Another point that should be made is that it is absurd to say we "fought with one hand tied behind our back" because we dropped more bombs on tiny little Vietnam than we dropped in WWII. We used napalm, we used agent orange (which still causes birth defects to this day) we used white phosphorous and we used full-on scorched earth policies in villages and towns. To say that the US military lost because of the antiwar movement is just a sick joke. It is a desperate attempt to shift the blame for the debacle that was all the politician's and military's fault.
A major lie was there was "democracy in Saigon". From Diem's assassination in 1963 until the fall in 1975 US imposed puppets in Saigon. These puppets and the US military did nothing for democracy in Saigon, much less the corrupt provinces!
My friend Bob, a few years older, who had two "tours" in Vietnam as an advisor gave me a book by Wm Prochnau: Once Upon A Distant War. He said it matched his observations! Bob's second tour was at province level and he shared the corruption he saw! He said we could not win with the pillaging by our puppets.
Today Kiev is Saigon, a US installed puppet called democracy.
And the neocons are demanding escalation that does not tie our puppets hands!
Wouldn't it be something if the US issued a formal apology to the Vietnamese people for our war there? Then issue another for our Iraq War. Hundreds of thousands, even millions as in Vietnam can die and we simply move on as if nothing happened that had anything to do with our actions.
Even though "only" 35,000 Gazans have died, our direct involvement in providing the hardware to kill them and the pledge of our President that we stand with the slaughterers sets a new low. I just watched Netanyahu, leader of an openly stated 76 year old ethnic cleansing project now on hyperdrive, denounce the ICC for considering his project genocidal with he himself subject to arrest. He cannot bear to be put in the same category with HAMAS. It's true, his country's efforts over 3/4 of a century are in no way comparable to a single desperate act on Oct 7. The man is still calling the IDF the world's most moral army. He is looking increasingly haggard.
Great essay, Bill! I saw it on antiwar.com and came over here to thank you!
If you're interested in an anti-imperialist community, check out the Center for Political Innovation and Caleb Maupin's Youtube or Rumble channel.
I confess I've been scarce on Substack lately since I found that community. Caleb livestreams several nights per week about current events. I bet you $20 you'll be impressed by his knowledge of history and world events. The first half of the show he gives opening remarks, second half he answers viewers' questions.
I wouldn't recommend this (or bet you you'd be at the least impressed with Caleb) if I didn't think you'd be really into what he talks about. A lot of people in the chat are members of CPI, but certainly not everybody. CPI is like a think tank- and we don't talk about the culture war AT ALL. We are trying to figure out how to educate the masses about Western imperialism (i.e. monopoly capitalism, which led us to endless wars.)
It's also nice to find a community of people who are sick of identity politics and just want to recreate the country our founders dreamed of.
psss: You may or may not have noticed that none of the Helicopters in the Attack have machine guns sticking out their sides, managed and operated on the starboard side by the Door Gunner, and done on the port side by the Chopper's Crew Chief.
You also may have noticed that none of the wide angle shots show any Troops on board any of those Choppers.
Apparently, that was the only way Director/Producer Francis Ford Copula could get the government of the Philippines to allow Philippino Assault Helicopters to be available for the flic.
Apparently, there were concerns in Manila at time that those Choppers ~ if actually armed and manned ~ just might decide to launch an assault upon Dictator For Life Ferdinand Marcos' Imperial Palace; instead of just making a movie..
First of all: Thank You, Bill, for introducing me to Professor Franklin and, particularly, to his book, CRASH COURSE.
i just Kindled it from Amazon and, having read just the first chapter, it is a book that i have been looking for for a long, Long time.
And second of all: Your concluding paragraph says it all: "The solution is as obvious as it will be painful. We need peace, transparency, and truth. End the wars, declassify all those “secrets” we the people should know about our military and wars, and reward truth-tellers instead of punishing them."
The Question is: How do We, The Peoples, make exactly that happen? Or is it too late for that to happen?
Given that America's choice for Leadership in 2024 is between Biden and Trump, it may very well be too late.
Heh. That thought crossed my mind until i remembered that Your Wife would in all probability not go along with You tossing Your hat into the ring, at all.
On the other hand, a vote for You would, in effect and actuality, be a vote For NOTC.
But on the Other other hand, Your claim to be "The Solution" sounds almost Trumpian, don't You think?
Jan 27, 2021: Former Senator Bob Corker provides an UpDate on his comments about Trump in 2017: "Trump's American Carnage: Bob Corker (interview) | FRONTLINE" at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJxlERc1txc .
Note: The transcript is available for those of that particular bent.
Another point that should be made is that it is absurd to say we "fought with one hand tied behind our back" because we dropped more bombs on tiny little Vietnam than we dropped in WWII. We used napalm, we used agent orange (which still causes birth defects to this day) we used white phosphorous and we used full-on scorched earth policies in villages and towns. To say that the US military lost because of the antiwar movement is just a sick joke. It is a desperate attempt to shift the blame for the debacle that was all the politician's and military's fault.
