Why I burned my draft card.

Why I burned my draft card.

1973 I took my draft card and burned it on the steps of city hall in New York City during an antiwar protest. Yes, I am vehemently antiwar. I believed then as I do now that war is the second worse possible thing this nation or any nation could partake. There is no ambiguity in war. People will die no matter what you do or how you try to limit the deaths.

There are only three reasons for war, to take what your nation can not earn on its own. To force an ideology you believe is best for others. Finally, because your nations leader is stupid and wants to have a war to prove manhood.

The war of 1812 and WWI were wars to prove manhood.
The Spanish American war, WWII, and the two Gulf wars were wars to steal what could not be achieved their own.
The Cold War, Korea and Vietnam were to force ideology on others.

Peace is the goal of most people in the world.

A strong nation is the key to world peace. When Rome was a military nation no one messed with them. A Roman citizen could walk the earth and if anyone tried to rob or hurt the person all the man would have to say is, “I am a citizen of Rome.” The attacker would stop and apologize. It was simple back then, you hurt a Roman citizen for any reason, and the Roman army would hunt you down and crucify you. If they could not find the robber they would line up the people of that nation and decimate them. Crucifixion I think you understand. Decimation is not as well known it means people are lined up in rows and every tenth person would be killed. Knowing those were you only two options people left the Romans alone. Rome became a kinder and gentler nation. This was perceived as weakness and Rome fell. They outsourced their army and could not defend themselves. Peace ended for Rome.

England ruled the waves. As long as England had a strong army and navy no one messed with England. The beginning of the end of England was the terrorist in the colony of the Americas. These Americans broke all the rules of nations demanding that people have the right of self-determination; this was unheard of back then. America did not have a king that ruled by fiat, instead it was ruled like old Rome without an emperor. Since power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely America made a slight change from Roman style rule by splitting the power between three branches of government. No one person could rule and getting all three branches to agree on stupid things is impossible. America spent most of its time ignoring Europe and their inbred royalty by building a nation of individuals.

The ideological civil war which was not civil at all and Vietnam are the only wars America initiated. The Spanish American war is still a gray area. Vietnam was a war started by the communist and the French. Since we refused to help the French in Vietnam, when President Eisenhower was in office, relations were damaged between the two nations. President Kennedy in order to repair relations with France that Eisenhower damaged; he initiated the war with Vietnam. This was escalated by President Johnson and only ended when Nixon was elected to office. Until then we had peace and prosperity in the nation. We were conned into WWI and dragged kicking and screaming into WWII. We were a strong nation then and feared and respected by most of the world including our enemies. The Korean conflict, (not really a war because it was not declared by Congress) and though it has been raging for the last 50+ years we have not found a peaceful end to this conflict. U. S. military personnel are still being killed there every year.

My conclusion is that although burning my draft card was a good symbolic act of protest against a foolish war. It did not make me any safer. What has made America and me safe has always been a strong military. When Reagan was President he enacted an executive order that kept us safe for decades. It was similar to the Roman rules to safeguard its citizens. During those last four year of his presidency Mr. Reagan let the military loose on any threat around the world. This was continued by President Bush 41, any and all terrorist threats against Americans were answered by really rude reprisals that never made it to the news media. President Clinton ordered that operation closed when he took office. Americans were safe for the most part once word got out that terrorist were not dying but disappearing around the world. We became a kinder gentler nation and we were attacked again. Every time we as a nation have shown weakness to our enemies we have ended up in a war.

My conclusion is war is good. Give war a chance. It has never failed in our 230 year history. Every time we have taken half steps and gone soft on our enemies we have ended up being attacked. The last attack was 11 September 2001 the first attack was in 1978 We have been at war 23 years and we have not bothered to show up to fight it except for the last three years.

In Korea we won and then stopped. In Vietnam we won but would not finish the war. In the Gulf war we won and again did not finish it. In the second Gulf war we won and now we are looking at pulling out. Each time we have gotten attacked worse than the last time.

I burned my draft card to protest killing. More people have died from not fighting war than fighting one. Because we did not stop Chancellor Hitler when he started his cheap trash we had 25 million civilians’ dead. Because we did not stop Ho Chi Min 30 million civilians’ died in South East Asia. Because in 1979 we did not stop Khomeini 50 million civilians’ have died.

Peace without strength costs innocent lives. The current enemy says that we are at war. The current enemy says victory will be when an Islamic flag flies over the White House and all nations are Muslim. These idiots are serious! At the same time we have North Korea kicking up dust because we failed to end that war. I want my draft card back!


14,702 views 30 replies
Reply #1 Top
This is one of the best articles Lessons on war I have read in a long time. I don't agree with all your reasoning, or your conclusions on the purposes behind each war we have fought, but I do agree with your conclusions. I just hope people read the whole thing before they go off on you about your headline.
Reply #2 Top

I want my draft card back!

Be careful what you wish for! hahahahahah.

Ditto, para's comments.  Lazy?  Sure, but unless I am drafted to write more that's all I'm giving.

buwhahahahaha...crackin myself up at least.

