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    History and Headlines
    You are at:Home»January»January 21»January 21, 1977: Jimmy Carter Pardons Draft Dodgers!
    January 21

    January 21, 1977: Jimmy Carter Pardons Draft Dodgers!

    Major DanBy Major DanJanuary 21, 2014Updated:January 18, 202090 Comments3 Mins Read
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    A Brief History

    On January 21, 1977, newly inaugurated President Jimmy Carter created perhaps the biggest controversy of his presidency by pardoning Viet Nam War era draft dodgers.

    Digging Deeper

    Digging deeper, we find the United States in the 1960s and 1970s severely divided over support for the war in Viet Nam.

    With Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Senator Eugene McCarthy and other prominent Americans vociferously opposed to the war, large portions of the population sided with them.  The anti-war feeling went beyond just the political aspects and dove into the moral aspects for each individual soldier as well.  The youth counter-culture and the peace-niks that gave us the “Summer of Love” in 1967 made refusal to serve in the military mandatory to meet their moral standards.

    Folk singers, civil rights activists and many others urged young men not to cooperate with the government and to refuse to serve.  This sort of urging is illegal, but through the use of euphemisms and thinly disguised messages, the “burn your draft card” directive got out.

    Meanwhile, many Americans who were traditional or conservative saw the hand of communism behind the anti-war/anti-draft movement (correctly so, to some extent) and viewed draft evaders and those who encouraged or aided them as traitors.

    Some draft dodgers fled to Canada or other countries, while some went to jail, and others managed to stay in the U.S. in hiding.  Feelings on both sides were extreme!  People alive at the time remember chants of “Hell no we won’t go” and the ubiquitous “make love not war” graffiti.

    When Jimmy Carter took office he kept his promise to pardon the draft dodgers, but the form of the pardon was such that each draft dodger had to individually apply for his pardon.  Now, not only did the conservative Americans bitterly denounce Carter’s action, but so did those in favor of the pardons!  The peace-nik crowd felt the pardon should be a automatic, blanket type of pardon and that by having to apply, each draft dodger was confessing to a crime.

    Proving the old adage that “you can’t make everybody happy,” President Carter managed to really make nobody happy and this reality may have contributed to his defeat in 1980.

    The bizarre part of this history, is that by 1992, America elected to the presidency Bill Clinton who had managed to avoid the  a draft dodger legally, and then Newt Gingrich, who had likewise used the same legal but immoral ruse to avoid the draft, was selected Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives.  Following President Clinton, George W. Bush who had purportedly fraudulently joined the Air National Guard to avoid the draft and Dick Cheney who avoided the draft by medical deferments were elected to the White House!

    Also, the current feeling in the United States is one of appreciation for the military men and women with none of the stigma and labels of “baby killer” suffered by Viet Nam veterans.  Even those same veterans are treated much differently today than they were in the 1960s and 1970s and have taken their place of honor with all American war veterans.

    Question for students (and subscribers): Was President Carter right to pardon Vietnam War era draft dodgers?  Please let us know in the comments section below this article.

    If you liked this article and would like to receive notification of new articles, please feel welcome to subscribe to History and Headlines by liking us on Facebook and becoming one of our patrons!

    Your readership is much appreciated!

    Historical Evidence

    For more information, please see…

    Stone, Marvin L., ed.  U.S. News & World Report, January 1977.

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    Major Dan
    Major Dan

      Major Dan is a retired veteran of the United States Marine Corps. He served during the Cold War and has traveled to many countries around the world. Prior to his military service, he graduated from Cleveland State University, having majored in sociology. Following his military service, he worked as a police officer eventually earning the rank of captain prior to his retirement.

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      <span class="dsq-postid" data-dsqidentifier="1049 http://www.crackedhistory.com/?p=1049">90 Comments

      1. Avatar
        Matt on January 21, 2014 11:05 am

        One of my uncles fled to Canada to avoid being sent to Vietnam.

        Reply
      2. Avatar
        Sean Cooper on January 21, 2014 1:03 pm

        I remember reading in a book about how Jim Morrison, the lead singer of The Doors, took an assortment of drugs to raise his blood pressure and claimed he had homosexual thoughts just so he wouldn’t pass the physical and mental screening when he was drafted. I think that if the application process to be pardon wasn’t set up to be so difficult less controversy would of occurred. I understand that soldiers were needed to fight in the Vietnam War but if someone goes against their will then they might not serve much of a purpose anyway. It seemed that more effort was spent on punishing those who didn’t want to enlist rather then ending the war itself.

