The Vietnam War

[alkemyst]

Originally posted by: tcsenter

For the record the Kent State Massacre story in cliff note form

You gotta love those 'official' accountings of historical events found on websites like a Geocities personal webpage. Always good stuff.

On edit: Hey that one actually is ok. A rather objective accounting of the events.

Regardless what the host is I try to use credible info....hense the 'cliff notes' notation.

I have found most here seeing 2-3 pages of text and links, take their 'assumptions' and say 'yeah I read the site' and then go on to state the opposite of what happened.


I am sure there were some at Kent State the deserved to be charged criminally, however, most of those injured and killed were merely innocent bystanders attempting to cross to their classes.

The biggest fubar of the situation was that the wind shifted and blew the tear gas back at the unprepared guardsmen...throwing them into confusion and possibly a panic. As anyone knows, once the opening shots are fired, everyone carries through until a 'cease fire' is announced. Unfortunately in this instance it was too late.

Don't get me wrong, I love our soldiers....I love our police, however too many of those guys become bad apples and use their authority in the wrong way.

 

[Feldenak]

Originally posted by: Red Dawn

Originally posted by: thunderhorse
. My worst time was when I was spit on and called a baby killer. Now fire up your keyboards and go to work.

So you were one of the handful that were spit upon? Man since it was my generation that fought that war I personally knew dozens that actually served there, a few who were wounded and one who was killed . The funny thing is not one ever mentioned getting spat upon. I'm not saying that it didn't happen because it did and it was shameful. I think what really perpetuated the notion that a lot of Soldiers were being spat upon and called Baby Killers is that there were a few instances of that happening that were caught oppn Camera and beamed into the household of Millions of Americans. If I recall correctly these televised instances all happened at Huge Anti War Protests and Rally's were tensions and tempers were running high. The soldiers who were spat upon just weren't going about their business , they were engaging some of these asswipes (those who would resort to such despicable actions) in heated debate and were helpless from retaliating because they were greatly outnumbered by the Protestors. To paint a picture though of Soldiers being spat upon as they just went about their business when they returned home though is not the norm and probably extremely rare. Like those who I knew who served, I bet if you were walking down the street and some punk spit on you he would have received a Royal Asskicking, one that would have been greatly deserved.

I know several Vietnam vets who were spit on when they returned, including my father. Both the government and the protesters were disgraceful in their actions. To say that if you didn't live during the 60's you can't understand the tension of the times is incorrect though. Living with my father for 18 years, I can easily understand the tension of the era and its aftereffects.

 

[gflores]

Originally posted by: alkemyst

Originally posted by: tcsenter

For the record the Kent State Massacre story in cliff note form

You gotta love those 'official' accountings of historical events found on websites like a Geocities personal webpage. Always good stuff.

On edit: Hey that one actually is ok. A rather objective accounting of the events.

I am sure there were some at Kent State the deserved to be charged criminally, however, most of those injured and killed were merely innocent bystanders attempting to cross to their classes.

The biggest fubar of the situation was that the wind shifted and blew the tear gas back at the unprepared guardsmen...throwing them into confusion and possibly a panic. As anyone knows, once the opening shots are fired, everyone carries through until a 'cease fire' is announced. Unfortunately in this instance it was too late.

Don't get me wrong, I love our soldiers....I love our police, however too many of those guys become bad apples and use their authority in the wrong way.

I agree with you. There is no reason to take someone's life, especially as a result from a provocation.

I've been hearing conflicting news on whether or not the Iraqi people want us there... Could someone give me a reliable percentage, maybe from more than one source. Thanks.

 

[Red Dawn]

Originally posted by: Feldenak

Originally posted by: Red Dawn

Originally posted by: thunderhorse
. My worst time was when I was spit on and called a baby killer. Now fire up your keyboards and go to work.

So you were one of the handful that were spit upon? Man since it was my generation that fought that war I personally knew dozens that actually served there, a few who were wounded and one who was killed . The funny thing is not one ever mentioned getting spat upon. I'm not saying that it didn't happen because it did and it was shameful. I think what really perpetuated the notion that a lot of Soldiers were being spat upon and called Baby Killers is that there were a few instances of that happening that were caught oppn Camera and beamed into the household of Millions of Americans. If I recall correctly these televised instances all happened at Huge Anti War Protests and Rally's were tensions and tempers were running high. The soldiers who were spat upon just weren't going about their business , they were engaging some of these asswipes (those who would resort to such despicable actions) in heated debate and were helpless from retaliating because they were greatly outnumbered by the Protestors. To paint a picture though of Soldiers being spat upon as they just went about their business when they returned home though is not the norm and probably extremely rare. Like those who I knew who served, I bet if you were walking down the street and some punk spit on you he would have received a Royal Asskicking, one that would have been greatly deserved.

I know several Vietnam vets who were spit on when they returned, including my father. Both the government and the protesters were disgraceful in their actions. To say that if you didn't live during the 60's you can't understand the tension of the times is incorrect though. Living with my father for 18 years, I can easily understand the tension of the era and its aftereffects.

I'm sure a lot of those Vets who said they were spat upon are exaggerating (if they actually even said it to you) Trust me, if you didn't live through those times no amount of anecdotal stories can accurately portray the way things actually were.