Conscientious Objector Speaks Out

KPBS | By KPBS Public Broadcasting

Published January 30, 2007 at 8:46 AM PST

This story was published more than 17 years ago.

Growing numbers of military personnel are trying to become conscientious objectors to current military operations, but what sort of argument do they have? We speak to Pablo Paredes, a local sailor wh

Tom Fudge: The issue of conscientious objector status was a big deal during the Vietnam War. But ever since we've had an all-volunteer military, it doesn't seem like it should be an issue. How can you object to serving when you've volunteered to serve?

And yet, there are hundreds of members of the armed forces that are seeking C.O. status, related to service in Iraq. Joanne Faryon is a reporter for KPBS. And she has produced a story about conscientious objectors in the war in Iraq. And she profiled one man who was allowed to leave the service, thanks to the ruling of a federal judge.

Become a KPBS sponsor

Guests

Joanne Faryon , reporter for KPBS News.
Pablo Paredes , program coordinator for the National GI Rights Network.