Interesting column by a VietNam vet...
luvsite.org
Even more interesting are the responses...
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the American People Speak Out
luvsite.org
By Jack Balkwill
Two medical doctor friends have warned me that President Bush might send a hit man after me because of my recent “Bush is a Coward” column. I have never had so many responses to anything I’ve written , although I expected I would get hate mail from right wingers. For those who hadn’t read it, the column was intended to shred the corporate media image that Bush is the foremost hero of the republic and shrink him back to reality-- the coward who hid on 9/11 when the nation needed leadership.
Am I ever surprised! In about a thousand responses (they are still flowing in) not one has been negative!!! The overwhelming majority-- including nearly half from veterans and families of military people (some currently serving in Iraq), were compliments. After reading these emails, I question the corporate media claim that Bush is popular outside of Kennebunkport.
A few questioned my facts. I do have a degree in journalism, and I do check my facts, but I understand that most restrict their information to corporate media’s lies, misinformation and cover-ups, so reality, for most Americans, is a TV show on FOX.
Following are some of the emails. To protect individual privacy, I have deleted identifying information, since, if Bush should go to the hit man, perhaps the revenge will stop with my untimely demise. If he sends hit men like he sends grammar, my guess is I’m pretty safe though.
From a Vietnam Vet’s Daughter:
“I just read your article ‘Bush Is A Coward,’ and I'm trying very hard not to cry. The images you evoke are heart-rending.
My father went to Vietnam, followed by my brother years later. Both returned with emotional scars (they thought I wouldn't notice), but at least they came home.
I remember being 10 years old, waving good-bye to my father as he boarded the plane to go to Nam. My mother was trying so hard not to cry. And then I heard my cousin say to my grandmother, "Is Uncle Gene going to die?"
When I see images of Bush the deserter strutting his scummy peacock-pilot butt across the USS Abraham Lincoln, I just want to slap his cocky face and look him dead in the eye and say, ‘How dare you!!’”
Reporter: Is Bush a Fiscal Conservative Tight with a Buck?
“I’m a reporter, I read all day. Haven't before come across that $800,000 figure for Bush's landing on the carrier. Is that widely known? What's your source for that? Like specifics, please, if you would.”
My reply: Here’s the lowdown:
washingtonpost.com
As you can see, the estimate is $800,000 to $1 million, so I went conservative on it.
From a Lady about to Dump a Republican:
“I was just reading your article, ‘Bush Is A Coward,’ in which you mention the Senior Bush's WWII service and his deserting his comrades.
I have a Rebooblican, ditto-head boyfriend (not for much longer!) who prides himself that his father flew in WWII with Bush Senior. Can you direct me to a story or some evidence of what went on with Bush Senior's comrades? Thanks. ”
My reply: Click here for it: usvetdsp.com Eyewitness accounts appear to confirm that Bush, as the pilot, and in no immanent danger, bailed out, causing his plane to go into a crash dive from which the crewmembers, two young men who trusted in him, had no chance but to plunge to their death. Corporate media have pushed the cover story which George Bush, apparently, fabricated.
From a Vietnam Vet:
“My thanks to you for saying things most find it ‘politically incorrect’ to say. I'm also a Vietnam veteran who's been in combat, and you've said the things that I've long felt. If only more Americans would read your article and face the truth. Keep up the good work. ”
From a Mom Whose Son is a Soldier in Iraq:
“I read your essay and it expressed my views entirely. My 20-year-old son
X is stuck in Iraq, and I can only think that Bush is using our kids
to make himself feel more macho, when in fact he has done nothing.
I belong to Military Families Speak Out, a group of parents and family
members who have opposed this terrible invasion all along, whose kids
were sent in to do the dirty work planned by these horrible people.
Why so many would applaud their kids being directed by this man I don't
know, I can't understand it, because mostly it is poor people in the
military, people who would never agree to their kids being used to
bolster the image of some rich guy.
