More than a paycheck NEWS FROM THE WAR MOVEMENT October 2009 Extraordinary Times, Shared Struggle By Coleman Smith Some text and information used with permis - will not pay for it, and those radical earth and sion of Leo Murray from his short animated climate activists who see the inevitable eco - film, “Wake Up, Freak Out—then Get a Grip,” logical collapse of our planet if our carbon online at wakeupfreakout.org. footprint is not dramatically reduced. One binding element is the fact that the ach generation accepts a singular cause military-industrial complex is the largest or event that defines their time on this polluter on earth with the greatest carbon E footprint of any institution in history. The planet. Today it seems that all else pales E stage is set for us to work together. against the urgency of climate change, and young people around the world have sound - ed the alarm of global warming, taking to Nightmare Scenario the streets with to demonstrate For three million years our planet’s climate the urgency to reverse course. system has been in one of two stable states: In many of our recent discussions, war tax either warmed like today or cooled, as during resisters have been looking for better ways to an ice age. It takes only small fluctuations of connect with the youth of today. This article solar radiation to move us back and forth. is intended to launch a conversation The emissions of CO ² and other greenhouse between natural allies—those who believe gasses from our use of fossil fuels have built Susan Van Haitsma makes the connections at tax day that all war is a crime against humanity and up in the atmosphere, trapping heat, disrupt - 2009 in Austin, Texas. continued on page 7 What To Do With Resisted Dollars By Ginny Schneider

or those of us who earn over the taxable need. The War Tax Resisters Penalty Fund has shrunk slightly in the last ten years, their Fincome, or even those of us who don’t, and Iowa’s Penalty Sharing Community were balances have grown considerably. The total Falternative funds exist across the country founded to support WTRs. These funds do balance of all the funds is $1,1 18,250. to provide us with a place to put our redi - not keep a balance. When WTRs need help That’s right, folks, over a million dollars! rected tax dollars to work supporting - paying the IRS, the group mails a request for And, this does not count the balances of a ful activities. Twenty-one of these funds are support to their list of people and groups. few funds that did not report. Although in scattered from New Mexico to Washington, They divide the amount received from the terms of the military budget this is small, it and California to Maine. mailing by the percentage of the total needed is pretty impressive resistance. All of them function a little bit differently. by all five WTRs and distribute the funds This year the funds received new contri - Some of them give grants and/or loans while based on these percentages. butions of at least $65,200 and gave away others also assist war tax resisters (WTRs) in Although the number of alternative funds more than $76,000 to nonviolent projects. continued on page 3

National War Tax Resistance Coordinating Committee • P.O. Box 150553, Brooklyn, NY 1121 5 • ( 71 8) 768-3420 • (800)269- 7464 COUNSELING NOTES

you can make FOIA requests to the IRS for docu - Taxable Debt ments related to a complicated case. Many basic tax The dangers of credit cards abound, as many records are available to you without going through people find out the hard way, but NWTRCC just the FOIA process, but the documents behind an learned about this one. A large credit card debt was investigation, summons, or court action could incurred (we won’t try to explain the details). The prove interesting. Presumably the case must be bill was long past due, and interest charges were closed before the papers become available. piling up. A settlement was made with the credit FOIA requests must be in writing and sent to one card company. They forgave thousands of dollars of of the IRS Disclosure Offices located by region debt and accepted a much lower payment to clear More than a around the country. There is a page of FOIA guide - the account. lines with Disclosure Office addresses on the IRS paycheck At the end of the year the individual was shocked website at irs.gov/foia/article/0,,id= 211 443,00.html to receive a 1099 from the credit card company Editor (or go to irs.gov and search on FOIA request) or call Ruth Benn showing the forgiven debt as income—subject to your area IRS office. We would like to hear from income taxes. We had not heard of this before, but Production anyone who has used this process recently and a web search did show that this forgiven debt is tax - Rick Bickhart know whether any insights into IRS “thinking” able. The basic reasoning is that an individual could Printing and Mailing were gleaned from the documents received. Lakeside Printing have ended up paying a lot more to the bank/credit Cooperative, Madison, WI card company than they will pay in taxes to the fed - eral government. Not much of a choice of