Some gave all, all gave some

Different things motivate me to write about different subjects in my blog. Today's subject is the Vietnam War. I'm reading a book (fiction) about Vietnam, actually listening to it on my iPod. I've already read it. It's Nelson Demille's best-selling novel called Up Country. It tells the story of a retired military cop and Vietnam combat veteran, who goes back to Vietnam to investigate a 30-year old crime.

When I first read the book, I found it interesting, as it offered a different perspective on the Vietnam War. Hearing the story a second time has caused me to think and I realized how very little I know about the Vietnam War, an important part of American history. The Vietnam War was never covered in any of my history or social studies courses. Perhaps, the history was too new or too controversial, probably more of the latter. So, I decided to do some reading about the war, hours of it.

I was a child at the height of the Vietnam War. I remember watching the fall of Saigon on television. I remember the POWs coming home. I remember watching the state funeral of Lyndon Johnson, who didn't live long enough to see the war's end. I think I remember these things. Of course, I was young. I was definitely too young to have an opinion about the Vietnam War.

Before I did my reading, I didn't know the history of Vietnam, as a country. I knew France was involved, but I didn't know to what extent. I didn't know what triggered and escalated US involvement in Southeast Asia. I didn't know the role the various US presidents and their advisors played. I didn't know how Laos and Cambodia fit into the war. I didn't know that US soldiers fought two enemies: the invading North Vietnamese army from the North (Up Country) and the Vietcong, communist insurgents in the South. From what I read, the US and South Vietnam army won most, if not all, the battles waged in Vietnam, but lost the war.

During the war, atrocities were committed by both sides. I'm sure there were many more Ma Lais and not just by American soldiers. It was war. Bad things happen. No one knows how they will behave in the situations soldiers face. While I certainly don't condone it, I can understand how a soldier may lose his sense of morality if he just saw his buddy's head blown off by a villager he thought was a friend and ally.

I do not believe that America owes Vietnam an apology unless Vietnam also apologizes for its treatment of our POW's. Actually, we should both apologize to each other. We left behind a bad legacy in Vietnam. Our use of chemicals to defoliate the jungle canopy may have seemed justified at the time, but its effects are lingering, not just to the Viets, but to our veterans, as well. The Amerasian children left behind are another legacy for which we cannot hold our heads high. From what I've read, these children were treated as outcasts. While we opened our doors to many of these children, these children were still without a country.

After 30 years, much of what happened in the war has been "forgotten." We restored diplomatic relations with Vietnam over 10 years ago. We gave Vietnam most favored nation status and Vietnam is a member of the WTO. Vietnam has one of the fastest growing economies in the region. Vietnam was recently removed from worldwide watch list for religious persecution (against Christians and Buddhists). At the same time, they remain a police state, a one-party state that controls the press and limits the rights of its citizens. Despite its economic successes, Vietnam remains one of the poorest countries in the world. Open market policies (i.e. free enterprise) will continue to drive Vietnam's economic growth, but I can't believe that people won't eventually want more personal freedoms.

The Vietnam War divided the American public and it still does today. The debate is whether the US was justified in its actions to prevent the North Vietnam communist government from overtaking the South Vietnam non-communist government, which it eventually did. After reading pages and pages of documents and essays, I've concluded that there is no right or wrong answer to this question. Wars and the events leading up to them and following them are too complicated to leave us with simple answers. It's easy to have any opinion after you have all the facts, but no one did.

US involvement in Vietnam has always been justified on the basis of the "domino theory." After the second world war, there was a concern that Communism was spreading. Eastern Europe had already been lost. If Vietnam fell to communism, so too, would the rest of Southeast Asia. That was the belief. Of course, opponents of the Vietnam War are quick to point out that this didn't happen. But how do we know that fear of U.S. intervention (as demonstrated in Vietnam) didn't prevent other countries from following a similar path as Vietnam.

Opponents to the Vietnam War claim that it was a Civil War between the North and South and that US troops had no business being in the middle of it. North Vietnam claimed it was a fight for independence, the independence that had been promised after the second world war, as a result of Vietnam's support of the allies. If it was a fight for independence, why did so many northerners flee the government of Ho Chi Minh before the war and so many South Vietnamese flee after the takeover of Saigon? It was also about communism. There were land purges, persecution of "class enemies", and "re-education" camps. Sound familiar?

Approximately 58,000 Americans lost their lives in Southeast Asia. Thousands more were injured or affected in other ways. Most of the Vietnam vets that I know are normal people, living successful lives. No matter what opinion a person has on the Vietnam War, we should all agree that our veterans were mistreated upon their return to the US. We should agree that they deserve our respect and admiration for the sacrifices they made for our country. Many made the ultimate sacrifice. I recall the words to a Billy Ray Cyrus song, "Some gave all, all gave some."

Three million Viets also lost their lives in the "American War," as it's called in Vietnam. Many, many more lives were lost after the American withdrawal, as North Vietnam seized control of the South. The Khmer Rouge committed genocide in the years that followed the Vietnam War. It doesn't matter whether it was US involvement or US withdrawal that prompted it, it happened, resulting in the deaths of millions of people in the killing fields of Cambodia. These losses should also be respected by all Americans.