Reply #3 Top
I don't agree with all your reasoning, or your conclusions on the purposes behind each war we have fought, but I do agree with your conclusions.


The same can be said for me.

~Zoo
Reply #4 Top
I was going to go off on you, but decided that you may choose to do whatever you want to as long as you pay consequences if they come with no complaints.

No one is pro-war, at least no one with a brain.
Reply #5 Top
Vietnam was a war started by the communist and the French. Since we refused to help the French in Vietnam, when President Eisenhower was in office, relations were damaged between the two nations. President Kennedy in order to repair relations with France that Eisenhower damaged; he initiated the war with Vietnam. This was escalated by President Johnson and only ended when Nixon was elected to office


very discomforting to realize you were so ignorant about the war you were supposedly protesting. considerably more discomforting to realize you remain that way. it aint as if you couldn't have picked up a copy of 'the pentagon papers' or perhaps watched one of the thousands of times 'vietnam: the 10000 day war' has been broadcast during the intervening 33 years.

No one is pro-war, at least no one with a brain.
--modman

My conclusion is war is good
--paladin77

excellent analytical diagnosis mm. ya nailed it.



Reply #6 Top
So no wars started to protect other humans from genocide or tyrany???

I think you are wrong.
I do agree though that everytime we backed down we got attacked even harder. And I agree it is going to happen again if/when we pull out of Iraq. Good luck explaining that to Col and clan though.
Reply #7 Top
hehe, I also think that it is funny you protested the war but your user name is that of a holy WARrior.
Reply #8 Top
Can't think of a single war that was started to protect people from genocide.
Reply #9 Top

Can't think of a single war that was started to protect people from genocide.

First let me say, Welcome.  You hit the ground running!

Second let me say, there is nothing wrong with what you did, or who you are.  We are myopic in youth, and experienced in life.  Most mature.  Some never do.

Finally, to address the quote above, you are right.  Why start a war that does not exist?  Genocide is evil, but even the UN will not start one to stop it.  The erradication of genocide is a by product of a war.  After all, there are just so many to blame before a regime has to transfer the hate to an external source and start a war itself.  That has always been the case.

As noble as some may want to seem, most are just paper tigers that have no compassion for their fellow man, just their own skins.  In that, man has not changed in the last 2000 years.

p.s.  Way to go on a feature in only a week!

Reply #10 Top
Though I have been in support of the war thus far, it has not been for the physical aspect but rather, it has been in support of our country and especially those who have chosen to defend her. It's frustrating and sickening to hear so many protestors who seem to have few valid arguments and come off as very ignorant. I started reading this article and was a bit irritated that it was the first thing I saw upon visiting this site but I'm glad I finished reading. It's always a relief to hear someone put into words what you've unsuccessfully attempted doing so yourself. People need to get over their "freedoms" (i.e. freedom of speech) and realize they are only blessed with such gifts mostly as a result of what they're protesting against... war. There are very few sane people out there who would truly say they love war. However, fortunately for us, there are a greater number of men and women who are willing to accept and/or support war. At the end of the day, whether you support the war or not, those fighting for OUR country must be acknowledged because whether it was your choice or not, those men and women are fighting and risking their lives for you. Thanks for showing yet another rational side in support for the war on terror.
Reply #11 Top
I always knew this, but couldn't articulate as well as Father Dennis Edward O'Brien, USMC

It's the soldier, not the reporter who has given us
Freedom of the Press.
It's the soldier, not the poet, who has given us
Freedom of Speech.
It's the soldier, not the campus organizer, who has given us the
Freedom to Demonstrate.
It's the soldier, not the lawyer, who has given us the

And

Freedom is not free
Reply #12 Top
I always knew this, but couldn't articulate as well as Father Dennis Edward O'Brien, USMC

It is the Soldier, not the reporter
Who has given us freedom of the press.

It is the Soldier, not the poet,
Who has given us freedom of speech.

It is the Soldier, not the campus organizer,
Who has given us the freedom to demonstrate.

It is the Soldier, not the lawyer,
Who has given us the right to a fair trial.

It is the Soldier, who salutes the flag,
Who serves beneath the flag,
And whose coffin is draped by the flag,
Who allows the protestor to burn the flag.

And

Freedom is not free
Reply #13 Top
(Anonymous)Matt DNovember 15, 2006 18:56:46


I always knew this, but couldn't articulate as well as Father Dennis Edward O'Brien, USMC

It is the Soldier, not the reporter
Who has given us freedom of the press.

It is the Soldier, not the poet,
Who has given us freedom of speech.

It is the Soldier, not the campus organizer,
Who has given us the freedom to demonstrate.

It is the Soldier, not the lawyer,
Who has given us the right to a fair trial.

It is the Soldier, who salutes the flag,
Who serves beneath the flag,
And whose coffin is draped by the flag,
Who allows the protestor to burn the flag.

And

Freedom is not free


AMEN!! when will these jerks wake up and understand that, peace comes from the fear of getting your ass whipped.
Reply #14 Top
No one is pro-war, at least no one with a brain.