course: Contractor Levies Printed on Recycled Paper either pay off a large debt to a capitalist bank or owe We mention this every so often, but the IRS reg - More Than a Paycheck is a a lower amount in taxes to a militaristic govern - ulations on wage levies are very clear about the bimonthly publication of the ment. Many of our readers probably warn against difference between a levy for 1099 contractors and National War Tax Resistance credit card use to begin with, but at minimum this a salary levy. Employers are sent the full levy with Coordinating Committee, a is a good reminder to read the small print on any numerous pages. Salary and wage levies (for W-2 clearinghouse and resource debt settlements and to be wary of sharing a credit employees) are the exception to the levy in that center for the conscientious card in your name only—even with those you want they are continuous and in effect until the IRS sends war tax resistance to trust. the employer a release of levy. movement in the United The employer copy of Form 668 -W(C) includes States. NWTRCC is a FOIA and the IRS a page that states very clearly (with bold as shown): coalition of local, regional “For income other than wages and salary, and and national affiliate groups A recent news item about an IRS audit report said benefit and retirement income as described above, working on war tax the agency has improved its response time over the this levy is effective only for the funds you owe the related issues. past decade for taxpayers’ requests under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). This served as taxpayer now. We may issue another levy if necessary. NWTRCC sees poverty, racism, a reminder to note to readers of this newsletter that continued on page 6 sexism, homophobia, economic exploitation, environmental destruction and militarization of law enforcement as integrally linked with the militarism which we abhor. Through the Many Thanks Network Updates redirection of our tax dollars, NWTRCC members contribute directly to the struggle for We are grateful for recent contributions and NWTRCC is in the process of updating our list peace and justice for all. dues payments: of war tax resistance counselors, area contacts, Subscriptions to Heartland Peace Tax Fund (KS) affiliates, and alternative funds. Changes will be More Than a Paycheck Oregon Community of War Tax Resisters made on the “Contacts and Counselors” page of are $15 per year. (Portland) the NWTRCC website in October. Print versions of NWTRCC A short list this time! That might give you a clue the Network List, which are slightly more extensive, will be available on request from the NWTRCC PO Box 150553 that things are a little tight around the NWTRCC office at the end of October. Brooklyn, NY 1121 5 office. Thanks for the individuals who have (718) 768-3420 contributed in the last couple months, but late (800) 269- 7464 summer got pretty slow and the coffers are nearly We are offering a WTR Counselors’ training FAX: ( 71 8) 768-4388 dry. If you can help, please make an extra contri - November 8, 2-5 pm, in Cleveland. Please email email: [email protected] bution to NWTRCC today — online through [email protected] or call toll free 1-800-269 -7 464 Web: www.nwtrcc.org PayPal at nwtrcc.org, or by check to NWTRCC, if you can attend or want more information . PO Box 150553, Brooklyn, NY 11215. Thanks! PAGE 2 More than a paycheck • October 2009 Resisted Dollars continued from page 1 Alternative Funds Most funds do not discriminate by region, but contact each fund for their guidelines. Not all funds Some of the peace work supported by alter - allow resisters to withdraw money in the event of a seizure, so consider your own goals and priorities native funds this year includes: a Save and as you decide what to do with resisted war taxes. People who do not but would like to put some Green Campaign, funding to start an annual money to good use can also contribute to these funds. regional WTR gathering, legal assistance in Central America, Theatre Against War, a Conscience & Military Tax Campaign (CMTC) WTR Life Fund of Lehigh Valley committee on occupational health and Escrow Account Box 344, Riegelsville, PA 18077-0344 · (484) 951-2884 safety, a Dominican women’s development PO Box 85541, Seattle, WA 98145 · (206) 54 7-0952 Email: [email protected] center, a project that supports combat veter - Email: [email protected] ans to work on farms while they heal, 9 to 5, Web: seanacc.org/escrowaccount.htm Friends United Meeting Peace Tax Fund a coalition on militarism in the schools, an 101 Quaker Hill Dr., Richmond, IN 47374 · (765) 962-7573 air force bombing and strafing exhibit, and New England Yearly Meeting Peace Tax Fund an inner city food coop among others. 