From New York to Los Angeles, demonstrations and rallies of either supporting or protesting against America's involvement in the Vietnam War were held everywhere. One of the main issues of debate was the federal draft. Young Americans across the country were being forced to leave behind their future to fight in Vietnam. Anti-war activists felt that American involvement in Vietnam was inadequate in helping to end the war and that the United States was involved for the wrong reasons. Others considered it as a patriotic duty to serve.

Regardless of ones attitude towards the war, many others agreed; therefore, those who strongly followed their beliefs were the ones to speak out and educate others about their perspectives. Among the most outspoken were these Americans:

1. Tim O'Brien, a U.S. veteran who served in Vietna

All in all, depending on how you look at it, courage would be evident in either situation. It takes courage to fight in a war for your country, just as well as it takes courage to leave your country to stand up for what you believe in. Although I thought each author made a very good argument for each case, I personally felt that the O'Brien argument was most convincing; I could clearly imagine myself being put into that position and I would honestly feel just as confused and bewildered as O'Brien did. The final conclusion rests on your own preference and order of importance. Different priorities call for different outcomes. The result is up to you. You decide.

These men have attitudes toward the subject of the draft conscription and the ethics of complying or evading the draft. An analysis of their opinions will help Americans form their positions in the ongoing debate of conscription and the draft.

In a speech given on November 20, 1969, Spiro T. Agnew stated that the generation of young men and women during the 1960's needed to be educated about the war due to the huge percentage that opposed it. Although Agnew obviously was not in favor of the demonstrations and movements initiated by the young Americans, he attempted to speak about their strong points to show them some acknowledgement, in hopes to gain some respect in return. Agnew stated, "After all, they're our sons and daughters. They contain in their numbers many gifted, idealistic, and courageous young men and women" (Negotiating difference: Cultural case studies for composition, 1996, p.888). Then, Agnew goes on to add that there are those few individuals who speak out and exercise their rights to protest and openly profess their belief in the efficacy of violence in a democratic society (1996, p.888). Agnew continues by mentioning those men who burned their draft cards and fled the country to escape the war. "They are not our heroes. Many of our heroes will not b

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Approximate Word count = 1321
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)