Over the past 40 or so years, there has been an increasing amount of citizen-based objection towards the deployment of combat troops around the world. America’s involvement in Vietnam served to highlight this problem, and was largely the initiating force behind it. My own personal theory, a view held by I’m sure many, is that the increasing awareness caused by the media forms has served to demonstrate the nature of war to those at home, creating a sense of disparity and disillusionment.
The Second Indochina War, more commonly known as the Vietnam War, was granted the name “The Television War”, because it observed the introduction of live broadcasted footage from the front. This allowed those not actively participating, to catch a glimpse of the nature, and the precise, not always likeable details of the progression of the conflict. While providing a way of closely tracking the progress of the war, this combination of war and media creates a number of immediate problems.
Firstly, the anti-war movements that occurred in not only America, but across a number of participating factions engaged in the Vietnam War, are a violent demonstration of the effect of media warfare coverage. The coverage granted the public a viewing over the war, and allowed many to take a justified standpoint opposing the way the US forces were engaging in the conflict. Public opinion was at an all time low.
This, in turn created trouble within the troops that were fighting, as it is understandable that they became increasingly disillusioned as to why they were fighting for people who opposed their actions. Many Vietnam War veterans still feel this disillusionment to the day.
Similarly, the US engagement of forces in Iraq seems to be having a similar effect on today’s America, as well as the international coverage of other global conflicts around the world.
My opinion is that whether or not we support the government’s decisions, we should offer support to those troops that are fighting for their nation.
Anyone bearing an opinion on the matter feel free to step forward and let it be known below. Thanks everyone
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I tried to comment earlier...don't know what happened there...
ReplyDeleteI just want to say that I have family members who have fought in Vietnam, and many people close to me who are fighting in the current conflict. I must say that I think Americans have come a long way since the 1970s. For the most part, people are very supportive of Soldiers, regardless of how they feel about the wars.
You still have your incidences of spitting, and protestors (the ones who protest the funerals are the worst) but now-a-days, those people are more of the exception than the rule.
This is one thing that I do give America some credit for.
you would have commented, the forgot to do the captcha code thing. ive been guilty of that =P
ReplyDeleteYes very much so. Its a hard one to judge, though...plenty of area for debate. I think Vietnam kind of drilled a sense of military respect into the US, so yes, they have come a long way since.
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ReplyDeleteno worries, and thanks. i enjoy the insightful shit =].
ReplyDeletewe have already completed a follower swap - i follow ur blog, u follow mine. hahah with it now?
I don't know about the almost reflexive, ". . . whether or not we support the government’s decisions, we should offer support to those troops that are fighting for their nation."
ReplyDeleteThese troops are, after all, the ones who have chosen to do the killing. It is also their nondelegable responsibility to investigate the merits of the war they are asked to fight. The stakes are too high for blind faith in government honesty.
aaron. thanks for the input.
ReplyDeletei dont condone "blind faith", i think holding opinionated integrity is important.
the troops are not "chosen" to do the killing, more like they "choose" to kill. BUT. that is not simply their purpose. we have to remember that also.