Yesterday marked the 30th anniversary of Saigon's fall and my reaction was one of saddness and memories. I was happy the war was over completely for this nation, but more so for the people of Vietnam what had endured almost 35 straight years of warfare initially with the French and then culminating with the Americans.
There was hope for peace in 1968, but it was also an election year. One of the same gentlemen who launched us into Vietnam initially, Richard M. Nixon, then Vice-President under President Dwight Eisenhower, feared being elected President in 1968 only to lose the war. He did not desire to become in his mind "the only president to lose a war." This wasn't quite true historically, but it was lodged dogmatically into Nixon's psyche forcing him to employ the same type of dirty tricks earlier.
President Johnson had successfully engaged the North Vietnamese in a series of meetings in Paris and was now approaching President Thieu, South Vietnam, to enter the negotiations to find a common basis for peace. Nixon, reacting strongly to this, immediately contacted Anna M. Chennault, wife of former General Clare Chennault of China Flying Tiger flame, and directed her to begin whirlwind negotiations with President Thieu to dissuade him from attending the talks thus prolonging the war. She was to convince Thieu he would get a better deal overall from Nixon after his election that from the democratic challenger, Hubert Humphrey, and would be assured of much. Thieu considered the offer over time and met with Mrs. Chennault several times for reassurance. There is also some speculation Mrs. Chennault traveled to Hanoi as well, but little substantiation can be found for this.
Efforts to dissuade Thieu were successful and the Paris Peace Talks fell through allowing the war to continue. Nixon's actions, as a civilian, were highly illegal and could be construed as acts of treason since private citizens cannot negotiate with foreign heads of state. President Johnson became aware of Nixon's overtures and had Nixon's political career in his hands if he had chosen to make the public aware of it. Further, he could have ordered the Federal Bureau of Investigation to investigate and DOJ to indict the Californian. Yet, for some reason, he chose not to.
The end result was the continuation of the war for 4 more years at a sizeable cost of lives on all sides. In addition, the war was carried over to Cambodia, Laos and Southern China until Congress rebelled at the lies and cost. Outrage in America was enormous and demonstrations resulted in student killings at Kent State and serious injuries at others.
Nixon eventually was impeached, but resigned in lieu of full impeachment in August, 1974. Further, President Gerry Ford pardoned him for any past crimes committed such as command and control of the Watergate breakin; illegally entering Daniel Ellsberg's psychiatrist's office; accepting campaign contributions from foreign powers covertly; and a multitude of other crimes which the average citizen is not aware of.
The end result: Nixon went on to "rehabilitate" himself into a elder statesmen of sorts, but many historians, such as myself, were fully aware of his many failures in foreign policy, the area he prided himself on most. Henry Kissinger went back into private business becoming a solicitor and broker for many foreign countries which he refuses to name. Kissinger became a pariah after leaving federal service and is looked upon as the one who really should have been indicted for crimes.
America is still recuperating from the aftereffects of Vietnam. Not only the physical/mental trauma our GIs experienced, but the highly visible war lost us many friends throughout the world. Many gains had been made since 1975, but the Iraq invasion opened up the Vietnam wound again exposing many of the same mistakes and governmental faces appearing again to give questional reassurances and answers.
Most of all, Vietnam was our period in darkness, a Jungian concept, from which we have not truly came back. Our period in darkness frightened this nation almost to the point of utter rebellion. Explosions racked financial institutions, prison rebellions, nearly a million veterans marching on Washington DC and secretive actions to spy among American citizens using the Armed Forces, CIA, and many other groups. It was almost unheard of in our nation, but Nixon unleased the full brunt of it to stymy what he perceived falsely as a potential communist takeover of the government.
It was a very frightening historical period which perhaps even the current one overshadows. You must remember, however, the system worked then and can again regardless of machinations by those within the White House.
Keep a sense of humor and remember the Nixon rally cry among Vietnam Vets in 1972:
Don't change Dicks in the middle of a screw; Vote for Nixon in 72.
On a sadder note, I lost a lot of good friends in Vietnam including some from my home town area. Please bear with me.....Rest in peace Dick Westberg, Harvey Gilbert, Darwin Judge, Darryl Bittner and those who I knew of, but had not the honor of meeting. Give em hell wherever you're at!
__________________________________________________________________
Apparently, one of my cousins read my last blog and brought back a memory for me. During Halloween of my 17th year we were pariticpating in a time honored custom of tipping over outhouses. One was found that was particularly well based and great effort had to be expended. I was on one side pushing with all my might when the house went over quickly causing me to lose my balance thus falling into the deep dark hole of Calcutta. Now understanding, my cousins are wonderful people, but enjoy a good laugh before offering any type of substantial help. In this case, I was in dire need of a rope, nose plugs and probably a good hose job before going to the Caribbean to escape. I was tossed a rope and began my rather crappy trek towards the top, but found very few relativess when arriving.
My smell had preceded me and there was no way a spot was going to be given in their car nor even in the trunk. Consequently, I walk approximately 3 miles to our farm, grabbed some old clothers from an outer building and then plunged into a cold horse tank. Though it helped somewhat, my Grandparents and Mother handed me various items of clothing, vinegar, tomato juice, etc,. while stifling a great amount of laughter. I bathed myself again outside with these fluids and then entered the house to take a nice long hot shower.
The next day found my cousins coming by to touch me--that is to make sure I hadn't melted away during my abortive trip. They really are wonderful people!!
___________________________________________________________________
MY SOLUTION FOR WORLD PEACE: Air drop 7 grandmothers into any belligerent country and I guarantee that leader will do anything to have those fine ladies removed as soon as possible. Its all in Abuelita Power; Grandmother Power-there's no force on earth that can match it.
