The fallacy of politicizing draft dodging. OP/ED

[Brian37]

Saavik: Permission to speak freely, sir?
Kirk: Granted.
Saavik: I do not believe this was a fair test of my command abilities.
Kirk: And why not?
Saavik: Because... there was no way to win.
Kirk: A no-win situation is a possibility every commander may face. Has that never occurred to you?
Saavik: No, sir, it has not.
Kirk: And how we deal with death is at least as important as how we deal with life, wouldn't you say?
Saavik: As I indicated, Admiral, that thought had not occurred to me.
Kirk: Well, now you have something new to think about. Carry on.

 
Only adding to what you said, not objecting to it.


Part of dealing with life is also knowing your limitations. It is far worse to think you can, then after you are in that situation, realize you are in over your head. 

Perfect example is the asshole in the White House.

I am good at some things, combat would not be one of them.

Back when I worked in radio, I broadcast the pre recorded D-Day memorial dedication in Bedford Va. One of the soldiers who landed on the beach described the seeming chaos around him. While most of those did their jobs, some of them froze in fear even though they made it onto the beach. Even that is more than I could muster. I most likely wouldn't have made it off the boat.

[chimp3]

I had every intention to be a draft dodger (conscientious objector) but the Vietnam War ended before I turned 18. Draft dodgers that opposed the war were my heroes. I can't stand rich, priveleged assholes who buy their way out and then become war mongers.

[KevinM1]

The difference between Clinton and Trump is that Clinton was never a guy who boasted about how militarily brilliant he was, or implied he was going to use our military might simply for petty reasons. Clinton - wisely - focused on where he was skilled, namely using our military and economic might as leverage in negotiations, with the goal of reaching deals all sides could be reasonably satisfied with. In short, he was a lawyer.

Trump, on the other hand, is a wannabe gangster, pointing at the US military as his own personal goon squad when things don't go the way he wants. It's there that his lack of military knowledge of any kind is dangerous. He's clearly a guy who likes the pomp and circumstance of the military - the uniforms, the equipment. But it's equally clear that he values military personnel only as a voting bloc, and likely wouldn't have an issue sending them to die in some bullshit war that won't accomplish anything.

So, like all things, it's a matter of context. When you're banging interns and otherwise taking a measured approach to the Presidency, dodging the draft isn't a huge deal because it's pretty clear you recognize that military matters aren't in your wheelhouse, so you delegate to the professionals. However, when your entire persona is being a 'tough' guy, and you claim that various Pentagon generals say you're a 'military genius' then, yeah, a lack of actual service is more than concerning.