360 Toad Rd., Charlotte, VT 05445 Madison Area WTR/Alternative Fund Help by alternative funds to WTRs ranged Email: [email protected] PO Box 3010, Madison, WI 53704 · (608) 257-2554 from writing checks for WTRs who do not Email: [email protected] have bank accounts; consulting services on Cambridge Friends Meeting Peace Tax Fund how to set up an alternative fund; returning 5 Longfellow Park, Cambridge, MA 02138 · (617) 876-1868 St. Louis Covenant Community of War Tax Resisters resisted taxes to WTRs who feel it in their Email: [email protected] 438 N. Skinker Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63130 · (314) 725-5303 best interest to respond to the IRS; and coun - Email: [email protected] seling WTRs. New England War Tax Resistance Whenever I am over taxable income, I go 41A Brent St., Dorchester, MA 02124 · (617) 282-3783 Albuquerque War Tax Alternative Fund through the chore of calculating my sup - Email: [email protected] 9404 Arvilla NE, Albuquerque, NM 8 711 1 posed debt to the IRS. Then I send that Email: [email protected] amount to my alternative fund of choice. I Pioneer Valley War Tax Resistance suggest you check out the various funds and PO Box 1263, Greenfield, MA, 01301-1263 · (802) 387-2798 Southern California War Tax Alternative Fund how they work to find one that suits you. Email: [email protected] Joe Maizlish After all, part of the work is removing our 2436 Armstrong Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90039-3201 complicity with the killing machine. The ME WTR Resource Center/ROSC (323) 660-4992 other part is building a peaceful, organic, 161 Stovepipe Alley, Monroe, ME 04951 · (207) 525-7776 Email: [email protected] holistic world while meeting human and Email: [email protected] environmental needs. Voting with our dollars Northern California War Tax Resistance/ may be the most powerful vote we have. M New York City War Tax Resistance People’s Life Fund Ginny Schneider is a longtime war tax resister who People’s Life Fund PO Box 2422, Berkeley, CA 94702 -0422 · (5 10) 843-9877 lives in New Hampshire. She is the volunteer coor - 339 Lafayette St., New York, NY 10012 · (212) 929-4833 Email: [email protected] dinator of NWTRCC’s Fundraising Committee. Email: [email protected] Website: nowartax.org Web: nycplf.org Woody Schwartz War Tax Redirection Fund The Peace Tax Escrow Account Sonoma County Taxes for Peace Purchase Quarterly Meeting of the Religious Society Santa Rosa, CA 95404 · (707) 823-9203 of Friends Email: [email protected] c/o 15 Rutherford Place, New York, NY 10003 Web: nyym.org/purchasequarter/peacetax.html These funds help war tax resisters cover the costs of interest and penalties when money has been Ithaca War Tax Resisters seized by the IRS: 125 Park Place, 2nd floor, Ithaca, NY 14850 Email: [email protected] War Tax Resisters Penalty Fund PO Box 25, N. Manchester, IN 46962 · (260) 982-29 71 Broome County War Tax Resistance Fund Vestal, NY 13850 Penalty Sharing Community Email: [email protected] Iowa Peace Network, 42 11 Grand Ave., Des Moines, IA, 50 312 Any time of day or night war tax resisters are (515) 255-7 114 prepared to redirect their tax dollars. Mary Regan of Princeton Fund for Life Web: iowapeacenetwork.org New England War Tax Resistance presented grants c/o Coalition for from redirected tax dollars to three Peace and Justice groups outside the South Postal Annex near South 40 Witherspoon St., Princeton, NJ 08542 · (609) 924-5022 Contact the NWTRCC office for the full address Station in on April 15. Email: [email protected] if it is not shown above. Photo by Craig Simpson. More than a paycheck • October 2009 PAGE 3 War Tax Re sistance Ideas and Actions

labor, and resources on issues relating to the enough to tell me about your organization. To the Editor: other groups’ specific concerns. I think peace, love and kindness cures all I wish you would encourage people A problem: The way things are going, many our infirmities in our world. deliberately “living below the line” to tell of the target audiences, who would otherwise I’m a 35-year-old man. I’m currently hospi - their legislators they are doing so and why. be sympathetic to WTR, will probably have talized with “mental illness” indefinitely and Same with people who are simply poor, but little or no tax liability. In fact people will be would love to connect with others who glad that at least none of their money is relying on the government to help them believe in the power of peace! supporting war. through tough times. Will someone soon Please share my address and letter with I also wish you would encourage everyone have to write a how-to article on “WTR in a others. who does pay war taxes to pay under protest, time of no taxes”? —Mark D. Brull, and tell their legislators why. —Ed Agro, Randolph, MA 1301 KS Highway 264, Larned, KS 67550 Cheers, Elizabeth Boardman, , CA Seeking Pen Pals First Southeast Greetings! I received a copy of your WTR Gathering Need Some WTR Energy newsletter. What a great effort in peace. I War tax resisters are joining with the Annual Editor’s note: Way back in March “need some totally support your cause. Alternative New Year’s Celebration at Crooked WTR energy” was the topic for some discussion A friend of mine, Donald Kaufman, was kind on the WTR Discussion Group (sign up from nwtrcc.org or at http://lists.topica.com/lists/wtrs @igc.topica.com). People were feeling a bit low about WTR organizing—and that was before tax day, so things have probably not improved. The