Looks like draft dodging runs in the family.

[kpete]

I didn't know this: Donald Trump's grandfather lied to American immigration officials AND got deported from Germany.



https://twitter.com/mattdpearce/status/762365325320998913

[anoNY42]

1. The draft is slavery, and I applaud any person who dodges it.

disclaimer: I do not applaud any of The Donald's other actions or statements.

[pinboy3niner]

2. Chickenhawks who love sending others to war while evading service themselves don't deserve applause

[anoNY42]

4. I agree, except

One can oppose one war (the Vietnam war, for instance) while supporting others. However, I have no idea whether Donald Trump supported the Vietnam war or not. If it were to come out that he supported the Vietnam war and dodged the draft, then I would stop applauding him for his dodging.

[pinboy3niner]

6. The notion that that Trump, the proud reform school cadet, had a moral objection to the war...

...is ludicrous. There is no evidence that he opposed the war, or that he avoided it for anything other than his own selfish convenience.

[anoNY42]

7. That may be.

I have no idea how Trump felt at the time, and I am unwilling to speculate about it. If evidence arises one way or another, I am sure I will hear about it on DU and I can alter my thinking at that time.

Honestly, though, my opinion of the man is so low that even if it turns out he was a hawk back then I doubt it will make me dislike him any more!

[RapSoDee]

3. Draft dodging & CHICKENHAWK War Mongering is epidemic among Republican pretend-Patriots

By all means take an open stance with integrity against the draft or war if that is what your heart and mind choose, but do not slink away from the draft shamefully, as so many Republicans have done, and then start foaming at the mouth demanding that other people GO TO WAR TO FIGHT AND KILL AND DIE for you.

That is why the Republican Chickenhawks are so widely despised by Americans who have acted with honor and integrity.

[pinboy3niner]

5. 'Draft dodger' is the wrong term to use for chickenhawks

It fails to distinguish between those who were antiwar and dodged the draft for reasons of conscience and others who supported that (Vietnam) war and were unwilling to put their own skin on the line. As well as those who avoided service but advocate that others bear the risk of service in the wars they advocate for.

I fought and was wounded in the Vietnam War, but I supported President Carter's amnesty for draft evaders. I interned in a Dem Rep's office and wrote his press release explaining Carter's action.

Fuck assholes like Trump who evade service while advocating sending other mothers' sons to war.

[TipTok]

8. It's a distinction without much a difference to me...

[Elwood P Dowd]

9. In order to get the attention of redneck republicans and the dumb ass corporate media

its better to use the term "draft dodger". Most of 'em I know have no fucking clue what the term "chickenhawk" means.

Edit to add: Maybe when should use the term "draft dodging chickenhawk".

[pinboy3niner]

10. They'll respond that Bill Clinton dodged the draft (nevermind he publicly opposed the war)

There's a difference.

[pinboy3niner]

11. Like so many of the rich and privileged, Trump simply got a doctor for his golden ticket

Unlike Hillary Clinton, Trump's life has been devoted to self-service, not public service.

[pinboy3niner]

12. I fought and was wounded in that fucking war

Technically a draftee, but I called up my draft board and asked them to take me. I figured it was smarter to be able to be done in 2 years in case I didn't like the military. Enlistees had a longer term.

My dad and all of my uncles had served in WWII, so it was natural to expect that when your country was at war, you had an obligation to serve. Plus we had a President who appealed to us to "Ask not..."

So I voluntered--for the draft, for Infantry, for Infantry OCS, for Vietnam, and for combat duty. My little brother also volunteered for Vietnam, though he wouldn't otherwise have been sent while I was there. We served together in the 101st Airborne Division until I was wounded.

I don't know much about Donald Trump's family, except in my family we seemed to have a very different view of patriotism and service.