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Permanut

(8,391 posts)

22. Vietnam era vet here..

Reply to TheMastersNemesis (Original post)

Tue Oct 24, 2017, 11:12 AM

Oct 2017

By just the luck of the draw, Navy sent me to a tin can out of Norfolk, Virginia, never went within ten thousand miles of Vietnam. I was drafted, served with many others who were reluctant to participate in the invasion of a third world country.

ALL of the men I served with served honorably, and with great courage. That said, I also knew guys who resisted the draft, burned their draft cards or left the country. They did NOT do those things out of a lack of courage; on the contrary, I admired their strength of character to stand up to an administration that was sending young people to die for politics, not in defending the country.

I'm with MastersNemesis on this one.

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Dying While Defending This Country Is A Lost Cause And A Waste Anymore. [View all] TheMastersNemesis Oct 2017 OP

It's been headed this way for a while - now it's "Defend our Country's Corporations." bagelsforbreakfast Oct 2017 #1

With perhaps two or three exceptions, it's been that way for close to 2 centuries, at least Orrex Oct 2017 #9

I think our troops edhopper Oct 2017 #2

Sad, but very true...Nemesis. roamer65 Oct 2017 #3

When I Wear My Vets Hat Very Few People Are Curious Nor Seem To Care. TheMastersNemesis Oct 2017 #5

Resist by running off? If you had genuine courage you would remain to publicly and loudly oppose. Marengo Oct 2017 #4

I Would Openly Resist The A Draft Now & Counsel Young Men To Resist. TheMastersNemesis Oct 2017 #7

From another country? Marengo Oct 2017 #8

I Talking About The Past. I Would Simply Be A Canadian Citizen Had I Defected Then. TheMastersNemesis Oct 2017 #12

Running off is neither courageous nor inspiring. Its just running off. Marengo Oct 2017 #15

No, OP, I wont screw off as you commanded me in your email. As I said, you would be far more... Marengo Oct 2017 #21

Wow, it must have taken some courage to write that. ExciteBike66 Oct 2017 #10

Reflect for a moment on the contrast of courage between the OP author and Eugene Debs. Which Marengo Oct 2017 #14

Just because one person has a high level of courage doesn't mean you need to insult ExciteBike66 Oct 2017 #18

I disagree, and as I stated upthead, running off is neither courageous nor inspiring. Lead from... Marengo Oct 2017 #19

well, get out there heaven05 Oct 2017 #27

Is a draft currently in effect? Marengo Oct 2017 #29

like I said heaven05 Oct 2017 #31

I have no clue as to what youre going on about. Try and stay on topic if thats possible. Marengo Oct 2017 #32

you're right heaven05 Oct 2017 #39

Thank you ChubbyStar Oct 2017 #40

What are you thanking that poster for? Marengo Oct 2017 #43

Seriously? Who wants to know? ChubbyStar Oct 2017 #46

You interjected a cryptic remark into a discussion between that poster and I. How about you... Marengo Oct 2017 #50

Snort!!! ChubbyStar Oct 2017 #62

Is a draft currently in effect? Please answer the question. Marengo Oct 2017 #41

Yes I Am Brace This Morning. Beverly Disabled Vet Will Not Survive A Privatized VA Sytsem TheMastersNemesis Oct 2017 #16

+++++ a private system is not what we should be offering those who serve. lunasun Oct 2017 #20

THIS heaven05 Oct 2017 #28

Why shouldn't they leave? Mariana Oct 2017 #23

What more effectively promotes change, quietly running off or public resistance in the face of... Marengo Oct 2017 #24

This country as we know it was built largely by people who ran off. Pope George Ringo II Oct 2017 #59

Well stated and agree with bagels, been going in this direction for a while Va Lefty Oct 2017 #6

Trump's Behavior Is Probably Gaining Him Votes Because The Soldier Is Black. TheMastersNemesis Oct 2017 #11

These Days, Military Service Has Little to Do with Defending the Country MineralMan Oct 2017 #13

we are essentially heaven05 Oct 2017 #30

Actually... we've had imperialist ambitions since way before 2004. Caliman73 Oct 2017 #44

When is the last time a vet actually died defending this country? elehhhhna Oct 2017 #17

I would argue ClarendonDem Oct 2017 #34

That was perhaps part defense, part retribution elehhhhna Oct 2017 #35

Oh, completely agree with those points ClarendonDem Oct 2017 #36

There are some reports indicating that the Taliban offered to turn Bin Laden over. Caliman73 Oct 2017 #45

Why are we there 17 freaking years later?? HopeAgain Oct 2017 #53

WWII actually (with possible exception of early Afghanistan) KPN Oct 2017 #55

The Pentagon on 9/11 would clearly qualify in my books. Pope George Ringo II Oct 2017 #56

I agree -- also WTC. So response KPN Oct 2017 #61

Vietnam era vet here.. Permanut Oct 2017 #22

Kick ck4829 Oct 2017 #25

It has not been worth joining the military since WW2 Not Ruth Oct 2017 #26

If, by "this country" you mean, a place called America? yeah. That's over, now. lindysalsagal Oct 2017 #33

This country and its citizens are not worth defending. alarimer Oct 2017 #37

Even citizens aligned with your ideology are not worth defending? Marengo Oct 2017 #42

Considering your post I liquid diamond Oct 2017 #49

It's something the British Empire exploited with colonial troops from Ireland to India. Pope George Ringo II Oct 2017 #57

Yeah, I'D really want to defend a country that sees no problem with "President Donald Trump". HughBeaumont Oct 2017 #58

The Medal of Honor Ceremony is Sacred! TarponSnook Oct 2017 #38

This became apparent to many Americans during the Vietnam War. We're an imperialistic state. jalan48 Oct 2017 #47

Well, the problem is: There IS no such thing as "defending this country" at the moment. WinkyDink Oct 2017 #48

When I hear that the troops are fighting for our freedom or so we can stay free I cringe. Lint Head Oct 2017 #51

I wish we could just give the billionaires their own country to run and ruin. Initech Oct 2017 #52

Has been for decades! KPN Oct 2017 #54

It has always been the great lie, used to inspire young men to die DavidDvorkin Oct 2017 #60