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Gordon Duff: American Movie Classics Dumps On Vietnam Vets
NETWORK INSULTS VIETNAM VETERANS
GENERAL PETRAEUS HOSTS VIET VET INSULT AD
By Gordon Duff STAFF WRITER/Senior Editor
Would any TV network, even one on cable be so utterly stupid? I would never have guessed it if I hadn’t seen it myself. Sometimes people make mistakes and offend. Then again, American Movie Classics went well out of their way to insult the service and sacrifice of 2.9 million Americans that served in Vietnam. This isn’t even close, they simply hate Vietnam veterans. This was a dig, written as a dig against Vietnam vets and delivered like a knife in the back.
While announcing Memorial Day movie line-ups to be hosted by General David Petraeus a West Pointer who didn’t serve in Vietnam at all, AMC announcers began their “open mouth, insert foot, repeat if necessary” blunder. Please, if you are going to find a host for war movies, pick out someone with a combat record.
They meant to honor younger veterans of our current war, so they say. To do that, they compared them to the “greatest generation” that fought in WW2. However, this is where they went nuts on us. They pointed out that the current military is like the “greatest generation” because it is “all volunteer.”
This is an obvious dig at Vietnam vets, many of whom were subject to draft. We have lost 6000 troops in our current war and, probably another 20,000 from injuries, suicide and other causes, some in service and some as veterans. The insult goes even further than Vietnam but against anyone drafted into the military. This, of course, includes most of the “greatest generation,” the very people AMC was placing on a pedestal or is this what they meant at all? Draftees landed on Tarawa with the Marines and on Omaha Beach on D-Day.
Last check showed 711,000 Vietnam vets alive. 2.2 million are gone with 58,000 from direct combat deaths, 50,000 from service related illness and injury and over 2 million from vastly shortened lifespan due to agent orange poisoning, malnutrition during military service, tropical diseases, PTSD (too often fatal) and other causes.
Vietnam had the highest casualty rates of any war in American history. The Marine Corps alone lost as many killed in action in Vietnam as they did in World War 2. However, the Marine Corps in Vietnam was 1/4th the size it was in WW2 with combat during a much shorter period. Do the math.
A typical civilian worker would make $200 per week in 1969. A typical civilian worker makes 2 to 3 times that today with some much much more. In truth, our civilian standard of living is much less than in 1968, making the military much more attractive today. What ever Americans were fighting for, it obviously wasn’t our “way of life.”
Soldiers started at $90 a month, less expenses for uniforms and supplies. Soldiers in Vietnam typically drew less than $40 a week. A typical E-3 serving today makes 12 to 14 times that, actually double the average wage for a full time employee in a civilian job in our current diminished economy.
We don’t want to begin to talk Playstations, internet, body armour, 6000 calorie meals cooked by a hundred thousand foreign kitchen employees, work details done by contractors, dangerous security details handed out to mercenaries or the fact that we are doing exactly as well in Iraq and Afghanistan as we did in Vietnam.
The troops today are, in thousands, perhaps tens of thousands of cases, sons and daughters of troops who served in Vietnam or during the Vietnam era. Some of us would cut the pay, cut the food, take away the playstations and bring our kids home, hoping our society would have learned the lessons of the useless sacrifice we went through in Vietnam.
What could be worse for a parent, a veteran, than losing a child in a war, not just unpopular, even forgotten, but an obvious con job left over from a corrupt administration and continued by an incompetent one.
The enemy isn’t our current military. I am sure General Petraeus, when he reads this, and he will, is going to make a call. Why is it that some people can’t say something nice without putting a knife in someone elses back?
American Movie Classics isn’t even close to sounding like it means anything but a vicious insult against Vietnam veterans. I wonder if the Dolan family has Vietnam vets? They own the network. If so, I can’t imagine why a veteran member of their family wouldn’t show up in the head idiot’s office with a pair of size 12 combat boots on and do what comes naturally, if such a veteran exists in such a family.
What they have done is to cause pain and to attempt to cause a feeling of shame in veterans on memorial day, veterans of a dirty and vicious war with considerable brutal combat under conditions we wish our current troops never have to see.
In truth, we don’t know. We only know what we are told. Are our troops today being poisoned like Vietnam or Desert Storm vets? We do know they are being drugged up and sent in the field with PTSD. We know they are persecuted for any problem they have, even if brought on by heroic service. We know these things and care deeply about them.
