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| Post Number: 11
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Frustrated
Unregistered
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Posted on: Dec. 31 2003,5:04 pm |
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I guess I never saw vietnam as defending the US. Your poem said those who died at Quang Tri faught so bravely for us to be free. Seems more like they died for nothing. I don't think there ever was any threat to our freedom. Then the U.S. pulled out and S. Vietnam went communist anyway. Should have sent the fu@%ing politicians over there to fight it themselves 
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| Post Number: 12
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irisheyes 
Group: Super Administrators
Posts: 3040
Joined: Oct. 2003
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Posted on: Dec. 31 2003,6:11 pm |
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Regardless whether it was 4000 miles from our border or not, it was a fight against communism. At that time, they were worried if South Vietnam fell, the rest of Asia would follow, and then it might lead to us. It didn't happen that way, but that's the arguement I would give to someone who didn't think that they were fighting for us...
As for minnow with all this "whose the biggest hero" crap, Geo or your dad? Who cares, since when did it become a competition anyway. I think anyone who is a combat veteran of a foreign war is a hero, as long as they were really in combat (no reporters, or conscientious observers, or desk jockey's).
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You know it's going to be a bad day when you cross thread the cap on the toothpaste.
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| Post Number: 13
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GEOKARJO
Google This!!!
Group: Members
Posts: 7799
Joined: Aug. 2003
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Posted on: Jan. 01 2004,10:10 am |
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My poem reflects the fact as in the story we where surrounded by by 4 divisions, 20,000 troops but we fought for 30 days and nights one company 500 men only 80 of us survived.
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| Post Number: 14
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BeBack
Unregistered
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Posted on: Jan. 12 2004,10:34 am |
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I just saw that they are recalling Marine Reservist to send them back to Iraq. It looks like our current military staffing is quite short. Does any body think Bush will be able to hold off on bringing back the Draft. If it were to come back, how unpopular would it be with those who were called to serve? Minnow need not respond.
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| Post Number: 15
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jimhanson
Group: Moderator
Posts: 8491
Joined: Aug. 2003
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Posted on: Jan. 12 2004,11:41 am |
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I think the reinstitution of the draft would be a positive thing for the country--but I would rather see some type of UNIVERSAL service (like the Swiss or Scandanavian systems) rather than the lottery system. The lottery system leads to resentment of the country ("just my bad luck") rather than unifying it.
The universal service should include EVERYBODY. It would take kids right out of high school--there could be a case for DEFERRMENT, but not evasion. Tie it to educational benefits--a "win-win" situation. The country gets the manpower needed, EVERYBODY participates (I've never been comfortable with the idea of paying a guy to get shot at--it was allowed in the Civil War, and isn't right now), there is a sense of UNITY in the country that is sorely needed, kids get a taste of REALITY and the real world before going off to college, the kids get money towards higher education, and the country gets a more educated electorate.
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"If you want to anger a Conservative, tell him a lie. If you want to anger a LIBERAL, tell him the TRUTH!"
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| Post Number: 16
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GEOKARJO
Google This!!!
Group: Members
Posts: 7799
Joined: Aug. 2003
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Posted on: Jan. 12 2004,12:50 pm |
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I do not believe in the draft I believe it should be a last resort.
The draft opens the military into accepting drug addicts and objecters of the wars. Also more don't ask, don't tell situations. I believe we have plenty of good strong patriotic flag waving americans left, willing to serve and answer the nations call.
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| Post Number: 17
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BeBack
Unregistered
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Posted on: Jan. 12 2004,1:09 pm |
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It was my experiance that draftees made the military work. Conscription would also make the President and the congress more accountable to the people for their planned military incursions. When it is a group of volunteers fighting fewer people care about the cause being rightous, that is why Nixon needed a volunteer Army to continue the Veitnam War. It wasn't the draftees that we were discharging early for misconduct during Vietnam, the greatest majority were ones the courts forced to enlist or go to jail.
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| Post Number: 18
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jimhanson
Group: Moderator
Posts: 8491
Joined: Aug. 2003
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Posted on: Jan. 12 2004,1:17 pm |
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When the draft was instituted in the Civil War, a wealthy man could pay someone else to take his place. That's not right, but it's not too far from paying a military to protect us. Look at the number in the military today that say "I joined up for college money--not to get shot at". There's NO amount of money most people would take for that job--patriotism helps, but as we saw in Vietnam, if EVERYBODY isn't on board--if people question your motives--patriotism flags.
With obligatory public service (not necessarily in the military), there ARE things that conscientious objectors CAN do. Drug addicts--yeah, we had them in the military--but there was also PEER PRESSURE--somebody stoned out of their mind and couldn't be trusted in the unit soon was whipped into shape--not by the military, but by the guys who might have to depend on that person. Nobody minded recreational use--but no going overboard.
I think it would be good for the country, good for kids looking for money for education, and good for those who need some "guidance".
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"If you want to anger a Conservative, tell him a lie. If you want to anger a LIBERAL, tell him the TRUTH!"
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