Accusations of "draft dodging" in politicians...

[gardenista]

This has robbed us of some potentially great leaders. I deeply respect people like Clark and Kerry, who have served their country in the military. But there have been other great leaders who did not serve in the military, and who served our country or communities in other valuable ways.

My beloved Dad ran for local office and won, and worked his keister off for our community, making some wonderful improvements to our city's infrastructure. However, he was attacked by jealous rivals for "draft dodging" because of a medical deferment. Though he was re-elected, he was deeply hurt by the dirty politics, and did not run for a third term. The people lost out on a good leader, because it was all too easy for rivals to attack him and paint him as a coward. It robbed him of his ambition to serve our community, and our country, in other very valuable ways, and it robbed the people of an effective, passionate public servant.

It's important to remember that one can serve one's country in many, many ways. The military is but one of them.

[TreasonousBastard]

1. "Blessed are the peacemakers"

Not only can one serve, it is often far more difficult to take a different road in that service.

Strange as it may seem, the paths of war and violence are often the easy way to resolve a conflict. In all cases, they are a failure of other means.

[SoCalDem]

2. In about 7 years, the whole question will be moot anyway

Since the draft ended in the early 70's, anyone who will be running after 7 years or so have passed, would be too old to consider a run if the draft is an issue, and anyone younger would not have been draftable anyway..

It really only mattered for Clinton anyway.. The VRWC hated him so much that they used it.. Apparently the press gave and is going to continue to give * a pass.. By the time 2008 rolls around, any vietnam era guys would probably be too old to have a chance at running.