While all are entitled to their opinion, if one was not in the military...drafted, volunteered or otherwise...one cannot really tag the participation as slavery or what ever other negative signatory is assigned.

I do know for sure those of us in the military, regardless how inducted, did not feel forced to do anything. Yes it is a view of a minority for a plethora of reasons, but please don't dishonor those involved with your prejudiced terminology.

As far as the discussion regarding Viet Nam and "a war we could not win"....just what is any different in the current wars we are involved in? Ten years in Afghanistan? Too many years in Iraq? Does anybody believe these are wars we could win? Whether Viet Nam, Afghanistan, Iraq, if left to the military to win they would do so. Since the agendas of these wars are political, there will never be any such event as a military winning allowed. The opposing military forces know this as well, hence they can take forever refining the methods used to on a regular basis to pick off the lives of our troops.

What I find amusing is the rhetoric that tends to be dispensed by some in the name of those who oppose or opposed the draft, that it is some negative intent like involuntary servitude or what ever else makes them feel better about their position.

There have been no presidents since Truman who are willing to give the order to do or use what ever it takes to win a given war.

Of the billions who inhabit this planet, wars are games to be fought by the political rules of a very few of the top governing politicians in each country involved. The boots on the ground are a resource for them to manipulate.

Anytime the word would be given to the American military to win, that war would be over in a very short time. I firmly believe in not getting into any conflict we are NOT prepared to WIN!

btk