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Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Forgetting the Troops
Posted by Jack Hunter on Tue, Jun 1, 2010 at 3:28 PM
By the time I was ten years old I already hated the government. When I was eight, they almost killed E.T. When I was nine, they wouldn’t let Kevin Bacon dance. At ten, I watched Rambo attempt to bring home prisoners of war from Vietnam only to be refused and left for dead by government bureaucrats. Long after outgrowing my concern for aliens and dancing rights, the cheesy, over-the-top 1985 “Rambo” movie still stuck with me because the plot was at least plausible. Would our government knowingly leave POWs behind? Did they?
In the introduction to a symposium in the latest issue of The American Conservative, TAC publisher Ron Unz confirms my childhood suspicion. In a piece titled “Was Rambo Right?” Unz writes:
“(T)he average teenage moviegoer of the 1980s watching mindless action films such as ‘Rambo,’ ‘Missing in Action,’ and ‘Uncommon Valor’ was seeing reality portrayed on screen… as the years and decades went by, and various schemes to ransom or rescue the POWs were considered and rejected, their continued existence became a major liability to numerous powerful political figures, whose reputations would have been destroyed if any of the prisoners ever returned and told his story to the American people. So none of them ever came home.”
Unz’s claims are based on the investigative work of Pulitzer Prize winning reporter Sydney Schanberg. No slouch, Unz notes that Schanberg was a high ranking editor for the New York Times, his book on Cambodia was made into the 1984 Oscar-winning movie “The Killing Fields,” and he is considered to be one of America’s foremost Vietnam War journalists. Schanberg makes a very detailed case that our government—including presidents, congressman and other officials—either had knowledge or were presented with evidence on numerous occasions pointing toward the existence of hundreds of American POWs left behind in Vietnam, and did little to nothing about it. Unz describes one of Schanberg’s allegations as “a story that if true might easily represent the single greatest act of national dishonor ever committed by our political leaders.”
Other than The American Conservative, Schanberg’s expose has only been published online by The Nation Institute and that was in 2008. But if his story is true, only half true, or even ten percent true, why isn’t this a major news item? If President Obama makes a joke at a White House dinner, it makes headlines. If U.S. Senate candidate Rand Paul takes a fairly conventional conservative position concerning illegal immigration, it becomes a controversy worthy of coverage. But the possible betrayal of hundreds of our soldiers in Vietnam orchestrated at the highest levels of government for decades? We hear nothing.
On Memorial Day it struck me that a holiday intended to honor the memory of those who served their country, might also be a good day for Americans to reflect on what their government does to its soldiers. Writes Pat Buchanan “While Americans this Memorial Day put flags out for all of their war dead, the arguments do not cease over the wisdom of the wars in which they fought and died.” But today, what I see is a glaring lack of argument with too many Americans simply assuming their government knows what it’s doing when it comes to foreign policy. Americans pay taxes, but still raise hell about it. They become involved in electoral politics, but still bash politicians. But when it comes to foreign affairs, it’s as if the same government everyone knows to be incompetent domestically gets a pass internationally. As we ask America’s bravest to put their lives on the line, something we salute, admire and memorialize—but are still reluctant to ask “why?”
Comments (26)
Showing 1-26 of 26
Bring back the draft. Following high school all Americans should serve 2 to 4 years in military service. No exceptions. The length of time served would be dependent upon the specialty field the individuals choose and for which they are qualified. Trumping both of those options would be the critical needs of the military. Following fulfillment of their military obligations all would be eligible for 2-4 years of partial funding to pursue a higher level of education.
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Silly me. I only hated the government for declaring ketchup a vegetable, bombing Libya, invading Grenada, and slashing regulatory oversight of businesses.
I guess I should have watched more movies in the eighties so I could have well-reasoned and intelligent reasons for being a dissenter.
Forced military servitude? I think that's just a tad bit unconstitutional, unethical and immoral. Besides why would we want our children to serve the ruthless UNITED STATES corporation instead of protecting their various states (or countries) from foreign invaders? The audacity that one would even suggest that we send our daughters or sisters into battle is unbelievable.
The bottom line is that the UNITED STATES would better be named the American Empire and is run by a criminal cartel. It is sad enough that several of my peers have been duped into serving this criminal enterprise under the false claim that they were to fight for freedom, liberty and country. I honestly can’t hold them responsible for making this type of error as the UNITED STATES engages in deceit and innumerable lies. It’s time for the people to stand up and demand the end of the UNITED STATES and either revert back to these united States of America or let the various regions break off and form a government that suits the people in that region needs.
