Beautiful piece of writing Mr. Quixote. You’ve got lots of other combat veterans behind you out here
in cyberspace, so tilt away, brother. The Vietnam war wasn’t worth fighting, but the war against fascism we must now fight for truth and justice here in America is a noble cause worth striving to serve in defense of the Constitution we once swore to protect against all enemies foreign and domestic.
We have been through so much. We all need to stiffen our spines, grow hearts bigger, and support truth, and decency. As HCR said, do the right thing even as the walls close in. I had no idea of the horrible actions of Hoover’s FBI. Boy, did I learn as Dickie, Ronnie, Bushie, and our current monster made lies government policy, as had McNamara. I have appreciated Joe’s integrity. Flawed but a giant among his peers…
In 1968I was liberated form conscription. The following year I did what many returning Vietnam vets did: Get educated with the help of the GI Bill, get divorced, get my ass to D.C. for the big marches. The protesting never really stopped, except now my ankles keep me away. I joined Vietnam Veterans Against the war. The VVAW has found it's way to build a series of school libraries in Vietnam, all near where I was. I have found this to be the most reconciling venture I have ever had the pleasure to donate to. What could be better than helping educate the children and grandchildren of those we were at war with?
I hope it doesn't take fifty years for these feelings to reappear, because I feel these days much as I did n 1968.
That's really great. The attitude of the Vietnamese toward us after all that is truly amazing and humbling. I could never have written my two books on the war without the Historian of the VPAF getting me an English translation of his book, and then hooking me up with VPAF veterans.
I remember watching those guys. On some hot days with nothing to do I would sit on my bunker with my back to the sea and watch them. I don't know what they flew but it looked like WWII fighters, not like the F-4s and A-6s parked across the street. They would make tight circles, around and around, then dive down and bomb something on the mountains in the distance, where it was supposed the rockets were launched at us last night, like most every night. Around and around then dive, and on a mountain away from the beach there was a little puff of smoke. Every once in a while there was a really big explosion, then they would fly off home.
A-1 Skyraiders. Former Navy carrier-based attack plane. Came along right after WW2, used in Kora and up to 1966 in Vietnam. AF didn't have anything like it o they got the spare starting in 1962, then got them all after 1966. They were nicknamed "Spads" for the WW1 fighter, they were so "old."
We will be looking to you veterans, both literal in the military sense and the resistance sense, to lead us. I'm not backing down either, as long as I live in the United States.
Your questioning of the pro-war counterprotestors at the anti-war protests reminds me of how I stop fundamentalist Christians in their tracks. Simple question: "What part of the Great Commandment do you not understand?" ("Love your neighbor as you love yourself."). Gets 'em every time.
Oh, Tom, I'm with you, too. My resistance can take the form only of writing to my legislators, contributing to pro-democracy causes, continuing to be kind, etc., but this old, now armchair activist is not turning away now, in the face of such darkness and depravity.
How wonderful that you were in such immediate contact with Phil Ochs, one of my all-time heroes!
TC! I have not really laughed…no, “guffawed” as in a belly laugh, since the election. And then there is this. You reached out and grabbed Squeaky’s ankle and she tripped??????? Oh, that is everything. Right place, right time, right action. I love that kind of symmetry.
You are the best, TC. I send your essays to a lot of people. Have been encouraging paid subscriptions. And am proud to become a founding member.
Truth, kindness, and decency is a total act of resistance. I’m with you. I recommit every morning, as I lead my young adults. I hope they can see the use in it, in this world they’re inheriting. Thanks for your history, and this reminder.
Perhaps I will name my car "Rocinante"..... The seeds of destruction are already baked into this odious collection of bozos and incompetents. We must remember though that these nominations are intended to help "deconstruct the administrative state" by several means - threatening particular officials, getting as many employees as possible to quit in frustration and in general to sabotage the work of the various agencies. But here is the thing - millions of people, including those who voted for Trump, depend on those government agencies for various functions and checks for various purposes. They will be left high and dry, subject to the tender mercies of those who could not care less about those people, and will not even think of them except as "losers".....
My Arab American neighbors who probably handed over Michigan's 15 electoral votes to TFG are already regretting not weighing the differences between Biden and TFG when they "punished" Joe. As for the dependent magas, they can use all their weapons and storm the Capitol again, only this time the Musk SS will spray them with flame throwers. It will be a hard lesson.
It was funny. I found his first record in the college bookstore, loved it. Then one night noticed there was the address of his management company on the back cover, so I wrote them a letter and asked if he could come out. Arthur Gorson, then his agent, stopped through Denver on a rip to LA and met me, saw I had the necessary organizational skills (after 4 hour instruction session) and decided to say yes "to get Phil out of New York and off the coast." When he got there, we connected. I actually had no idea in hell what I was doing when I first got the idea.
