A charge often levelled by all-American types against those who stand up for their beliefs by refusing to fight in wars they find inconscionable, and who willingly go to prison or into exile in order to avoid violating their own consciences. These 'cowards' are to be contrasted with red-blooded, 'patriotic' youths who literally bend over, grab their ankles, submit to the government, fight in wars they do not understand (or disapprove of), and blindly obey orders to maim and to kill simply because they are ordered to do soall to the howling approval of the all-American mob. This type of behavior is commonly termed 'courageous.'