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Snarkoleptic

(5,997 posts)

35. Tim O'Brien's "The Things They Carried" is a very well written book.

Reply to panader0 (Original post)

Mon Feb 11, 2013, 10:53 PM

Feb 2013

I was too young for the Vietnam era draft but this book (even though it's fiction) helped me to understand the horrors and internal conflict of the draft and war.
Reading it gave me increased level of understanding and a whole lot more respect for those who endured the awful reality of this unnecessary war.
The part about near-flight to Canada gives one a sense of the gut wrenching internal conflict and societal pressures.

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I was a "draft dodger" [View all] panader0 Feb 2013 OP

i think most of the "put downs"... actslikeacarrot Feb 2013 #1

Absolutely - I apply the term to chicken hawks, only Siwsan Feb 2013 #5

Yup, I don't give a shit who dodges the draft, but I WILL call out those like Mitt Romney who JaneyVee Feb 2013 #12

I also, only consider it a put down to chicken-hawks ybbor Feb 2013 #24

My Father a 15 year Marine Corps veteran & Korean War survivor.............. mrmpa Feb 2013 #2

"Dodging" a draft is kinda like escaping as a slave Demo_Chris Feb 2013 #3

The about-face is why they should feel guilt, no? RedCappedBandit Feb 2013 #14

My lottery number was #26 Ptah Feb 2013 #4

I have nothing but respect for those who served. panader0 Feb 2013 #6

I respect your decisions. Ptah Feb 2013 #9

Same story with me, Ptah. Doc_Technical Feb 2013 #37

You did the right thing. Smarmie Doofus Feb 2013 #7

I agree with you...I mostly use draft resister alcibiades_mystery Feb 2013 #8

Me either libodem Feb 2013 #10

Your situation is different. iandhr Feb 2013 #11

Person of conscience is a better term. timdog44 Feb 2013 #13

Your idea of "peace corps type efforts" is something I think might be good, panader0 Feb 2013 #16

You catch my point. timdog44 Feb 2013 #17

I knew a guy who was pro-war and anti-war. Archae Feb 2013 #15

When someone says "good war" it seems to be an oxymoron panader0 Feb 2013 #18

Those who dared to run away served their land another way. Bucky Feb 2013 #19

I called my opposition "benign neglect" panader0 Feb 2013 #22

there is nothing wrong or ignoble about avoiding going to war dude pasto76 Feb 2013 #20

K&R DeSwiss Feb 2013 #21

This brings back so many memories for me... Sancho Feb 2013 #23

Burning draft cards! and yeah, the women burned their bras too! panader0 Feb 2013 #25

That was a long time ago. sulphurdunn Feb 2013 #26

The government never got around to prosecuting most of the draft dodgers bluestateguy Feb 2013 #27

I had a low draft number, not that low! rustydog Feb 2013 #28

I was lucky in the lottery JEB Feb 2013 #29

i refused to go... madrchsod Feb 2013 #30

At my physical I yelled at the Sgt. who was running the show. panader0 Feb 2013 #33

It only matters if you're a chickenhawk. MrSlayer Feb 2013 #31

Draft Dodger? libdude Feb 2013 #32

Me neither. Proud of what you did, it also took guts. joanbarnes Feb 2013 #34

Tim O'Brien's "The Things They Carried" is a very well written book. Snarkoleptic Feb 2013 #35

That was a masterful work pinboy3niner Feb 2013 #38

Your story sent my mind back to that time. retired rooster Feb 2013 #36