STAND - Students Take Action for New Directions

Update from National WAND
The Common Sense Budget Act
Announcements/Internships

1) STARS

Opt-out: what it is and why it doesn't count for much

This is an article that I wrote for the March 2006 issue of Goshen High School�s student newspaper, the Tomahawk. Through research for this piece and for Peace Club (the GHS chapter of Amnesty International, of which I am co-president) purposes, I discovered some surprising information and reached an unexpected conclusion. The issue leaves me with more questions about the privacy debate and a peace activist's role in it.

Rosabeth Koehn

Section 9528 of the No Child Left Behind Act states that all schools receiving financial assistance from the government must provide certain pieces of their students' personal information, namely name, address and telephone listing, to postsecondary institutions and the US military. In this article, I will specifically be examining the implications of the military's access to student information.

The law also includes a clause that says that a student or parent may request that the student's information not be released. All schools are required to notify parents of the option of withholding their child's information, and the school must comply with a request to do so. This opportunity is known as the "opt-out" option.

As required, GHS sends the opt-out form to every sophomore along with his or her final report card. This form must be returned, signed by a parent, to the Guidance Office by August 1 in order for the student's information not to be released at the beginning of the junior year.

So, unless a parent has opted their child out, the military is using the information from the school to target him or her in its recruiting process. If you want to be in contact with recruiters, this is great. But if not, it may be a little distressing.

I recently conducted a Tomahawk survey of 102 GHS juniors and seniors about their experience with military recruitment. I expected to find that few students knew about the opt-out and fewer had taken advantage of it, but that those who were opted-out experienced much less contact. Then I planned to write nice piece about how good opting-out is and how more people should do it.

Unfortunately for my simple plan, the survey turned up some surprising results. Twenty-three percent of the students surveyed were aware of the opt-out, while 12 percent are currently opted-out. Of the not-opted-out students, 51 percent had been contacted in some way by a recruiter, and the average number of contacts was 7.3. Of the opted-out students, 75 percent had been contacted by a recruiter, and the average number of contacts was 7.4.

What is going on? Perhaps the small sample accounts for some of these startling statistics, but I think that the margins are large enough that we can conclude that turning in one's opt-out form at GHS is not an effective way to avoid contact from military recruiters.

So, is our school not sending in the forms or is our government sending them straight to the shredder? There may be another explanation for the apparent failure of the opt-out. What I think most people have no idea about (and what I did not even realize until after conducting the survey) is that the military is finding more and more ways to get what it wants from young citizens. Not only is it getting information from high schools but since 2002, it has been compiling a database known as� "JAMRS" (Joint Advertising and Market Research Studies).

According to the Pentagon Public Affairs office, JAMRS is the organization formed by the Pentagon to oversee the development of a database of 30 million 16- to 25-year-olds, including name, address, email address, cell phone number, ethnicity, social security number and areas of study. The database is updated daily and distributed monthly to the Armed Services for recruitment purposes.

So, even if a student has opted-out at school, the military is still accessing information about him or her in order to make a more personalized recruitment effort. Young people can also opt-out of the JAMRS list by writing to the Pentagon (for more info on this, visit leavemychildalone.org), and their information will be moved to a "suppression file." This means the Pentagon retains their personal information but does not release it. Now, whether you trust this claim or not is up to you.

The only conclusion that I am able to draw concerning this issue is this: a young person must be responsible for him or herself. No amount of opting-out or parental protections is going to prevent high school students from being exposed to a wide variety of material concerning options for their future.

And so, they must sift. This sifting should include considering one's values and life goals and how these mesh together. Students should not believe everything that they � whoever that might be - are saying. Always check secondary sources. This is up to the individual, and no one else. After all, it's not a parent's future or the government's future or a well-meaning peace activist's future� it's yours.

Rosabeth Koehn is a senior at Goshen High School in Goshen, Indiana. There, she is the co-president of the high school chapter of Amnesty International and a member of the diving and track & field teams. Her plans after graduation include training for two triathlons this summer and spending two and a half weeks visiting friends and family in Europe. She will attend the University of Waterloo (Ontario) in the fall and intends to major in something English-related. Rosabeth's favorite things include National Public Radio, shopping at thrift stores, folk music, reading historical fiction, playing Ultimate Frisbee with friends, eating Indian food and taking afternoon naps. She is also very grateful for the opportunities and contacts she has gained through being a member of STAND.

2. If you don't know, now you know.

Nevada blast delay a victory, critics say

Environmentalists, politicians see time as chance to probe risks

By Judy Fahys and Robert Gehrke | The Salt Lake Tribune | For full article, click here.

Red tape has snagged the federal government's plans next month for a massive explosion at the Nevada Test Site.

Court papers filed by Pentagon and U.S. Energy Department lawyers say the Divine Strake test will be delayed by three weeks.

"The proposed detonation of Divine Strake will take place no earlier than June 23," said Jay H. Horman, acting manager of the National Nuclear Security Administration's Nevada Test Site office, in a statement presented to the U.S. District Court in Las Vegas on Monday.