        Reply
      3. Avatar
        Bricker on January 21, 2014 2:00 pm

        My father in law proudly served in Vietnam even though I found this war not to accomplish vey much. Communism is still a threat in Vietnam and the leaders in North Vietnam are still a threat to us as a society. I do feel that you are called to serve, you should. Dodging the draft can show a bit of cowardice and as proud Americans, we need to defend our honor and dignity. The reason why America is the free country it is today is because we have many brave men and women who put their lives on the line for us every single day. I am proud to be an American and would not want to live any where else.

        Reply
      4. Avatar
        Jonathan Potirakis on January 21, 2014 2:19 pm

        I did not know much about Jimmy Carter when he was president and deffinately did not know that he pardoned draft dodgers. I knew that back in that time of era many people did do alot of things to get out of serving in the military.

        Reply
      5. Avatar
        Spencer NW. on January 21, 2014 3:51 pm

        Both of my grandfathers fought in Vietnam, and neither of them ever questioned they were there. They just did their jobs.

        Reply
      6. Avatar
        LH on January 21, 2014 8:05 pm

        My Grandfather fought in the Korean war and was going to re-enlist to fight in the Vietnam war but my Grandma convinced him otherwise because they were going to have a baby. I had to interview my Grandparents about life in the 1960’s for a different history class that I took and it was very eye opening in regards to the anti-war movement. We didn’t talk much about Jimmy Carter. I wish I had gotten their opinions on Carter pardoning draft dodgers. I’ll have to ask them about the pardons next time I see them!

        Reply
      7. Avatar
        kferencik on January 21, 2014 10:05 pm

        I had family members that served in the war. I found that they where proud to have served our country but had conflicting feeling about it. But they also had a few choice words for those who had fled their obligations to serve. I think that Carter was trying to put the past in the past so we could move forward.

        Reply
      8. Avatar
        Kristy A. on January 21, 2014 10:11 pm

        My grandfather served in the navy in the Vietnam war. He joined willingly and never questioned his duty. The military is a calling and one of honor. I can’t imagine being forced into it… I can’t imagine one of my loved ones being forced into it, so I can see how some would try to dodge the draft. It doesn’t make it right but I can understand.

        Reply
      9. Avatar
        Todd E. on January 21, 2014 10:34 pm

        I don’t have any personal family members that serve or served in any war. Truly I’m against war, hated everything about it, but I wouldn’t run if I got pulled to go.

        Reply
      10. Avatar
        Kristen M on January 21, 2014 11:54 pm

        I also don’t have any close family members that have fought in a war. My grandpa, for religious reasons, worked in a hospital during the 1960s as an alternative to fighting. I do believe that if your country calls you to serve you should do so in some way. I am grateful for those who have served our country.

        Reply
      11. Avatar
        Kristin Schlabach on January 22, 2014 1:08 am

        I don’t have any family members that have served in a war. Alot of my family is against war. I do have a cousin that recently joined the army and is in basic training right now. Personally, I don’t like war or the thought of so many people dying. But I also know that without those who fought for our freedom, our country would not be what it is today. I am extremely grateful to everyone who has ever fought for our country.

        Reply
      12. Avatar
        Del Mouse on January 22, 2014 6:52 pm

        This article is great!

        Reply
      13. Avatar
        JW on January 22, 2014 7:30 pm

        While I don’t agree with the idea of pardoning those that dodged the draft. In the case of what President Carter did, I think it was the best decision to put the country’s focus off of Vietnam and towards fixing the domestic issues at home. Carter was trying to Put the country in a different state

        Reply
      14. Avatar
        Ashton Miller on January 22, 2014 10:40 pm

        I personally don’t have any family members that served or are currently serving in the war. While I don’t like war, but then again who does? I do think sometimes it is necessary and I respect anyone who has sacrificed for this Country. But I don’t think forcing someone against their will to fight is right either.

        Reply
      15. Avatar
        B Russo on January 27, 2014 5:19 pm

        I have friends and family that have served for our country and I believe it is not right to force someone to participate in a war. Especially if the individual does not believe they need to. If this is truly a free country the individual should have the choice to participate in something of this magnitude.

        Reply
      16. Avatar
        Christopher J. Jesty on February 13, 2014 12:29 pm

        I an pro for this movement. Carter was accused of many controversies, when he was revolutionizing the countries aftermath of the war.

