Viking_Yearbook_69

Bill Nygren, former editor of the Vanguard, has established his own relationship to the draft by serv– ing eighteen months behind bars. After refusing induction early in 1967, he was tried, convicted and shipped to a federal correctional insti– tution in Lompoc, California. His objection to the draft is political, he claims. "I didn't recognize it (re– fusing induction) as civil disobedience, nor my prison term as serving penance or anything. To John Windust, the draft represents an exten– sion of citizen duty. When drafted from PSC in April1966 because of a credit shortage , he submitted to the draft as a politi– cal reality necessary for the government to "maintain troops and defense capabilities." With trust in the governmental process, he be– lieves that the nation's laws are made by elected rep– resentatives of the people and from these officials come "both good and bad laws." This trust involves a belief that "the government never makes an evil decision on purpose. Decisions which are bad, eventually are changed before doing too much dam– age. " Applying this "organic theory" of government change, John views the Vietnam war as a legal de– cision of the elected official. As a citizen, John feels that it is his duty to support both "the good and bad of government decisions" until they are changed. He believes that U. S. policy in Vietnam is changing, for "I think the government sees its mistake ." Sean Doran, 23, a married student at PSU, refuses to comply with draft orders . The refusal may mean imprisonment. He w ent through the appeals channels, but was turned down for a C. 0 . rating. Regarding Americans in Vietnam, Doran contends "our involvement is a continuation of French Im– perialism in Vietnam. We don 't represent the people in Vietnam. "I can understand people dodging the draft ... but obj ectors ; I obj ect to many objectors . It seems they' re doing more to antagonize than to persuade propo– nents of the war. There 's not enough effort being made to communicate ." "Some people have faith everything will turn out– providence, and guiding faith, but it is better to direct your own destiny ... The main purpose of the selec– tive service system is not for national recruiting, but to channel the energies of young men to socially pre– scribed ends." About Vietnam. "My position (that the Vietnam war is wrong) is based purely on historical record. If we are trying to contain Red China, then we should be supporting Ho." Nygrun does not trust his future to others and sees himself as remaining politically active in the area of social criticism. He is a member of S.D.S. The sentence and prison term, he recalls as "a po– litically effective tool-to a degree. It was worth it." In prison he claims he became " ... more sensitive to the use and abuse of power." The draft itself Windust views as basically good. "The army makes you feel more responsive, (to) take more responsibility." He also sees the draft as an important source of manpower for the armed forces, both to "keep cur– rent troop levels" and because the "draftee is a better soldier than the enlisted man because of the draftee's college education and attachment to civilian life." But still the decision to accept the draft notice is "up to the individual." Referring specifically to protest and the Vietnam war, he wonders "what kind of war is worse than another type?" Yet Windust maintains , "there is good sense on both sides" of the Vietnam debates, but he adds, "I wouldn't express (protest) myself if it would infringe on other people's rights." At 24 years of age, John Windust represents one type of patriot. He sees.the evil of war, but maintains that "others have gone in and it becomes an individu– al's duty as a citizen." To Windust the draft is an– other law that the government sees necessary and, "you still have to have law, rules and order." Doran considered, at one time, immigrating. "My wife talked me out of it. She felt ... patriotism; we do have roots here ." Does he have a patriotic obligation? Patriotism, DolJln contends, is not simply military duty or what you do in one war. If it were peacetime he would enlist. "Now it 's a matter of conscience (Vietnam). It's killing . . . the burden of peace is on us . We got into this war and it's up to us to get out. We must realize that we had no right to be involved in Vietnam in the fi rst place . "I can symp ath ize with the group b ehind the Eugene installation blow-up. But I wouldn't endorse a complete revolution. There are a lot of good things about this country ." And what will he do if he r eceives a summons? "Well, I'll go."