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Veterans

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steve2470

(37,457 posts)
Sun Mar 30, 2014, 01:59 PM Mar 2014

question about the VN war and its veterans [View all]

Last edited Sun Mar 30, 2014, 03:38 PM - Edit history (2)

Not a troll post, honest.

Like most DU'ers, I do a differentiation between civilian leadership and the active duty military. I reserve the right to criticize the civilians, but I don't criticize the active duty military or the veterans. Like most of DU (or all of DU, haven't done a poll), I think the civilian leadership made a mistake going into VN, especially after the bogus Gulf of Tonkin incident.

Question: How does one, in public, make that point known to a VN vet without being disrespectful to the vet ? Some vets, in my experience, seem to take it pretty personally. I've never said anything critical of an individual vet, but yes, I've expressed my opinion of the war.

Maybe I should just avoid the topic from now on.


Thanks, Steve

ETA: I'm referring to outspoken war hawks in public with the VN war. I routinely say ABSOLUTELY NOTHING, in public or private.

ETA2: Ok, I'm never discussing it again with anyone in public. No one. I probably won't even discuss it in private. Super toxic issue, just like abortion.

45 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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As the wife of a Vietnam Vet I do know some Vets think it was a mistake but they went, Autumn Mar 2014 #1
ok, read my post again steve2470 Mar 2014 #2
I did read it. I took issue with the "in public, make that point known to a VN vet" part. Autumn Mar 2014 #3
my last word on this steve2470 Mar 2014 #4
I agree, if a VN veteran is going to be absolutely belligerent that the VN war was right Autumn Mar 2014 #5
I am an Army VN veteran 68-69, Phu Bai ... MindMover Mar 2014 #6
yep steve2470 Mar 2014 #7
Then every war that has ever been fought has been a mistake ... MindMover Mar 2014 #8
I dare you to make your argument in GD. Make an OP..... steve2470 Mar 2014 #9
It is your logic, not mine ... MindMover Mar 2014 #10
you're wrong, face it steve2470 Mar 2014 #11
Again, this is not my logic ... it is yours ... BTW, I quit taking dares at about 12 MindMover Mar 2014 #12
good for you, I honor you for your service steve2470 Mar 2014 #13
Every war is a complete clusterfxck ... MindMover Mar 2014 #15
Phu Bai rings a bell. unhappycamper Apr 2014 #42
Phu Bai '69-'70 here pinboy3niner May 2014 #45
I agree the war was a mistake but I have no interest in re-fighting that old debate pinboy3niner Mar 2014 #14
Warhawk ... LOL MindMover Mar 2014 #16
We'll have to disagree on this one, brother pinboy3niner Mar 2014 #22
Then every war that has ever been fought has been a mistake ... MindMover Mar 2014 #24
Welcome home to you, too pinboy3niner Mar 2014 #25
I believe in holding a man to his word ... I know that is old fashioned, but that is me MindMover Mar 2014 #35
When I say it's debatable... pinboy3niner Mar 2014 #36
I am not exactly sure how you jump from it being a civil war ... MindMover Mar 2014 #37
I agree. You are confused. :) pinboy3niner Mar 2014 #38
Thanks for telling me that I am confused about your explanation. MindMover Mar 2014 #39
this op was probably a mistake steve2470 Mar 2014 #17
Not a mistake pinboy3niner Mar 2014 #18
ok clarified steve2470 Mar 2014 #20
btw thanks for being diplomatic about this steve2470 Mar 2014 #19
As a Vietnam Vet I ask why don't you upaloopa Mar 2014 #21
read all my posts...thanks nt steve2470 Mar 2014 #23
"Thank you for your service" YarnAddict Mar 2014 #26
I agree, this op was a mistake nt steve2470 Mar 2014 #27
Don't be so easily discouraged pinboy3niner Mar 2014 #28
it just seems *some* veterans conflate the war with their personal worth steve2470 Mar 2014 #29
Now you're just puntificating :) pinboy3niner Mar 2014 #30
massive respect and kindness to all you guys and ladies steve2470 Mar 2014 #31
We VN vets no longer have it the worst pinboy3niner Mar 2014 #32
would you make a post in GD on that very issue ? steve2470 Mar 2014 #33
We did have it the worst for a long time pinboy3niner Mar 2014 #34
Speaking for myself only. unhappycamper Apr 2014 #43
I did two tours in Nam even tho I knew unhappycamper Apr 2014 #40
much respect to you, sir nt steve2470 Apr 2014 #41
No sweat bro, don't mean shit salimbag Apr 2014 #44
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