I Don't Understand Some Mod Interventions

[Procrustus]

@What_Exit

The thread in question has a narrow focus. That should be respected.

The thread in question was about whether it was moral to avoid the draft during the Vietnam war. That invites conversation about whether it is always moral or avoid the draft, never moral to avoid the draft, or sometimes moral, depending on factors.

It is impossible to keep the discussion focused on only one war. As seems to be implied in the OP of that thread:

@themapleleaf

I should note that regarding the use of the draft in the first place, I don’t have a personal moral position on conscripting people during an actual national emergency; on one hand, a draft is always a serious infringment of one’s liberty; on the other, given that I am someone who believes in the common good, I can see how conscription might be justified in the event of an actual threat to the nation, though I don’t take any position on the matter (and I don’t pass judgment on those who choose to avoid the draft). However, I consider a peacetime draft (compulsory military service) to be an unjustified government restriction on individual liberties (thus IMO the USA unequivocally wronged Elvis Presley when he was drafted) and a draft to fight a war that is purely political, such as Vietnam, to be GROSSLY immoral and criminal. I think a draft should always be considered at best a necessary evil and a last resort.