How come war supporters didn't learn their lesson in Vietnam?

Question

Source: 70% of Americans are against the Iraq war.

Answer 1

Erudite ... Yes, Americans did NOT learn a lesson. After we withdrew from Vietnam, despite the Paris peace accords, the north, with a large dose of support from China and the USSR, violated the treaties they agreed to and overwhelmed the south.

Many in the south were killed, of course, not to mention the slaughter of millions of Cambodians, which would not have occurred if there were a freedom-supporting military actively operating in the south.

Furthermore, although the Vietnamese now enjoy a small dose of economic prosperity because they abandoned their centrally managed Communist style economy, politically speaking, they're still 100% Communist. Daring to speak out gets you jailed just like many who were imprisoned after the south fell in 1975. And let me tell you ... Jail there is not like jail here.

Let's not overlook the millions who risked death to flee in fishing boats that were not sea-worthy. Ask THEM whether the world has learned its lesson regarding the importance of defending freedom.

And how do I know these things? First of all, I can read ... I DO follow the news and not the rhetoric of political activists who know nothing except how to complain; do they ever suggest realistic solutions? No, they only complain. Such people are virtually useless, in my view. Additionally, I know of these things by the many Vietnamese acquaintances and co-workers I have, many of whom escaped by boat, not to mention some who were jailed for resisting the dictatorial ways of the Communist government.

So, you're right ... America has NOT learned its lesson and because they will not adequately support this vital cause, similar results will certainly follow.

America DID have the fortitude to proceed with our involvement in World War II despite the heavy losses we suffered. And the reward has been the long-lasting peace and prosperity that Europe has enjoyed in the decades following the war. However, the same has not happened in Vietnam, exactly. Many continue to suffer in their "education camps" which is where people like Jane Fonda and Michael Moore would go if America ran things the same way as Vietnam does.

Lastly, for all those who complain that America isn't doing the right thing, I have a question for them. By their tone and method of complaining, they make it seem that America is such an AWFUL place. They are FILLED with complaints, yet they offer no solutions. Well, to those people I suggest that they either start looking for solutions or pack their bags to move to one of these other great havens they seem to love so much. Perhaps Jane Fonda would appreciate moving to Vietnam. And how about Michael Moore? I think he might enjoy a few years in North Korea, I bet.

Answer 2

I agree with you. By United States I have to define that as the US Government, seperate from the people (since we were not consulted about either conflict and were lied to and coerced into both). The US Government did learn some things from the Vietnam Conflict. 1. It learned that it could not use a civilian army to do thier bidding. Civilians were not properly brainwashed and succumbed to popular culture norms of the time, which was very much anti-war in the 60s and 70s. So, troops were using drugs, listening to similar music and listening to the more reasonable voices about what the conflict was about. They actually heard about the death toll's impact on the country and also heard a bit of the Vietnamese side too, because protesters brought that to light. In this "war" we don't get that Bush regime (Reagan leftovers) knew to keep the body bags secret, can't show coffins all that... demonize Cindy Sheehan and the voice of military families agains the slaughter worked. 2. They learned that they must control the media, no truth canbe allowed, the media (unlike the 60s-70s) has completely bowed to fascist pressure and is no more than a Governemnt mouthpeice. it takes great skill to ignore attrocities like Fallujah, but they did... they pacified the minds of Americans and keep us a a heightened state of fear so we do not ask the tough questions. That is psychological warfare against the American people and it is working. I suggest one further... maybe people who do remember Vietnam should start talking about it more, so we don't go over the same path again, talk to kids... my experience is that they want the information more than ever and are willing to resist this governement... at the same time they are far more politically dissallusioned than before. The activists now seem to be these misguied Young Republicans and thier lot, who are ntohing more than confused angry people looking for a scapegoat, often Leftists from the 60s 70s fit that role well, and they devour that, because the Left seems to be tired of fighting... hmmm we need a Malcolm X to wake up the people again, give them back thier pride a bit, thier dignity, right now we are weak and impotent and tired of liberals as much as conservatives... thats my rant, sorry. good question.