        Reply
      17. Avatar
        Zachary Bailey on January 23, 2015 9:12 am

        Just as the other comments, my grandpa served almost 7 years in Vietnam, in the Rangers unit of the United states army. Most of the men back then found it no problem to head over sees, many tried to escape the draft, many of those attempts failed.

        Reply
      18. Avatar
        Amber Moore on April 27, 2016 5:33 pm

        I actually think it was a great idea to make draft dodgers apply for pardons individually. It made them admit that they did something wrong instead of keeping it a secret. Good move by Carter.

        Reply
      19. Avatar
        Diana N on April 29, 2016 11:02 am

        By making draft dodgers apply for a pardon individually, Carter made them admit they committed a crime by dodging the draft, which was a crime at the time. I wonder how many people didn’t apply.

        Reply
      20. Avatar
        Meghan R on April 30, 2016 9:20 pm

        I honestly don’t think there would be a way to please everyone. I think the point of a draft is that it should not be dodged without good reason.

        Reply
      21. Avatar
        Danielle on April 30, 2016 9:24 pm

        I agree that men should’ve had to apply for a pardon. Nothing that anyone does is ever going to please everyone.

        Reply
      22. Avatar
        Raquel F on May 1, 2016 11:22 am

        I couldn’t imagine living a life running and hiding to dodge the draft.

        Reply
      23. Avatar
        MB on May 2, 2016 4:22 pm

        All of my uncles and grandpas served in the war. They did not complain, they fought for our country and our freedom.

        Reply
      24. Avatar
        Emmaline K on May 2, 2016 4:38 pm

        I didn’t realize that some draft dodgers went to Canada or other countries. I just assumed it was an unavoidable ‘duty’.

        Reply
      25. Avatar
        Amber Pope on May 3, 2016 7:04 pm

        I can understand why people would not want to be drafted, but that doesn’t mean it is right to dodge it. The draft was put into place for a reason and purposefully avoiding it is not right. That being said, I think Carter did right by not having a blanket pardon. He is still accepting that the dodgers will not receive a penalty, but he is also making sure that they hold themselves accountable.

        Reply
      26. Avatar
        Brett Nagy on May 4, 2016 3:07 pm

        I heard about people dodging the draft. I never realized how big of a deal it actually was.

        Reply
      27. Avatar
        Sabrina Peelman on May 6, 2016 4:11 pm

        I understand why you wouldn’t want to go to war but sometimes you just gotta.

        Reply
      28. Avatar
        Brandon on May 8, 2016 8:08 pm

        I don’t blame anyone who doesn’t want to go to war

        Reply
      29. Avatar
        Melody Ortiz on May 8, 2016 8:41 pm

        I dont have any one in my family that has served the army. i honestly think many people are against war but it would have to be really hard to hide and run away from being drafted. Also did not know it was a huge issue with dodging the draft.

        Reply
      30. Avatar
        AM on October 12, 2016 7:24 pm

        The closest person to me that served in a war was like my great grandfather so I never knew him. I wish I could have talked with him and heard his stories.

        Reply
      31. Avatar
        MM on November 15, 2016 2:09 pm

        There are too many ways politicians get around the draft. Even to this day, there are too many times when the politicians get out of things because they have power.

        Reply
      32. Avatar
        Jordin Vidmar on November 28, 2016 3:48 pm

        My grandfather served in the Vietnam War. He knew that if it weren’t for the American troops coming together, we would surely have lost. The war was inevitable.

        Reply
      33. Avatar
        Breanna Beckley on November 29, 2016 8:26 pm

        I could not imagine running and hiding to avoid the draft. I understand why some people did not want to go into the war.

        Reply
      34. Avatar
        Michaela Ping on November 30, 2016 7:23 pm

        I certainly can’t imagine facing being drafted so I sympathize with the dodgers.

        Reply
      35. Avatar
        Lori Caudill on December 3, 2016 7:35 pm

        I did not know the dodgers were pardoned. I wonder how many soldiers would have attempted to dodge if they had it to do over again after the pardon was granted?

        Reply
      36. Avatar
        Lydia Ott on December 3, 2016 11:20 pm

        Even after the war in Vietnam was over there was still tension in America. Carter did what he thought would ease it, but only upset the people more.

