Posted on 12/13/2005 4:48:03 PM PST by Thunder90
Katherine Jashinski Statement read near Fort Benning gate November 17, 2005
My name is Katherine Jashinski. I am a SPC in the Texas Army National Guard. I was born in Milwaukee, WI and I am 22 years old. When I graduated high school I moved to Austin, TX to attend college. At age 19 I enlisted in the Guard as a cook because I wanted to experience military life. When I enlisted I believed that killing was immoral, but also that war was an inevitable part of life and therefore, an exception to the rule.
After enlisting I began the slow transformation into adulthood. Like many teenagers who leave their home for the first time, I went through a period of growth and soul searching. I encountered many new people and ideas that broadly expanded my narrow experiences. After reading essays by Bertrand Russel and traveling to the South Pacific and talking to people from all over the world, my beliefs about humanity and its relation to war changed. I began to see a bigger picture of the world and I started to reevaluate everything that I had been taught about war as a child. I developed the belief that taking human life was wrong and war was no exception. I was then able to clarify who I am and what it is that I stand for.
The thing that I revere most in this world is life, and I will never take another person's life.
Just as others have faith in God, I have faith in humanity
I have a deeply held belief that people must solve all conflicts through peaceful diplomacy and without the use of violence. Violence only begets more violence.
Because I believe so strongly in non-violence, I cannot perform any role in the military. Any person doing any job in the Army, contributes in some way to the planning, preparation or implementation of war.
For eighteen months, while my CO status was pending, I have honored my commitment to the Army and done everything that they asked of me. However, I was ordered to Ft. Benning last Sunday to complete weapons training in preparation to deploy for war.
Now I have come to the point where I am forced to choose between my legal obligation to the Army and my deepest moral values. I want to make it clear that I will not compromise my beliefs for any reason. I have a moral obligation not only to myself but to the world as a whole, and this is more important than any contract.
I have come to my beliefs through personal, intense, reflection and study. They are everything that I am and all that I stand for. After much thought and contemplation about the effect my decision will have on my future, my family, the possibility of prison, and the inevitable scorn and ridicule that I will face, I am completely resolute.
I will exercise my every legal right not pick up a weapon, and to participate in war effort. I am determined to be discharged as a CO, and while undergoing the appeals process; I will continue to follow orders that do not conflict with my conscience until my status has been resolved. I am prepared to accept the consequences of adhering to my beliefs.
What characterizes a conscientious objector is their willingness to face adversity and uphold their values at any cost. We do this not because it is easy or popular, but because we are unable to do otherwise. thank you.
Because I believe so strongly in non-violence, I cannot perform any role in the military. Any person doing any job in the Army, contributes in some way to the planning, preparation or implementation of war.
She already contributes to the war effort by paying taxes.
International ANSWER and United for Peace have came to her side as well.
So has Codepink
Don't boot her out. Put her in jail for a few years.
The official response should be:
"You don't want to fight? Fine. But you're going to put your time in. If you won't serve military time, you will serve jail time. And, by the way, return every last dime of money you took from the American taxpayers."
Does that mean that she gets to write childrens books and get out sooner? /sarc
My first thought, too. I got 5 bucks says she's pro-"choice."
And Anti-Gun. She probably hated every moment of range time, and probably does not know how to use a M-16 properly.
One possibility that was used in earlier wars would be to put her in a medical unit. Since she lacks the training, she could work as a gopher or clerk or something.
She enlisted as a cook. Even in medical units, a soldier is required to have some training. Make her wash dishes for Halliburton in their DFAC's.
She learned a useful skill in the military- I say let her go out and use it in the civilian work force...
"Will that be for here or to go?"
This woman has spent untold thousands in tax dollars for her training and now more untold thousands in lawyer fees for both herself and our country and you are concerned about her nice her teeth look???
She looks hot. I wonder if she plans on teaching middle school?
After reading essays by Bertrand Russel and traveling to the South Pacific and talking to people from all over the world
Serve the rest of your voluntary enlistment in Leavenworth, followed by a dishonorable discharge for dereliction of duty and cowardice in the face of the enemy.
AMEN!
I'm embarrassed that this cowardly spoiled b*%#h is from Texas!
She is from Milwaukee, WI, and then went to UT-Austin. UT-Austin is the college for the moonbats down south. It is like UW-Madison here.
Anybody want to guess if her unit is due to rotate to Iraq?
Actually, that is the very reason she became a conscientious objector. The military court saw right through it; it was a case of cowardice, pure and simple!
She's killed hundreds already.
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