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Dissident Dan
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Did Bill Clinton dodge the draft? What exactly did he do, and what do you find wrong with what he did? Please back up with sources facts that you present.
Originally posted by Zero
Clinton's anti-Vietnam sentiments, as expressed in the draft letter seems to reflect a serious, and well thought-out examination of the issues involved. He was, after all, a young man with a wonderful educational opportunity, being pressured by the government to fight in a war in which he personally had many objections. And, of course, he did finally submit himself to the draft.
I don't think we can simply say 'Clinton was a draft-dodging coward', though...not when so very many others pulled strings to avoid the war.
Originally posted by kyleb
so using that logic, any Germans that refused their governments call of duty in ww2 were cowards as well in your eyes eh?
There are few wars as clearly morally wrong as the German position in WWII. Vietnam is not one of them.Originally posted by kyleb
so using that logic, any Germans that refused their governments call of duty in ww2 were cowards as well in your eyes eh?
That's extremely hyperbolic. The war in vientnam was of dubious design at best. It was a product of the military industrial complex that put man into space and on the moon. It's demonstrative of the scale of destruction harnessed by modern technology, and the importance of morality in foreign policy.It's like a racist leading an equality march.
sorry, not true.Lots pulled strings, but they weren't our President.
obviously, but some of our operations in nam were pretty nasty. The whole thing had such a seedy start, eh?There are few wars as clearly morally wrong as the German position in WWII. Vietnam is not one of them.
Originally posted by schwarzchildradius
sorry, not true.
Originally posted by Zero
I don't think we can simply say 'Clinton was a draft-dodging coward', though...not when so very many others pulled strings to avoid the war.
Hmmm...well, let's not forget that Bush dodged teh draft, and wasn't nearly as up-front about it.
Originally posted by kyle_soule
I don't agree with you, I would not encourage my children to practice anti-patriotism, this is how I see it. I would encourage my children to join the military, I would if I could, but my lungs aren't good and they wouldn't take me.
Originally posted by kyle_soule
I don't agree with you, I would not encourage my children to practice anti-patriotism, this is how I see it. I would encourage my children to join the military, I would if I could, but my lungs aren't good and they wouldn't take me.
This thread isn't about Bush.
Originally posted by Zero
Resisting an unjust war IS patriotism, young grasshopper...and I'm glad I mentioned Bush, since you asked about other presidents who dodged the draft.
Originally posted by kat
Small point, I know, but and important one...
as I mentioned above, resisting and dodging are not the same thing. Clinton and Bush did not resist they dodged.
Originally posted by Zero
I dunno...looks like Clinton did a little of both, didn't he? Again, it doesn't really matter, overall, what those barelt-men did 30 years ago.
You mean like Muhammed Ali?Originally posted by kat
In regards to the vietnam, active resistance meant refusing induction, which had much greater consequences then draft dodging and protesting. Men who, through conscience actively resisted and suffered imprisonment and the impact it made on their futures deserve to be recognized in a manner that those who dodged, even if they protested, do not.
Originally posted by Zero
You mean like Muhammed Ali?
Draft-dodging refers to the act of avoiding military service during a time of war or conflict. In the case of Clinton, he was accused of using various methods to avoid being drafted during the Vietnam War, such as enrolling in ROTC and obtaining a student deferment.
No, Clinton did not serve in the military. He received student deferments while in college and was never called to serve in the draft. After college, he entered the draft lottery and received a high number, making him unlikely to be drafted.
Clinton's draft-dodging did not result in any legal consequences. However, it did lead to criticism and controversy during his presidential campaign and throughout his presidency.
Yes, many politicians during the Vietnam War era used deferments to avoid being drafted, including former President George W. Bush and former Vice President Dick Cheney. However, Clinton's avoidance of the draft has been a point of contention for some critics due to his vocal opposition to the war and his later support for military intervention in other conflicts.
Clinton's draft-dodging is just one aspect of his personal and political life, and its impact on his legacy is a matter of personal interpretation. Some may view it as a blemish on his record, while others may see it as a part of his anti-war stance and a reflection of the times. Ultimately, it is up to individual perspectives to determine the significance of this aspect of Clinton's past.