Thank you,TC. I’m a younger boomer in my 60’s and learn so much history from your posts.You’ve had an amazing life and I’m in awe of how you’re able to remember and recount in such a way that makes me feel as if I’m “in the moment”.
I will continue to resist…with kindness and truth.
I'm still spreading my subversive handwritten messages on small pieces of cardboard in every public place I go. It will not have great effect, but it makes me feel I'm less helpless and it evades whatever media censorship lies in store for us.
Thank you, Tom, for knocking down those stupid stories of recent days (in Politico, The Hill—I forget where because I consider them such BS), saying the resistance ain’t resisting this time. Nonesense. We are doing it smarter this time.
I guess I was luckier than you, Tom. While I began protesting the Vietnam War in 1964 before it was much of a war, as a 31 year old married woman in safe California, I wasn't much of a challenge to the FBI (or Nixon for that matter) . I was not an American citizen yet but I canvassed for Johnson, engaged in a phone bank, paraded in rallies at Community College. Even registered voters, although I couldn't vote myself. In 1966 I won second place in an essay contest protesting the war. In the process of researching for my essay I was able to confirm what I already believed - Vietnam was a civil war between the agricultural and small business North Korea and the corrupt regime set up by the South which behaved much like the would be Christian National Authoritarians in the US today.
LBJ flat out lied to us promising to withdraw the "advisors" we had in Vietnam and not get involved in the war, Barry Goldwater's slogan was 'In your hearts you know he's right, we changed that to 'In your hearts you know he might' referring to his desire to use nuclear bombs against North Vietnam. So, yes, while we didn't know all the facts we sure as hell knew the 'Gulf of Tonkin' was a big fat lie, as was the "communist" threat.
Beautifully written, Tom. I only wish Democratic leadership had your strength of character.
Some do, some are DINOs, some are spoilers, some are too far off the bell curve in one direction or the other…
Beautiful piece of writing Mr. Quixote. You’ve got lots of other combat veterans behind you out here
in cyberspace, so tilt away, brother. The Vietnam war wasn’t worth fighting, but the war against fascism we must now fight for truth and justice here in America is a noble cause worth striving to serve in defense of the Constitution we once swore to protect against all enemies foreign and domestic.
We have been through so much. We all need to stiffen our spines, grow hearts bigger, and support truth, and decency. As HCR said, do the right thing even as the walls close in. I had no idea of the horrible actions of Hoover’s FBI. Boy, did I learn as Dickie, Ronnie, Bushie, and our current monster made lies government policy, as had McNamara. I have appreciated Joe’s integrity. Flawed but a giant among his peers…
This is great stuff. Thanks, you are not alone!
In 1968I was liberated form conscription. The following year I did what many returning Vietnam vets did: Get educated with the help of the GI Bill, get divorced, get my ass to D.C. for the big marches. The protesting never really stopped, except now my ankles keep me away. I joined Vietnam Veterans Against the war. The VVAW has found it's way to build a series of school libraries in Vietnam, all near where I was. I have found this to be the most reconciling venture I have ever had the pleasure to donate to. What could be better than helping educate the children and grandchildren of those we were at war with?
I hope it doesn't take fifty years for these feelings to reappear, because I feel these days much as I did n 1968.
That's really great. The attitude of the Vietnamese toward us after all that is truly amazing and humbling. I could never have written my two books on the war without the Historian of the VPAF getting me an English translation of his book, and then hooking me up with VPAF veterans.
I remember watching those guys. On some hot days with nothing to do I would sit on my bunker with my back to the sea and watch them. I don't know what they flew but it looked like WWII fighters, not like the F-4s and A-6s parked across the street. They would make tight circles, around and around, then dive down and bomb something on the mountains in the distance, where it was supposed the rockets were launched at us last night, like most every night. Around and around then dive, and on a mountain away from the beach there was a little puff of smoke. Every once in a while there was a really big explosion, then they would fly off home.
A-1 Skyraiders. Former Navy carrier-based attack plane. Came along right after WW2, used in Kora and up to 1966 in Vietnam. AF didn't have anything like it o they got the spare starting in 1962, then got them all after 1966. They were nicknamed "Spads" for the WW1 fighter, they were so "old."
WW1
We will be looking to you veterans, both literal in the military sense and the resistance sense, to lead us. I'm not backing down either, as long as I live in the United States.
