Interest in war

A key element of moving on when a conflict ends is that the victors have to completely forgive and forget. This is of immeasurable help in the healing process, both for victor and vanquished.

In this regard the US has played a key and often ignored role in promoting healing. The first war the US used this philosophy was of course our own civil war. No other civil conflict in memory has seen both sides so quickly return to good relations, or the vanquished side so prosperous so soon after cessation of hostilities.

The US campaigned hard to use the 'forgive and forget' philosophy after WWI. But the idea of forgiving Germany, and even helping rebuild her, was abhorrent to many, especially the French. Massive, economically debilitating war reparations were the result, which we can now quite easily see led to the ascension of the Nazis.

The present gov't of Viet Nam should take heed; but they probably won't.

Cambodia is another story altogether because the Khmer Rouge never really were vanquished, they just disappeared into the jungle. There was never any closure. Pol Pot died an old man. Old KR cronies still walk free and prosper. How can they ever heal with a situation like that?

Jimbo

 

And so the argument drags on, and on and on! Lots of rheotic about why and the mess it gives but bottom line it doesn't do a thing for poor peasant stuck on the ground in the firing range just trying to bring his family up as besst he can! And that covers every bloody country and creed in the world - bar none!