It's the up all night of the living dead term paper... and the topic is (I didn't choose this)..... Was the US's involvement in Vietnam justified? Coming from the perspective of the government and from veterans. Anyone know of any legit-enough-to-be-on-a-term-paper's-footnotes websites that might help me out...ya know....presidents spouting off about why they did it, or vets sayin why it was/wasn't right..etc. Or hell, even a good story to get my brain running...I'm snoozing over this damn paper...and I still have 1 paper and 4 final exams to do in the next seven days after this one.agh.
i visited Vietnam this year, there is still so much heartache and so many people who will never forget what happened.
Depends on yoru ideology. I say no. The war killed millions of human beings. The country is severely damaged today by the rapings, bombings, massacres, mutilations etc. Babies born as monsters is a common site in Vietnam, and for a good reason.
Was it justified? In retrospect, no. When we first started getting involved in Vietnam after the Gulf of Tonkin "incident" in 1964 we were just two years removed from the Cuban Missile Crisis and stopping communism was on America's agenda. But Vietnam was a war we couldn't realistically win, not with China to the north, the jungles for the Viet Cong to hide in and support for the communists from neighboring Laos and Cambodia. The cost of winning the war would have been too high and the underground resistance would have continued indefinitely.
That's about the conclusion I came to newo..that the US was pretty much just killing people off (US and vietnamese alike) with no real justification once they knew they couldn't possibly win. I don't think they should have been there to begin with but I didn't mention that part...my history teacher isn't fond of radicals. and BTW, I got a 100 on the paper....first 100 I have EVER gotten on a history paper..woohoo. *Doing the "I got 100" dance*
I'll let ya see it when the semester is over...who knows what classmates of mine are wandering around hippy.com looking for someone to cheat off of.....
What's the babies born as monsters thing? Like a chemical poisoning mutation type deal or what? I can't imagine living in a place that felt the wrath of the US.
Yes,chemical poisoning.The "catch phrase" would agent orange,but in fact,many more were used to try and defoliate the jungle,therebu reducing the hiding places for people and equipment.It worked,it didn't work.It certainly killed the jungle where it was sprayed,but the "enemy" just moved to a different area.They also moved much of their operations underground.BUT,it also killed and maimed thousands,both during and after the war.Birth defects are very common in the heavily sprayed areas.Water contamination etc.Since the nasty shit remains in a persons fat cells,it is even more incidious because its effects can remain dorment for decades,only to sucker punch you when your older.They weren't very carefull about who,or where they sprayed.I,myself was sprayed numerous times on my first tour there.As a result,my son has tumors on him that he was born with,and I have a collection of them now myself.If anybody is interested,someone wrote a book on it called,"Waiting for an army to die".I can't remember the authors name.
As an unwilling participant I can attest that there was no value to that invasion. As well as little truth. You have probably learned much already in your research; but if there are gaps or particular info you need, such as total U.S. injured or killed, affects of PTSD, diseases affecting G.I.'s and their children, etc. feel free to contact me...john cox
Thanks Budz. I have been up to the Grand Junction several times for PTSD, And as DAV Service co-ordinater in Durango; till i became too crazy to work and developed seizures and strokes. Had several clients and/or their kids that developed many Agent Orange diseases.hardest part of the job. Keep strong!
I ran a outreach center back east for 2 years.It kicked the shit outta me too man.Toughest job I ever had.I'm 100% P&T since 85.I did two tours(aeroscout).I'm haveing a time with unauthorized lumps and bumps,and some other things from disneyland.I've also logged in 3 heart attacks.Xin loi for us bro.I'm also a lifer in DAV,since 83.The NSO that got my claim thru,is now dead(RIP) His name was Walter Zumont.Former gyrine,up on the Z,where I did my second tour.He was a damn good man.Peace