Our troops didn’t make the stupid commercial. What was the purpose of the commercial? Is it a “divide and conquer” thing or simply stupid?
I don’t vote for stupid because the language and nuances showed a clearly insidious aspect. These people are underhanded vicious little sneaks.
Hey, if you don’t watch this and avoid being insulted, good.
If you do watch it, note the sponsors and please take the time to point out how much you don’t appreciate seeing a Cadillac commercial followed by an insult aimed at American heroes.
Short URL: http://www.veteranstoday.com/?p=33472
Posted by Gordon Duff on May 29 2010, With 0 Reads, Filed under Vet News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. Both comments and pings are currently closed.
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Vietnam Veterans have for too long been the “whipping boy” of the military or anyone with a particular agenda. War is war, death is death, nobody should be treated as if their risk, injury, or death was any less important than anothers.
ouch.
It may of been thoughtlessly intended to be a recruiting tool Gordon.
Doesn’t make it alright though and if so, it still proves your point.
crap… you know what I mean.
If it was intended to be a recruiting tool, and not an outright dig… it still proves your point.
It’s all part of the increasingly loud drumbeat to get Americans psyched to open another front in the ‘Wars for Wall Street and Israel.’
Like the story that came out that Israel has now stationed 3 of their GERMAN made subs with nuclear tipped cruise missiles/IRBM’s in the Persian Gulf.
And the story about Iran arming and training Afghan insurgents.
The Neocon and Zionist SOB’s who tricked us into Iraq and pulled a false-flag to get us to invade Afghanistan are now pushing hard to get us to “Shock and Awe” another country that is NO threat to the USA, but one Israel hates.
Will our corrupt, cowardly and craven Congress do their Israeli Masters bidding and send more of our kids off to fight and die for Zionism?
What do you think?
KABUL (Reuters) – Afghan insurgents are being trained inside Iran and given weapons to fight security forces, the commander of U.S. and NATO forces said on Sunday, joining a rising drumbeat of criticism of Iran’s role in the country.
General Stanley McChrystal said coalition forces were working to stop Iran from giving material help to the Taliban who have stepped up the campaign to force foreign forces out of Afghanistan in a nine-year conflict.
Iran backed the Northern Alliance in the war against the Sunni Muslim Taliban in the 1990s, but security analysts said Tehran’s intelligence services could be helping elements in the Taliban as a tool against the United States.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/us_afghanistan_iran
The Fed is retracting our money supply, called M3 and that always means hard times.
The BP fuggup in the Gulf still HASN’T been capped.
Looks like it’s time for Big diversion and war always distracts the people from bad news.
Lese- what about the news squeaking out about that little tiny country next to the far east of China and south of Russia… what is the name of that country? Across from Japan? You know, we had a war there in the ’50′s…
What is new Gordon. This has been going on for 40 + years. Vietnam was not about Wall Street as for what todays leaders are thinking. Today our wars are all about Wall Street and the end days politics. For the American media it is not about America’s traditional freedoms, and the traditional American way of life. It is totally about Wall Street, and Holy War against Islam.!
They are on a religious crusade for Capitalism! Capitalism and the free market is the new religion, or at least a new book of the King James version.
All the while many of todays leaders are convinced they are doing Gods will. Vietnam was immoral while Iraq and Afghanistan are not because it is a good old Holy War, against non believers.
The media is not motivated by American values. (Remember how immoral Vietnam was?) Today media and Wall Street are motivated to keep young people flowing into the military pipe line.
Today good things have to be said about todays soldiers to keep them in the military and the boot camps full of new recruits. Not to save America America, but to save Wall Streets ass! That is the bottom line.
Not long ago I heard a retired Marine E8 or E9, with a NAvy Cross. I forget what exact rank he had. However, hear this Marines! He said Dan Daily did not deserve his medals. He implied Belleau Wood did not deserve the honor. That is the way I took it.
Oh yea from now on these wars in Iraq and Afghanistan are the template of what is honorable and good about American wars.
wow
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i miss the old star rating system for articles. this is a 5 star.
Gordon,
Great article. But the biggest dumping on Vietnam Veterans is when they try to collect disability compensation for their service.
My claim has now aged to 14 years and eight months.
By the way, I have written to President Obama numerous times on this issue and have not received any positive intervention from his good office.
I guess he’s waiting for me to go to heaven, although his lack of response is telling me to go somewhere else.
