The tragedy of Vietnam, Again

Why is it that the American people allow our news media to report misinformation and half truths every morning and every night?

I was told by a person who was born under the Brezhnev era, of the Soviet Union that, “The American press is no better than the Soviet Union’s media under Stalin and Brezhnev; they both screen the news, they filter the news and they only tell you what they want you to hear.”

Why do the people in New England have to hear about all the tragedies that happen on the west coast. How is it that ABC, CBS, NBC as well as CNN, FOX, etc all report the same stories almost ever night, and in almost the same order.

How can that be if our news organizations are all independent from each other. What are the odds of that happening almost every night in any other industry, except for our media here in the United States? Why do the American public listen to “The News”?

Another question I have, why have we the American public allowed our political leaders, both in state and federal government to use our political systems for the politician’s personal gains, as well as  for their special interest groups’ gains. It’s well known that this is the way these Pols get reelected year in and year out, ” just for one more term.

I ask these question, because I want to understand just what is the American public really thinking about?

I personally feel that the media is being used by the politicians and the media is more than pleased to be used, because the media  extracts vast amounts of money; hundreds of millions of dollars from most all political elections, as the pol tries to stack the deck as he/she runs for office, just one more time.

I also feel that our politicians are used by certain groups of ethnic groups who control certain industries. These industries are very powerful and have a huge influence as to who will get elected into any office within our country, to include the Presidency of the United States.

Once the candidate wins then they just sold their sole to these ethnic groups/ organizations. The Pol is kept in line as to how they should vote on issues that effect these special groups bot domestic and foreign. The control is not very subtle; it boils down to will that ethnic group back the Pol’s reelection, will that ethnic organization be behind this or that candidate or not.

If they vote the way they are told then we are stuck with this crooked politician for another term, whatever it may be.

A word of support from a vet to a vet

There is not a day that I do not hear in the news about an alarming increase in suicide among returning war veterans. There is urgency in changing government assistance to the returning veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan. There is a need for social responsibility among citizens to support returning vets. The sacrifices our soldiers made in Iraq and Afghanistan are the same as we made in Vietnam, and our fathers made in Korea, WWII and any other war that took lives. Our returning vets deserve the same valor after the war as they did on the battle field.

Talking from experience, I can understand the anxiety of someone who just came back from the war. I clearly remember a party my mother put together of family friends, some new neighbors, to welcome me back from Vietnam. I was as proud as one could be of being a medic in the Army and savings lives. I also was happy to be home and see familiar faces, not to hear artillery and bombs explode.  When I was alone in the living room a lady approached me and hissed, “How can you live with yours self?”

I answered “I’m afraid I don’t understand what you are saying.”

“You know perfectly well, how can you live with yourself after killing babies?”

“I never killed any babies, my unit never killed any babies; I know the NVA and VC killed babies, because I saw their remains. I don’t know what you are talking about,” and I promptly left the room.

This interaction left me with a bitter feeling for years towards the citizens of this country, who did not care what we did or wanted to hear about what we did in Vietnam. It took me years and years to self persuade myself that what we did was honorable. I also felt totally betrayed by my government.

Although, our new veterans get more positive attention, understanding and support from public, it’s not nearly enough to get somebody integrated back into society.

Whether returning veterans feel guilt about combat actions, possible survivor guilt, depression, anxiety or PTSD, this causes our nation severe loses. These loses are harder to accept by family members and they bring back personal pain and recollection of getting over the war fatigue in late 60s. Some of my fellow soldiers from Vietnam to this very day are reliving the horrors of Vietnam and are forced to live on heavy medication just to exist.

My advice for veterans who are coming home from Iraq and Afghanistan and who need help – get the help. Help may not come from the VA hospital or other government agencies; seek alternatives from your greatest supporters – your family and friends. Also you can go to the Vietnam Vets. We learned it the hard way and we wish you well. Don’t be ashamed of what you did over there, hold your head high and feel good about yourself, you served your country and did what you were told to do.

After 40 years of keeping pain for myself, I published my book “The Tragedy of Vietnam, Again” www.lewisstreetbooks.com that brings my memories of the war, valor, friendship and camaraderie. I hope you find comfort in reading the book and learning how to coop with memories.

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