Unfortunately it's a necessity...it wouldn't be in a perfect world...but with all the human flaws out there it's inevitable.

~Zoo
Reply #15 Top
I burned mine too, but I burned it in Vietnam. Not a single person in my unit saluted the flag. None of us wanted to be there. We were there so that the rich and priviledged kids didn't have to go to fight a war with no clear objectives and no exit strategy. Sound familiar?
Reply #16 Top
I was a music major in college. I wanted to play first chair french horn in the Boston Symphony Orchestra. That's all I wanted. I managed to get my upper jaw broken and most of my upper teeth knocked out playing football. I had to sit out the rest of the semester, because i couldn't talk. So, I got swept up in the draft.

I burned my draft card too. But I burned it in a camp in VietNam.

We were there because the French had raped the country for a few decades. When the people stood up on their hind feet, the French got scared. The US used the defence treaty with France as an excuse to send "advisors" there, lest our then favorite dictatorship be influenced by the people.

They were there because they believed in what they were doing. We were there because we were drafted. Guess who won.

--wabbit
Reply #17 Top
Please ignore kingbee's arrogance....he's right and everyone who disagrees with him is wrong. Just deal with it.

Lots, indeed most, of us start out with the high ideals of youth. The smart ones eventually come to the realization that, though idealism is laudable, it is rarely practical, and can even be dangerous in the long run. Welcome to MENSA.:)
Reply #18 Top
Reply By: wabbit(Anonymous User) Posted: Friday, November 17, 2006
I burned mine too, but I burned it in Vietnam. Not a single person in my unit saluted the flag. None of us wanted to be there. We were there so that the rich and priviledged kids didn't have to go to fight a war with no clear objectives and no exit strategy. Sound familiar?

Not at all. You were drafted I joined up on my own. The reason why the current crop of the military is ok with this war is because they are professionals not conscripts.
Reply #19 Top
Please ignore kingbee's arrogance....


a perfect example of ignorance & arrogance at work.
Reply #20 Top
a perfect example of ignorance & arrogance at work.


I would have to disagree here. So far you have not offered anything but criticism and attack rather than constructive disagreement or discussion. If you make a statement and someone challenges your statement you attack but don’t offer proof. When asked a question you ignore it and continue with the party line. I have asked you several questions and the best you have done was post a link to an AP story instead of offering proof. I explained why your link was not proof and you did not reply with anything. On the other hand when you are correct I have at least acknowledged it. Do you offer the same courtesy? From what I have read so far (and I have only been here a short time) you have been rude. I understand that you get attacked for your beliefs as I get attacked for mine (not by you or here on this blog); the difference is I won’t sink to a level I hold in low regard. If you are not going to act in a respectful manner why would you expect people to respect or give credence to what you say? You invalidate your argument even when you are correct.
Reply #21 Top
I first noticed missing from the three reasons for going to war is what must become a fourth reason which is protecting onself from a nation that declares and starts a war against a nation for the other three reasons. - After that I'll agree with ParaTed2k's first comment for the remainder of my comment.
Reply #22 Top
. I have asked you several questions and the best you have done was post a link to an AP story instead of offering proof. I


to the best of my knowledge, you've asked only two questions of me--neither of them in this thread--one of which was whether i was fubar or un-sat and the other predicated on your perception of victory in afghanistant and iraq. i have provided no links to anything in any of my responses to your articles.

for the record, the answers are:

1. neither (it aint as if i don't know the meaning of either term--your question isn't interogatory so much as presumptive and insulting).

2. clearly i don't believe our campaign in iraq should be used as a model for anything but failure so there'd be no reason to inflict it upon our fellow citizens...although one could easily argue the war on drugs is evidence it's already been done.

as far as my previous comment goes, i can think of few things more arrogant than presuming to feeling the need to 'explain' another's pov...especially when the explainer has demonstrated over and over again a pathetic inability to discern the differences between his own elbow and asshole.
Reply #23 Top
to the best of my knowledge, you've asked only two questions of me--neither of them in this thread--one of which was whether i was fubar or un-sat and the other predicated on your perception of victory in afghanistant and iraq. i have provided no links to anything in any of my responses to your articles.


You are correct and I apologize. I had you confused with someone else.
Reply #24 Top
2. clearly i don't believe our campaign in iraq should be used as a model for anything but failure so there'd be no reason to inflict it upon our fellow citizens...although one could easily argue the war on drugs is evidence it's already been done.


This is what I don't get King, We won the war in 21 days and you see that as failure. How can that be a failure? This is what I wanted from you. Making a blanket statement that the war was a failure when we clearly won. I want to understand and possibly debate it, cause one of us missed something.
Reply #25 Top
as far as my previous comment goes, i can think of few things more arrogant than presuming to feeling the need to 'explain' another's pov...especially when the explainer has demonstrated over and over again a pathetic inability to discern the differences between his own elbow and asshole.


Okay, so what is your point of view?