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Ep. 115 Vietnam: War Through the Lens of a Conscientious Objector with Bruce Wasser
Description
This week we're talking about the Vietnam War, one of the most unpopular wars in US history. Tomorrow is Memorial Day and while I very much want to honor and remember the over 58,000 Americans who lost their lives fighting for their country in Vietnam, around one third of them drafted, that’s not exactly the focus of this episode. Instead, I want to explore a side to the war we don’t often think about. I want to explore what happens if you’re drafted, but you know you can’t do it. You can’t go fight in a war, kill people, lots of people, for a cause you don’t believe in, a war you are morally opposed to. Because for many, that was the reality. So what are you going to do? What options do you have? Join me and special guest Bruce Wasser, author of "90: A Conscientious Objector's Journey of Quiet Resistance" to uncover Bruce's experience as a conscientious objector during the Vietnam War.
Check your birthdate draft number here
Watch a video of the December 1, 1969 birthdate draft lottery here
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Sources:
- BBC "The Vietnam War"
- History.com "How the Vietnam War Ratcheted Up Under 5 US Presidents"
- Selective Service System "Vietnam Lotteries"
- PHData "Analyzing the 1969 Vietnam War Draft Lottery"