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Actions have consequences. Personally, I am uncomfortable with the general response to Vietnam vets as many of them were stupid, naive 18-year-old kids who were drafted or just didn't know what they were getting into. My dad served in Vietnam. He didn't know what he was getting into and went in so he'd have more control of where he ended up rather than being drafted. He served his tour and used the GI bill to do something with his life rather than become an alcoholic druggie.
That said, you went back with full knowledge hoping America would wake up and support Vietnam. Sorry, but not. Vietnam was a stupid war. Doubling down on that doesn't change that it's a stupid war.
Actions have consequences. Personally, I am uncomfortable with the general response to Vietnam vets as many of them were stupid, naive 18-year-old kids who were drafted or just didn't know what they were getting into. My dad served in Vietnam. He didn't know what he was getting into and went in so he'd have more control of where he ended up rather than being drafted. He served his tour and used the GI bill to do something with his life rather than become an alcoholic druggie.
That said, you went back with full knowledge hoping America would wake up and support Vietnam. Sorry, but not. Vietnam was a stupid war. Doubling down on that doesn't change that it's a stupid war.
well, I don't think op expected anybody to support the war.
I think his point is that, anytime public opinion becomes outraged over some injustice, the government will find one scapegoat. Better that than have their rotten system exposed.
The treatment of veterans should not be related to the popularity of that war. The ww2 vets are considered war hero, every single one of them. Vietnam vet and new generation of veterans came from ME, not so much.
Last edited by lilyflower3191981; 05-23-2017 at 10:06 PM..
Vietnam vets were the scapegoats for a war and a counter culture Americans were angry at. I remember vets returning home to be rejected, protested against and vilified. My brother-in-law came home with PTSD and all he encountered was disdain and disrespect. I remember family arguments, my aunt proclaiming to my dad that she would personally drive her nephews to Canada before letting them be drafted into a senseless war where we had no business being. Those were BAD times. And People who have not served have no inkling what the experience of war has on someone's life. Not everyone can shake it off and not be effected by those experiences. War has long term consequences. The least service members deserve is respect and recognition but far too often they are still viewed as losers by many.
Thank you JimChi for your service and excellent post!
I was a strong protester of the Vietnam war, but became horrified and disgusted at the treatment of you vets.
That behavior of the left and its hate-filled and self-righteous indoctrination toward returning vets was my first experience of the dark side of liberalism, and it helped start me becoming more independent in my thinking and politics.
I see liberals doing a similar hate-fest behavior toward our police and any law enforcement policy or political group that doesn't fit their agenda.
I am so sorry you had to experience that, but it looks like you matured into a wise adult.
Thank you JimChi for your service and excellent post!
I was a strong protester of the Vietnam war, but became horrified and disgusted at the treatment of you vets.
That behavior of the left and its hate-filled and self-righteous indoctrination toward returning vets was my first experience of the dark side of liberalism, and it helped start me becoming more independent in my thinking and politics.
I see liberals doing a similar hate-fest behavior toward our police and any law enforcement policy or political group that doesn't fit their agenda.
I am so sorry you had to experience that, but it looks like you matured into a wise adult.
Please rethink this a bit. That dark side may not be as all-encompassing as you seem to think.
I am a strong liberal, and I hate war, but I don't hate our service men and women. They, probably more than anyone else, would love to see a more peaceful world. The way the Vietnam vets were treated was horrible, particularly in light of the fact that many, if not most, were drafted. I don't see many people in military uniform in my daily life, but when I do, I thank them. I don't expect our country to be invaded, but if it ever was, they would be there, protecting all of us.
We don't - at least the vast majority of us - hate the police. We do hate it when individual officers abuse the power with which they have been entrusted, and when people in authority assist them in doing so. You should hate that, too. Every thinking person should hate that. But police in general? No hate here. I usually wave at them when I see them on the road. They might save my life one day.
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