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- Jun 10, 2005
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- Highlands Ranch, CO
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Many have selected the Civil War. It makes sense, because of the devistation of life between borthers. Families were torn apart and the country was divided. But despite racial tension that blew over during the 50's and 60's and the continuing improvement today, something good came out of it. We are a whole country that has quickly grown to become the greatest power on earth.
I selected the Vietnam War. The war itself was not what made this era so tragic, rather than reaction our society took. Aside from racial tensions coming to a head, the country was torn in two on seperate fronts. Not between North and South, but between the youth and the elderly, between the military and the civilian, between the rich college bound citizen and the poor military bound citizen, and an individual's ideologies and their sense of patriotism. It was a horribly confusing and hateful time for everyone. Our society showed the world how despicable Americans could be. Either an individual was for the war or they were not. Back then, there was no politically correct notion of "Support the troop, not the war." A huge percentage of combatants were drafted and did not want any part of the war and were left with two choices - Do your duty or dodge the draft. If they dodged, they would have to leave the country or simply dissapear into the population forever branded. If they donned the uniform, they would be gauranteed a distasteful return home (if they survived) to the chants of "baby killer" or simply to be ignored. The war was being fought in the halls of Congress and by the sentiments of the protestors on the streets of our cities. Victory had nothing to do with the soldier or Marine's efforts in the field. Someone wrote on another thread that WWII was our last 'patriotic' war and will probably be our last. It was during the Vietnam War era that our unity was torn apart and our conspiracy like suspicion of government became deep rooted. We have largely remained this way today. We still look back into our officials pasts with great interest as to where they stood and many base their votes on this.
A lesson learned from this era for the Government was that victory should fall on the responsibility of the tactics and know how of the military, not the politics of Washington. BUT, the most noticable lesson learned from this era, could probably be given to the protester. Yesterday's protesters are today's parents and civil leaders. They look back and realize how unfair they were with regret and rightfully so. The protestors of old mixed their precarious convictions with the fashion of protesting (still seen in Colleges today for one thing or another), rampant drug use, hippie like "peace, love, and harmony" communes, and an almost complete disregard for stability. At least with today's protestor, we see more maturity (Moore excluded) and a truer sincerity (however misguided I may think they are.) I might not understand "Support the troop, but not the war", but it's better than being spit on.
I selected the Vietnam War. The war itself was not what made this era so tragic, rather than reaction our society took. Aside from racial tensions coming to a head, the country was torn in two on seperate fronts. Not between North and South, but between the youth and the elderly, between the military and the civilian, between the rich college bound citizen and the poor military bound citizen, and an individual's ideologies and their sense of patriotism. It was a horribly confusing and hateful time for everyone. Our society showed the world how despicable Americans could be. Either an individual was for the war or they were not. Back then, there was no politically correct notion of "Support the troop, not the war." A huge percentage of combatants were drafted and did not want any part of the war and were left with two choices - Do your duty or dodge the draft. If they dodged, they would have to leave the country or simply dissapear into the population forever branded. If they donned the uniform, they would be gauranteed a distasteful return home (if they survived) to the chants of "baby killer" or simply to be ignored. The war was being fought in the halls of Congress and by the sentiments of the protestors on the streets of our cities. Victory had nothing to do with the soldier or Marine's efforts in the field. Someone wrote on another thread that WWII was our last 'patriotic' war and will probably be our last. It was during the Vietnam War era that our unity was torn apart and our conspiracy like suspicion of government became deep rooted. We have largely remained this way today. We still look back into our officials pasts with great interest as to where they stood and many base their votes on this.
A lesson learned from this era for the Government was that victory should fall on the responsibility of the tactics and know how of the military, not the politics of Washington. BUT, the most noticable lesson learned from this era, could probably be given to the protester. Yesterday's protesters are today's parents and civil leaders. They look back and realize how unfair they were with regret and rightfully so. The protestors of old mixed their precarious convictions with the fashion of protesting (still seen in Colleges today for one thing or another), rampant drug use, hippie like "peace, love, and harmony" communes, and an almost complete disregard for stability. At least with today's protestor, we see more maturity (Moore excluded) and a truer sincerity (however misguided I may think they are.) I might not understand "Support the troop, but not the war", but it's better than being spit on.