        Reply
      37. Avatar
        Diana Minich on December 4, 2016 5:22 pm

        President Carter did not get re-elected because he was an ineffective president. Not sure if I agree with the pardon, but at least he did not do a blanket pardon.

        Reply
      38. Avatar
        Taylor Young on December 5, 2016 9:52 pm

        I have some family members that did and are currently serving in the military. Although it is very scary, I am extremely grateful for putting their live constantly on the line for our freedom!

        Reply
      39. Avatar
        Jennifer Maurer on December 6, 2016 8:05 am

        The Vietnam conflict was so fiercely contested that Carter’s decision was most likely meant to bring about comfort and some sense of resolution.

        Reply
      40. Avatar
        Natalie antonio on December 6, 2016 11:34 am

        Many of my family members have served in wars, either WW II or the Vietnam war, and both of them voluntarily signed up for the war. I couldn’t imagine being forced into a war, so I can understand why people would dodge the draft.

        Reply
      41. Avatar
        Alyssa Hanes on December 7, 2016 10:27 am

        My Grandfather served in the Navy a while ago and I honor and respect him so much. Unfortunately, he did pass away, but when he did he received a flag, a medal for his tombstone, and a letter honoring him for his duties.

        Reply
      42. Avatar
        Allison Lester on December 7, 2016 11:19 am

        I have a few family members who served in the Vietnam war and like Martin Luther King Jr., my family did not agree with the fact that we should be involved in a war. My family members nonetheless agreed to participate and not dodge the war.

        Reply
      43. Avatar
        Dakota Zimmerman on December 7, 2016 2:20 pm

        I understand the pardon of draft dodgers but we americans do not see how serving your country in a war should be a noble thing not a disappointing thing. I never want to go to war but if it is my time to serve than thats what i have to do

        Reply
      44. Avatar
        LF on December 7, 2016 2:37 pm

        I have no idea why this happened, these people should have been arrested for treason not pardoned,makes me sick to think about all the people who died in Vietnam who didn’t want to go either.

        Reply
      45. Avatar
        ES on December 7, 2016 8:25 pm

        I couldn’t imagine being there when the Vietnam war took place.

        Reply
      46. Avatar
        Kristin Fellure on December 8, 2016 12:02 am

        I do not think draft dodgers should have been pardoned. No one wanted to be drafted, but many went anyway.

        Reply
      47. Avatar
        Rose Jepson on December 8, 2016 2:45 pm

        Viewpoints can change quickly. The 1960s and 70s really were not that long ago if you think about it.

        Reply
      48. Avatar
        Kala Strong on December 8, 2016 3:23 pm

        I was unaware that this happened until I read the article.

        Reply
      49. Avatar
        Brandon Wagner on December 8, 2016 5:58 pm

        Although Jimmy Carter pardoning the Vietnam draft dodgers was extremely controversial, I think the war itself was even more controversial. This act may have subdued the anger of the people that were against the war in the first place.

        Reply
      50. Avatar
        Keagan Frey on December 9, 2016 3:00 am

        I know that my grandfather enlisted on his own because he said his “number” was coming up anyway and wanted to chose what branch he was moving into.

        Reply
      51. Avatar
        Ben McClay on December 9, 2016 10:13 am

        It is pretty important to realize that the Vietnam veterans were treated much different fifty years ago than they are today. Overall, I find it pretty disgraceful that they were not respected after coming home in fighting such an awful war.

        Reply
      52. Avatar
        Audrey Manahan on December 9, 2016 9:20 pm

        I can understand why so many people were against the war, and chose to ignore their draft requests. I personally believe that you should not have to serve in a war you do not believe in.

        Reply
      53. Avatar
        Travis Tarnowski on December 10, 2016 12:21 am

        I do not blame them for trying to dodge the war. It was right after a time where the nation was divided by the Vietnam war. It was a terrible time for our nation and people were terrified at what was to come next with war.

        Reply
      54. Avatar
        Lessie Parish on December 10, 2016 2:14 am

        A lot of my family fought in the Vietnam war. One of my cousins was killed in the war. His father ended up shooting himself a couple of years later. The Vietnam war effected more than just the people involved.

        Reply
      55. Avatar
        Hunter Music on December 10, 2016 6:50 am

        I never knew that we were going to pardon people who missed the draft. Personally, I do not think it is necessary for the president to serve in the military, however dodging the draft was kind of a big deal.

