I've written my first editorial regarding U.S. politics -- Draft Dodgers.

[HEyHEY]

Let me know what you think.



A recent idea to erect a monument in Nelson, B.C. honouring those who dodged the draft during the Vietnam War has drawn much fire. In fact, it has really ticked people off. I don't think there has been this much emotion and anger related to the Vietnam War since ... well, the Vietnam War.
You may be asking "what does this have to do with ((Name of town withheld for anti-freep reasons))?" Well, Nelson is in the same federal riding as ((Name of town withheld for anti-freep reasons)), and there are groups in the U.S. trying to pressure the federal government into putting a stop to the monument. And let me tell you - it's a load of crap. Is this not our nation? One of the main opponents to this monument, well, at least the opponent with any credibility, is the Veterans of Foreign wars.
"We urge the President and Congress to do whatever is necessary to communicate to the Canadian government that this exercise of free expression is an absolute slap in the face to every man and woman who ever served in uniform ... both in our military and theirs," says John Furgess, head of the organization, on the VFW web-site.
The real slap in the face was to the thousands of young men who's lives were abused and lost in the name of war they had no business fighting in. The dodgers were the ones who didn't buy into the exploitation of "your duty to your country." They said good-bye to their lives, families and homes because they didn't believe in a war in which they were being asked to die.
Many of them came to Canada, and helped shape much of the culture in the Kootneys and Western B.C. The group responsible for the monument wants to recognize that. Just the same way we in Canada often recognize our roots as people fleeing danger, abuse, oppression or just searching for a better life. In the 1800s the underground railroad was set up to help those fleeing legal enslavement. They were breaking the law by attempting to be free from injustice, yet we proudly speak of this part of our nation's past. So why should the effort of young men fleeing their own injustice be hidden? And more importantly, why should the U.S. tell us what parts of our history we can commemorate? The answer to both is; no good reason, just the usual pro-war "patriotic" rhetoric.
Well, as members of this riding, we should not allow that to happen, so if you agree be sure to write your MP expressing your support. There are those that would disagree and call the dodgers cowards and say Canada's acceptance of them is a shame. To them I say; remember there is a whole new war going on, and you're welcome to travel 50 kms south, I hear they're looking for brave volunteers.

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1. kick for canadian freedom of expression

[Bjornsdotter]

2. Nice Job! n/t

[HEyHEY]

3. thanks - not too vague?

[Bjornsdotter]

4. No, not at all....

....I thought it was very good, not vague at all.

Let us know if it is printed.

Cheers,
Kim :toast:

[HEyHEY]

5. Oh it WILL be printed - I'm the editor

It's my weekly column

[Bjornsdotter]

6. LOL....that helps! n/t

[SoCalDem]

7. A suggestion to make it more reader-friendly

A recent idea to erect a monument in Nelson, B.C. honouring those who dodged the draft during the Vietnam War has drawn much fire. In fact, it has really ticked people off. I don't think there has been this much emotion and anger related to the Vietnam War since ... well, the Vietnam War.

You may be asking "what does this have to do with ((Name of town withheld for anti-freep reasons))?" Well, Nelson is in the same federal riding as ((Name of town withheld for anti-freep reasons)), and there are groups in the U.S. trying to pressure the federal government into putting a stop to the monument. And let me tell you - it's a load of crap. Is this not our nation? One of the main opponents to this monument, well, at least the opponent with any credibility, is the Veterans of Foreign wars.

"We urge the President and Congress to do whatever is necessary to communicate to the Canadian government that this exercise of free expression is an absolute slap in the face to every man and woman who ever served in uniform ... both in our military and theirs," says John Furgess, head of the organization, on the VFW web-site.

The real slap in the face was to the thousands of young men who's lives were abused and lost in the name of war they had no business fighting in. The dodgers were the ones who didn't buy into the exploitation of "your duty to your country." They said good-bye to their lives, families and homes because they didn't believe in a war in which they were being asked to die.

Many of them came to Canada, and helped shape much of the culture in the Kootneys and Western B.C. The group responsible for the monument wants to recognize that. <the following sentence needs help..not really a sentence :)..>Just the same way we in Canada often recognize our roots as people fleeing danger, abuse, oppression or just searching for a better life.

In the 1800s the underground railroad was set up to help those fleeing legal enslavement,who were breaking the law by attempting to be free from injustice, yet we proudly speak of this part of our nation's past. So why should the effort of young men fleeing their own injustice be hidden? And more importantly, why should the U.S. tell us what parts of our history we can commemorate? The answer to both is; no good reason, just the usual pro-war "patriotic" rhetoric.


Well, as members of this riding, we should not allow that to happen, so if you agree be sure to write your MP expressing your support. There are those that would disagree and call the dodgers cowards and say Canada's acceptance of them is a shame. To them I say; remember there is a whole new war going on, and you're welcome to travel 50 kms south, I hear they're looking for brave volunteers.

[HEyHEY]

8. Thanks for catching this!

"ust the same way we in Canada often recognize our roots as people fleeing danger, abuse, oppression or just searching for a better life."

That woulda been embarrassing!

As I was told by a newswire copy editor when he fixed up one of my stories "Hey man, everyone, even editors, need editors."

:-)