2016 Postmortem
In reply to the discussion: Attacking Bernie for seeking Conscientious Objector status may be the most laughable smear yet [View all]BlueMTexpat
(15,387 posts)deserves respect. Like you, I do not criticize any who took the measures you described to obtain deferments, whether they were strictly eligible for them or not. Those who rightfully deserve my wrath are those who got deferments/National Guard slots for themselves but had absolutely no qualms about sending US troops to Afghanistan, Iraq, etc., e.g., those like W. Bush and Cheney.
In the 1960s, I (a female) was a Peace Corps Volunteer and most of my male PCV colleagues were hoping that the Vietnam conflict would be resolved by the time that their PCV service was over.
Of course, it wasn't resolved by 1966, which is when our service ended. One, a Quaker, had CO status, but had to serve several years as an RA at a juvenile detention facility as a substitute. Another was drafted but had the very good fortune to be returned to perform his military service in Morocco, where we all had performed our volunteer service. Some others performed their military service in Vietnam and returned safely. A couple others re-upped for more years of PCV service, hoping to wait the war out, and I lost track of them. And yes, there were also a very few who fled to Canada. Those who did not live through those years do not realize what it was like then.
I also concur with your analysis. The political reality is unfair. But it is as you say.