article on page 1 opens a dialogue related to this topic, and below is one person’s thoughts from the online discussion group: It may be a time not for demonstrations and raising the WTR barricades but rather for teach-ins, dialogue with other groups in qui - eter educational efforts: pamphlets and study groups rather than leaflets and marches. Some joint efforts that come to mind: I WTR as a way to stall military aid to , as part of Jewish Voice for Peace boycott/ divestment actions, jvp.org. I WTR and financial/labor redirection as part of Caterpillar job actions. I Working the WTR response to misallo-cation into anarchist/anti-elite-globalization actions. I WTR as it relates to the theft of civil-society reconstruction money that was/is supposed to go to places like and Afghanistan. I Some charismatic congregations have taken up the ecological cause. They might be ready to study how their misused tax dollars relate to the degradation of the environment. I Not just tabling, but working with such Don Schrader sent this newspaper clipping of a photo showing himself and his bold sign at a rally in downtown groups to prepare and distribute teach-in mate - Albuquerque on March 21, 2009, protesting six years and counting of the war and occupation in Iraq. Taken by rials about the effect of misallocated taxes, Junfu Han for the independent student newspaper The Daily Lobo .

PAGE 4 More than a paycheck • October 2009 Online WTR Ideas and Actions resources

River State Park, St. Mary’s, Georgia (near Sunday, January 3. War tax resisters will Jacksonville, Florida), December 31–January offer practical workshops, and there will 3, 20 10. be time for information exchange, network - The weekend includes a New Year’s eve ing, and ideas for future gatherings or organ - Peace Walk and Midnight Vigil at the Kings izing efforts. Bay Naval Submarine Base, homeport for The site offers cabin or tenting space, Trident nuclear submarines; speakers, work - kayaking, river walks, good food, fun, War Tax Boycott shops, films, networking, storytelling, and and winter warmth. For program development Year 3 entertainment with Southeast activists at and registration information contact: Clare work on peace, justice and environmental Hanrahan or Coleman Smith at wrlasheville@ NWTRCC is continuing the War Tax concerns on New Year’s Day (Friday). gmail.com . To follow other WRL/WTR activities Boycott for another year. We’re in the The war tax gathering begins on Saturday, in the South visit: http://warresistersleague process of updating the Boycott web - January 2, and wraps up after breakfast on asheville.wordpress.com . M site with new information and down - loadable flyers and resources, and we still have Palm Cards in the office that can be used for outreach at events in the coming months. Many new people have found their way to war tax resist - ance through the Boycott website, and we hope to see the list of public signers online continue to grow as long as the wars continue. See wartaxboycott.org for the latest materials—and sign on if you have not already! Updated and Available Online NWTRCC has updated the “Students and War” flyer, an outreach tool for young people that connects military

Asheville area war tax resisters and peace taxpayers gathered in Celo, North Carolina, in 2004. Join them in recruiting and war tax resistance, and January for the first Southeast gathering of war tax resisters in many years. Photo courtesy of Clare Hanrahan. the short flyer about W-4 resistance that is also targeted at young employ - ees. We do not print these flyers in 24th Annual New England Gathering of bulk, but they can be downloaded for War Tax Resisters and Supporters printing from the NWTRCC website, October 9–11, 2009 · Amazing Planet Farm & Justice Center nwtrcc.org/downloadable.htm , or ask for Williamsville, Vermont a copy from the NWTRCC office that “Telling Our Stories, Part 2” picks up on the success of last year’s theme and you can use for reproduction. presentations. All seasoned war tax resisters and explorers welcome. For a brochure and further information please contact: WTR Gathering, c/o Erik, 270 Bullock Rd., For more information: Guilford, VT 053 01 . Ph: (802) 257-5725 , or email: [email protected] . www.nwtrcc.org/publications.htm

More than a paychec k • Ocotober 2009 PAGE 5 nwtrcc news

Friday, Nov. 6 – Sunday, Nov. 8 for the whole weekend or one session. resist, the consequences of resistance, and The program and housing will be at the thoughts about WTR as part of the peace and Nehemiah Center ( nehemiahmission.org ) justice movement will complement work - Deconstruct War and is hosted by Dorothy Day Peace Tax shops and presentations and motivate audi - Use tax dollars to Fund, Cleveland Catholic Worker, the ence members to seriously consider taking the Cleveland Network, and the step of refusing to pay for war. We’re excited CONSTRUCT PEACE National War Tax Resistance Coordinating to be in the final stages of this project, which NWTRCC Gathering and Meeting Committee. For more information see began with filming and initial work by Steev nwtrcc.org/meetings