Matt,
That just pissed me off hearing that. When my husand was so sick from Agent Orange and he was 15 years into his PTSD claim from Vietnam… we had no money, very sick husband and it was getting very scary. Just this last winter. I was almost out of my mind… seeing the way he was treated in the past and currently treated and knowing what his tour was like… he wasn’t sitting in the bunkers playing cards… Every dirty trick you have read about happening to troopers who served in Vietnam and trying to be compensated for the PTSD incurred from their tours… was tried on him. He was starting to wonder if he even went to Vietnam! That’s how much they f’d with his head. (I can assure you he served in Vietnam and in combat. We just got back from his troop from Vietnam’s reunion.). How’s that for “Thank you for your service” from Uncle Sam? Uncle Sam is some twisted son of bitch mother. I considered once writing Obama a heart-felt letter pleading for justice and compensation for someone who answered the call to serve in war for America when asked to do so. I see now it would of been a waste if time. (And IF he sent some form letter just ‘thanking’ my husband for his service… that would of pissef me off more!)
Matt, just before my husband was finally awarded compensation 100 percent, permenant and total, (210 all together)… I was ready to camp on General Shinseki’s porch while holding an American Flag upside down… Or on my Congressman’s steps (who ‘took action’ in the required 24 hours but it wasn’t what we asked for or needed. Oh, he is now the Congressman that heads the Congress’ Board or whatever it is called of the
Department of Defense. Or on my Senator’s steps.
How would that be if there was an organized showing of discarded veterans to America? That’s what they are counting on… us being invisible….
Yea Gordon… There’s that ‘unity’ thing again…
(Thanks to you and Carol for being there when it got rough. That meant a lot to me. It was a real hard time and I was so scared for my husband’s health and then having to suck it up and keep it together on the outside… Thanks.)
They are just trying to ‘romantize’ going off to war to fight for freedom… Like in WWII…. Which by the way… A dear family friend is sick from malaria and other things from serving in WWII…. Buy ALL his records were burnt in that big fire… Yea… Romantic.
And why are we so busy fighting for out Freedom and others Freedom while we are giving up our Liberties…. Patriot Act, Executive Privilage… Ect.
Isn’t Liberty and Freedom the same thing?
Forgot the Military Commission Act of 2006… That’s another one worth taking a good look at and check out it’s doublespeak… Carefully.
I’m also a discard, Fran. It is no wonder I can get so p’d off. Especially when I hear pontificating from those who got “lucky”, beat the system, and live in pain to enjoy it. I feel for you and your husband, my wife and I know exactly where you’re coming from.
Tom Texas Vet First Cav Gary Owen
Thank you Tom. We made it through that fire… with the claim. We went into it back to back and swore not to stop until the wheels came off. Well, we made it through and the wheels are still on… and we are still going forward. Now, to try to get him healthier… at least we have a fighting chance now. Peace to you and your wife. Fran
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At least AMC isn’t running a VN movie marathon of duds like “Apocalypse Now”, The “Rambo” trilogy, “Casualties of War”, “Platoon”, “Boys of Company C”, “Full Metal Jacket”, “Night of the Intruder” and “The Deer Hunter”.
When is some cable channel going to show some genuine support and air films like:
“Go Tell the Spartans”, “Hamburger Hill”,” Bat 21″ & “We Were Soldiers” ?
Lem-
The movie ‘BAT 21′ is an insult to the men who were there.
Google: ‘BAT 21′ ‘Easter Offensive’
and you will still not get the whole story…
It is not for me to tell… but somebody came out smelling like roses who had no business being where they were when they were… And others paid a price for it.
Why was this movie set during the Tet Offensive instead?
Because right after BAT 21 happened… At the beginning of the largest and bloodiest battle of the entire Vietnam War… Headquarters left… Everybody left… All the GROUND combat troops and the ‘advisors’ were left behind. Google: Second Battle of Quang Tri. My husband was on the ground there and in the air. Google: highway of horror stories untold
he was there…
That’s how I know things that Vietnam historians don’t know…
There are no military records between April to October 1972. None.
After the Easter Offensive, October 20, 1972… There was a huge land grab…
So my husband’s troop left Quang Tri Province to Chu Lai, hot in Que Son and Bien Dien.
Then it got hot in Tay Nihn… So they moved down to Bien Hoa and flew to the Siagon Corridor and Tay Nihn non-stop.
