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Timebinder, v. 1, issue 4, 1945
Page 23
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However, I was, and am, essentially a pragmatist. When the time came I realized that it was much better to take the one in ten chance of getting knocked off or seriously disabled, rather than ruin the rest of my life with the stigma of "coward" and "yellow". So, meekly I registered, and meekly I was inducted. Fortunately the problem was solved for me, and I never was compelled to face the awful dilemma of Kill or be killed. Most likely I would have killed & not been very happy about it. Because of that, I have a great respect for the average CO, and especially those who are ambulance drivers, stretcher bearers, and the life. It takes real guts to stand up for what you think is right & take the consequences. Any brainless jerk can run along with the herd. (This is not to be construed as meaning Mr. Wesson, myself or any specific member of the armed forces). There would never be any change, & consequently no progress, if everyone did as society and its leaders thought they should do. Mrs. Wesson has let her emotions in connection with her husband overpower her reason. 1. COs do not expect others to do their dirty work for them. They would consider their goal attained if everybody sat down and refused to fight. Personally, I cannot the sense of passive resistance against wild beasts, but I admire the idealism and sincerity of it. 2. The CO & his family do not "go their merry way unscathed". As I said before, being an outcast, a veritable "untouchable", is much worse than taking your chances with the rest of the crowd. I suggest Mrs. W. expend her contempt & ire on the real "draft-dodgers" -- those who use influence, money, or any unethical means at their disposal to remain in lucrative war jobs, or anywhere but in the service where they rightly belong; also those who, unable to escape indiction, "buy" themselves commissions or stateside jobs in the service, where they can be sure to protect their unprecious hides for the duration. Technically, the only ones entitled to criticize COs, are those who volunteered for active combat. And now for something else. Something that made me see red. Not only because I emphatically disagree with your point of view, but because it is also in direct opposition to all this sweetness and light and supertolerance that you have been preaching. I refer to your snide sniping at socialism in the last two paragraphs about "Life". Your ethical philosophy is naïve but sound. Your political philosophy is naïve and altogether unsound. So "planned economy" and "the more abundant life" are mere catchwords, eh? Then you might as well add "Love thy neighbor", and "The Golden Rule", for they are all bound up together. Junk one, and you junk them all. I suppose you prefer such "realisms" as "free enterprise" & "America First". Do you? I don't know from what context you have lifted these terms but taken by themselves I conceive them to be about the only hope of struggling humanity -- The Common Man -- for the better world you apparently desire. I think you sincerely believe in "Equality of Opportunity", and "An Enduring Peace". Surely you don't think such ideals can be realized under the present system 23
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However, I was, and am, essentially a pragmatist. When the time came I realized that it was much better to take the one in ten chance of getting knocked off or seriously disabled, rather than ruin the rest of my life with the stigma of "coward" and "yellow". So, meekly I registered, and meekly I was inducted. Fortunately the problem was solved for me, and I never was compelled to face the awful dilemma of Kill or be killed. Most likely I would have killed & not been very happy about it. Because of that, I have a great respect for the average CO, and especially those who are ambulance drivers, stretcher bearers, and the life. It takes real guts to stand up for what you think is right & take the consequences. Any brainless jerk can run along with the herd. (This is not to be construed as meaning Mr. Wesson, myself or any specific member of the armed forces). There would never be any change, & consequently no progress, if everyone did as society and its leaders thought they should do. Mrs. Wesson has let her emotions in connection with her husband overpower her reason. 1. COs do not expect others to do their dirty work for them. They would consider their goal attained if everybody sat down and refused to fight. Personally, I cannot the sense of passive resistance against wild beasts, but I admire the idealism and sincerity of it. 2. The CO & his family do not "go their merry way unscathed". As I said before, being an outcast, a veritable "untouchable", is much worse than taking your chances with the rest of the crowd. I suggest Mrs. W. expend her contempt & ire on the real "draft-dodgers" -- those who use influence, money, or any unethical means at their disposal to remain in lucrative war jobs, or anywhere but in the service where they rightly belong; also those who, unable to escape indiction, "buy" themselves commissions or stateside jobs in the service, where they can be sure to protect their unprecious hides for the duration. Technically, the only ones entitled to criticize COs, are those who volunteered for active combat. And now for something else. Something that made me see red. Not only because I emphatically disagree with your point of view, but because it is also in direct opposition to all this sweetness and light and supertolerance that you have been preaching. I refer to your snide sniping at socialism in the last two paragraphs about "Life". Your ethical philosophy is naïve but sound. Your political philosophy is naïve and altogether unsound. So "planned economy" and "the more abundant life" are mere catchwords, eh? Then you might as well add "Love thy neighbor", and "The Golden Rule", for they are all bound up together. Junk one, and you junk them all. I suppose you prefer such "realisms" as "free enterprise" & "America First". Do you? I don't know from what context you have lifted these terms but taken by themselves I conceive them to be about the only hope of struggling humanity -- The Common Man -- for the better world you apparently desire. I think you sincerely believe in "Equality of Opportunity", and "An Enduring Peace". Surely you don't think such ideals can be realized under the present system 23
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