or to have a brochure Hise, who works with the Pan Left Collective The Nehemiah Center mailed to you contact the NWTRCC office in Tucson, Arizona. Watch for announcements 65 15 Bridge Ave., Cleveland, Ohio at [email protected] or (800) 269-7464. in the next mailings and on our website. NWTRCC’s fall weekend includes a mini- conference about cutting off war’s money Introductory WTR Film Mass Mobilization and More supply and funding life-affirming programs. I From November 20 –22, 2009, thousands The program includes stories of individual On The Way! will vigil at the gates of Fort Benning, resistance, discussion about consequences By the time the next issue of this newsletter Georgia, to stand up for justice, to shut down and effectiveness, strategizing about all of our comes out we should be announcing sales of the School of the Americas and to end the work against war and creating the world we the new WTR film on DVD. The Film oppressive U.S. foreign policy that the school hope to see. The NWTRCC business meeting Committee has just reviewed and commented represents. Once again, NWTRCC will have is Sunday morning, November 8 (open to on a rough cut produced by film editor Carlos a table during the weekend and WTRs will all). Along with local activists, people from Steward of North Carolina. His lively and be there handing out flyers about war tax around the country who refuse to pay for war well-paced collection of stories by war tax will participate in the mini-conference. Come resisters about their motivations, how they continued on next page

Counseling Notes A few readers shared their experiences to a good cause...we are not doing this for continued from page 2 after receiving this letter. One found that it is personal gain; often followed by the frivolous fine threat let - I the church asks the IRS to respect our conscience. However, this levy attaches to all obligations ter, but nothing after that. Another reported We send the letter from our church board to you owe the taxpayer at the time you receive it that she received at least three last year for the IRS, along with the stub from IRS Letter even though you plan to make the payment at a her 2007 tax filing, as well as other letters. 2645C. We get repeated responses from the IRS later date.” Responding seemed to generate another asking for more time to consider our case. If you are a contractor and the organiza - such letter, but “when it came time to receive Nothing has ever been officially resolved, but tion/company that hired you receives a levy, my stimulus check, it never came.” The IRS when everyone else gets stimulus checks...we be certain they understand that it is not a took what they wanted and that cleared the don’t get ours...which brings the balance we owe standing levy. It is very annoying to hear account for this resister. down. Nonetheless, the letter from the church about employers who go beyond the IRS And, we received this letter: board appears to send our case to some other requirements and insist to the contractor that To the Editor: IRS office and prolongs everything. Hopefully the levy will remain in effect “until we hear I noticed the blurb about IRS Letter 2645C in one of these years we will manage to exceed the from the IRS.” They are wrong. If this prob - the most recent More than a Paycheck (August statute of limitations. lem arises, ask for a copy of the full levy. 2009). We have also received similar forms over —Titus Peachey, Mennonite Read the front and back until you find this the past couple years, usually in response to our Central Committee, Akron, PA text, and then show it to the payroll person. practice of involving our church board. When the If that person insists the levy is standing, ask IRS informs us that we owe more taxes (usually Call for Stories — them to call the IRS. If they won’t call the in early June after having filed in April...we with - IRS, try calling yourself to seek a proper— hold a percentage of what we owe and give it to a Mixed Relationships and legal!—resolution. good cause), we ask our church board to write a The next issue of More Than A Paycheck will letter of explanation to the IRS stating that: include some stories from war tax resisters who live (or have lived) in mixed relation - Letter #2645C Continued I we are participating members of our church ships—one person is a WTR, one is not. Some In the last issue we included a quote and and they know us well; couples find a way to work out the details and short note about IRS letter 2645C that I the church knows our convictions against war stay together for years; others find WTR a begins, “Thank you for your correspondence. to be strong and sincere (based on our faith and source of constant conflict. If you have a story We have not resolved this matter because we experiences in war-torn countries); to share, please write to NWTRCC or email it haven’t completed all the processing necessary I the church verifies that we give the money to [email protected] . for a complete response....” M PAGE 6 More than a paycheck • October 2009 sea levels contaminate reservoirs. More