There was hope for peace in 1968, but it was also an election year. One of the same gentlemen who launched us into Vietnam initially, Richard M. Nixon, then Vice-President under President Dwight Eisenhower, feared being elected President in 1968 only to lose the war. He did not desire to become in his mind "the only president to lose a war." This wasn't quite true historically, but it was lodged dogmatically into Nixon's psyche forcing him to employ the same type of dirty tricks earlier.
President Johnson had successfully engaged the North Vietnamese in a series of meetings in Paris and was now approaching President Thieu, South Vietnam, to enter the negotiations to find a common basis for peace. Nixon, reacting strongly to this, immediately contacted Anna M. Chennault, wife of former General Clare Chennault of China Flying Tiger flame, and directed her to begin whirlwind negotiations with President Thieu to dissuade him from attending the talks thus prolonging the war. She was to convince Thieu he would get a better deal overall from Nixon after his election that from the democratic challenger, Hubert Humphrey, and would be assured of much. Thieu considered the offer over time and met with Mrs. Chennault several times for reassurance. There is also some speculation Mrs. Chennault traveled to Hanoi as well, but little substantiation can be found for this.
Efforts to dissuade Thieu were successful and the Paris Peace Talks fell through allowing the war to continue. Nixon's actions, as a civilian, were highly illegal and could be construed as acts of treason since private citizens cannot negotiate with foreign heads of state. President Johnson became aware of Nixon's overtures and had Nixon's political career in his hands if he had chosen to make the public aware of it. Further, he could have ordered the Federal Bureau of Investigation to investigate and DOJ to indict the Californian. Yet, for some reason, he chose not to.
The end result was the continuation of the war for 4 more years at a sizeable cost of lives on all sides. In addition, the war was carried over to Cambodia, Laos and Southern China until Congress rebelled at the lies and cost. Outrage in America was enormous and demonstrations resulted in student killings at Kent State and serious injuries at others.
Nixon eventually was impeached, but resigned in lieu of full impeachment in August, 1974. Further, President Gerry Ford pardoned him for any past crimes committed such as command and control of the Watergate breakin; illegally entering Daniel Ellsberg's psychiatrist's office; accepting campaign contributions from foreign powers covertly; and a multitude of other crimes which the average citizen is not aware of.
The end result: Nixon went on to "rehabilitate" himself into a elder statesmen of sorts, but many historians, such as myself, were fully aware of his many failures in foreign policy, the area he prided himself on most. Henry Kissinger went back into private business becoming a solicitor and broker for many foreign countries which he refuses to name. Kissinger became a pariah after leaving federal service and is looked upon as the one who really should have been indicted for crimes.
America is still recuperating from the aftereffects of Vietnam. Not only the physical/mental trauma our GIs experienced, but the highly visible war lost us many friends throughout the world. Many gains had been made since 1975, but the Iraq invasion opened up the Vietnam wound again exposing many of the same mistakes and governmental faces appearing again to give questional reassurances and answers.
Most of all, Vietnam was our period in darkness, a Jungian concept, from which we have not truly came back. Our period in darkness frightened this nation almost to the point of utter rebellion. Explosions racked financial institutions, prison rebellions, nearly a million veterans marching on Washington DC and secretive actions to spy among American citizens using the Armed Forces, CIA, and many other groups. It was almost unheard of in our nation, but Nixon unleased the full brunt of it to stymy what he perceived falsely as a potential communist takeover of the government.
It was a very frightening historical period which perhaps even the current one overshadows. You must remember, however, the system worked then and can again regardless of machinations by those within the White House.
Keep a sense of humor and remember the Nixon rally cry among Vietnam Vets in 1972:
Don't change Dicks in the middle of a screw; Vote for Nixon in 72.
On a sadder note, I lost a lot of good friends in Vietnam including some from my home town area. Please bear with me.....Rest in peace Dick Westberg, Harvey Gilbert, Darwin Judge, Darryl Bittner and those who I knew of, but had not the honor of meeting. Give em hell wherever you're at!
__________________________________________________________________
Apparently, one of my cousins read my last blog and brought back a memory for me. During Halloween of my 17th year we were pariticpating in a time honored custom of tipping over outhouses. One was found that was particularly well based and great effort had to be expended. I was on one side pushing with all my might when the house went over quickly causing me to lose my balance thus falling into the deep dark hole of Calcutta. Now understanding, my cousins are wonderful people, but enjoy a good laugh before offering any type of substantial help. In this case, I was in dire need of a rope, nose plugs and probably a good hose job before going to the Caribbean to escape. I was tossed a rope and began my rather crappy trek towards the top, but found very few relativess when arriving.
My smell had preceded me and there was no way a spot was going to be given in their car nor even in the trunk. Consequently, I walk approximately 3 miles to our farm, grabbed some old clothers from an outer building and then plunged into a cold horse tank. Though it helped somewhat, my Grandparents and Mother handed me various items of clothing, vinegar, tomato juice, etc,. while stifling a great amount of laughter. I bathed myself again outside with these fluids and then entered the house to take a nice long hot shower.
The next day found my cousins coming by to touch me--that is to make sure I hadn't melted away during my abortive trip. They really are wonderful people!!
___________________________________________________________________
MY SOLUTION FOR WORLD PEACE: Air drop 7 grandmothers into any belligerent country and I guarantee that leader will do anything to have those fine ladies removed as soon as possible. Its all in Abuelita Power; Grandmother Power-there's no force on earth that can match it.
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