#26
Posted: 4/1/13 at 4:31pm
Comments like:
>>Or just showing a country that we couldn't strong arm into democracy still standing, I guess.
and
>>So...... THE AMAZING RACE dared to show what another country's idea of a memorial was and they need to apologize? I actually find THAT kind of offensive.
and
>>And we killed how many Vietnamese people? Seriously, anyone who isn't smart enough to realize that the country we fought a war against woul probably not think too highly of us and have monuments of their own the same as we have here should maybe stick to Sesame Street or something that doesn't require much brain power.
show a lack of understanding in regards to why the US was involved in the Vietnam conflict.
At the time of the conflict, Vietnam was a divided region. They were defined on maps as two, separate regions: North Vietnam and South Vietnam. North Vietnam (Communist) and South Vietnam (anti-Communist) were at odds long before the US got involved.
The US did not try to "strong arm" the country of Vietnam into the concept of Democracy. The US allied with South Vietnam (as did other countries) when North Vietnam tried to "strong arm" the Republic of South Vietnam into becoming a Communist state.
Initially, the US' involvement (under the Eisenhower administration) was in an advisory capacity only. Eisenhower sent military advisers to train the South Vietnamese Army. Under the Kennedy administration, US troops were sent to bolster the South Vietnamese Army, and involvement of US troops escalated under subsequent Presidents.
NO - the US was not being completely altruistic in allying with South Vietnam's anti-Communist war with North Vietnam. Kennedy/Cuban Missile Crisis - remember that? But it's incorrect to believe that the US was "strong arming" the country of Vietnam to accept Democracy. There *was no* Vietnam at that time. The initial intent was to assist the Republic of South Vietnam in retaining their anti-Communist state. ...and YES, that would have benefited the US, also.
Regarding the comment, "THE AMAZING RACE dared to show what another country's idea of a memorial was and they need to apologize?":
The B-52 memorial is an "accidental" memorial of sorts. The American plane was shot down by the North Vietnamese Army in 1972, during Operation Linebacker II. Its wreckage landed in Hun Tiep Lake and has never been removed.
But it's not that "THE AMAZING RACE dared to show what another country's idea of a memorial was" that irks so many people. It's the (IMO) thoughtless juxtaposition of the downed American plane (and all the history and emotions that represents) with the *requirement* that Americans memorize and repeatedly perform a song that praises Communism (per the lyrics printed on the screen) in order to complete their task.
Regarding the comment, "anyone who isn't smart enough to realize that the country we fought a war against woul probably not think too highly of us and have monuments of their own":
We did not fight a war against Vietnam. Vietnam did not exist at that time. We allied with SOUTH VIETNAM, and eventually withdrew our financial and military support. Congress began restricting support (including troops) to Vietnam in mid-1974. South Vietnam lost both financial and military support from the US. Additionally, there was an oil shortage which rendered much of South Vietnam's military equipment unusable.
North Vietnam, however continued to receive financial support from Communist bloc countries. The US began our withdrawal of troops and financial support in mid 1974. Saigon (the capital of South Vietnam) fell in April of 1975 and the war was over.
With much respect to SeanMartin (and a *very* heartfelt and respectful, "Thank You for your service"), the US did not lose the war; South Vietnam lost the war. It was never "our" war - which was such a HUGE factor regarding the dissatisfaction many felt about our involvement in the conflict during those times.
SeanMartin, your comments touch me very deeply. I don't completely agree with *all* of your specific words, but I empathize and share in the emotions behind them.
"PTSD is a big problem. Know what your country is doing about it, for all the thousands returning home with it?
Not a ****ing thing."
You and all our Vets deserve better. I happen to be one who emails my state representatives about this specific issue. I would love it if others did the same.
>>Or just showing a country that we couldn't strong arm into democracy still standing, I guess.
and
>>So...... THE AMAZING RACE dared to show what another country's idea of a memorial was and they need to apologize? I actually find THAT kind of offensive.
and
>>And we killed how many Vietnamese people? Seriously, anyone who isn't smart enough to realize that the country we fought a war against woul probably not think too highly of us and have monuments of their own the same as we have here should maybe stick to Sesame Street or something that doesn't require much brain power.
show a lack of understanding in regards to why the US was involved in the Vietnam conflict.
At the time of the conflict, Vietnam was a divided region. They were defined on maps as two, separate regions: North Vietnam and South Vietnam. North Vietnam (Communist) and South Vietnam (anti-Communist) were at odds long before the US got involved.
The US did not try to "strong arm" the country of Vietnam into the concept of Democracy. The US allied with South Vietnam (as did other countries) when North Vietnam tried to "strong arm" the Republic of South Vietnam into becoming a Communist state.
Initially, the US' involvement (under the Eisenhower administration) was in an advisory capacity only. Eisenhower sent military advisers to train the South Vietnamese Army. Under the Kennedy administration, US troops were sent to bolster the South Vietnamese Army, and involvement of US troops escalated under subsequent Presidents.
NO - the US was not being completely altruistic in allying with South Vietnam's anti-Communist war with North Vietnam. Kennedy/Cuban Missile Crisis - remember that? But it's incorrect to believe that the US was "strong arming" the country of Vietnam to accept Democracy. There *was no* Vietnam at that time. The initial intent was to assist the Republic of South Vietnam in retaining their anti-Communist state. ...and YES, that would have benefited the US, also.
Regarding the comment, "THE AMAZING RACE dared to show what another country's idea of a memorial was and they need to apologize?":
The B-52 memorial is an "accidental" memorial of sorts. The American plane was shot down by the North Vietnamese Army in 1972, during Operation Linebacker II. Its wreckage landed in Hun Tiep Lake and has never been removed.
But it's not that "THE AMAZING RACE dared to show what another country's idea of a memorial was" that irks so many people. It's the (IMO) thoughtless juxtaposition of the downed American plane (and all the history and emotions that represents) with the *requirement* that Americans memorize and repeatedly perform a song that praises Communism (per the lyrics printed on the screen) in order to complete their task.
Regarding the comment, "anyone who isn't smart enough to realize that the country we fought a war against woul probably not think too highly of us and have monuments of their own":
We did not fight a war against Vietnam. Vietnam did not exist at that time. We allied with SOUTH VIETNAM, and eventually withdrew our financial and military support. Congress began restricting support (including troops) to Vietnam in mid-1974. South Vietnam lost both financial and military support from the US. Additionally, there was an oil shortage which rendered much of South Vietnam's military equipment unusable.
North Vietnam, however continued to receive financial support from Communist bloc countries. The US began our withdrawal of troops and financial support in mid 1974. Saigon (the capital of South Vietnam) fell in April of 1975 and the war was over.
With much respect to SeanMartin (and a *very* heartfelt and respectful, "Thank You for your service"), the US did not lose the war; South Vietnam lost the war. It was never "our" war - which was such a HUGE factor regarding the dissatisfaction many felt about our involvement in the conflict during those times.
SeanMartin, your comments touch me very deeply. I don't completely agree with *all* of your specific words, but I empathize and share in the emotions behind them.
"PTSD is a big problem. Know what your country is doing about it, for all the thousands returning home with it?
Not a ****ing thing."
You and all our Vets deserve better. I happen to be one who emails my state representatives about this specific issue. I would love it if others did the same.
Updated On: 4/3/13 at 04:31 PM
