Dear son
You ask my reaction to long hair or beards on young people.
Some great men have worn long hair and beards... George Washington
And Abraham Lincoln. If to you long hair or a beard is a symbol of
Independence, if you believe in your heart that the principles
Of this country, our heritage, is worthy of this display of pride,
That all men shall remain free, that free men at all times will not
Inflict their personal limitations of achievement on others, that
Demands your own rights as well as the rights of others, and be
Willing to fight for this right, you have my blessing.
You ask that I not judge you merely as a teenager, to judge
You on your own personal habits, abilities and goals. This is a
Fair request and I promise that I will not judge any person only as
A teenager if you will constantly remind yourself that some of my
Generation judge people by their race, their belief or the color
Of their skin and that this is no more right than saying all
Teenagers are drunken dope addicts or glue sniffers. If you will
Judge every human being on his own individual potential, I will
Do the same.
You ask me if God is dead. This is a question each individual
Must answer within himself. But a warm summer day with all it's
Brightness, all it's sound, all it's exhilarating breathiness
Just happened? God is love. Remember that God is a guide and not
A storm trooper. Realize that many of the past and present
Generation because of a well intended but unjustifiable
Misconception, have attempted to legislate morality. This created
Part of the basis for your generations need to rebel against
Our society. With this knowledge perhaps your children will never ask Is
God dead?. I sometimes think much of mankind is attempting to work Him to
Death.
You ask my opinion of draft card burners. I would answer this way. All
Past wars have been dirty, unfair, immoral, bloody and second-guessed.
However, history has shown most of them necessary. If you doubt that our
Free enterprise system in the United States is worth protecting, if you
Doubt the principles upon which this country was founded, that we remain
Free to choose our religion, our individual endeavors, our method of
Government, if you doubt that each free individual in this great country
Should reap rewards commensurate only with his own efforts, than it is
Doubtful you belong here. If you doubt that people who govern us should be
Selected by their desire to allow us to strive for any goal we feel
Capable of obtaining than it's doubtful you should participate in their
Selection. If you are not grateful to a country that gave your father the
Opportunity to work for his family to give you the things you have and you
Do not feel pride enough to fight for your right to continue in this
Manner than I assume the blame for your failure to recognize the true
Value of our birthright. And I will remind you that your mother will love
You no matter what you do, because she is a woman. And I love you too,
Son. But I also love our country and the principles for which we stand.
And if you decide to burn your draft card, then burn your birth
Certificate at the same time.
From that moment on, I have no son!