"The Vietnam War" on PBS

Dan wrote:

Each war in our history is so unique and has its own story, it’s own era, etc. Obviously as time passes society forgets more and more about those time periods. Between books and magazine articles I’ve read a fair amount on WWI in the past year. I actually just finished reading “All Quiet on the Western Front.” Unreal. I kind of regret not going to that WWI exhibit that was in the cities for awhile earlier this year. I don’t mean to put one war, its veterans, or the people it affected on one echelon over the other, rather it’s unique because we hear less and less about WWI.

For what it’s worth, the original All Quiet on the Western Front was the third movie to ever win an academy award for best picture, in 1930. I highly recommend it for any war movie buff because any war movie worth watching uses All Quiet on the Western Front as the basis for its story line.

Dutchboy wrote:

There is a saying that “old fat men send young people to die.” Thats true 200 years ago and today and tomorrow.These guys did what they were told.

But this goes both ways though doesn’t it?

How do you relate this to situations like My Lai? Soldiers following orders to murder women and children = heroic/brave? Or does refusing to follow ‘old fat men’s’ orders = heroic/brave? Following orders you don’t want to is a heroic act when it’s for the good of your people or the world, but what about the soldiers who followed orders to commit atrocities? Seems refusing to follow is the heroic action in that situation.

I do chuckle a bit too, since my generation and demographic are supposed to be the ‘snowflakes’ that get ‘triggered’, awful lot of that happens if you bring up anything disparaging about our armed forces with a certain group.

“you guys are such wussies, whine whine whine, healthcare, equal rights, be nice to immigrants, what’s the matter, triggered much? lololol don’t like it leave snowflake.”

“WHAT DID YOU SAY ABOUT THE ARMY? BY GOD YOU TAKE IT BACK EVERY SOLDIER THAT HAS EVER SERVED HAS NEVER DONE A SINGLE THING WRONG AND ALL HAVE PUT FORTH EQUAL EFFORTS OF DYING FOR OUR COUNTRY AND IN EVERY SITUATION THAT WAS COMPLETELY NECESSARY AND THEY HAD NO ABILITY TO ACT INDEPENDENTLY OR BE JUDGED ON THE ACTIONS/DECISIONS THEY MADE ON THEIR OWN.”

For the record, a lot of military service in my direct family. But a lot of realistic assessments of the military as well by those who served. A lot of heroes past and present in the military. A lot of idiot A-holes who shouldn’t have been given a gun too. Very similar to every occupation ever in the history of the world.

Discuss.

Back to the original subject, YES! Another excellent Ken Burns documentary.

I think what’s being done best in this documentary is exposing the EXTREMELY complicated and nuanced positions of both sides.

Also, the one thing that is impossible to convey to anyone who was raised before the end of the cold war was that form 1945 to circa 1985 we had a genuine fear and belief that the Soviet Union did, in fact, want to take over the world and remake it in their communist image. Every country that fell was another stepping stone closer that the USSR was to US shores. We can call those fears misplaced NOW, but there was no reason to believe that this was not the case back in the Vietnam era. It’s very difficult to convey how this belief drove our country’s agenda back then.

Grouse

Also, the one thing that is impossible to convey to anyone who was raised before the end of the cold war was that form 1945 to circa 1985 we had a genuine fear and belief that the Soviet Union did, in fact, want to take over the world and remake it in their communist image.

Great point – I guess you can’t blame these kids nowadays for not understanding and the teachers that taught them that USA = Bad.

I remember growing up in grade school doing the nuclear bomb drill and getting under your desk.

I’m hoping this thread is closed by the time I get this finished tonight.

Serenity now! Serenity now!

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You up nort Eelpout? The FW and me will be passing the pickled loon in a few hours……

Nope,
Home this weekend.
The loon closed 3 weeks ago septic issues

Bummer

Eelpoutguy wrote:

Also, the one thing that is impossible to convey to anyone who was raised before the end of the cold war was that form 1945 to circa 1985 we had a genuine fear and belief that the Soviet Union did, in fact, want to take over the world and remake it in their communist image.