It's my hope that countries learn from the past, but it seems we are always doomed to repeat the mistakes from the past. Unfortunately, man seems to be programmed for war, not peace.

A good start

It was a good start to the NFL season:

Redskins won
Steelers won
Ravens lost
Eagles lost
Giants lost

The Cowboys won, but somebody had to win the game between Dallas and New York. I guess a tie would have been alright. Next time, I hope the Giants trounce the Cowboys.

We Redskin fans deserve a good year. It's been awhile. The parts are in place. The defense is solid. We just need Portis to stay healthy and find holes to run through, Jason Campbell to play to his potential, and the receivers to hold onto some balls. Campbell needs to get the ball to Chris Cooley. He makes things happen. And it's time for Randle El to shine as a Redskin.

It was good to see the Steelers win big and for Ben Roethlisberger to play well. If the Redskins don't win much, I need the Steelers to have a good year, so I have a team to root for. Last year, both teams sucked. The Steelers and 'Skins have always had similar strategies: good defense and a good running offense. Win games in the trenches. Win with any quarterback.

I like professional football. It's the only sport on TV that doesn't put me to sleep. All the kids may be playing soccer these days, but it sure is boring to watch on TV. Sorry Beckman.

I'm looking forward to the new television season. Last year, I became a huge Grey's Anatomy fan. Don't anybody call me Thursdays at 9 p.m. I'll miss the charactor of Dr. Burke. I don't think Isaiah Washington should have been fired. I guess Mark Sloan will be my new favorite doc. McDreamy is handsome, but too goody, goody. George is just George. Alex is intriguing.

I've seen a few good movies, latley. The Shooter stars Mark Wahlberg, who portrays an ex-military sniper who is framed for the assassination of a foreign dignitary. It's a great action movie that keeps you on the edge of your seat. I like the movies that I've seen Wahlberg in: A Perfect Storm, Three Kings, Invincible, Four Brothers, Planet of the Apes, and the Italian Job. Of course, he's also got a great physique. Hard to believe he used to be a member of the boy band New Kids on the Block.

The Guardian, starring Kevin Costner and Ashton Kutcher is the Coast Guard version of An Officer and a Gentlemen. A pretty good flick. Demi's a lucky lady. Costner is always appealing, even as he ages. Another Paul Newman type.

I finally saw Garfield the Movie. I love Garfield. The movie was cute -- probably too cute for many people. Sometimes, it's fun to watch simple, meaningless movies like this one. I can't wait to see the sequel.

I'm running out of books to read. Some of my favorite authors -- Daniel Silva, Ken Follett, and David Baldaci -- have new books out or coming out -- but I don't like to pay full price, so I have to wait awhile for the prices to come down on Amazon.com.

On Michael Vick

As a Virginia Tech graduate and football fan, I've always been a fan of Michael Vick. He is a phenomenal athlete and football player. If he were a basketball player, he'd probably already have risen to the level of Michael Jordan. But, football requires much more of a team effort.

I'm sickened by the situation Vick now finds himself in. It goes without saying that I deplore his involvement in dog fighting. At this point in his life, he has proven that he is not a man of strong moral character.

I don't understand how any decent human being could find dog fighting to be entertainining or allow it to happen, if they knew it was happening. Blood sports were common centuries ago, but we are a more civilized people now, are we not? Of course, I would say the same thing about bull fighting and cock fighting, which remain legal in many parts of the world. I looked it up. Dog fighting is illegal in most parts of the world, except Japan and Russia, though it still occurs in a lot of places, including the U.S. (obviously!).

I'm a dog lover. I have two dogs. I've always had a dog. When I lose one of my dogs, I mourn its death, the same as I would a family member. I don't like the thought of anyone drowning or hanging a dog, which I believe is the method they used to get rid of the dogs they no longer wanted. I think it is wrong to train a dog to be mean and aggressive. Sooner or later, they are going to hurt people.

With all this said, there are two issues regarding Michael Vick's crimes that bother me. These are second chances and perspective. Vick has plead guilty to running a dog fighting ring. He should be punished for this crime. But once he serves his time, he should be given another chance. The NFL should not ban him. He should have the opportunity to resume his career.

Vick made a mistake -- a huge mistake -- and he is going to be punished for it -- big time! While most of us do not go to prison, we all make mistakes and deserve second chances after we've admitted our mistakes and paid a penalty, if such is the case. All the major religions of the world teach forgiveness.

Now, about perspective. We've lost it. We're talking about dogs, not people. I love my dogs immensely, but they are still dogs. As humans, it is both our moral and legal obligation not to be cruel or inhumane to animals, but they are not equal to humans. But killing dogs is not the same, let alone worse than harming human beings.

Drunk drivers who kill other people often do not serve any prison time. Black on black crime often goes unpunished. Many violent crimals serve little time in prison. Michael Vick should receive an appropriate penalty for his crimes, not be made an example of.

