[DEFEATED] Repeal "Military Freedoms Act"

[Outer Sparta]

We don't have a military, so we currently have no opinion on this matter yet.

[Normlpeople]

"The repeal is based on the premise of a replacement, which I'm drafting. That may be a helpful factor to bear in mind."

"So long as the replacement does not allow citizens to get away with Treason by simply saying they don't believe in what they are fighting for, then I may support it. I make no guarantees though, since this assembly seems to be focused on gelding any possible way for a nation to defend itself."

[Celsuis]

"Acknowledging the many flaws of GAR #132 and national sovereignty arguments, I will offer tentative support for this repeal. I will say, though, that involuntary servitude is unconstitutional in my nation."

[Imperium Anglorum]

"Acknowledging the many flaws of GAR #132 and national sovereignty arguments, I will offer tentative support for this repeal. I will say, though, that involuntary servitude is unconstitutional in my nation."

Parsons: And the repeal of this resolution would not make it constitutional. It would simply remove the exclusionary superseding clauses created by the original resolution.

[Wrapper]

Believing that the provisions set forth in this resolution provide large means of evasion for able-bodied personnel in military service

No, no, stop right there. You say this as if it's a problem, but it isn't. Why shouldn't pacifists who do not want to fight be able to evade military service? Oh... Ahume, take me away from this chamber, that migraine is back....

[Separatist Peoples]

Believing that the provisions set forth in this resolution provide large means of evasion for able-bodied personnel in military service

No, no, stop right there. You say this as if it's a problem, but it isn't. Why shouldn't pacifists who do not want to fight be able to evade military service? Oh... Ahume, take me away from this chamber, that migraine is back....

"To be fair, ambassador, actual pacifists are, more often than not, the minority compared to individuals who simply don't want to serve. There is a point at which civic duty must override individual whims. Fortunately, everybody involved in the repeal and replace efforts believe that those genuine pacifists ought be protected; we would like there to be a reasonable means of differentiating between the two, and we cannot do so without a repeal."

[Wrapper]

No, no, stop right there. You say this as if it's a problem, but it isn't. Why shouldn't pacifists who do not want to fight be able to evade military service? Oh... Ahume, take me away from this chamber, that migraine is back....

"To be fair, ambassador, actual pacifists are, more often than not, the minority compared to individuals who simply don't want to serve. There is a point at which civic duty must override individual whims. Fortunately, everybody involved in the repeal and replace efforts believe that those genuine pacifists ought be protected; we would like there to be a reasonable means of differentiating between the two, and we cannot do so without a repeal."

(Wad Ahume ducks his head back into the chamber and shouts. "The very idea of conscription is repulsive! Citizens should never be forced to take up arms against their will, regardless of their justifications, whether they are conscientious objectors or 'actual pacifists' or they 'simply don't want to serve'!" The exaggerated groans from the ambassador in the hallway grow louder, as Ahume again exits the room.)

[Separatist Peoples]

"Well, I suppose that attitude makes a fair rebuttal impossible. For better or for worse, this isn't a widely-held view, and we need to cater to that reality."

[Christian Democrats]

I find the arguments of this repeal proposal to be largely specious. The original legislation is well-written, and respect for the freedom of conscience necessitates that all nations have mechanisms in place for assigning objectors to more suitable forms of service.

[Omigodtheykilledkenny]

If there's one thing we do not want, it's another war over conscientious objectors in this Assembly. Honestly, it got so bad ambassadors were starting to claim crises of conscience and were consigned to deskwork while their interns were left to do the real fighting in the halls of the GA.

The original resolution is satisfactory in our view. We see not reason to strike it out.

[Neveanas]

It is said that before battle the ancient Israelites would ask that any warrior who has in the last year built a house, gotten married, or added a child to their family should leave. With those people gone they stated that if anyone was too afraid to fight that they could also leave. This was not done because they didn't need the extra manpower, they in fact were usually outnumbered, but because those people would be thinking about their own lives or their families more than the battle and at best wouldn't give everything they had in battle or at worst would run prematurely and cause others to loose heart and run. Neveanas supports the view that those who do not wish to fight can successfully serve their country in a non combat role, especially in a war as the aggressor nation. On behalf of all citizens of the world we must vote against this repeal.

[Alqania]

"The Queendom finds herself in agreement with the Christian Democrats and the Kennyites - we are unconvinced by the arguments for repeal and therefore we vote against", explained Lord Raekevik.

[Tinfect]

"The Imperium will have to abstain from the vote on this proposal, while we find ourselves in agreement with certain arguments contained within, we cannot support a repeal of the legislation until such time as a replacement is under consideration."

[Imperium Anglorum]

"The Imperium will have to abstain from the vote on this proposal, while we find ourselves in agreement with certain arguments contained within, we cannot support a repeal of the legislation until such time as a replacement is under consideration."

A replacement is already under consideration. Separatist Peoples is drafting it.

