January 08, 2004

draft vs. registration for the draft

Posted at 10:29 PM Feedback
One travelogue entry in particular, written in 1995 while travelling through Vietnam, generates a fair bit of negative feedback, much of it strongly worded. (See This Just In: United States to become 11th Canadian Province). It's nice, every now and again, to receive something more constructive in its criticism, and pleasant in its message.

From: "Alex D"
To: "Patrick"
Sent: Monday, March 17, 1997 2:11 PM
Subject: draft vs. registeration for the draft

in the entry titled 'Hanoi Jane never stayed at the Hanoi Hilton' you mention that '...Jimmy Carter re-instituted the draft in response to Soviet aggression in Afghanistan ...'

Skipping the technical detail, it is closer to the spirit of the action to say Jimmy Carter reinstituted the registeration for the draft.

I have also spent quite a bit of time travelling in Asia, and I have been enjoying your entries. I particularly liked the entry about Khao Sarn road. It reminded me of the endless hours I spent people-watching there. In fact, I found your pages simply by doing an Alta Vista search on 'Khao Sarn', wondering if anyone had written about the experience.

My trip to Thailand was in 1990. Now I am stuck in endless meeting and soon will have the title of 'VP of Managment Operations' in charge of 60 people. Wondering how long I will last. I keep telling myself, with the money I'll save I will be able to do all the travelling I want, later...

Keep it up.

Alex

From: "patrick jennings"
To: "Alex D"
Sent: Tuesday, March 25, 1997 9:42 AM
Subject: Re: draft vs. registeration for the draft


Hey Alex,

> in the entry titled 'Hanoi Jane never stayed at the Hanoi Hilton' you mention that
> '...Jimmy Carter re-instituted the draft in response to Soviet aggression in
> Afghanistan ...'
>
> Skipping the technical detail, it is closer to the spirit of the action to say
> Jimmy Carter reinstituted the registeration for the draft.
>

You're right to correct my laziness on that one. Yours is the better wording. Actually, I'm used to being chastized plenty for that page, though the fault is found elsewhere; the majority of Vietnam vets pass over that item and thump me for cowardice, aiding and abetting the enemy, etc. Your correction is rather refreshing.

Glad to hear you've been otherwise pleased with my efforts. And I can commiserate with your current condition: I stuck with Microsoft for three years so I could eventually travel, write and photograph in an unfettered state. When you're ready...you'll make it happen.

Cheers!

Patrick.

TrackBack URL