Sudden increase in tracking down Vietnam deserters appears tied to Iraq war
Patriot Daily has a good analysis of the current trend of the U.S. military to track down Vietnam war deserters in what the authors call "an effort to set an example to deter the growing number of Iraq War military resisters who are fleeing to Canada." Since the war in Iraq began, at least 8,000 soldiers have deserted, a number which represents a decrease in desertions since September 11, 2001. The U.S. military denies that it has stepped up its campaign to find deserters, but there is some evidence to the contrary.
(Continue reading at MoJo Blog)
(Continue reading at MoJo Blog)
posted by Diane at 7:44 PM
3 comments
3 Comments:
One of the kids that I use to see every day, told me that his group of soldiers are going to be sent to Iraq real soon. I told him to run to Canada or someplace safe. He said he couldn't do that, I said, consider it, he said, I will, and then a week later, he quit coming to school. I hope he took my advice. I hope he is in Canada where he won't be expected to kill or be killed.
By
zelda1, at
7:54 AM
Zelda, I am a Vietnam veteran who joined the organization, Vietnam Veterans Against The War, after I came home. If the current administration checks my voting record (which they will, if they haven't already), I'm sure my name has found its way onto 'lists'. But, no matter, those are the type of lists I'm proud to have my name associated with.
You did the right thing. I wish I'd taken similar advice in 1966, but like myself, he probably won't, because he couldn't stand the thought of being thought a coward by his family, friends... countrymen. Plus, the thought of alienation from his country and loved ones may be a higher price than he is emotionally equipped to pay. Unfortunately, for young men in this country, testosterone levels are stronger than rationale and when combined with sense of duty, reason is forced to the rear in a deluge of patriotic fervor.
That's why the George Bush's of the world are so powerful and so dangerous. They'll say anything to goad impressionable youths to do their bidding. Wrap it in the Red, White and Blue and we'll do practically anything not to be thought a coward.
I know, because I did it... and I'll carry my regrets as long as I live.
By
Anonymous, at
9:02 AM
Broncobob, two of my brothers and one uncle plus my husband were all there, in vietnam. My brother was a prisoner of war for almost two years before he was freed, but not before my mother died. She lived long enough to find out he was alive but died a year before they managed to get him released. He has never been the same. He says that he wishes a thousand times over that he had deserted, so does my other brother and my husband. My uncle doesn't talk about it, he served in WWII and in Vietnam and after 30 something years retired and then a few years later died. He never spoke about either war, but he says it was his duty as an American. I understand the pressure that is put on young men, but I wish there was someway to stop it, someway to get past that male obligation. But somethings are more powerful than rationalization or so I suppose.
By
zelda1, at
10:22 AM
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