Armed With Knowledge

By Molly Gilmore
for The Olympian

In his quest to teach young people about military recruiting, David Solnit is armed with facts — and puppets.

"One of the things I do is I'm a puppeteer," said Solnit, co-author of the counter-recruiting manual "Army of None," who will present a workshop about recruiting Friday in Olympia.

"I do a puppet show that deconstructs the history of war recruitment and propaganda in 10 minutes," he said.

After the workshop, four local bands — including K Records artists C.O.C.O. and The Blow — will perform.

"Young people love music," said Molly Gibbs of the local nonprofit Know All You Can Know, which is hosting the Olympia workshop. "I've been part of many group activities where music has been a really positive, upbeat way to bring people together. When you're dealing with really serious issues, you need to have a good time and enjoy yourself."

That's why the workshop — co-presented by Chanan Suarez-Diaz, a decorated veteran and president of Iraq Veterans against the War — is set up as a multi­media event.

The bands, which donated their time, were chosen because they'd appeal to young people.

But there is nothing entertaining about the topic of recruitment tactics.

"There's a $4 billion budget that's spent, not just for recruiters, but some of the biggest advertising agencies in the world," Solnit said. "A lot of young people are shocked by that.

"We show them the contract where it says that no matter what anyone promises you, the only promises are in the contract," he added. "Recruiters will look young people in the eye and say, 'I'm going to make sure you're not going to Iraq." They don't have the power to make those promises."

" 'Army of None' has a lot of statistics that I use when I work with young people," Gibbs said.

She gives presentations at South Sound schools, and Know All You Can Know also has sponsored film screenings and other events to raise awareness about the war.

Organizers are honest about their view.

"We're critical of the practices of military recruiters and of the current foreign policy," Solnit said. "But there's a positive side. We place a big emphasis on the fact that young people deserve to have a great life and do incredible things in their communities. There are options.

"We don't tell young people what to do," he added. "Nobody likes to be told what to do, but we tell people they should have all the information."

Solnit, who was a draft activist in the 1970s, began sharing information with his nephew before writing the book.

"My nephew wanted to be a Navy SEAL to leave town and find adventure," Solnit said. "I counseled him about it. He ended up deciding instead to become a smokejumper, a firefighter who jumps out of planes."

• What: David Solnit, co-author of the counter-recruiting manual "Army ofNone," and Chanan Suarez-Diaz, president of Iraq Veterans against the War, will visit Olympia to teach a workshop for young people. After the workshop, four local bands — C.O.C.O., The Blow, Gumar & His Magical Midi Band, and The Saints of Everyday Failures — will play.
• When: Doors open at 6 p.m. Friday; food will be available. The workshop is at 6:30, and the music begins at 8:30.
• Where: The Black Box at The Washington Center for the Performing Arts, 512 Washington St. S.E., Olympia.
• Tickets: Free for the workshop; the music also is free for workshop participants. $6 for music only. No advance tickets.
• More information: http://www.washingtoncenter.org

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