        Reply
      56. Avatar
        Elizabeth Bon on December 10, 2016 12:28 pm

        Interesting article. I am very happy that we don’t have the draft anymore, although I suppose it could always come back. Even the men who did not want to fight did their duty and were proud to fight for their Country.

        Reply
      57. Avatar
        Jingshan Jiang on December 10, 2016 3:48 pm

        No matter Americans or Vietnamese, the people who fought in the war suffered the forever pain in their lives. Wars cannot bring people happiness but pain.

        Reply
      58. Avatar
        Daina Thomas on December 10, 2016 4:40 pm

        Drafting seems so sad to me and makes me think of the Disney movie Mulan. I’m glad we no longer do that.

        Reply
      59. Avatar
        David Birkbeck on December 12, 2016 12:19 am

        Im not sure how to feel about the pardon its almost like pardoning a diservable dishonorable discharge.

        Reply
      60. Avatar
        MT on December 12, 2016 7:23 pm

        My grandpa actually met jimmy carter. my grandpa was painting his garage door and carter was running for election. He actually stopped and helped my grandpa paint part of the garage.

        Reply
      61. Avatar
        pw on December 13, 2016 1:49 pm

        Ive had family fight in wars and it really is scary knowing they could die any second.

        Reply
      62. Avatar
        Alexis Dykes on December 14, 2016 11:35 pm

        Having very little family serving (past and present), I don’t have many personal examples that relate to this article. My little brother is 18 years old, newly sworn into the National Guard. I have yet to see a young man more determined than he to serve and protect his country. It makes me so proud to see him with such a selfless mindset.

        Reply
      63. Avatar
        Abeer Bin on December 15, 2016 7:25 pm

        me too i dont have any family member in the war . also i agree with the people anti war

        Reply
      64. Avatar
        Christie Benton on February 18, 2017 10:57 am

        Draft dodging is certainly quite cowardly. The real question is this, would so many be apt to dodge the draft had the Viet Nam war been more like World War II?

        Reply
      65. Avatar
        Jason Orellano on February 18, 2017 4:25 pm

        I volunteered to serve my country. Not sure if by a making someone join was the best idea. Times were so different then.

        Reply
      66. Avatar
        Dan Sumpter on February 19, 2017 8:03 am

        I served and I have family that served, but you can not blame people who flee for fear. Who wants to play a gamble on their lives and if their heads are not into game, don’t let them play.

        Reply
      67. Avatar
        Jared A. Hutt on February 20, 2017 12:45 pm

        The good thing is that these soldier who paid such a high price are now treated far better than they were when they came home.

        Reply
      68. Avatar
        Luke Lyden on February 20, 2017 8:19 pm

        I think people that dodged the draft are selfish unamericans. If we did a draft now a days and I were selected I would man up and go serve my country.

        Reply
      69. Avatar
        Kay McCargish on February 20, 2017 9:35 pm

        I don’t blame men for dodging the draft and I think it was right to pardon those who did. War is a horrible thing and you are asked to kill other people. You should only go if you want and we should not draft.

        Reply
      70. Avatar
        Bailey Cleary on February 21, 2017 5:21 pm

        I think dodging the draft isn’t right. If everyone else has to go through the same process then so do you.

        Reply
      71. Avatar
        Jared Good on February 21, 2017 9:43 pm

        I had a and grandpa who served in world war II and I don’t remember much about him but I do know we wouldn’t be where we are n if it wasn’t for all that fought for our country.

        Reply
      72. Avatar
        Cara Zang on February 22, 2017 1:10 pm

        My grandfathers served in the military, with one served in the Vietnam war. They have never regretted the decision to fight for their country and saw it as an honor.

        Reply
      73. Avatar
        Chelsey R Stillings on February 24, 2017 8:19 am

        Being forced into something that you do not believe in blows my mind. Fighting for something that you do not believe in really goes against a persons will.

        Reply
      74. Avatar
        Juan Rodriguez on February 24, 2017 6:09 pm

        I think the military is not for everyone, but if your country calls for you to help, then you should do your part.

        Reply
      75. Avatar
        Dan Fidoe on February 25, 2017 1:35 pm

        Although to draft the dodge was a coward move, I would rather not have such cowards fighting alongside of warriors. Should have just pardoned them and been done with it. Its on them to live as cowards.

