But They Support the Troops
Jim Murphy is a "counter-recruiter," one of a small group of opponents of the Iraq war who say they want "to compete with military recruiters for the hearts and minds of young people."
"I don't tell kids not to join the military," says Murphy, 59, a member of "Veterans for Peace". "I tell them: 'Have a plan for your future. Because if you don't, the military has a plan for you.'" And then he tells them, "It's gonna change you forever, and not necessarily positively. Think of all the civilians killed in Fallujah. You're gonna see something like that for the rest of your life."
But he doesn't tell kids "not to join the military" -- (nudge nudge wink wink).
This school year, Jim Murphy says he'll brainwash counsel about 20 students. He says that four years ago, he got six students to change their minds about joining the Marines.
The American Friends Service Committee, one of several peace groups opposed to what it calls "militarization of youth," has prepared a brochure titled Do You Know Enough to Enlist?
In a tip of the hat to the opposition (emphasis mine), it's deliberately designed to look like a military recruiting brochure.
But don't forget -- they support the troops!