Vietnam and the Presidency

David Lamb’s article on Vietnam draft dodgers and presidential candidates missed the main reason why so many of us feel so strongly on the subject. Look at it from the point of view of the fighting man. First and foremost the President is commander in chief of the armed forces. Having a commander in chief who evaded the draft would be poison to military morale. Who wants to put his life on the line at the direction of someone who is even perceived to have wimped out? An effective fighting force requires an effective leader, not someone who shot himself in the foot.

The Clintons and Quayles may be fine in other political offices but they disqualified themselves 25 years ago to ever aspire to the presidency. Vice President Dan Quayle’s weak explanation that “I didn’t know then that I would be here now” doesn’t undo the past. It is as ridiculous as a person wanting to be chief of police but who refused to be a cop. The arrogant message these candidates seem to be sending is, “I was much too smart to risk my rear end then but I feel confident enough to command all the dummies who don’t mind risking theirs now.” Our fighting forces deserve better.

ALLEN M. ROBISON, Long Beach