Vick's sentence should not be influenced by popular opinion or the rants of animal rights activists. In some ways, I think some type of community service might be more appropriate than signficant prison time. He could go around to city schools and talk to young people about the importance of making the right choices and the consequences of making the wrong choices. He could become a good role model for young people.

Dog fighting is a bad thing and a punishable crime, but there are far more problems in the United States and abroad. There are also far worse problems in the animal world. Many more dogs and cats are killed than those in dog fighting and in far worse ways. We need to continue to educate the public about spaying and neutering their pets and service animals. We need to enforce leash laws. In my opinion, it would be wise to ban the breeds which we know to be bred and used for fighting (e.g. Pit Bulls).

Let Mike Vick pay his price. Move on to the next story.

Mexican Adventure

July 2007 -- The World Sheep Congress was in Querétaro, Mexico in 2007 -- the second to the last one held  (I think). I talked my friend and colleague Dee Dee A. into going with me. We flew into Mexico City and rented a car. That's where the adventure began. It was a 3 hour drive. At least the Mexicans drive on the same side of the road as we do.

Querétaro is a city in central Mexico. It’s known for its well-preserved Spanish colonial architecture , including its striking pink stone aqueduct. The aqueduct of Querétaro is an 18th-century aqueduct. It is a symbol of the city of Querétaro and one of the largest aqueducts in Mexico. Although no longer in use, the structure remains in place and is well maintained for traffic, pedestrians, and the thousands of tourists that pass by and under the aqueduct's 74 stone arches.

Acueducto de Querétaro

74 stone arches

Population: 1.8 million

Colonial architecture

Scenery near San Miguel

San Miguel de Allende

I always take pictures of dogs (and cats).

Feria arch

Pantheon

Church from a distance

San Miguel de Allende

Fountain of Marques de la Villa del Villar at the Plaza de Armas

Narrow, cobblestone street in San Miguel de Allende

Knock knock, who's there?

One too many margaritas

Street vendor in San Miguel de Allende

So much rain

Street performer in Querétaro

Post created 03 Sept 2024

World Sheep Congress

July 2007 -- I was fortunate enough to attend the World Sheep Congress in Queretaro, Mexico, in 2007. My friend and colleague Dee Dee A. was my travel companion. The Congress drew over 700 participants from 18 countries. There were probably about 20 Americans in attendance, including a few speakers (Jim Morgan from Katahdin Hair Sheep International) and many I knew. The Congress included a scientific program and day of farm tours. The last few days featured a multi-breed sheep show and trade show.

Sheep show and trade show

American friends

Posing with a Dorper ewe

The most numerous breed in the show was probably the Pelibüey. The Pelibüey is a Cuban breed. It is likely derived from the West African and related to the Barbados Blackbelly. The breed looks very similar to Katahdins of the same color, though Katahdins are more robust. There was speculation that Pelibüeys had been crossed with Katahdins to improve their size for the show ring (sound familiar?). We do not have the Pelibüey in the US. While it has many valuable attributes, I'm not sure if offers anything the US sheep industry doesn't already have. It is popular in the Caribbean and parts of Mexico. I had seen the breed in my travels to the Caribbean.

Champion Pelibüey ram

Class of Pelibüey ewes

Pelibüey rams waiting to be shown

Nice Pelibüey ewe

Some serious picture taking

The Katahdin show was also large in size (and quality). Katahdins were (are) becoming popular in Mexico. The Katahdin judge was an American, Wes Limesand. Many of the Americans in attendance were Katahdin breeders like myself. Wes was shepherd at NDSU.

Wes Limesand judging

Class of Katahdin ewes

Nice Katahdin ram

Katahdins waiting to be shown

Most of the rest of the sheep at the show were breeds common to the US: Barbados Blackbelly, Dorper, Dorset, East Friesian, Hampshire, Suffolk, Texel, Romanov, and Rambouillet. There were a few breeds that I had never seen before (except in pictures), such as Charollais and Damara. I didn't get pictures of all of the breeds.

Barbados Blackbellies

Dark Blackbelly ram

Pen of Damara ewes

Dorper ram; he looks comfy!

Hampshire Down

Dorset rams

Some Texels

Charollais ewe

Romanov ram

Rambouillet ram

The trade show was large. I bought several items. Food was good.

Promoting Katahdins

Before and after

Post created 03 Sept 2024

Mexican farm tour

July 2007 -- Farm tours were part of the World Sheep Congress in Queretaro, Mexico in 2007. There was a choice as to which farm to visit. I chose hair sheep (of course). Katahdin. We visited "El Gavillero Shangrila," a Katahdin stud in Tequisquiapan, about an hour from the conference headquarters, but still in the state of Querétaro. They had about 600 ewes in semi-confinement.

Posing with Mark Dennis (C)

Katahdin ewes in confinement

El Gavillero Y Shangrila

Offering feed to lambs

Fenceline feeding (haylage)

Covered feeder

Automatic waterer

Under shelters

Katahdin ewes

Showing off rams

Just us

Post created 03 Sept 2024