Then Saigon for special missions… In 1973
Hey, this is 1972… When the war ‘was winding down’.
No, it did not wind down.
My husband was in a battle that ‘was not an American battle’ providing close support to the ARVN
He was an ‘advisor’. Funny, he didn’t even know that until recently.
One of the 16,000 advisors… Left Behind.
What else was happening then?
Oh, I remember! Nixon’s 1972 Land Slide Election!
That’s Right! He made good on his promise to bring our boys home!
Hey, Vietnamezation was working grrrreeeeeaaat! Really!
Nixon and Kissinger left everybody out to dry.
But politics are important you know!
So Lem, they don’t want you to know about that time. So someone who was there wrote a pretty good book (a few typos) and Hollywood helps makes sure no one knows the real story…
Because we can’t handle the truth..
And oh… I bet Kissinger would not want us to know…
He’s still alive… An impressive fellow… He was awarded the Noble Peace Prize.
He gets the Prize and everyone gets left holding the bag.
Hmmmmmmm….
When will the truth be told?
All the veterans’ truth?
What lies are we being sold now?
Who is paying the price for those lies?
Does America Really Care?
CORRECTION: All the GROUND troops REDEPLOYED HOME and the ‘advisors’ were left behind.
Lem
I was running an AOL Vietnam history site many years ago. We had the opportunity to go over many of the films with people who had served in every imaginable capacity in Vietnam over a period of nearly 7 years.
“We Were Soldiers” was totally debunked although one of our guys was a big supporter ….David Hackworth.
Deer Hunter…yuk.
Some of Hamburger Hill was real…pieces, the overall feel of absurdity was given best by Apocalypse Now, the feel of being there. Typical attitudes of troops in the field…Platoon got the vote from Army guys.
Full Metal Jacket is dead on for Marine boot camp and many other areas. It takes me back to when I was on amphibious operations…the feel was very right.
We could all do better, much better and, frankly, should.
The one I hated most of all was China Beach.
g
Yea… There is The Command History 1972 – 1973.
The names blended seamlessly between the 101st Airborne and the 1st Cav, 11th CAG…. Riiiiiiight then.
So it just doesn’t jump out at you if you think everybody went home.
But the reports?
There was a pretty big fire after ceasefire near Tan Son Nuht.
And don’t forget… Headquarters left… The hospitals were turned over to the ARVN… But the one at DaNang.
The Medical Evac Companies were redeploying home…
If you find any… let me know! Especially for MR I / CORPS I … 04/72-10/72… Poof!
I’ve been looking for them at least on the Internet…
Nothing.
Fatal Politics: The Nixon Tapes, Vietnam & the Biggest…Landslide, Episode Five: Decent Interval II
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQ3LIqzR6-Q
Thanks for all the clarifications ! Hollyweird must enjoy putting their own spin on what we faced in Indochina. Most of the feature films were a joke. Remember Bert Schneiders’ “Documentary” that got an Academy Award ? Are there any documentaries out there that you people accept as “decent’ ?
Just so you know… I was at the Long Binh Bowl for the Bob Hope Christmas Show in December of 1971. There were “Bring Us Home NOW !” and similar banners all over it. Nixon had said after Thanksgiving that there were no more large scale US Army ground operations happening. All those guidons from the 1st Air Cav that ringed the entire bowl taught me other wise. I recognized a few of my fellow class mates from 11B Infantry School from Fort Polk, and I asked them point blank about Nixon’s claim …
” We were airlifted out for this show and we’re heading back to the bush when its
over.”
This is where I began to use the phrase: “The madness never stops.”
Lem-
I always wondered about that!
Wow.
Typical. We vilify the supreme sacrifice of our sincere Vietnam brothers and glorify the pampered, pussified automaton criminals of this present so-called “war”. Ain’t our America great.
11b 67,68… I thank those who had the balls to go before to the V.A. Because of them my ptsd 100% rating was complete in less then 1 year, They made the path all that much less painful the it could have been. I work now to make the path easier for those to come. The expense of war is not the dollar, but one’s life and a lost of much. chris king CIB
I find this very infuriating and am disgusted with AMC! My fiance served in Viet Nam and has countless medical issues because of it. He’s still proud to have served our country even though he has PTSD, diabetes and many other issues. I salute Army Ret. MSG Ernest B. Morris, JR (my fiance) and all those courageous men who served in Viet Nam. May God Bless you all and your brothers who paid the ultimate price!