forget your flag, Willard Gaylin, swers, submit the application America, and work on your ideals. to the commanding officer. Only this will bring back your in In the Service of "American Dream" of the 50's. Their Country The time required to process a re quest for CO. status varies from six weeks to four months. It is not GIVE U$ YOUR IAZY $$ enough to sit and wait. Behavior must be consistent with stated be liefs. It is not my intention to 1 THE UNITED STATE 2 1 make this process sound easy. A Peace 4 freetiom note. majority of applications for dis SUPPORT charge are turned down by the mili tary. The decision, however, may OPEN RN4KS vVAKC UPt AMSRICA I be appealed to Federal District Court. Many CO.'s have been dis charged by the court. The true CO. must be prepared to carry his fight S for recognition beyond the military FTAflWSO system. It may be an expensive process but a price cannot be placed on conscience. 1 irORae 1