of a son to that insane war in Vietnam. Since the young man was killed so early in the U.S.'s involvement there, with things going from bad to worse and eventually The Worst as time went on, it's not too hard to imagine how a Kurtz-like descent could pull the man down relentlessly.
I had never heard that about him, however -- and I plan to go right now and start reading McCoy's book online. Thanks for that tip!
Knowing so many Nam vets as I do, I've been aware of the CIA's involvement in illegal activites, primarily drug trafficking, for a long time. I even know a couple of guys, one a pilot, who got dragged into those activities and told horror stories that most Americans would be stunned to hear.
With such a huge amount of money "missing," you'd think citizens would be exceedingly pissed off and want to know what's going on and why the hell the bleeding isn't stopped -- in more ways than one! I honestly believe most people just can't believe "we" would ever do such things. Rose-colored spectacles firmly in place. "Wishing thinking," indeed! To the max, and not only about the war in Iraq!
Those quotes you posted are telling -- and chilling. I've seen it that way since the pre-war propaganda putsch, and have had "that sinking feeling" so often over the last six years that I feel almost sunk out of sight at times.
PLENTY of astute people
warned Bu$hCo that they were certain to create another Nam-like quagmire, a nightmare of an unwinnable war (or occupation as it happened), from the very earliest time of catapulted propaganda with respect to Iraq.
I think too many people, including a great many U.S. citizens, believed that Afghanistan had been "taken care of" -- except for that little thing about blowing getting bin Laden at Tora Bora, and blowing it BADLY. But smart people told us that
was not so and advised as strongly as possible against moving the offensive and a lot of the troops to Iraq.
There's just NO excuse for what's been done in our name in the ME since Bu$hCo came to power. Even though officials (including GW) did not want to hear criticism or questioning of their plans, it stands to reason that sound advice DID reach their ears from the beginning. They just refused to listen -- or care.
The book by Frank Snepps looks good, too; I'll see if I can find a cheap copy somewhere.
Ambassador Martin, of course, was the one who waited so long to evacuate in the Saigon embassy scramble in April 1975. (That's another anniversary of a disaster for April, btw, which I hope gets some attention by the media so more folks will be aware of it.)
The U.S. ambassador left the country via airlift early on the morning of April 30th, a few hours before the last 11 American Marines who were retrieved from the rooftop after a very long and nervewracking night. I remember being shocked that Martin had waited so long to go. But that last night the Marines spent there too, trying to protect him and themselves ... man, what a terrifying ordeal for them!
Incommunicado, not even knowing for certain that anyone would come back for them, minimally armed and watching events unfold below them, all around them, as the NVA took over the embassy building and grounds, pulled down the U.S. flag and hoisted their own -- and celebrated the "ultimate, shameful defeat" of the mighty United States of America....
For those interested, here is an excellent recap of the last weeks of South Vietnam and the Fall of Saigon:
http://www.afa.org/magazine/april2000/0400saigon.aspI wish a great many people would read such historical reports and, for those who are old enough,
remember those events. For those who are younger, learn how bad it really was, and think about what could happen to the U.S. again, as we can probably expect to see a similarly catastrophic end and exit in Iraq (
and Afghanistan!) if careful plans are not in place.
Not many South Vietnamese turned on the remaining Americans in their country at the end when we were abandoning them to their dire fates. I wonder, however, if Iraqis will stay their hands against our troops and people when they realize what's happening.
Many Americans showed amazing courage in saving as many fleeing Vietnamese as they could in April 1975. Even Air America crews risked their hides to help and performed rescues under fire that was at times heavy. (Another surprise to me.)
But it should never have come to that.
And it
should not come to that again, but I'm afraid it may well look like a rerun in Iraq, just like GWB's downfall-in-progress looks in many ways like a rerun of Nixon's.
How sad and shameful for all of us, and downright deadly for so many innocents....
Thanks again for the info, EVDebs!
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