        Reply
      76. Avatar
        Jeffrey Keenan on February 25, 2017 2:07 pm

        Even though I feel that the Vietnam war was wrong. I still feel that if you were drafted it is your duty to go (Even if you don’t want too), I look at the draft dodgers as cowards. If you leave your country during its time of need, you should not be allowed back in.

        Reply
      77. Avatar
        Shaun Emerick on February 25, 2017 7:30 pm

        This is just one of the reasons why Carter is considered one of the worst presidents of all time. Draft dodgers were part of the reason why soldier moral was so low and also hurt race relations. The fact that the wealthy could dodge the draft meant that African Americans were twice as likely to be drafted due to institutionalized racism in our country at the time, not to mention the lower class Americans that could not dodge the draft. Why could Carter reward someone who had the privilege of dodging the Vietnam War.

        Reply
      78. Avatar
        John Milton on February 25, 2017 10:02 pm

        I believe if your country calls on you to do a duty, you should do it and do it proudly! You should not try to figure out a way to get out of it.

        Reply
      79. Avatar
        Jeremiah Linden on February 26, 2017 10:17 pm

        I am proud to say that I had an uncle that was drafted and served honorably. Sadly he gave the ultimate sacrifice of his life.

        Reply
      80. Avatar
        Shannon Smith on February 26, 2017 10:49 pm

        I can’t imagine being forced into the military. In the Vietnam time period these men know there was a great chance they were not coming home. I could definitely why some did not want to be drafted.

        Reply
      81. Avatar
        Ashley Betsa on April 21, 2017 1:13 pm

        My Dad was drafted for the Vietnam war but was turned away due to medical reasons. I cannot exactly remember the reason but I know it was ridiculous. Not that I am upset, but for a country that was adamant for soldiers why would they turn him away, especially if he wanted to fight.

        Reply
      82. Avatar
        Angela Kessinger on April 23, 2017 9:57 am

        I can’t imagine being forced or having a family member forced into the military and sent off to war. A war that you knew you would most likely not return from. I can definitely understand why men were burning their draft cards. I also commend the men that did go and honorably served their country.

        Reply
      83. Avatar
        Misty Prosser on April 23, 2017 9:54 pm

        I could not imagine having a family member being drafted. The men and women who choose to put their lives on the line for us and our country are heroes.

        Reply
      84. Avatar
        Nakia Bridges on April 26, 2017 12:46 am

        I don’t think anyone should be forced into joining the military for war. If someone is forced to do something they don’t wanna do, they’re not gonna give their all.

        Reply
      85. Avatar
        Patrick Barker on April 26, 2017 10:04 am

        Funny how the well connected white men somehow avoided the draft. Interesting how that happens! I think I’d rather sit in an American jail as a draft dodger than in a Vietnam jungle.

        Reply
      86. Avatar
        Jaisun on April 28, 2017 1:40 pm

        I have to wonder if we will ever see another true “military man or woman” ever be elected to the presidency again? I would argue that Jimmy Carter has done more post-presidency than any modern president in history. Taft being nominated and later confirmed as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court after serving one term as president in the early 20th century, still ranks highly for me.

        Reply
      87. Avatar
        Adrian Lewers on April 28, 2017 4:20 pm

        That was interesting to read about all the men that held positions within our government who avoided the draft. I think the most surprising of them all was Dick Chenney.

        Reply
      88. Avatar
        Kyle Gelenius on April 29, 2017 1:53 pm

        I am torn over the issue of pardoning the draft dodgers. I can see both sides of the issue. I ultimately think what President Carter did was necessary to move the country past the Vietnam War and its fallout. Interestingly, for as big on the military as Dick Chenney was, you would think he would have served in the military.

        Reply
      89. Avatar
        Jacob DeSmit on April 30, 2017 11:20 pm

        I am shocked to read about the elected political figures who turned out to be draft dodgers, specifically George W. Bush (purportedly) and Dick Cheney. I am thankful that there have yet to be any wars during my adult life that have required a draft, because I can’t imagine the course of my life being so abruptly altered from what I have planned. The Vietnam veterans who had no choice but to follow the call of duty should forever be honored as American heroes.

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      90. Avatar
        Jessica Kessinger on May 8, 2017 11:27 pm

        I have many relatives in my family who are serving are did serve in a form of military. I do not like the thought of war but if that is what this world needs to keep some type of piece then allow those who are willing to put their lives on the front line do it. I do not agree with forcing someone to do a duty they do not want to do do because then they will not do it to the best of their ability.

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