No human being is obligated to participate in the dehumanization of any other human being. Every human being has the right to refuse to kill or injure any other human being. Those who conscientiously object to war in any form exercise those rights.
The exercise of those rights ought to come as natural to all of us as breathing--but, tragically, they do not.
Conscientious Objectors set an example for their fellows: showing them how a free human being behaves. Those who lack the courage to step out in full human freedom may not say it, but they envy the Conscientious Objector's courage to be free.
It is fear and servile conformity that prompts one human being to dehumanize another on behalf of the nation-state. Those who refuse to do so are true heroes.
Do not hymn "the rocket's red glare/the bombs bursting in air" on July 4th or any other day. Instead salute those who have the courage to exercise the neglected Ninth Amendment rights to refuse to dehumanize and kill.
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