Some now decry the way George W. Bush served our country during the Vietnam era. They point out that when he was obligated to serve, April 1972 to May 1973, he apparently did not show up. They are overlooking the quality of W's service. Why, he served our country then every bit as well as Dan Quayle, his father's vice-president. Quayle did his best to protect the golf courses of Indiana from military invasion from abroad. W, we know, did no less. In fact, he did more. He volunteered. He extended himself beyond the exertions of Dan Quayle's golf sorties.
A patriot, like George W. Bush, could and did serve our country in other ways, while obligated to the Guard. He may not have made it to the armories or air fields in Alabama, where he was supposed to show up, but according to some of the older Republican women from Alabama -- who called him the Texas Souffle then because they saw and heard him as a Texan full of hot air -- he did go out of his way to play tennis with their daughters. Tennis, in the hot sun, requires more energy than playing golf; players risk dehydration. Not only did W squarely face this risk, but he also, sometimes, even allowed the young women to win. His tennis match losses evinced his humility -- or perhaps his inebriation -- no one's sure.
When you next hold a tennis ball in your hand, think how our president once served his country, away from the Alabama armory, away from the planes, very far away from Vietnam, at the country club where he swatted tennis balls back and forth with young misses, in the hot sun, protecting them from the seedier elements of American society in 1972. Sacrifice -- heating up under the sun on the courts -- then in only his early 20's; Bush knew what it means to sacrifice for one's country -- club.
Today, in his 50's, as President, again and again, W skips eating desert at lunch, AND dinner. Who among us makes sacrifices like that?
Yes, many, many unemployed men and women in America also skip eating desert so they can feed their children. But they don't count, since they so often don't vote. Also, among those unemployed, Black men and women don't count at all, since their votes are uncounted.
In 1971, John Kerry stood in front of the Senate and spoke about his experiences in Vietnam as a soldier. There would be many that would agree with his position, some that would disagree and ultimately some that had no strong opinion at all. John Kerry knew that although he was speaking to the senate he was also speaking to the American people and through his intentional way of speaking he used this to his advantage. In John Kerry’s speech, strongly opposing the Vietnam War, Kerry successfully uses his persona as one who experienced the war head on, to reveal the lack of morality in Vietnam and paint the war as barbaric acts with no true purpose behind them.
“… no ordinary man. He had a quick, inquiring mind and uncommon resolve. He was extremely hardworking, forthright, good-natured, and a born leader. His commitment to the Glorious Cause of America, as it was called, was total. And if his youth was obvious, the Gl...
Many in the U.S., today, try to eat well,balanced, meals to order to maintain a healthy lifestyle. They do so by purchasing their food at farmers markets or making their own meals, so their food isn’t processed or genetically modified. Even though people are trying to maintain health in order to live long lives, without medical complications, many don’t have the opportunity to pursue life like this. In “Research shows food deserts more abundant in minority neighborhoods,” the author, Kelly Brooks, portrays an anecdote and logical reasoning, from Kelly Bower’s research, to thoroughly describe the food deserts in poor minority neighborhoods and how this issue needs to be repaired.
Take Lieutenant Jimmy Cross, for example. Although he had no desire to be in Vietnam, not to mention be leading troops there, it is evident that he is selfless in the pursuit of the war, and genuinely concerned about the welfare of his men. Unfortunately, he is blinded by guilt to these qualities.
...hermore, going to war was an act of cowardice. He had to put aside his morals and principles and fight a war he did not believe in.
General William Childs Westmoreland is a figure that is inextricably linked with the Vietnam War and he is the man that embodies the event to the American people. To look at a timeline of his life is to look at a steady progression to his command in Vietnam. Beyond that he dealt with the aftermath. In effect, it was the defining feature of his life, and Westmoreland was the defining face of Vietnam. His were the policies that kept us in the war, and his were the policies that many claimed lost it. In his own words, “The President never tried to tell me how to run the war. The tactics and battlefield strategy of running the war were mine. He did not interfere with this. He deferred to my judgment, and he let me run the war or pursue tactics and battlefield strategy as I saw fit.” As a result, his decisions had a direct and long lasting effect on America, and its worldview. Three themes run through Westmoreland’s life and help to explain his role in the Vietnam War. His character, likeable, responsible, but conservative, stubborn, and even plodding, was certainly a salient aspect of his career. His upbringing, education, and military experience helped define that character and prepared him, for better or worse, for his eventual command. Finally there was what might be called the system itself, the institutions and their ideologies that steadily promoted him, often, it would seem, for reasons having little to do with merit, to a command in which he found himself in many respects overmatched at home and in the theater of operations. The execution, the outcome, and the ultimate effects consequences of the Vietnam War cannot be viewed as entirely the result of any one man’s actions, but William Westm...
America is by far one of the wealthiest and most powerful nations worldwide. But to be such a powerhouse and beacon of some much opportunity, The United States is struggling to provide families with the sufficient amount of food. The parts of the country that lack adequate food supply are known as food deserts. The term food desert can be used when describing areas with limited resources and little to no access to fresh fruits, vegetables, meats and dairy products. Affordable and nutritious food is almost impossible to gain access to in food deserts. Approximately 2.3 million of Americans live over a mile away from a supermarket and do not have a car. This equates to about 2.2 percent of all U.S. households. These statistics are according the data provided by the United States Department of Agriculture. The reports also indicate that some of these areas include vast, rural parts of West Virginia, Ohio, and Kentucky, as well as urban areas like New York City, Chicago, Detroit, and Los Angeles. The people residing in majority of these food deserts are predominantly African Americans.
