“You are a disgrace not only to your country but I'm sure your family is so proud of their deserted son. You know, since your father and grandfater were proud to serve. Keep your ass in Canada. What a loser you are. Guess you forgot about all the others that died to give you this great country. Oh, and by the way dont drop the soap when you get to Levenworth.
Petty Officer 1st Class Daniel Driggers (USCG)”
Well, petty officer 1st class Driggers, I do apologize that you feel so, but in defense of myself, let me debunk everything that you just said.
1. “You are a disgrace not only to your country but I’m sure your family is so proud of their deserted son.”: I am protecting my nation by doing what I have done. I am also supporting my fellow soldiers that are serving in this war. By leaving and making it clear that I will not conform to this act of hate committed by my government, I make it clear that there are soldiers with conscience and that we (soldiers) should be kept safe in our own borders, and not in some country that we have no business in. And no, my family aren’t supportive.
2. “You know, since your father and grandfater were so proud to serve.”: Well, Daniel, I refuse to make the same mistakes that past generations have made before. “One that does not know history is bound to repeat it.” I try my best to learn from my family’s past, and it is in my family’s interest that I not go to another country and commit war crimes, possibly dying or coming back as most do, suffering from post traumatic stress disorder. My life and sanity are worth more than a politician’s salary. Also, my father never served.
3. “Keep your ass in Canada. What a loser you are.”: You got it buddy. I love Canada, and I will probably choose to stay here as long as I can. And whether I am a loser or not is up to you.
4. “Guess you forgot about all the others that died to give you this great country.”: You probably believe The Vietnam War was for the protection of democracy, don’t you? America has never participated in a Just war other than The Second World War, if that. In fighting against the War in Iraq, I am honoring those that have needlessly lost their lives.
5. “Oh, and by the way don’t drop the soap when you get to levenworth.”: Daniel, this is probably the most original and hilarious warning I’ve ever been given. You, my friend, should probably just stay in the Gulf of Mexico where you can do our nation some good by keeping alcoholics from piloting boats.
Despite this man’s objections…
WE SHALL OVERCOME.
