General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsIt is not that Trump fabricated his "bone spur" to avoid Vietnam
https://www.democraticunderground.com/10142230619Many did what they could.
But at least Bill Clinton had an eloquent letter explaining his reasons and this was debated before he was elected, when the Vietnam sentiments were still raw.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1992/02/13/clinton-releases-69-letter-on-his-draft-deferment/54942e4e-19c0-4cfd-92f0-6f63c3041c1c/?utm_term=.afce82651803
In the letter, Clinton describes himself as a man who "opposed and despised" the war and organized antiwar protests. Further, he wrote, "I came to believe that the draft system itself is illegitimate. No government really rooted in limited, parliamentary democracy should have the power to make its citizens fight and kill and die in a war they may oppose . . ."
"Because of my opposition to the draft and the war, I am in great sympathy with those who are not willing to fight, kill and maybe die for their country," Clinton wrote. While he told Holmes that "the decision not to be a resister" himself was one of "the most difficult of my life," today Clinton said he never seriously considered that as an option.
no_hypocrisy
(46,192 posts)He was an anti-war activist and refused to even serve stateside.
And being a federal convict, it had a negative impact on finding jobs during the McCarthy Era.
He has more honor than Trump. He was willing to pay the price for his convictions.
question everything
(47,535 posts)throughout his life.
WWII is viewed by many of us as a just cause, more so than Vietnam, especially when it continued to escalate. Still, your uncle lived by his convictions. Very few do this these days.
That Trump has never been an honorable man - this was clear from the beginning. That so many still support him is the greatest disaster.
RHMerriman
(1,376 posts)Clinton was clear enough about his position, and to give him some credit, he at least participated in ROTC while he was at college, which was a common-enough way out for college students, but certainly less of scam than having his father pay off a doctor to say he was medically unqualified.
DJT is nothing in comparison. Less than nothing.