What if Louis had refused to serve in WWII?

Germany and Italy declared war on us. What were we supposed to do?

 

Exactly.

 

Don't forget Italy changed sides in October 1943. Mussolini was a distaster, plus the Italians weren't prepared for war.

 

The Korean War was fought under a U N flag. South Korea is a thriving democracy so in hindsight we were right to help them but I can see why our allies weren't as keen to get involved. Ho Chi Minh wrote a letter to Truman asking our help in ousting the French. Obviously they were our allies so that wasn't realistic . Just a waste of lives and resources IMHO but such is the stuff of empire. You guys had an empire of your own so you know.

 

Perhaps my Grandad was right to think that WWII was his fight, but that Korea was not worth his bones as an metal worker.

 

I don't know about the OP but I'm glad the U S and the U K fought the NAZIS.

 

Louis used his connections and influence as a professional prize fighter to stay away from the front line and became a show men during his sevice inspiring hope and encouragement. LOUIS SHOWED UP.
Ali on the other hand enjoyed the fruits and labors of every American before him but was unwilling to contribute. Instead he was such a coward that he went and found a loophole in religion to justify his free ride.

 

I'm glad we fought Japan. The way they treated their fellow Asians was abominable. The way they treated our POWs was abominable too.

 

Don't post about the 1960's recording group, The Yardbirds, it angered James Page last time, we are not gullible to be fooled by returnees under different names, nice try but no cigar.

 

Like Ali, he would've been a pariah afterwards not appreciated until his health deteriorated. Mainstream Western media would've forgotten about the love they had for him during Schmeling 2 until again until his health faded n he was dealing w financial issues.

 

Also pointing out, as a Westerner I do admit we tend to infantilize other countries and often overlook atrocities we do to them as well. There really aren't any "good guys" just depends on your perspective and who you benefit from.


I have my flaws and don't pretend to know everything just try to avoid having "patriotic rose tinted glasses". Do appreciate advantages I have in the West but I also try to dissect, "At what cost?" as well as realize none of us pick where we r from. We can only determine our own actions and I try to understand different perspectives outside of the country I was born n raised in.

 

There were a LOT more reasons to oppose fighting in Vietnam than in WW2. I don't see how the two situations could compare.

Also, look what job Joe actually did do in the military. He wasn't sent to fight. He was sent around to do exhibitions for the troops, hang out with them, boost their morale. Even if one were to oppose the war, do they really oppose helping the morale of our country's troops?

Ali would have had the same job. I have complex thoughts on his refusal of the draft as a result.

 

I'm with you until the last sentence. I give Ali credit for resisting that war.