Great point – I guess you can’t blame these kids nowadays for not understanding and the teachers that taught them that USA = Bad.

I remember growing up in grade school doing the nuclear bomb drill and getting under your desk.

I’m hoping this thread is closed by the time I get this finished tonight.

Serenity now! Serenity now!

I was going to create a pool to help you leave the country but after expanding the picture you are safe.

I changed it up a bit.

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Eelpoutguy wrote:

I remember growing up in grade school doing the nuclear bomb drill and getting under your desk.

Under your desk?? Keep drinking…

Some of us may remember these…

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I’d pay big $’s for that fallout shelter sign.

Does anyone remember the sugar candies that were in the 5 gallon cans?

Crazy, this was everyday life for us back in the day!

I gotta place for the sign!

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Eelpoutguy wrote:

I’d pay big $’s for that fallout shelter sign.

Up until last year my brother taught school in Sebeka,Minnesota and on the outside of their school it’s got a nuclear/radiation sign to let citizens know that in the event of a nuclear attack the school was a designated fallout shelter. Pretty cool.

Yada…

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Eelpoutguy wrote:

I changed it up a bit.

I would say consumption of black beens will help you in the morning or later in the afternoon after that.
Black beens are your freind. I suggest to stay away from a source of open flame or any ignition source.

I struggle financially as a public servant sometimes but I still live really well when i put things into perspective. God Bless America! Im a proud American. If you dont like it here, leave. Our gov’t allows you that. Bye bye butterfly. Dont let the door hit you in the ass.

If you have served thank you!

Born in 1986 love America and I don’t desire to live anywhere else. Plan on watching documentary soon

Dutchboy wrote:

I suggest you go live in one of the better countries. One that takes our money and questions our morals. In fact i’ll put up the first $100 to get you going.
You might be sick of guys like me but you wouldn’t survive a year outside of this country.
To everybody else i apologize, i had said i would only chime in once.

Ill put up the next $100. Good riddance.

This all said. Freedom of Speech is awesome. But lets not forget why we have it and how we keep it!

“Those who made the moral choice and decided not to go were just as heroic in their stand as those who went.”

SOUNDS LIKE SOMETHING JANE FONDA WOULD SAY!

Awfully corny today, but this was reality back in the day.

Hey everyone, sorry for my aggressive reply yesterday.
I do enjoy Ken Burns documentaries.

Eelpoutguy wrote:

I’d pay big $’s for that fallout shelter sign.

Plenty of them on eBay…..

https://www.ebay.com/i/322774560373

Episodes 1,2 and 3 rebroadcast just started at 1pm.
If your laid up from an injury like me I think a well 4 1/2 spent

So, outstanding is what I can say. Waiting for tomorrow to catch up on the rest and episode 6. My eyes seemed to emit a liquid at times, must be from being laid up.

I’ll stay away from the rest of conversation as I don’t want a pool started for me to leave the country because my opinion is not understood.

seriously anyone talking about putting up money for Gordon to leave the country over his views is a bully and that’s what wrong with this site .try using some morals before posting cruel things intended to hurt someone

yep

belletaine wrote:

Hey everyone, sorry for my aggressive reply yesterday.
I do enjoy Ken Burns documentaries.

Scott,
No apologies needed or expected. You amongst most any of us posting here are justified in having an emotional reaction to what some have put forth. How easy it is for some to offer their opinions when they’re the farthest from those that have been closest to the actual events that took place.
God bless you and your family…
+
<;((((>{

Morel King wrote:

I’ll stay away from the rest of conversation as I don’t want a pool started for me to leave the country because my opinion is not understood.

seriously anyone talking about putting up money for Gordon to leave the country over his views is a bully and that’s what wrong with this site .try using some morals before posting cruel things intended to hurt someone

…

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Always someone taking us down a negative road. It realy sucks.
Thankyou for taking something away from me.. I now know why my eyes leaked!!!

Big man sitting behind a keey board and a screen. I use to think ones insecurities dont interest me but now I want to know what scares you so much to attack.

Sorry my insecurities got the best of me. Ironic.
Arrogantcy gets me everytime. I hope my greatfullnes can pick up the slack.