A major lie was there was "democracy in Saigon". From Diem's assassination in 1963 until the fall in 1975 US imposed puppets in Saigon. These puppets and the US military did nothing for democracy in Saigon, much less the corrupt provinces!
My friend Bob, a few years older, who had two "tours" in Vietnam as an advisor gave me a book by Wm Prochnau: Once Upon A Distant War. He said it matched his observations! Bob's second tour was at province level and he shared the corruption he saw! He said we could not win with the pillaging by our puppets.
Today Kiev is Saigon, a US installed puppet called democracy.
And the neocons are demanding escalation that does not tie our puppets hands!
What goes around.....
Wouldn't it be something if the US issued a formal apology to the Vietnamese people for our war there? Then issue another for our Iraq War. Hundreds of thousands, even millions as in Vietnam can die and we simply move on as if nothing happened that had anything to do with our actions.
Even though "only" 35,000 Gazans have died, our direct involvement in providing the hardware to kill them and the pledge of our President that we stand with the slaughterers sets a new low. I just watched Netanyahu, leader of an openly stated 76 year old ethnic cleansing project now on hyperdrive, denounce the ICC for considering his project genocidal with he himself subject to arrest. He cannot bear to be put in the same category with HAMAS. It's true, his country's efforts over 3/4 of a century are in no way comparable to a single desperate act on Oct 7. The man is still calling the IDF the world's most moral army. He is looking increasingly haggard.
Sorry seems to be the hardest word.
Great essay, Bill! I saw it on antiwar.com and came over here to thank you!
If you're interested in an anti-imperialist community, check out the Center for Political Innovation and Caleb Maupin's Youtube or Rumble channel.
I confess I've been scarce on Substack lately since I found that community. Caleb livestreams several nights per week about current events. I bet you $20 you'll be impressed by his knowledge of history and world events. The first half of the show he gives opening remarks, second half he answers viewers' questions.
I wouldn't recommend this (or bet you you'd be at the least impressed with Caleb) if I didn't think you'd be really into what he talks about. A lot of people in the chat are members of CPI, but certainly not everybody. CPI is like a think tank- and we don't talk about the culture war AT ALL. We are trying to figure out how to educate the masses about Western imperialism (i.e. monopoly capitalism, which led us to endless wars.)
It's also nice to find a community of people who are sick of identity politics and just want to recreate the country our founders dreamed of.
And I will seriously bet you $20 !
Looks like he will stream at 10pm tonight. Topic "Do you believe in growth?" On Rumble and Youtube. Youtube link : https://www.youtube.com/live/V1vJoTcQXT0?si=AThqG_IbJBKqiuBH
Thanks for the rec, Rachel.
One of the Very Best summings up of, and solution to The Problem: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKNLIilyn7s .
ps: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePTpg_qJ5Gs .
pss: Having been a Door Gunner on Assault Helicopters in the Mekong Delta from August 1967 to August 1968 [including TET], i can definitely relate.
i hope some here at BV can, as well.
psss: You may or may not have noticed that none of the Helicopters in the Attack have machine guns sticking out their sides, managed and operated on the starboard side by the Door Gunner, and done on the port side by the Chopper's Crew Chief.
You also may have noticed that none of the wide angle shots show any Troops on board any of those Choppers.
Apparently, that was the only way Director/Producer Francis Ford Copula could get the government of the Philippines to allow Philippino Assault Helicopters to be available for the flic.
Apparently, there were concerns in Manila at time that those Choppers ~ if actually armed and manned ~ just might decide to launch an assault upon Dictator For Life Ferdinand Marcos' Imperial Palace; instead of just making a movie..
First of all: Thank You, Bill, for introducing me to Professor Franklin and, particularly, to his book, CRASH COURSE.
i just Kindled it from Amazon and, having read just the first chapter, it is a book that i have been looking for for a long, Long time.
And second of all: Your concluding paragraph says it all: "The solution is as obvious as it will be painful. We need peace, transparency, and truth. End the wars, declassify all those “secrets” we the people should know about our military and wars, and reward truth-tellers instead of punishing them."
The Question is: How do We, The Peoples, make exactly that happen? Or is it too late for that to happen?
Given that America's choice for Leadership in 2024 is between Biden and Trump, it may very well be too late.
In any event, Thank You again.
You're welcome, Jeff.
The solution is easy. You want NOTC; Dennis wants Trump. You both should be voting for me.
I am your solution. :-)
Heh. That thought crossed my mind until i remembered that Your Wife would in all probability not go along with You tossing Your hat into the ring, at all.
On the other hand, a vote for You would, in effect and actuality, be a vote For NOTC.
But on the Other other hand, Your claim to be "The Solution" sounds almost Trumpian, don't You think?
Of course! I thought it would appeal to Dennis :-)
Roger that. i'm sure it would.
Jan 27, 2021: Former Senator Bob Corker provides an UpDate on his comments about Trump in 2017: "Trump's American Carnage: Bob Corker (interview) | FRONTLINE" at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJxlERc1txc .
Note: The transcript is available for those of that particular bent.