Your questioning of the pro-war counterprotestors at the anti-war protests reminds me of how I stop fundamentalist Christians in their tracks. Simple question: "What part of the Great Commandment do you not understand?" ("Love your neighbor as you love yourself."). Gets 'em every time.
Oh, Tom, I'm with you, too. My resistance can take the form only of writing to my legislators, contributing to pro-democracy causes, continuing to be kind, etc., but this old, now armchair activist is not turning away now, in the face of such darkness and depravity.
How wonderful that you were in such immediate contact with Phil Ochs, one of my all-time heroes!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rVTBCtYjoY
Phil was a great guy. I still love "There But For Fortune". I was really devastated when I read about his suicide.
thanks for the link. He looks so YOUNG.
He was.
TC! I have not really laughed…no, “guffawed” as in a belly laugh, since the election. And then there is this. You reached out and grabbed Squeaky’s ankle and she tripped??????? Oh, that is everything. Right place, right time, right action. I love that kind of symmetry.
You are the best, TC. I send your essays to a lot of people. Have been encouraging paid subscriptions. And am proud to become a founding member.
Salud my friend.
🗽💜
Thanks very much for that Christine.
Truth, kindness, and decency is a total act of resistance. I’m with you. I recommit every morning, as I lead my young adults. I hope they can see the use in it, in this world they’re inheriting. Thanks for your history, and this reminder.
Perhaps I will name my car "Rocinante"..... The seeds of destruction are already baked into this odious collection of bozos and incompetents. We must remember though that these nominations are intended to help "deconstruct the administrative state" by several means - threatening particular officials, getting as many employees as possible to quit in frustration and in general to sabotage the work of the various agencies. But here is the thing - millions of people, including those who voted for Trump, depend on those government agencies for various functions and checks for various purposes. They will be left high and dry, subject to the tender mercies of those who could not care less about those people, and will not even think of them except as "losers".....
My Arab American neighbors who probably handed over Michigan's 15 electoral votes to TFG are already regretting not weighing the differences between Biden and TFG when they "punished" Joe. As for the dependent magas, they can use all their weapons and storm the Capitol again, only this time the Musk SS will spray them with flame throwers. It will be a hard lesson.
Thank you Tom. You are an inspiration and a help.
I am with you. Thank you for leading us.
Well, damn, I'm glad I finally upgraded my sub. And I sure do miss Phil Ochs, jealous that you met him.
It was funny. I found his first record in the college bookstore, loved it. Then one night noticed there was the address of his management company on the back cover, so I wrote them a letter and asked if he could come out. Arthur Gorson, then his agent, stopped through Denver on a rip to LA and met me, saw I had the necessary organizational skills (after 4 hour instruction session) and decided to say yes "to get Phil out of New York and off the coast." When he got there, we connected. I actually had no idea in hell what I was doing when I first got the idea.
Thank you,TC. I’m a younger boomer in my 60’s and learn so much history from your posts.You’ve had an amazing life and I’m in awe of how you’re able to remember and recount in such a way that makes me feel as if I’m “in the moment”.
I will continue to resist…with kindness and truth.
I'm still spreading my subversive handwritten messages on small pieces of cardboard in every public place I go. It will not have great effect, but it makes me feel I'm less helpless and it evades whatever media censorship lies in store for us.
Thank you, Tom, for knocking down those stupid stories of recent days (in Politico, The Hill—I forget where because I consider them such BS), saying the resistance ain’t resisting this time. Nonesense. We are doing it smarter this time.
I guess I was luckier than you, Tom. While I began protesting the Vietnam War in 1964 before it was much of a war, as a 31 year old married woman in safe California, I wasn't much of a challenge to the FBI (or Nixon for that matter) . I was not an American citizen yet but I canvassed for Johnson, engaged in a phone bank, paraded in rallies at Community College. Even registered voters, although I couldn't vote myself. In 1966 I won second place in an essay contest protesting the war. In the process of researching for my essay I was able to confirm what I already believed - Vietnam was a civil war between the agricultural and small business North Korea and the corrupt regime set up by the South which behaved much like the would be Christian National Authoritarians in the US today.
LBJ flat out lied to us promising to withdraw the "advisors" we had in Vietnam and not get involved in the war, Barry Goldwater's slogan was 'In your hearts you know he's right, we changed that to 'In your hearts you know he might' referring to his desire to use nuclear bombs against North Vietnam. So, yes, while we didn't know all the facts we sure as hell knew the 'Gulf of Tonkin' was a big fat lie, as was the "communist" threat.
Before LBJ made that promise, he had already sent more troops. It was a complete lie.
True, but he promised to bring them home too, something like 10,000 troops - after the Gulf of Tonkin whopper he sent 50,000 troops