The Pros And Cons Of The Vietnam War

I can say, without a shadow of a doubt, I would dodge the draft. The thought of going to war makes me feel terrible. According to the “Background Essay”, the Vietnamese were very unconventional in their warfare, and that would terrify me. Even if I was in danger, why would I want to kill people? There is no reason to join if I am not going to provide any usefulness. I have a weak stomach, not to mention my conscience after I would kill other people.
First of all, referencing the “Hook Exercise: The Ethical Dilemma”, one of the main orders was to destroy any fortifications that the Vietcong had used. The Vietcong occasionally used innocent citizens’ homes, and even whole villages, which caused ethical problems among the troops. American troops would have to burn villages that innocent Vietnam citizens lived in. The fact that I would have to burn down villages that children, men, women, and seniors lived in would tear me apart. I would not obey orders, and be abandoned.
In Vietnam, traps placed everywhere that could disable you, or even kill you. The Vietcong set booby traps everywhere, and most, if not all, were life-threatening. The Vietcong were ready to shoot any American in their path, even if you mean well. That was not the only thing incredibly dangerous in this war, the social aspect of all of it was tense as well. In America social tension was growing rapidly. According to an excerpt from “Born on The Fourth of July”, by Ron Kovic, hippies and doves were seen as “traitors” to some men sent to Vietnam. The hawks and doves had some great tension in the time of war. I would move away to avoid the draft, also avoiding the social tension of this