georgephillip,
et al,
Don't mix apples and oranges.
Maybe Herr Hossie should get around to that Vietnam pilgrimage and apologize to the millions of Vietnamese civilians who were maimed, murdered, deformed and poisoned, by the US government? Maybe he should make two pilgrimages in order to atone for his personal contribution to the problems he bestowed upon his victims.
(COMMENT)
I went to Vietnam. You fight the war with the tactics and style of the day. Having been to both Afghanistan and Iraq, I can tell you that the Army of 1970 (RVN) and the Army of Iraq (2004) and Afghanistan (2008) were much different - evolved. Yet, in both wars, one cannot help that people are befall tragedy. Casualties and death are an expected consequence of war.
You answer "your nations call to duty" - and each of us do our best as the nation and leadership expects of us. I check the mail every day. I haven't seen a call from my nation to perform a "pilgrimage and apologize" tour. Is that something that you suggest; on behalf of your constituents? Is that want your leadership call for in historical perspective?
In the mean time, to change the political policies and to alter the course of events that set the conditions for war
(whether in 1970 or today), one must not be the crass, crude and argumentative personality that does nothing but criticizes
(or the one that promotes and justifies combative engagement) --- but rather --- try to be the one that offers suggestions that have a meaningful impact on the strategies the promote peace as the alternative.
The National Security Strategy (
http://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/rss_viewer/national_security_strategy.pdf) that shapes today's basic foreign policy is here for your examination and critique. What in the strategy do you find that is in need of adjustment? I'm quite sure you've read it, along with every other other member of the Discussion Group. What do you find as a weakness needing repair?
Most Respectfully,
R
Rocco...I know you're not a big Nick Turse fan, but I gotta ask, did you serve in the 1st Cavalry Division?
"We shoot the sick, the young, the lame,
We do our best to kill and maim.
Because the kills count all the same,
Napalm sticks to kids.
"Ox cart rolling down the road,
Peasants with a heavy load,
They're all VC when the bombs explode,
Napalm sticks to kids."
You and Hossie made one of the biggest mistakes of your lives when you went to Vietnam.
I will do my best to suggest to future generations of Americans they make better choices.
Kill Anythng That Moves: The Real American War in Vietnam Nick Turse, Metropolitan Books, 2013, pp.48-49.