The postponement, rumored last week, marks a victory for critics and opponents who say the federal government has yet to prove that the massive explosion will not harm the environment or people downwind.

3. Ways to STAND and take action!

Speak out against war � Make your voice heard on Capitol Hill!! Scholarships available!

On April 29, more than 350,000 activists took the streets of NYC to demand an end to the occupation of Iraq.

Now it's time to take our protest from the streets directly to the policy-makers!

On Monday, May 22, activists from across the country will converge on Capitol Hill to demand an end to the war in Iraq and to stop an attack on Iran. Join us in Washington, DC from May 20-22* for dynamic strategy discussions, skills trainings, activist networking and a powerful day of lobbying Congress to bring our troops home!! Don't miss this opportunity to make your voice heard on Capitol Hill!

The Student Peace Action Network (SPAN) is offering travel and housing scholarships to youth and student participants to defray the costs of attending and to build the youth movement's power for peace! Visit www.StudentPeaceAction.org to apply TODAY!

The Not Your Soldier Project - gives youth the tools we need to stop the military invasion of our schools and our communities.

Not Your Soldier Action Camps bring together young people who are heavily targeted by military recruitment. At the camps, youth learn how to take action to fight military recruitment, the poverty draft, and the corporations that profit off of war.� http://notyoursoldier.org/index.php

4. Heads up! Some organizations putting in major work

High Gas Prices, Conflict in the Middle East, Global Warming�
It's Time to Kick the Oil Habit!

Get a FREE trip to Washington D.C.�help lead a national advocacy group and bring the energy security debate to your campus.

An Opportunity of a lifetime�
20/20 Vision launched an innovative new program in 2005 to create a student-led Regional Directors' Council. This year we've expanded and we're bringing in 10-15 energetic participants from colleges and universities across the US will be chosen as Volunteer Regional Directors to come to Washington, D.C. in July of 2006 free of charge for an intensive week of hands-on training in non-profit advocacy and field organizing. During this one school-year term, participants will be our point of contact for a non-partisan debate on energy security policy and related issues on their campus. You will get to run a campaign on your campus and in your state on energy security!

Leadership, not internship
Unlike most internships, this is real work experience with a minimal time commitment. Instantly, you will become one of our top people in the field bringing new interest into the organization on the issues you care about. We understand that students like you are busy people and cannot always commit to a full-time internship. This promises to be fun and exciting leadership opportunity and you will learn skills that will benefit you in virtually every career track.

The website from the National Tour we've just finished on energy security is just one campaign our current Regional Directors lead.

Learn and use valuable skills
While in Washington, we will provide you with training from nationally recognized professionals and our seasoned staff at 20/20 Vision. You can expect to walk away with skills in the following areas: Media relations, Community organizing, Organizational development, Issue advocacy

Qualifications

A demonstrated commitment to global security, renewable energy, the environment, social justice or other progressive causes or ideals
Strong people skills, a passion for quality leadership, and the ability to multi-task
An ability to commit to a yearlong program that includes: promoting the organization year-round, attending regular event calls, reporting progress, and managing the project on campus
Current enrollment in a college or university
Experience in community organizing, political campaigns, or involvement in campus or local politics

Application instructions

Submit an up-to-date resume complete with at least two references
Submit a two- to three-page writing sample

Please email all applications attn: Ryan Spaeth or you can mail them to:

Regional Director Search, c/o 20/20 Vision
8403 Colesville Road, Suite 860
Silver Spring, MD 20910

Application process
We are accepting applications until May 31st. Telephone interviews will be conducted beginning June 1st and we anticipate finalizing our decisions by mid-June, 2006. The training in Washington DC will coincide with our national event to be held in mid-July.

Please click here to learn more. E-mail ryan@2020vision.org for more info.

5. ON THE NEWS

Two lab teams deliver new designs for nukes
By Ian Hoffman, STAFF WRITER

http://www.insidebayarea.com/search/ci_3749286

Western Shoshone oppose planned 700-ton detonation
by: Brenda Norrell
http://www.indiancountry.com/content.cfm?id=1096412913

6. Update from National WAND

It has been fifteen years since the collapse of the Soviet Union. Yet, in the last decade and a half, the Pentagon has continued to waste tens of billions of dollars buying outdated, Cold War-era weaponry for a national security threat that no longer exists.

WAND is supporting legislation that takes a bold step forward: the Common Sense Budget Act.

Introduced in March, the legislation offers a positive vision on how America can invest in our communities without raising taxes or enlarging the deficit. The Common Sense Budget Act offers a plan for America to strengthen our communities, while remaining fiscally responsible to future generations.

Under the CSBA, America would:

1) provide health insurance to all our children who lack it,

2) rebuild America's crumbling public schools over twelve years,

3) retrain a quarter million workers,

4) cut our reliance on foreign oil in half over ten years,

5) increase funding for homeland security and medical research,

6) save millions of lives in impoverished nations, and

7) begin to reduce the deficit.