[Tinfect]

A replacement is already under consideration. Separatist Peoples is drafting it.

OOC:
Oh.
That's what I get for not paying attention, I suppose.

[Anarxian]

Anarxian's WA representatives have decided to vote against the bill being presented to repeal the Military Freedom Act. The first organized and published WA Anarxian Council debated the issue for a week with all recordings being available at our government website. The final vote came down to 19-11, with the Council releasing a statement as follows:

"The purpose of this repeal act attempts to reduce the number of consciousness objectors to wartime drafting. Including arguments contain the assertion that people who deny being drafted to the military, as is their intellectual, spiritual and human right as we accept under WA law and our interpretation of it from this distinguished Council, could still be drafted to the military production units that do not see combat. This refuses to acknowledge the fundamental human right of a person to voluntarily choose to not support a war in any means, or ways necessary. If our court and the international court are to affirm that it is not only the state's right to engage in warfare between two countries or bodies but also the person's individual right to voluntarily join the military effort, then we must also affirm with the same conviction and sincerity the right of the person to NOT engage in any act of warfare they find to be morally reprehensible. As our nation currently speaks about democracizing our military industrial complex, our court affirms the voluntary nature of all warfare activities to ensure that no persons are forced again their consciences to be a party to activities of the state they are not in agreement with."

The 11 dissenting justices also wrote their opinions as is published on the Anarxian government website.

[Separatist Peoples]

"The repeal is based on the premise of a replacement, which I'm drafting. That may be a helpful factor to bear in mind."

"So long as the replacement does not allow citizens to get away with Treason by simply saying they don't believe in what they are fighting for, then I may support it. I make no guarantees though, since this assembly seems to be focused on gelding any possible way for a nation to defend itself."

"You're welcome to address that in the thread. It's an active draft."

[Wallenburg]

"After reviewing the original copy of the resolution this seeks to repeal, I find all the arguments for repeal greatly exaggerated, irrelevant, or untrue. The Wallenburgian delegation votes unanimously AGAINST this proposal. Even arguing that cowards could manipulate this resolution--which is highly unlikely--who would waste training, weaponry, equipment, food, water, and housing on someone too scared to fight the enemy? Even the most unpatriotic scumbag does a good enough job driving food trucks and ambulances behind the front lines. On the battlefield, however, he's more likely to get his own unit killed than the enemy's."

[Separatist Peoples]

"After reviewing the original copy of the resolution this seeks to repeal, I find all the arguments for repeal greatly exaggerated, irrelevant, or untrue. The Wallenburgian delegation votes unanimously AGAINST this proposal. Even arguing that cowards could manipulate this resolution--which is highly unlikely--who would waste training, weaponry, equipment, food, water, and housing on someone too scared to fight the enemy? Even the most unpatriotic scumbag does a good enough job driving food trucks and ambulances behind the front lines. On the battlefield, however, he's more likely to get his own unit killed than the enemy's."

"...have you met some of the nuttier leaders of military juntas here? These are the same governments that declare war over nasty comments between ambassadors."

[Wallenburg]

"After reviewing the original copy of the resolution this seeks to repeal, I find all the arguments for repeal greatly exaggerated, irrelevant, or untrue. The Wallenburgian delegation votes unanimously AGAINST this proposal. Even arguing that cowards could manipulate this resolution--which is highly unlikely--who would waste training, weaponry, equipment, food, water, and housing on someone too scared to fight the enemy? Even the most unpatriotic scumbag does a good enough job driving food trucks and ambulances behind the front lines. On the battlefield, however, he's more likely to get his own unit killed than the enemy's."

"...have you met some of the nuttier leaders of military juntas here? These are the same governments that declare war over nasty comments between ambassadors."

"Even more a reason to preserve these essential protections for cowards--I mean, 'conscientious objectors'."

[Separatist Peoples]

"...have you met some of the nuttier leaders of military juntas here? These are the same governments that declare war over nasty comments between ambassadors."

"Even more a reason to preserve these essential protections for cowards--I mean, 'conscientious objectors'."

"That's why a replacement was being written."

[Wallenburg]

"Even more a reason to preserve these essential protections for cowards--I mean, 'conscientious objectors'."

"That's why a replacement was being written."

"Yes, but I can't see a single issue with the existing resolution. Do I need new glasses?"

[Separatist Peoples]

"That's why a replacement was being written."

"Yes, but I can't see a single issue with the existing resolution. Do I need new glasses?"

"The definition of "combat duties" is overly restrictive."

[Vancouvia]

As this proposal vote will end in September, not August, we here in Vancouvia take offense to the misleading phrase "This august World Assembly" since we take everything literally. If this proposal would have gone to vote a few hours earlier, it definitely would have had our support.

Best wishes,
Member of the GA Elite

[Celsuis]

"My nation's Senate has decided to reject this resolution by a vote of 39 Yea - 36 Nay by failing to achieve a 60% majority. I will have to officially stand Against this repeal."