02-02-2009, 10:15 AM
(This post was last modified: 02-02-2009, 10:26 AM by David Healy.)
I'm continually stunned how otherwise intellectual people are surprised by the depths of brutality in war. Perhaps its time for those that beat the drum the loudest to speak with those as to the why(s), and wherefore(s) of those combat actions. Blaming those on the ground for carrying out ones country policy AND battle tactics (of which terror and assassination may be tactics) during the time of war, is utter foolishness, a waste of time -- and serves only to prop up failing media EGO'S. Especially those ego's that can't quite grasp the big picture or theater context.... Wringing hands 40 years after the fact provides what again?
Perhaps that's why GOD has a special place in mind for leaders of countries who can't resist the urge to conquer.
btw, TERROR is nothing more than another tactic of war.
And imagine this, the fore runner of the CIA the OSS, during WW2, provided assistance and arms to none other than, yep, Ho Chi Minh!
The Phoenix program was one answer in combating Ho's Viet Cong (who today would be termed terrorists) reign of murderous terror against his/their own countrymen, the South Vietnamese. Make no mistake the majority of the Viet Cong were So. Vietnamese! Well, it didn't work! Ho and his merry band of terrorists murdered more than anyone can imagine.... Not unlike past megalomaniacs, simply fewer in number. Being a South Vietnamese tribal leader or hamlet elder, or family member no matter how distant was not a good gig during the mid-late 60's thru the mid 70's
Members of the Phoenix program I knew, whom lived to well into their 70's, I never heard one complaint about sleepless nights. But they were the consummate, professional soldiers. The best America had and currently HAS in my estimation...
Perhaps that's why GOD has a special place in mind for leaders of countries who can't resist the urge to conquer.
btw, TERROR is nothing more than another tactic of war.
And imagine this, the fore runner of the CIA the OSS, during WW2, provided assistance and arms to none other than, yep, Ho Chi Minh!
The Phoenix program was one answer in combating Ho's Viet Cong (who today would be termed terrorists) reign of murderous terror against his/their own countrymen, the South Vietnamese. Make no mistake the majority of the Viet Cong were So. Vietnamese! Well, it didn't work! Ho and his merry band of terrorists murdered more than anyone can imagine.... Not unlike past megalomaniacs, simply fewer in number. Being a South Vietnamese tribal leader or hamlet elder, or family member no matter how distant was not a good gig during the mid-late 60's thru the mid 70's
Members of the Phoenix program I knew, whom lived to well into their 70's, I never heard one complaint about sleepless nights. But they were the consummate, professional soldiers. The best America had and currently HAS in my estimation...