Two Fridays ago, C.I. and Elaine spoke with all except Jim and Dona (who were in France) to advocate for a change: With the community sites potentially going dark in November 2008, how about using the time left to prepare for the end of the illegal war?
Facts have been distorted and erased about war resistance during Vietnam, so what if we focus our time not just on correcting the public record in terms of what's going on right now but also in terms of what can be expected based on the (actual) historical record?
All approved as did Jim and Dona when they heard about it.
The plan was to do the editorial this Sunday.
We were going to zoom in on the 1977 and 1978 realities.
Last week, ABC reported that the US military was stating Corey Glass was not a deserter and had been discharged.
Perfect.
Just the story we were going to talk about.
And we tracked down some military sources to find out what was what.
It was going to be a very strong article.
We're not writing it.
We don't respond to bullying.
We especially don't respond to smears.
A 'helper' in Canada wrote an abusive e-mail to C.I. insisting C.I. had written something that C.I. had not written, insisting that C.I. was 'so stupid' as to swallow 'spin,' insisting ABC News was in the tank with the Pentagon (not on that story) and making a real ass out of himself.
He's a bit-player in that 'movement' (just as he is in life).
But we're not in the mood for lies and abuse.
It soured the whole community. Betty didn't post. Everyone cut back on what they had planned and C.I. killed this editorial when responding to the nonsense publicly Friday morning.
What we will offer is what Corey Glass needs to do.
Corey Glass needs to stop making public comments. Corey Glass needs to use the press reports to insist that the deportation order is immediately withdrawn. Corey Glass needs to apply for Canadian citizenship and note that he's not a "deserter."
None of that may or may not be best for the 'movement.' But that's what best for Corey Glass.
He may decide he wants to return to the US. If so, that's his decision.
But our article was already going to address realities (past realities) before the Corey Glass story. What we found out just made it obvious that history was indeed repeating.
We have no ill will towards Corey or any war resister.
But to write the editorial (announced Wednesday and Thursday repeatedly at The Common Ills) after the Friday editorial would be rewarding bad behavior on the part of a 'helper' and we're not interested.
(We're so not interested, we considered not even doing an edition.)
The best thing for Corey Glass is to not question the reports but use them to stop the deportation and immediately apply to stay in Canada. That can be citizenship or just recognized immigrant status.
Pursue the realities after. Save yourself right now.
Our recommendation. Corey Glass can ignore it or heed it. It's his life and he's the one, the only one, who can make that decision.