I think the key difference between Iran and Vietnam, socially and militarily, is we think we're "winning." In Vietnam, at least by the time of the Tet Offensive, Americans had decided there wasn't a way to win. We haven't reached that point yet.
Also, the draft changes things, which is why our government is sticking with a backdoor draft of just prolonging tours of duty and intensifying the pace of redeployment. As long as they can't just pluck any dude off the street, we feel somehow safe.
Thanks for thinking about these things. Not many people do. You'd be surprised how many letters my newspaper receives asking us to "stop reporting so much war news."
i know what i was saying isn't anything original, i just haven't heard many people saying or doing anything about it. i'm not the most eloquent or articulate writer, granted, but i just had to get it out of my mind and onto this flashing cursor screen. just to clear my conscience that i am concious and aware of what is really going on.
it saddens me that it would take a draft to initiate any wide-spread panic/backlash or call to action. as long as there are poor kids in ghettos that are weasled into fighting, the war machine will continue. plus, you make a good point about the active/inactive services working longer, more frequent tours.
i want people to think about this stuff. i want people to stop rolling their eyes and wake up to face what we're doing there.
We're also dealing with a generation shift. I think Bill Maher said something to the effect of his generation being a group that questioned authority, while our generation is a group that questions those who question authority.
I know it sounds odd coming from me, Mr. LovesToFollowRules ByTheBook, but 20-somethings and even today's teens are far too trusting and far too apathetic.
i concur. i guess it goes back to the people writing in that they don't want so much stuff about the war. if people can ignore what's happening, it takes less effort. have you seen 'across the universe' yet?
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Also, the draft changes things, which is why our government is sticking with a backdoor draft of just prolonging tours of duty and intensifying the pace of redeployment. As long as they can't just pluck any dude off the street, we feel somehow safe.
Thanks for thinking about these things. Not many people do. You'd be surprised how many letters my newspaper receives asking us to "stop reporting so much war news."
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it saddens me that it would take a draft to initiate any wide-spread panic/backlash or call to action. as long as there are poor kids in ghettos that are weasled into fighting, the war machine will continue. plus, you make a good point about the active/inactive services working longer, more frequent tours.
i want people to think about this stuff. i want people to stop rolling their eyes and wake up to face what we're doing there.
thanks for the reply, kz. always a pleasure.
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I know it sounds odd coming from me, Mr. LovesToFollowRules ByTheBook, but 20-somethings and even today's teens are far too trusting and far too apathetic.
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