Vietnam

Burns, Episode 3 - More missing history

Submitted by arendt on Wed, 09/20/2017 - 9:06am

This episode covers the Tonkin Gulf incident and the arrival of US combat troops, in the 1964-65 time frame. That means there is plenty of combat to fill the time.

Once again, what was missing is more important than what was shown. Because what was missing would have given more weight and context to the anti-war movement. I am assuming that the narrative of this series is chronological. If he jumps back in time in later episodes, I will rethink these comments.

Ken Burns latest - just some brief impressions.

Submitted by arendt on Sun, 09/17/2017 - 9:32pm

Well, I was certainly not expecting real history. I watched to see the pictures.

Real history? In the first episode, they interview Donald Gregg, whom they caption only as "CIA". (factoid: Gregg joined the Central Intelligence Agency in 1951. He served in Japan from 1964 to 1973.) He voices the opinion that Viet Nam was a mistake.

Yeah, that Donald Gregg:

Iran-Contra

Songs About War -- Vietnam Edition

Submitted by Cali Scribe on Mon, 05/30/2016 - 4:38pm

Hecate's posting of Donovan's "Universal Soldier" in the republished essay Too Many Dogs put this topic in mind.

I'm not thinking of your standard battle songs here -- no "Over There", no "Battle Hymn of the Republic", no "Star Spangled Banner". I'm thinking more of songs from an anti-war, or at least anti-glorification of war perspective.

The US now even further behind

Submitted by Robyn on Sun, 11/29/2015 - 2:35pm

photo kDIXLnji_zpsfy5wr35l.jpgThe Vietnamese National Assembly last Tuesday approved a revision to the Civil Code that includes a new provision of recognition of the right to have one's gender reassigned. The measure received 77% support in the Assembly (282-84).

Congratulations to all of us, after years of sweat and tears.

--Tran Khang Di, Ho Chi Minh City

The law is an attempt to “meet the demands of a part of society … in accordance with international practice, without countering the nation’s traditions.

--report from the parliament

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