A thank you to Viet Nam vets and the United States by a former Viet Nam citizen.

[Lone Wolf '49]

Well, in my previous life I had the pleasure of working with many VN immigrants. They were the best workers I had except for several Americans who were my age, just sayin'. I never had to worry about their doing their work, especially Trung. Now all of them, would work and save money each year and go back to VN and take money and food and so forth for their relatives who could not get out. Trung and many others would bring VN food to me many nights, of course, it was French flavored, but I learned a lot from them. I was a night supervisor at a local place that is no longer there under the company I worked for But just saying, in line with the OP they were all like that. They all taught to me a lot, the good food and language. I did learn VN, I miss them since I have retired in 2000, great people and great heritage, but as the OP is said, this is a Great Country The best. Thanks for reading the rant. Good night and good luck.
Lone Wolf of Kiowa County.

 

[Lone Wolf '49]

And one last thing to the OP, who is VN, did you ever know Anh Le who performed at many local VN events singing many years ago? Knew her well. Miss her and all I worked with. Sorry guys, this has brought back some great memories of some wonderful people.

 

[Dale00]

Reminds me of the speech, "What is an American?" by Harold Ickes. Here is an excerpt. The complete speech is at http://www.famousquotes.me.uk/speeches/Harold_Ickes/

What constitutes an American? Not colour nor race nor religion. Not the pedigree of his family nor the place of his birth. Not the coincidence of his citizenship. Not his social status nor his bank account. Not his trade nor his profession. An American is one who loves justice and believes in the dignity of man. An American is one who will fight for his freedom and that of his neighbour. An American is one who will sacrifice property, ease and security in order that he and his children may retain the rights of free men. An American is one in whose heart is engraved the immortal second sentence of the Declaration of Independence.

 

[Popjim]

I knew Anh Le she and her husband purchased the old Kamps Market on Classen Just north of 23rd Street. I think their son James is now running the business. I too spent time in VN and have been blessed to know Ahn and her family. They are great people.

 

[GlockCop]

The ideal that states it best is not in the Constitution (a worthless, non-binding set of rules for the central government) but in the Declaration of Independence... "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights,..."

You know I bet however it is you got here...there is a way for you to return to Canada the same way if you dont like it here.

 

[dutchwrangler]

You know I bet however it is you got here...there is a way for you to return to Canada the same way if you dont like it here.

Who said I don't like it here? The weather agrees with me. Of course if global warming does ever occur then I may go back north. Canada did recently abandon the Long Gun Registry which is a good thing.

Apart from that... lines on a map aren't the Creator's doings. Those are the devices of men. Thus, Canada means nothing to me... the same as the US. They are just names of non-entities known as nations. Lacking people within their respective borders they are simply land masses on Earth filled with wildlife and plants.

Scott, what matters to me is freedom. As gifted to all of us by our Creator. The evidence of natural law and creation seems to indicate that He intended us humans to be free. Rallying around flags and documents (no matter how well written or intended) seems to be humanity's way of rejecting what He intended.

But what I think doesn't matter. I go about my life quietly, enjoying His creation and the life he gave me. In due time I'll cash in my chips and that'll be that. What happens afterwards is in His hands if he's inclined to concern himself with me (which I doubt he is).

 

[RugersGR8]

And one last thing to the OP, who is VN, did you ever know Anh Le who performed at many local VN events singing many years ago? Knew her well. Miss her and all I worked with. Sorry guys, this has brought back some great memories of some wonderful people.

I was not in the service nor do I know Anh Le. I just saw the text of the speech on another forum. I Googled the speech and got the text and video links to pass along to others. I just thought that Quang Nguyen speech was something that should be heard.

 

[dennishoddy]

Back into the thread.....
I said It was a great post and some have turned it into their personal rant against our founders.

I spent a year in that country, saw/did crap that a 20-21 year old should never see/do in their lifetime. No human should ever have to go through that. I'll keep it short.
I was picked up by a huey in the middle of a rice paddy for my trip home. You fought until your last day, no matter what that day was. Dead or alive.

I was always disturbed by the refugees getting out of these areas, with their whole lives on their backs. I tend to be one of those folks that care about other people.
We didn't get a whole lot of interface with them, as we were moving forward, and they were going the other way.
Soldiers were always giving up their rations to them and their children.They had nothing, we had only to miss a meal or two.
Much different from the way afgan troops are turning on our troops now.
Dutch, I'm sure you can do a little research and find out an instance or two where somebody disresptected the Vietnamese people, but overall, we did what we could do. We never lost a battle, and inflicted major casualities on the enemy.
Our Government politicians lost the war, not the military.
The Vietnamese people that I've had the pleasure of meeting afterward, that are now citizens of this great country, have nothing but good things to say overall. I'm sure you could dig around and find a couple that have had problems.

 

[dennishoddy]

Who said I don't like it here? The weather agrees with me. Of course if global warming does ever occur then I may go back north. Canada did recently abandon the Long Gun Registry which is a good thing.

Apart from that... lines on a map aren't the Creator's doings. Those are the devices of men. Thus, Canada means nothing to me... the same as the US. They are just names of non-entities known as nations. Lacking people within their respective borders they are simply land masses on Earth filled with wildlife and plants.
bull crap. That is the Socialist view if I've ever seen one. One world concept. Lets all get onboard. What Bull crap. I'm thinking your obama's internet link.

Scott, what matters to me is freedom. As gifted to all of us by our Creator. The evidence of natural law and creation seems to indicate that He intended us humans to be free. Rallying around flags and documents (no matter how well written or intended) seems to be humanity's way of rejecting what He intended.
Freedom matters to all of us. Freedom under your concept would have all of us running naked in the woods and neighboorhoods with no reprocussions.

But what I think doesn't matter.Thank you very much for me not having to say this. I go about my life quietly, enjoying His creation and the life he gave me. In due time I'll cash in my chips and that'll be that. What happens afterwards is in His hands if he's inclined to concern himself with me (which I doubt he is).

........

 

[ignerntbend]

Thanks Dennis.