Comments on: Charles R. Jenkins, Rice Salesman http://www.japanprobe.com/2007/11/10/charles-r-jenkins-rice-salesman/ Japan News Mon, 15 Mar 2010 14:18:10 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: John http://www.japanprobe.com/2007/11/10/charles-r-jenkins-rice-salesman/comment-page-1/#comment-100474 John Sun, 11 Nov 2007 09:01:39 +0000 http://www.japanprobe.com/?p=3114#comment-100474 Conscientious objector status was not easy to get; one pretty much required documented, long-standing membership in a pacifist church (such as the Quakers or Mennonites); assignment to non-combat categories within the military because of one's beliefs was probably awarded capriciously and those assigned were at best treated like outcasts, and probably much worse. From everything I've heard about Jenkins, he was a foolish kid (he signed up younger than the age limit--at fifteen, I think) who joined the military without really thinking about what it really meant, then panicked (after drinking a lot, I read) at the prospect of going to Vietnam and sprinted for North Korea. How many teenagers really have the maturity to make life-and-death decisions like those required in combat, anyway? How trustworthy are the old men who send those kids in? Conscientious objector status was not easy to get; one pretty much required documented, long-standing membership in a pacifist church (such as the Quakers or Mennonites); assignment to non-combat categories within the military because of one’s beliefs was probably awarded capriciously and those assigned were at best treated like outcasts, and probably much worse. From everything I’ve heard about Jenkins, he was a foolish kid (he signed up younger than the age limit–at fifteen, I think) who joined the military without really thinking about what it really meant, then panicked (after drinking a lot, I read) at the prospect of going to Vietnam and sprinted for North Korea. How many teenagers really have the maturity to make life-and-death decisions like those required in combat, anyway? How trustworthy are the old men who send those kids in?

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]]> By: ROK Drop Weekly Linklets - 11NOV07 at ROK Drop http://www.japanprobe.com/2007/11/10/charles-r-jenkins-rice-salesman/comment-page-1/#comment-100471 ROK Drop Weekly Linklets - 11NOV07 at ROK Drop Sun, 11 Nov 2007 08:54:00 +0000 http://www.japanprobe.com/?p=3114#comment-100471 [...] linked. - Japan’s Sado Island has a new spokesman for their rice and you won’t believe who it is. - Click here to find out all you ever wanted to know about the history of ramen noodles. - Here is [...] [...] linked. – Japan’s Sado Island has a new spokesman for their rice and you won’t believe who it is. – Click here to find out all you ever wanted to know about the history of ramen noodles. – Here is [...]

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]]> By: Syd http://www.japanprobe.com/2007/11/10/charles-r-jenkins-rice-salesman/comment-page-1/#comment-99971 Syd Sat, 10 Nov 2007 07:03:32 +0000 http://www.japanprobe.com/?p=3114#comment-99971 Well, that's true, it does take courage to stand up against an unjust war... however, running to North Korea isn't the way to "refuse to fight", it's running away. The US offered "Conscience Objectors" (people who were in the service who didn't agree with the war - or those who fled to Canada) positions such as logistics, supply management and other positions that were not involved in the war, these options are still available now for those involved with Iraq. There are two sides to every story. I don't think he's a coward, he did go to North Korea. But also, I don't think it was the right thing to do, perhaps he'll even agree with that. Well, that’s true, it does take courage to stand up against an unjust war… however, running to North Korea isn’t the way to “refuse to fight”, it’s running away.
The US offered “Conscience Objectors” (people who were in the service who didn’t agree with the war – or those who fled to Canada) positions such as logistics, supply management and other positions that were not involved in the war, these options are still available now for those involved with Iraq.
There are two sides to every story. I don’t think he’s a coward, he did go to North Korea. But also, I don’t think it was the right thing to do, perhaps he’ll even agree with that.

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]]> By: Wataru Tenga http://www.japanprobe.com/2007/11/10/charles-r-jenkins-rice-salesman/comment-page-1/#comment-99925 Wataru Tenga Sat, 10 Nov 2007 05:02:38 +0000 http://www.japanprobe.com/?p=3114#comment-99925 Give the guy a break. He joined the Marines when he was just a kid, then thought better about getting involved in the Vietnam meatgrinder. All those years in North Korea are "punishment" enough for whatever crime he is supposed to have committed. Besides, refusing to fight in an unjust war is one of the bravest acts a man can do. Give the guy a break. He joined the Marines when he was just a kid, then thought better about getting involved in the Vietnam meatgrinder. All those years in North Korea are “punishment” enough for whatever crime he is supposed to have committed. Besides, refusing to fight in an unjust war is one of the bravest acts a man can do.

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]]> By: VonSkippy http://www.japanprobe.com/2007/11/10/charles-r-jenkins-rice-salesman/comment-page-1/#comment-99923 VonSkippy Sat, 10 Nov 2007 04:47:22 +0000 http://www.japanprobe.com/?p=3114#comment-99923 So what slogan does Jenkins use when he sells the rice? "Eat Niigata’s rice. If it's good enough for a coward and a deserter, it's good enough for you" So what slogan does Jenkins use when he sells the rice?

“Eat Niigata’s rice. If it’s good enough for a coward and a deserter, it’s good enough for you”

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