...merican showed itself during the war by not letting the war destroy their fun time at home. American lives were different but never gave up on anything; including the sport war. Even though many famous athletes left, the sport would never be forgotten of the wartime area.
...ho was true to his country, as there were few times in his life where he was not actively serving The United States. Helping our nation though two harsh wars as a trainer and commander, and attempting to tackle issues of great proportions during his presidency showed the strength, determination, and the great efforts put forth by this man to help shape the U.S. into the country that it is today.
A young African-American boy walks onto some rundown tennis courts at a local park with his father in Richmond, VA. Armed with an old wooden racket and a can of white tennis balls, his father begins to feed him some different shots and tells his son everything he knows about tennis. Being an African-American, this young boy did not have many friends that were as interested in tennis as he was. Since tennis is a predominantly white sport, Arthur Ashe’s desire to play was not encouraged by either race, but instead of giving up on the sport he loved, he continued playing to the dismay of many. Little did Ashe know, however, that his persistence would change the game forever. His efforts opened doors for many of the popular African-American tennis players, such as Serena and Venus Williams, MaliVai Washington, and Bryan Shelton. The class that he brought to the game of tennis and the bravery he showed by changing a sport dominated by whites made Arthur Ashe a legend in his own time.
People who support the military draft will say that it is the obligation of every citizen of the United States, and every other person residing in the United States, who is between the ages of 18 and 42, to perform a period of national service. Aren?t there many other ways--less deadly ways--to contribute to the country?s well being? Should we, as citizens, be allowed to evade this ultimate obligation by turning it over to the poorer members of society, those who can't find good-paying jobs or training except in the military? In "A War for Us, Fought by Them," William Broyles, a Vietnam war veteran and the father of a young man who is a soldier in the Marines, argues that the military draft should be brought back, and this time it should be done right: everybody should be drafted, not just ?the profoundly patriotic or the economically needy" (Broyles 695).
The country that I now deeply love, and even get a little teary eyed when I sing the National Anthem, did not used to be so welcoming to me and people like me. Before my time there were laws against African-Americans living a normal life. A normal life many before me fought for. Life in the 1950’s was not the easiest for African-Americans. Many Whites still saw African-Americans as an inferior race. This meant many simple everyday task were that much harder for Africans-Americans. Housing Segregation, discrimination in courts, discrimination in public places prevented many African Americans from living the American Dream. All of these examples are only the tip of the ice berg. Going out to eat, shopping, even just going for a Sunday afternoon stroll in the park was nearly impossible. Living was hard for African-Americans as well as trying to work. Many men tried to get work but could not because even though slavery was gone segregation as well as discrimination was thriving. Many African-American men may have been well qualified for a job but would be over looked merely for the fact the color of their skin was two shades too dark. In spite of the double standard in society African-Americans were allowed to fight in American wars. While African-American men were struggling to get simple jobs even hard labor jobs nobody wanted Uncle Sam had no problem sending them to the front lines to fight for their country. African- Americans were allowed to fight in the Army and lay their lives on the line for a country that could not even stand to have little white children and little black children sit in the same class room. While African-Americans were allowed to fight in the Army they were not allowed to be in a same platoon as White men. T...
Many of the people living in food deserts are people with low income. These low-income families often turn to the junk food provided at the convenience stores and fast food restaurants because it is all they can afford. Socio-economic status is a defining characteristic of food deserts. Food deserts are most commonly found in areas dominated by minorities and low-income families. Studies show that wealthy areas have about triple the amount of supermarkets as poor urban areas do. In addition to this, predominantly white communities have about 4 times as many grocery stores as predominantly black ones do. Studies also show that grocery stores in African-American neighborhoods are usually smaller and have less option when it comes to the selection of foods.
Article writer Stewart Walker believes when President Nixon ignored the fact that an all-volunteer army is very expensive, he made a big mistake (Walker, 6). The budgetary cost may be lower for a draft military than an all-volunteer army (higher pay is usually an incentive for enlisting); however, draftees have a lower reenlistment rate (Goodman, par. 2 & 5). Thus, efficiency is diminished and training costs are raised (par. 2). Walker also believes the argument that the draft undermines patriotism since every citizen should feel obligated to serve (Walker, par. 6). Americans are endowed with the right of individually liberty, but the draft constricts the very thing we are fighting for (Should, par. 5). Innocent Americans are having their liberty taken away so that they can be used as human shields to fight a war they wanted no part in (Henderson, par. 2). Walker even mentions that over thirty percent of Vietnam War deaths were draftees (par. 8). Americans are also endowed with the freedom of religion. Many religious worshippers are pacifists, and forcing them to fight would take away a common American freedom. A draft also contradicts American’s importance on voting (Editorial par. 2 & 5). Every year, politicians stress urge young Americans to vote; however, the draft registrations scares young votes (par. 2 & 5). Despite disregarding innocent humans dying, Walker mentions how
A rising topic of argument among the United States is whether military service should be mandatory or remain completely voluntary. This is a topic that has been discussed among the people for a very long time. Currently, it is not mandatory for a United States citizen to serve any time in the military. Similar to any other topic of debate, there are many people who disagree, and there are people who agree that military service should not be mandatory. Fifty-two percent of people believe that military service should be mandatory, leaving forty-eight percent saying that it is a choice, not a premade decision. (Debate.org) Both arguments have valid points, but there are a few points that rise above others. Do we want unproven citizens weighing the strongest and most feared military down?