I have been unable to reach X for about three weeks now, and he has
been unable to call. He was in the south, but I got a brief email from him that they were moving him to the north where all the trouble is.
X is signal corps and runs a phone truck, but now I worry that they could have roped him into invading the homes of Iraqi people--I don't believe that the phone lines could be down for this long, although they work only haphazardly.
We will need people like you who have been able to process their experience in Vietnam to help our kids when they get back. I don't know how to help them. Mostly they seem to be in denial about the whole situation, but it will be impossible to tell until X gets back and can speak freely.
Well, thanks for writing that. I will save it for him to read.”
From Another Vietnam Vet:
“I am a veteran of the very sorry Asian episode and served as a rifleman for the entire year of 1968. I served with the 9th Infantry Division in III and IV Corp. Someone described terror as fear gone mad and yes, I have been there.
War and macho posturing make me physically ill and when the demented simian masquerading as President struts his stuff, I become enraged. In the name of God, how can the majority of Americans not see through this fraud? The current Administration is an abomination and if there is such a thing as the Anti-Christ, it is in Washington, D.C.”
From a Vietnam Vet’s Wife:
“Right on. While that coked up nitwit was AWOL, my husband was an infantry helicopter pilot in Viet Nam.
I protested the current war beside a woman whose husband was a grunt in the infantry. We agreed that my husband could have been the guy who hauled her husband out of a hot LZ and further agreed no more kids should experience what our husbands had to endure. Meanwhile, red-faced obese 30-somethings who have never known adversity drove by hurling obscenities and waving their middle fingers.
I can't tell you how much it means to me when gutsy non-corporate journalists tell the truth about such an evil man. The generation behind us has been brainwashed since birth.”
From Yet Another Vietnam Vet:
“I am a former USAF fighter pilot who spent more than three years flying combat missions during the Vietnam War. I didn't go through the horrors you guys on the ground did but I had my share of ‘excitement.’
I flew the F-105 which flew 75% of the strike sorties over North Vietnam. We were losing half of our squadron every month to targets like the Hanoi radio station and other targets of no significance. They built some 800 F-105's and before the war was over about 600 of them had been shot down. I thought every time I got in the cockpit would be my last day on earth. I'm sure you know that feeling.
I actually went over there a patriot. I thought it was my duty as an Air Force pilot to do my share to serve my country in time of war.
I came back confused, feeling betrayed by the president, betrayed by congress, betrayed by the Generals and betrayed by my wife ( she ran off with someone else while I was over there, the bitch!). As a result I lost all respect for government and authority, turned to drugs and even tried suicide...messed that up too.
I'm doing as well as I can now. I am a life member of both the Disabled American Veterans and the Veterans of Foreign Wars. I live in the piney woods of northwestern Louisiana, have two wonderful dogs and a wonderful wife who tolerates my anger with government in general and my hatred of the little Hitler currently occupying the White House.
I have become a ‘Guest Columnist’ for our local paper and regularly submit articles that criticize the radical conservative b.s. that most people embrace in this area. It is an uphill battle as most don't want to hear the truth but I'll keep trying. Thank you for telling it like it is. I appreciate it and you.”
From a Korean Vet:
“What you write about Bush had me in tears. Also I never realized his father bailed out and left his crew, that son of a bitch. I only knew he was shot down on his first mission. I did my duty, but I would never go again.
President Ronald Reagan never even left the state of California, yet he too claimed to be a Vet. In 1981, I was in the Northport VA Hospital while he was trying to get our VA pension's cut back. Another phony! Keep up your fine writing, Best regards, another VFW, who cant be fooled by BS.”
My Stunned Conclusion:
I was so delighted to get these emails that I wanted to share them with my readers, the people who give me hope that we can build a better world for the children of tomorrow. We are the majority and eventually we are going to take our country back from the fascists. You readers have renewed my faith that we can do it.
Thank you, thank you very much, I am forever in your debt.
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Jack Balkwill is a Vietnam veteran who has won national writing awards for poetry, fiction and nonfiction. |
