02-28-2003, 03:14 PM
The reserve F-106 Squadrons in Hampton/Virginia Beachused to scramble rather frequently, when I lived down there in the 1980's, when Soviet surveillance planes, and more frequently unknown planes that needed identification, were detected withing the ADIZ: Air Defense Identification Zone. The AIr National Guard units did stuff like that for 40 years. GW Bush was in the Air National Guard, and unlike many in that era who did not, for whatever reason, don a uniform -- you don't have to have served to be a good citizen -- he took the step to come when called. An enormous number of college students and college grads got deferments during Viet Nam for a large number of reasons, or registered as conscientious objectors. Rather than spit at soldiers who went where their country sent them, as some did, GW Bush filled a role, albeit modest.
Again, the Strategic Context was that the Reds Were Coming. That was the reality that we lived with, or the belief that formed our global strategy. The strength of our military in the 1960-s and 1970-s was both active and reserve, and was focused on Europe and NATO. The sick irony about our involvement in Viet Nam was that President Johnson inheireted a war that was not in the least bit part of his big plan. The only reason many can come up with for his continuing our involvement, and the escalation, was to avoid being seen as soft on Communism, a serious issue in American politics in the Cold War, and because he always felt that Ho Chi Minh could be persuaded to cut some kind of a deal. To say the Johnson did not "get" where Ho was coming from is an understatement.
Could GW Bush have volunteered to go to Viet Nam? Sure. So could have millions of others. Calling him a 'Chickenhawk' is a load of rot. The reserves were and are an intergral part of our force structure: some one has to be in it. That is the path he chose. If you have a problem with that, I suggest that you are too young to understand the Cold War, and what it was about. You are also throwing unwarranted disrespect at our National Guard. Having served with quite a number of National Guard members during the fun and games 1995 and beyond over in Yugoslavia, I suggest that you are out of your depth to cast aspersions at those often referred to as 'weekend warriors.'
The slam tossed at Bill Clinton, for example, about being a "draft dodger" was used in the campaign against Bush senior, however, he acted within the laws at the time. You can like or dislike how he approached Viet Nam via his own beliefs, but he did not run off to Canada to dodge the draft. He was not the only young man in America who was in disagreement with the policy at the time.
The bitterness over who was or was not eligible for conscription, and deferrment, reached its logical conclusion in our Congress. We adopted an "all volunteer force" due partly to the belief that conscription as it was implemented in Viet Nam was unfair.
Once again, you need not have walked point in the Mekong Delta to have served. I just tend to buy beers for the guys who did, and not others, in honor of their sacrifice. :)
Again, the Strategic Context was that the Reds Were Coming. That was the reality that we lived with, or the belief that formed our global strategy. The strength of our military in the 1960-s and 1970-s was both active and reserve, and was focused on Europe and NATO. The sick irony about our involvement in Viet Nam was that President Johnson inheireted a war that was not in the least bit part of his big plan. The only reason many can come up with for his continuing our involvement, and the escalation, was to avoid being seen as soft on Communism, a serious issue in American politics in the Cold War, and because he always felt that Ho Chi Minh could be persuaded to cut some kind of a deal. To say the Johnson did not "get" where Ho was coming from is an understatement.
Could GW Bush have volunteered to go to Viet Nam? Sure. So could have millions of others. Calling him a 'Chickenhawk' is a load of rot. The reserves were and are an intergral part of our force structure: some one has to be in it. That is the path he chose. If you have a problem with that, I suggest that you are too young to understand the Cold War, and what it was about. You are also throwing unwarranted disrespect at our National Guard. Having served with quite a number of National Guard members during the fun and games 1995 and beyond over in Yugoslavia, I suggest that you are out of your depth to cast aspersions at those often referred to as 'weekend warriors.'
The slam tossed at Bill Clinton, for example, about being a "draft dodger" was used in the campaign against Bush senior, however, he acted within the laws at the time. You can like or dislike how he approached Viet Nam via his own beliefs, but he did not run off to Canada to dodge the draft. He was not the only young man in America who was in disagreement with the policy at the time.
The bitterness over who was or was not eligible for conscription, and deferrment, reached its logical conclusion in our Congress. We adopted an "all volunteer force" due partly to the belief that conscription as it was implemented in Viet Nam was unfair.
Once again, you need not have walked point in the Mekong Delta to have served. I just tend to buy beers for the guys who did, and not others, in honor of their sacrifice. :)
Cry 'Havoc' and let slip the Men 'O War!
In War, the outcome is never final. --Carl von Clausewitz--
Igitur qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum
John 11:35 - consider why.
In Memory of Pete
In War, the outcome is never final. --Carl von Clausewitz--
Igitur qui desiderat pacem, praeparet bellum
John 11:35 - consider why.
In Memory of Pete