versities; construction firms, big oil, coal, gas NWTRCC News and more crops will fail, forests will burn, and nuclear weapons makers, mercenaries, continued from page 6 deserts spread, and coastal regions flood and the government are all part of the Global resistance to the crowds. Please contact the permanently. By the millions, humans will Economic War Machine that perpetuates NWTRCC office if you can help with the move in search of a better life because their endless war on this planet. They are dedicat - tabling or leafleting. lands are no longer productive or habitable. ed and committed to doctrine that priori - I Clare Hanrahan of Asheville, North Countries still habitable will spend huge tizes endless short-term economic growth Carolina, is heading up tabling and plan - resources fighting to keep the starving over the survival of all life on this planet. ning a “women of war tax resistance” work - millions out. They consume the largest proportion of shop to present at the Gandhi-King As one of the major industrial powers on energy resources, leaving the greatest carbon Conference on Peacemaking, October earth, with the most carbon hungry military footprint on earth. 23 –25, in Memphis, Tennessee. For more ever known, the U.S. is driving climate We must act on many fronts. To reduce information see gandhikingconference.org , change and global warming. At the same emissions in line with the science is no mys - and look for the NWTRCC table if you go. time, the world is awash with weapons— tery—we simply consume less! But this is I If any readers are planning to attend the enough to arm one person in seven. As the practically out of the question in a society International Peace Bureau Conference, world’s ability to support huge numbers of founded on ever increasing consumption of November 14–18, in Washington, DC, people dwindles, most will not die peace- energy and material resources. Many war tax please contact the office for literature to fully in their sleep. resisters are making such lifestyle changes. take along. In addition and no less important, the There are good lessons to incorporate from I David Waters and Ruth Benn led a WTR politics of life on a “burning” planet could fan the practice of Reduce, Reuse, Remake, and workshop a the conven - the flames of racism. The wars for resources in Recycle. But making individual changes in tion in August in Maryland. A small but the future are likely to be over water, food, and our lifestyles is not enough. We must be interested group attended, and many a place to live. What would have to happen more than just consumers. We must actively stopped by the table for more information. It for Colorado to cut off the flow of water to confront powerful, vested interests that will was especially heartening to hear southern California? As the sea levels rise, stop at nothing to prevent the changes we resister Camilo Mejía mention war tax coastal climate refugees could be met with a need from taking place. resistance in his plenary speech at the con - vention. Shirley Whiteside and other xenophobic policy as they try to move to We do this against the military when we Colorado WTRs tabled at the Christian higher ground. This racist politic of the future resist by nonpayment and redirection of Peacemaker Team assembly in Denver, and was foreshadowed, post-Katrina, on the income taxes dedicated to the war machine. Erica Weiland of Seattle took NWTCC and Crescent City Bridge that connects New Climate justice activists do this when they WTR literature to two anarchist book fairs Orleans to the affluent and unflooded suburb stage a tree sit to shut down a mountain top in Seattle and Tacoma. M of Gretna. Thousands of people fleeing a removal mine or when they walk hundreds drowning city were turned back with gun - of miles to a state capitol to demand clean shots by the unrestrained and well-armed air and water for their children. It’s time for Shared Stuggle remnants of the suburb’s police force. us to cross generational and organizational continued from page 1 barriers to push back on every front we can. ing natural patterns. As the rate of warming These Are Extraordinary Times Those before us didn’t know about run away increases, we are pushed out of our stable None of this is inevitable…yet! We should global warming and those who come after - niche towards something known as the neither panic nor despair, but act while we wards will be powerless to do anything tipping point. This is where the planet’s still can. For a radical ecological analysis to about it. For us there is still time. M temperature has reached a point past which reach beyond narrow circles, it must be Coleman Smith is active with Asheville War positive feedback systems rapidly increase brought to the forefront of larger intercon - Resisters League and Asheville Area War Tax global warming, propelled by its own inertia, nected struggles. Climate change allows us to Resisters. Trained as an Architect he has causing truly catastrophic, runaway change talk about humanity’s disconnect from the remained in the field as a Designer/Builder. to our