Better yet, it's time for people to stand up and throw traitors like you out of the country.
FCB
I don’t care if you and your entire family has been brainwashed and duped by the UNITED STATES corporation into being willing slaves. If you aren’t bright enough to figure out that the federal government views you for the amount of labor you can produce and wealth they can tax you for then there’s no hope you. If you want an empire than stand up and be counted! Don't pretend that you are loyal to the united States of America when you are in fact only loyal to the UNITED STATES.
The united States of America began as a republic that slowly has been transformed into an empire. If the united States of America existed in its original state then it would not be engaged in war mongering, concentrating more power into the hands of a few or have transformed our officers of the peace into law enforcement officers. The federal courts are a sham that allows the judges and lawyers determine who can financially benefit from the system. The federal legislator branch is only concerned with the amount of wealth they can steal from you for themselves and their corporate backers. The executive branch has usurped many powers which was never delegated to it and engages in conflicts in order to better the financial interest of the UNITED STATES corporation. The executive branch on one hand has their war against drugs, which is designed to convince you that you don’t have control over you own body and that the government does. On the other hand they send their lackeys to Afghanistan to protect the opium farms in order to raise even more unaccounted money to fund their criminal enterprises. The facts are laid out for anyone to see… the real question is how many people can recognize the truth.
Since we're on the topic of lame movies, I guess people like guy and FCB saw Starship Troopers and saw a new model for society instead of a dystopia.
The only corps I'm interested in serving in is the Peace Corps.
Thanks for realizing that factchecker. You didn't mention that most of them were Republicans. See, George Bush, Dick Cheney, Mitt Romney, Fred Thompson, Rudy Giuliani, etc.
Sark- You left out Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan.
And Jackson, if you hate our country so much feel free to leave.
FCB
I never said I hated the united States of America... only the UNITED STATES corporation. It appears that you are to dim to know the difference. It must be your fantasy to live in a world where you have someone else to think for you, tell you when to eat, when to sleep, what to do, how to do it... yeah I forgot you seem to worship the military... The hardest thing for you must have been when you left and you had to start making all of those decisions on your own.
Didn't you know Mat, 'we' invaded Grenada to protect our 'freedom'-doubtless those diabolical Grenadians were planning an invasion. As well as the Koreans, Iranians, Guatemalans, Iraqis, Panamanians, and Chileans. It's a global conspiracy I tell you.
What is truly ridiculous is America’s unrealistic program of nation-building in the Middle East and trying to force democracy on countries that have not known it, do not want it, and hate us for trying to impose it. The neoconservative vision that continues to animate so many on the Right, has caused too much damage already and is in no way conservative.
It's "too dim", bright boy.
And when I left after 4 years I went on to get an Engineering degree.
I don't miss the military, but I still want all who partake of the benefits of this country to serve it for a while.
You talk big here but face it, you are just another coward who was afraid he would get hurt if he served.
Again, if you don't like our lawfully elected govenment feel free to find somewhere better.
Still no. If we give people a strong incentive to non-profit work-well, that's something. Say we forgive all student loans for a couple years of work in the non-profit sector (whether government or NGO).
Who wants to bet that if asked, FCB would claim to believe in 'freedom' and not see any contradiction with forced military service or expelling people from the country for holding the wrong political views?
Also, can I quote your last sentence fcb to every Tea Partier I come across?
Help your self, Sark. Nice to disagree with someone who is civil, unlike those on here who question the intelligence of those who don't agree with their opinions.
As far as your second paragraph goes, freedom is not free. I served to protect our freedom, not to engage in "Nation Building" or to help blow up countries who were no threat to us.
Different political views are one thing, traitors who wish to break up and hence destroy our country are quite another, I have no patience for these "New Secessionists".
FCB
It would be more correct to say that the current UNITED STATES elected leaders are only the legal leaders not the lawful leaders... once again their is a difference. Besides I am native american there is no way in hell I am going anywhere.
By the way, the united States of America is based on the belief that secession is a right of the people... perhaps you should familiarize yourself with the Declaration of Independence. Each colony was individually granted independence by the king of England. In fact, many states only ratified the constitution of the united States of America based on the condition that they maintained their right to secede. In fact before the supposed civil war West Point taught that secession was the right of the people in the states (or countries),
And its pretty obvious that perhaps the military personnel may not have signed up for nation building and being the law enforcement officers of the world it is what they are doing... plus causing the deaths of millions of innocent people... that is certainly something to be proud of.