This legislation would slash $60 billion from the Defense budget without diminishing our ability to protect our nation.

Our spending on security should address the current threats we face. By getting rid of programs that don't, we can not only make the much needed investment in ensuring health care for all of our children, improving our public schools, ending our dependence upon foreign oil, but also improve our homeland security.

Common Sense Budget Act reallocates YOUR federal tax dollars.
Woudl you rather buy obsolete Cold War weapons systems? or healthcare for children? Isn't it time for us to use some common sense when making these decisions? Click here to take action!
Click here to see our "Not 1040" form.

7. Announcements/Internships

Grassroots Training and Congressional Advocacy Days
May 20*-22, Washington, DC
*May 20 strategy sessions are optional.

Sponsored by United for Peace and Justice
Register now: http://unitedforpeace.org/modinput4.php?modin=121

Let's Help Washington catch up with the peace majority!

National Organizers: Peace Action Progressive Democrats of America
Institute for Policy Studies CodePink Global Exchange AfterDowningStreet.org

The UFPJ Grassroots Training and Congressional Advocacy Days offer activists a unique opportunity to join with members of scores of local and national organizations for three days of strategic planning, training and organizing sessions, and meetings with members of Congress and Congressional staff.

Training sessions will include coalition-building, electoral work (including rules for non-profits and others), effective lobbying and more. Our trainers come from academia, congressional staff and NGO staff. The sessions will provide opportunities for local and state-wide networking and planning.

Space is limited and we expect to fill up. Pre-registration is necessary. Please register today at: http://unitedforpeace.org/modinput4.php?modin=121
To apply for a youth/student travel scholarship, visit: www.StudentPeaceAction.org

Tri-Valley CAREs

Outreach Intern

Help organize a No Nukes! No Wars! Mobilization

INTERNS WILL GAIN EXPERIENCE IN:

Coalition Building: The intern will network and help mobilize groups to actions at the Livermore Nuclear Weapons Lab and Bechtel. Media intern will gain basic skills in working with media (print, TV and radio).

Event Logistics: The intern will gain a general understanding of logistics required for event planning. Outreach and organizing for peace, disarmament and to stop the local environmental and health impacts of nuclear weapons activities in the Bay Area.

Nuclear Weapons Issues: The intern will learn broadly about nuclear weapons, disarmament and gain in depth knowledge on nuclear weapons programs. Public Speaking:

The intern will gain experience in public speaking and will table the groups' literature at various venues.

Internship Duration: This internship lasts 2-3 months. Hours range from 12-25 hours per week. Schedules are flexible. Interns are required to work at least one day a week in Livermore (either Wednesday or Thursday) and attend coalition meetings in Oakland.

Pay/Credit: Transportation stipends are available. Credit for many majors can be arranged. Work study forms must be provided by the intern if applicable.

CONTACT: Please send resumes and/or cover letters to: Tara Dorabji, Outreach Director of Tri-Valley CAREs at 2582 Old First Street, Livermore, CA 94550, Telephone: (925) 443-7148, Fax: (925) 443-0177 Email: tara@trivalleycares.org or visit us at our web site: www.trivalleycares.org.

NAMALIA - Call for submissions

Native American, Middle Eastern, African, Latino, International & Asian (NAMALIA), a long-standing collaboration of the National People of Color Student Coalition (NPCSC) of USSA, is calling for submissions from students of color nationwide for entry in this years publication. The publication includes, but is not limited to, poetry, photography, short essays, artwork and/or songs representative of the struggle for access for students of color in higher education.

This year's theme -- "Coming from where we're from" -- will serve as a backdrop.

Though there are no limitations, here are some suggested topic areas for submissions: Immigration/DREAM, voter access, recruitment & retention, being a person of color in higher education, queer people of color, women of color, justice, peace/war, culture, diversity, internationalism and democracy.

INTERESTED?

Great! There is no word limit, but submission must be limited to one page. Emailed submissions preferred. Please email to cdp@usstudents.org.

Please mail to NAMALIA @ SOCCDPUSSA 815 16th Street NW, 4th Floor, Washington, DC 20006

** Include your name, campus, major, expected graduation date & contact information with each submission ** *** 30 submissions will be featured in this years publication.***

ALL SUBMISSIONS MUST BE EMAILED OR POSTMARKED BY MAY 19TH.

NAMALIA will be unveiled at the 59th Annual National Student Congress in Portland, Oregon in August 2006.

Palestine Summer Encounter 2006
Volunteer - Study Arabic - Live with a Family - Be a Witness for Peace!

Palestine Summer Encounter participants live with a local family, study Arabic and volunteer with a local church, school, hospital, nonprofit or humanitarian organization. They also have an opportunity to visit sites of historic, political and religious significance such as Jerusalem, Jericho, the Galilee, Hebron, Nazareth and the Dead Sea. Participants can join the program for 1, 2 or 3 months.

Learn more at our website: www.middleeastfellowship.org/pse2006


				©2006 WAND Inc.