Answer 3

First, the majority of supporters had little to no involvement with Vietnam...and are too young to have any personal memories of either the originating events or the escalations.

Second, too many have confused the need for justification with the generalized desire for vengeance over the 9-11 attacks...and choose to ignore the fact that one has nothing to do with the other.

...the term, "The Blind being led by the Blind" springs to mind quite often...
Americans are told that the action is justified, and for those who choose to blindly follow, that's good enough to adopt a "We must support our leaders" philosophy.
...it's far easier than taking the time and interest required to make an informed decision of their own.

...the Pied Piper scenario?

...but the real truth can always be found by following the money...War is a business, and the US is the best-established warring company on the planet...we just appoint a new CEO every 4 years.

Answer 4

I think if you look at history, you will reconsider your statement.

The Vietnam War started when North Vietnam attacked South Vietnam in an unprovoked attempt to conquer the South. The United States eventually responded and assisted her ally to defend herself.

During the course of the Vietnam war, the U.S killed the majority of North Vietnamese males between the ages of 15 to 35, but due to constraints of the cold war politics that prevented the U.S from entering North Vietnam and the knowledge that if they were patient, the North could outlast America's resolve, because of the internal strife of delusional Americans calling American Soldiers "baby killers".

When the United States left S.E Asia, North defeated the South, causing Vietnam to descend into a miserable dictatorship that subjected the Vietnamese to years of death and misery. Vietnam attacked her neighbors and left corrupt governments that caused death and misery, such as in Cambodia.

The lesson of Vietnam is once the U.S commits to action, the U.S can’t do it haphazardly or show hesitation. So my question, have you learned from the Vietnam war? I truly believe that if there has to be war, then I want it now so my children don’t have to face it later.

Answer 5

Where were you guys hiding after 9/11?

Why no anti-war protests in the streets when the US wanted to invade Iraq?

It seems to me that the 70% (you and the polls claim) are fencesitters, opportunists, circus clowns who will support ONLY if there is an immediate and clear cut conclusion to the war. What a bunch of spineless hypocrites!

Answer 6

"Of course the people don't want war. But after all, it's the leaders of the country who determine the policy, and it's always a simple matter to drag the people along whether it's a democracy, a fascist dictatorship, or a parliament, or a communist dictatorship. Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism, and exposing the country to greater danger."

--Hermann Goering, while incarcerated at Nuremberg

Answer 7

No war means no war on economy.
without invade iraq, no reason for oil price peak,
who gain benefit from this? it is not arab who control the storage of oil , they are mere puppet. IT IS WAR ON ECONOMY ,fool.
and the created reason is al-Qaeda, WMD, 911
How can Americans ellite stop from waging war? this trait is inherited from one president to another. Note this : have U heard anything about muslim terrorist b4 cold war ended? no definitely because new world order only drafted after end of cold war i.e ABSOLUTE CONTROL OVER WORLD RESOURCES. without terrorist they will be no enemy to fight for. was Saddam a former US ally? was Saddam use chemical manufactured in US for use in war against Iran and later against Kurdish?...

Answer 8

It's not the war supporters issue on hand.
Nam war was a pale lame ideology in contrast to the IRAQ war which is marriage of adventurism , religious Zionist Christianity, Israeli lobby and the gullibility and mediocrity of the president.
That's what this War is in contrast to Nam's war.

Answer 9

The war supporters did learn there lesson in Vietnam, there's a lot of money to be made from a war. Believe me that number of supporters doesn't have to be a majority or even close to sustain a war if you have the right connections You have a nice day and wear that dunce hat for a while longer and pay better attention next time.

Answer 10

Vietnam was a battlefield between U.S.A. and U.S.S.R.,a world power(all weapons etc were provided byU.S.S.R.).Iraq is a battle between U.S.A. and stupid islamist radicals(not saddam suppourters.)