Kent State, May 4 1970: Why We Will Not See a Draft
Published May 04, 2005
...Anti-war activism still occasionally surfaces, including a clash with police following the May 4 commemoration in 2003, not long after America invaded Iraq, resulting in 13 arrests. Tim Mayer, a member of the Kent State Anti-War Committee that organized the 2003 rally, said only about 150 marchers participated, even after thousands of announcement fliers were distributed on campus. Mayer, 21, said KSAWC folded that fall when just a handful of people attended the semester's first meeting, and nobody was sure what to do next. "It was really sad," the KSU senior, from Mentor, recalled.
..."Who would've thought that here at Kent State we'd have a hard time getting students to participate?" said Amanda John, 20, a junior from Berea. "I don't think anybody really wants to talk about it [the war] on a day-to-day basis because it just bums them out."
..."It's a huge tragedy. There's certainly nothing in this conflict that's worth all the human life being lost," Airhart said. "But it seems college students nowadays could really care less about Iraq. They're just sort-of oblivious. When they see it on the news, it's almost like they're watching a movie."
...Surrounded by the green carpet of 58,175 daffodils planted to symbolize America's losses in Vietnam, Straub said she visits the memorial on nice days, to enjoy the quiet solitude and peaceful surroundings that have endured beyond the days of shouting and shooting. Perhaps, she agreed, after 35 years that's the way it should be.
The May4.net site boasts a wealth of sobering information, and WKSU has an outstanding radio documentary on the events of May 4, 1970, including historic audio from that day.
There is also a double-CD package available called, descriptively enough, May 4 Task Force Scholarship Fund Commemoration CD, proceeds of which go directly to the Student Activism Scholarship that is awarded annually to a Kent State student - lots of good regional and international artists have participated.
See Thrasher's view of May 4 and Neil Young's song "Ohio" here.
- Kent State, May 4 1970: Why We Will Not See a Draft
- Published: May 04, 2005
- Type:
- Section: Politics
- Filed Under: Politics: U.S.
- Writer: Eric Olsen
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Comments on this articleComments
Good article, Eric.
thanks Ski
RJ, I agree: why restrict yourself on art based on politics. Not sure how anyone can be in favor of college students beign shot at a protest, however
I enjoy most of Neil Young's early work, I guess playing in a bar band will do that to you, even if "Ohio" is close on the "Songs I Never Have to Hear Again" list. Still, it does have a great guitar line.
I do too Ski, although I agree "Ohio" is almost one you can't hear as a song anymore due to the repetition
Eric - I'll have to agree that a lot of folks have attributed the lack of widespread 60's/70's style protests against the Iraq war directly to the draft issue. But it's still fascinating to see what motivates folks to take action.
It seems that more & more trivial issues are riling up folks more & more.
How does a runaway bride become the top story on CNN?
Thrasher
ps - thanks for the link. I linked back to your story, as well.
Goog/interesting post and points, Eric.
One thing that could break the balance on the volunteer army is if another war broke out that required significant U.S. military commitment. Richard Myers said this week that at current levels, the U.S. is pretty much maxed out.
Please, don't start another what if... blog on the draft. The government can and will do any and everything necessary to protect itself. Including as it was so aptley stated... Human Resource Management on a National Scale. Which is what mobilization is... or if you prefer "The Draft"... My step brother went through the last one, and would have gone in June, but the draft ended ended in May 1973(?) I can't remember I was too young.
It was very real. My brother in law, who served honorably in Viet Nam, after being drafted... is now suffering from the after effects of Agent Orange, he's ate up with cancer.
A draft, when required is probably necessary... but make it equal, all the way around. The Viet Nam draft era had too many loop holes, and it sorely affected the middle, lower middle and lower economic strata....
We're talking about the '60's here. Many families didn't automatically send their children off to college... they couldn't afford it. College deferments were the exception not the rule.
Drafts aren't fair... they should be, or don't do them. The military is a better place today then it has ever been, thanks to the All Volunteer force. There was a time when the term military trash, had meaning... judges routinely offered military service instead of jail time to many criminals, and the military took them in, many successes, many failures. But I'm sure the system made it work.
I'm not sure a draft is in order... If Korea were to raise its ugly head, and if China wouldn't put the lid on Kim, then there might be cause.
But it's late and I'm ramblin'
There are no atheists in foxholes.... so at least you could look forward to a religious experience in the event of a national mobilization (aka draft).
Good night.
On 60 Minutes this evening, they talked about how Americans who were retired from service, but who still held their commissions, were being called back into service. Some were against going back while others went along with it, including this 55 year-old woman, who was a Warrant Officer and is less than 5 ft tall.
There's the woman with a 7 month-old child and a 21 month-old, who is heading to Iraq, much to her surprise.
People are calling this a back-door draft.
I guess if the military really needs more people, why don't they institue a proper draft? The current military is supposed to be avoluntary one, but tell that to these veterans who are being called back into service, much to their surprise.
Did 60 minutes mention that the retirees don't have to return to service - it's entirely voluntary if they're asked.
>>I guess if the military really needs more people, why don't they institue a proper draft? <<
Because they need trained specialists, not raw recruits who will just get in the way.
Most of this 'back door' recruiting is for things like Seabees and other highly specialized personnel who can help with infrastructure restoration and providing important support services.
Dave
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I love Neil Young's O-HI-O.
Just goes to show that a guy can dig music from a perspective that differs from his own...