An outstanding article and thank you for writing about this dark chapter in 20th century history. It’s so important that current and future generations grapple with the realities of US militarism rather than the sanitized myths that so often dominate the official narrative. The Vietnam War is not just a tragic miscalculation but a case study in how empire sustains itself through propaganda, selective memory and the constant reinvention of “noble causes” to justify military interventions.
One additional insight is how Vietnam illustrates the political economy of war in that the conflict enriched defense contractors, expanded the military-industrial complex and normalized permanent mobilization - all dynamics that remain central to America’s global posture today.
There is also a cultural dimension in that Vietnam fundamentally reshaped American society, from the credibility gap that fractured public trust in government to the rise of an antiwar consciousness that still serves as a counterweight to elite narratives.
Remembering Vietnam in its full, unvarnished truth is not an act of nostalgia but a warning for our time.
I wonder if all the ivy league schools graduating these monsters to become politicians have anything to do with the caliber of politicians who keep getting voted in since all these schools were created and funded by a pre-civil war South. It seems like most brought their empire building, colonialist, imperial, racist roots with them from Europe and ensconced those "values" in our higher institutions making the institutions highly susceptible to Zionist leanings. Pure speculation, of course.
We visit Nam and saw the horror of the US involvement. The Vietnamese people are so forgiving and so kind. Some idiot American was in the War Museum wearing a t-shirt with the US Flag. One of the few times the US was defeated much to the determination of the people's army. The US has affected 180 countries with assassinations, overthrows, fixed elections. The US should have their membership to the UN terminated - they just vetoed the cease fire the Ukraine - the only country to do so out of 140 votes. Why the hell is the US allowed to do this.
Indeed, A very sad, sorry, and tragically criminal legacy Robert it is. Although I avoided hitting people over the head with them, the parallels for the here and now are clear.
That photo of the innocent Vietnamese children brought horrible memories flooding back.
It was the first television war and it didn't sit well with me.
It was the first lottery I had ever won and the thought of having to go there horrified me. I had a deferment because I was in an apprenticeship in a so called essential service. But for 3 years I dreaded the day that I would no longer be in my apprenticeship and may have to go.
I am pleased to say that I didn't go as for some reason I failed the medical. I think it may have been because the war was approaching an end.
Politicians and government heads start wars and citizens fight and die in them. Murder becomes legal. People become animals and so many suffer.
My story reads like yours. I failed my physical in 1966 and was given a 1Y exemption enabling me to go on to college. My lottery number was 305. My brother-in-law wasn’t so lucky and he still doesn’t talk about it.
An outstanding article and thank you for writing about this dark chapter in 20th century history. It’s so important that current and future generations grapple with the realities of US militarism rather than the sanitized myths that so often dominate the official narrative. The Vietnam War is not just a tragic miscalculation but a case study in how empire sustains itself through propaganda, selective memory and the constant reinvention of “noble causes” to justify military interventions.
One additional insight is how Vietnam illustrates the political economy of war in that the conflict enriched defense contractors, expanded the military-industrial complex and normalized permanent mobilization - all dynamics that remain central to America’s global posture today.
There is also a cultural dimension in that Vietnam fundamentally reshaped American society, from the credibility gap that fractured public trust in government to the rise of an antiwar consciousness that still serves as a counterweight to elite narratives.
Remembering Vietnam in its full, unvarnished truth is not an act of nostalgia but a warning for our time.
I wonder if all the ivy league schools graduating these monsters to become politicians have anything to do with the caliber of politicians who keep getting voted in since all these schools were created and funded by a pre-civil war South. It seems like most brought their empire building, colonialist, imperial, racist roots with them from Europe and ensconced those "values" in our higher institutions making the institutions highly susceptible to Zionist leanings. Pure speculation, of course.
Speculation it may be Paula, but nonetheless well founded. 🙏🏼👍
We visit Nam and saw the horror of the US involvement. The Vietnamese people are so forgiving and so kind. Some idiot American was in the War Museum wearing a t-shirt with the US Flag. One of the few times the US was defeated much to the determination of the people's army. The US has affected 180 countries with assassinations, overthrows, fixed elections. The US should have their membership to the UN terminated - they just vetoed the cease fire the Ukraine - the only country to do so out of 140 votes. Why the hell is the US allowed to do this.
Indeed, A very sad, sorry, and tragically criminal legacy Robert it is. Although I avoided hitting people over the head with them, the parallels for the here and now are clear.
Every war is triggered by a false flag.
That photo of the innocent Vietnamese children brought horrible memories flooding back.
It was the first television war and it didn't sit well with me.
It was the first lottery I had ever won and the thought of having to go there horrified me. I had a deferment because I was in an apprenticeship in a so called essential service. But for 3 years I dreaded the day that I would no longer be in my apprenticeship and may have to go.
I am pleased to say that I didn't go as for some reason I failed the medical. I think it may have been because the war was approaching an end.
Politicians and government heads start wars and citizens fight and die in them. Murder becomes legal. People become animals and so many suffer.
My story reads like yours. I failed my physical in 1966 and was given a 1Y exemption enabling me to go on to college. My lottery number was 305. My brother-in-law wasn’t so lucky and he still doesn’t talk about it.
Thank you for bringing this information to the forefront again. I was once a proud and free American, but now I realize we are the true terrorists.