I think it was Howard Zinn who said that disobedience isn't the problem. Obedience is the problem.
I live in a location that has many, many military veterans. This area also voted heavily for Trump. You can slip into lamentation about that if you consider yourself antiwar, liberal or a resistor. But I think that would be an error. My personal experience over the years with my neighbors is quite remarkable. Thoughtful, considerate of individual rights, aware of the complexity of issues. A rare and small minority are knee jerk. An interesting place in which to live.
A little over two years ago I went into a large supermarket. When my turn came at the checkout the cashier asked me if I was a veteran so I could get the veteran's discount. I sort of blinked a bit (did a nervous swallow) and told her that, in fact, I was a veteran but not like most folks would consider. I was a Vietnam war draft resistor and did two years in a penitentiary. The cashier looks at me. We both blink a little. And she says ... "That's good enough for me" and I got the discount.
It happened again today. I was in an auto parts store. A very helpful fellow, around 32 - 36 years old, was at the cash register to ring me up. He asked me if I was a veteran so I could get the veteran's discount. I did it again. I sort of blinked (did a nervous swallow), looked him in the eye and told him that I was a veteran but not like most folks would consider. He tipped his head to the left and had a mild smile of curiosity. "I was a Vietnam war draft resistor and did two years in the penitentiary." He looked at me. We both sort of blinked a little and he says: "Wow. That was a really bad time. Thank you for your service." And I got the discount.
I nearly shit my pants.