world’s climate system. Once past the earth, human rights violations from Appa- He has 35+ years experience as a grassroots tipping point, a planetary increase of 6 to 10 lachia to Nigeria, the consumer paradigm, community organizer in the Southeast and has degrees is predicted. and the exploitation of land and labor in a experience in social, economic, and environmen - With a 40- to 50-year lag between emis - single conversation. Defunding the military tal justice campaigns. He is also a nonviolent sions and temperature increase, we can and demilitarizing the population is a paral - direct action trainer. count on another .6 degree centigrade added lel conversation to climate change that links Stay Connected: Send comments as letters-to- to the estimated .8 degree centigrade many of the issues presented above. the-editor of this newsletter, or contact Coleman increase currently registered. This brings Wars are fought over resources and oil Smith through [email protected] with us to 1.4 degrees centigrade, which most (energy) is currently the hot commodity. The feedback and your suggestions for investigating climate scientists place dangerously close to organization that needs the most oil and gas intergenerational activism. the tipping point, or past it. If we get there, is the same one charged to wage war (think For more material on climate change and the human impacts will add up quickly. “tail wagging dog”). Corporations don’t just activism, see: www.risingtide-na.org; www.earth A rapid decline in access to clean water profit from U.S. war policy—they drive it. first.org; www.bitethebullet.us; www.mountain occurs as rains fail, rivers dry out, and rising Venture capitalists, think tanks, media, uni - justicesummer.org; www.climategroundzero.org.

More than a paychec k • October 2009 PAGE 7 I suggest to you that those who are Three Times the Warmth! not on the Register for military service are equally participating oreclose On War, Invest in People” in the crime. He or she, therefore, “F scarves are for sale by NWTRCC for who supports a State so organized “ another season. This year you can triple the benefit. You buy a scarf, and we put is, whether directly or indirectly, it in the hands of someone who can use the participating in the sin. It is extra warmth but couldn’t afford to buy it fraught with immediate danger. themselves. NWTRCC has an agreement Seeing that each man, old or with Casa Maria Hospitality House in young, takes part in this sin by Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Purchase a scarf for contribution to the State (by one of their residents or community mem - paying the tax to the State). ...all bers, we’ll send them the scarves to hand out those who want to stop military to folks who can use them this winte r— a triple benefit: service can do so by withdrawing 1) NWTRCC makes money to cover our all military co-operation. Refusal budget shortfall; 2) someone in need gets the of military service is much more benefit of the warmth; 3) the message is car - superficial than non-co-operation ried to places it might not go if they were all with a whole system which sup - sold to traditional peace and justice advo - ports the State. But then your cates. You can also buy one or more to opportunity becomes so swift and donate to a homeless person or other charity so effective that you run the risk of in your community. 2nd and 3rd scarves; 1 –3 scarves, Priority Mail Scarves come in three colors—Cherry, (guaranteed 2 –3 days) = $5.00. Call for not only being marched to jail, but Off-White, and Patina with the message in postage on orders of 4 scarves or more. of being thrown on the street. This contrasting colors. All proceeds benefit the National War was the position of Tolstoy. Note the new prices for ’09 –’10: $15 each, 3 Tax Resistance Coordinating Committee —From The Collected Works of scarves for $36, 10 for $ 10 each, plus postage: (NWTRCC) and our campaign work, out - Mahatma Gandhi, Answers 1–3 scarves, First Class (estimated 3 days) = reach, and support for people who refuse to to Questions , page 402, $1.60 for one scarf; $ 1.00 each additional for pay for war. M Submitted by Paul Lauzier, Maine.

Probably this remarkable passage is in Dave Gross’s great anthology, but I just came across it in its original context, NWTRCC and thought I’d send it around. It’s P.O. Box 150553 from the lecture Brooklyn, NY 11215 given by , who (800) 269- 7464 won the prize in 1946 (but I think the (718) 768-3420 lecture wasn’t given until 1948). She taught where I teach now, until the Trustees fired her for her work against American involvement in World War I. Here’s what she wrote: “I feel it rather surprising also that refusal of war has never taken Please Note: the form, on any large scale, of If there is a red circle refusal to pay taxes for military around your address use, a refusal which would have label, this is the last issue of More Than a involved not only young men but Paycheck on your (and mainly) older men and subscription. Send in women, holders of property.” a renewal ASAP! —Submitted by Larry Rosenwald, Wellesey, MA