Yes they did die in vain

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Sunday July 29, 2007 · 11:40 AM PDT

2007/07/29 · 11:40

I remember the Vietnam War well. I remember coming home from the student union to find my mother crying because I was number 25 in the lottery. I remember Reagan giving people the finger from that telephone booth and how cute everyone thought he looked. I remember my father telling me what not to do, don't be a CO, don't go to Canada, don't be an second looey they are dumb, and above all don't serve.

Senator Gravel had it right, they died in vain. Some were my friends. Some came back so scarred they couldn't live. I never went. Yes their sacrifice was in vain. I go to the Wall and weep.

I feel the same way for the troops in Iraq and all the men and women serving our decider. They are dying because of his and the the VPs incompetence; just like so many died because LBJ was afraid to lose and Tricky Dicky had a secret plan.

We know what happened after the War ended. Vietnam recovered; Cambodia went to hell; and Laos remained in chaos. If Nixon had never bombed and invaded Cambodia there is a strong likelihood Cambodia would never have gone to hell. If we had left Vietnam earlier, Vietnam might have recovered that much faster.

Senator Gravel has the story right, yet everyone thinks he is wrong. I remember the way we built the Hollywood myth of Sylvester Stallone going and single handedly winning the war in Nam to single handedly bring the boys back. I have yet to meet one veteran who can remember Stallone or a Stallone like character in Nam. Such ass holes ended up dead.

I do remember friends coming back perpetually stoned; unable to face life or the war for what they did and saw. Their lives will forever bear a haunting memory. Every once in a while I hear a story. The last one was about helicopter rides Nam style. Take up a group of suspected Cong; toss one out and the rest babbled incessantly. No useful intelligence; but a useful way to make an impression.

The only one who told the truth about Iraq and soldiers dying in vain was Senator Mike Gravel. To the Democratic leaders, I ask is staying in power in Congress worth one more soldier being savaged or killed in Iraq for nothing gained? Stop the war! Stand for principle.

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