By the way, pointing out a minor grammatical error simply affirms the obvious that you can not substantiate any of your beliefs based on the founding principles of the people of the several states.
FCB
Thank you for serving.
Did you serve during the transition from draftee to voluntary service, and if so, what are your thoughts on that time?
Do you think that an all volunteer force is more effective?
Considering our war making technological supremacy, it seems counter-intuitive to maintain huge numbers of troops, unless the government wants to continue using them for "meals on wheels" abroad, or, god forbid, "peacekeeping" at home.
We frequently agree to disagree, but know that I am most sincere in my thanks for your service to the country. Semper fi.
IP, during the time I served they went from if you are poor you get drafted to the lottery.
Interesting, I signed up and while I was serving overseas my draft notice came in and I of course did not show up.
MY CO straightened everything out for me but I guess the FBI still has a file on me as a draft dodger.
Anyway, I did and still consider the old draft system to be horribly unfair; that is why I advocate universal, no excuses service.
In other words, the day you either turn 18 or graduate high school, it's off to boot camp with you.
How long you serve after boot camp would depend on the military's needs at that time. Possibly only a year, with 5 years as a reserve. And I would say the more you serve, the more that goes towards education.
There is plenty for lower rated military to do, much of which is now done by expensive civilian labor.
Now in my mind the big problem with the volunteer force is the enormous amount they are paid. Even accounting for inflation, it's something like 2.5 times what we were paid when I was in.
Of course, you know where that money comes from.
But you have put your finger on the problem this time, and that is the temptation of some future administration to abuse this military power.
Nothing new about that, fortunately the current administration seems content to try to wind down the useless wars of the last administration, and not start any new ones.
Anyway, happy belated Memorial Day to you, and thanks for your kind words.
I guess that 30,000 troop surge in Afghanistan was a botched attempt to withdraw then?
If nothing else, mandatory service would at least give the aristocratic leaders of this country pause before sending their sons and daughters into harm's way. It used to be a mark of distinction to serve your country and have your children do the same; now the power brokers have realized the same thing that countless civilizations have before ours: send the poor to do the rich man's work.
GHW Bush served under fire in WWII. He got his son out of any harm in Vietnam. His grandkids... well why serve when there's shots to slam? Meanwhile, the family torpedoed McCain for adopting a black child, and supported the swift boaters against a man that earned his chest candy in war.
Sark, maybe you can point me to some different numbers, but the ones I've seen indicate that the withdrawal from Iraq more than offsets the increase in Afganistan.
I'd like to see them out of both hopeless causes ASAP, but of course I'm not in charge of such things.
You said wind down the useless warS. Plural. As in he was winding down both of them. Which he's not. Ramping up one and merely following the Bush plan for another isn't 'winding down' in any normal sense of the word.
As for your faith that Obama won't start any new wars... I wish I knew the source of it, so I could believe too. I've just watched Obama adapt every single policy relation to the National Security State of the last administration, so I won't be surprised if he takes the next step and starts a couple wars of choice.
Between GWB & Hussein O the US Military is nearly destroyed because our fighting forces are being used for insane and unnatural social experiment. Women in the combat zone with all their inherent weaknesses, preference for them over men (promotions, easing rules), and more! To pacify the feminazi culture! Next is forcing them all to accept homosexuals which will make the mixing of women like a walk in the park. Nothing but trouble & grief will come from this. Next--ROE for the sake of saving civilian lives, at the expense of our own soldiers; asking, no, ordering our soldiers to fight the enemy with one hand tied behind their backs, to act as social workers winning "hearts and minds"--thanks, Jorge Bush--all in the name of keeping America safe while insisting our borders should be wide open to the world. We are living under tyranny here at home but our soldiers are slaughtered or maimed year after year of this obscene war. Our socalled leaders never learned from the debacles & deceit of Korea and Vietnam. They ignored Eisenhower's warning of the military-industrial complex. Dragonfly 212
Why are women in combat? Why is our obscene government trying to force our soldiers to accept homosexuals amongst them? Is this a war, or a social experiment?? Our soldiers are fighting with one hand behind their backs so as to save civilian 7thCentury retrogrades and face court-martial if they fire in self-defence. The new boss (Gen Petraus), same as the old boss, orders posters up in the barracks asking "What have you done to change hearts and minds today?" Something you might see in a first-grade classroom here at home. Yet the neocons who have never fired a BBgun will tell us our country is being kept safe, while the borders stay wide open. Inmates running the asylum.
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