America the Faithless

When I read Richard Fernandez' post over at The Belmont Club I was again reminded of the magnitude of America's defeat in Vietnam. I was also filled with shame, grief and anger.

In 1971 I volunteered for the Navy after graduating from High School. Part of my motivation was the desire to prevent Communism from devouring another nation and locking it's peoples in bloody chains. I had already read a good deal about what the end results of communist takeovers did to the subject populations, how they were caged in prisons of the soul and ground down under tyrant's booted heels. I strongly believed that this fate ought not befall anyone, and that it was worth the price of my life to prevent it if I could. I was in Vietnam at the end of our direct military involvement, and returned to civilian life a few months after the fall of Saigon.

In the years since I've spent a good deal of time trying to figure out what really happened there. The more I learn the less I like what I see. This article pretty well sums it up. The Left got control of the narrative and things went to hell after that. There has been a lot of fallout since then (despite the statements of John Kerry), and just when I think it's finally over, there's more. America defaults on it's solemn promises and a people die. Not just a few people, but a people. We Americans have become a people without honor.

And here's the strange thing. The very Left that left the Hmong twisting in the wind (then closed their eyes to it, denied that it ever happened and shunted it down the memory hole) now wants to do the same thing in Iraq and Afghanistan. And in once again betraying America's solemn commitments declare that America will win renown and respect for it! I can see it now: America the Faithless Friend, the Betrayer of Oaths, the Traducer of Allies, America the Craven, celebrated throughout the world for her statesmanship and sagacity. America undergoing the Global Test! America acquiescing in every kind of wickedness and fellating every two bit tinpot tyrant in hopes of winning an approving smile and a Nobel Peace Prize!

Inconstant "friends" are never to be trusted. Alas, my country is one such.