Dear Men and Women,
I'm writing this letter to you today because i want you to know that you have not died in vain. Today is a day to remember you for what you did to defend our country. A day to think about the staggering number of lives lost in Vietnam. Your life as a grunt was not an easy one, and i think everyone in America should reflect on the hardships Vietnam soldiers went through and be thankful for what you did for this country. You prevailed through the worst possible situations and stayed strong, showing everything the American Soldier can do. Soldiers, I will remember you today.
Sincerely,
Ian Cooley
Monday, May 28, 2007
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Three more Vietnam Readings
Farmer Nguyen
Massacre at My Lai
A Nun at Ninh Hoa
The impact of the war on Native Vietnamese was not a pretty one. Civilians were tortured, wounded and brutaly hurt for nothing at all. The war will also affect the Native Vietnamese through their change in government, (democracy changes to communism), the loss of their friends and loved ones, and images that will remain in their life forever.
Massacre at My Lai
A Nun at Ninh Hoa
The impact of the war on Native Vietnamese was not a pretty one. Civilians were tortured, wounded and brutaly hurt for nothing at all. The war will also affect the Native Vietnamese through their change in government, (democracy changes to communism), the loss of their friends and loved ones, and images that will remain in their life forever.
Two More Vietnam Readings
Jack Smith
Challenges Jack Smith faces as a soldier in Vietnam:
Challenges Jack Smith faces as a soldier in Vietnam:
- The death of many of his fellow soldiers
- The pain of wounds from shrapnel
- The fear of battle
- The horror of war's brutallity
- The nervousness of inexperience
Smith's attituted toward war changes when he sees the brutality of war. He begins to question the meaning of the war. Why did all his friends die if the they didn't even win the war?
I Feel Like I'm Fixin' To Die Rag
The song is asking the big strong men to help America out of its mess with Vietnam by becoming soldiers and fighting for the US.
The song is asking the generals to kill the communists because that way peace can be won.
The song is asking Wall Street to keep suplying the Army with weapons.
The song is asking mothers to ship their boys off to war so the can all get killed.
Come on fathers, don't hesitate
Send 'Em off before it's too late.
Be the first one on your block
To have your boy come home in a box.
Monday, May 21, 2007
Three Vietnam Readings
A Dubious Crusade
Dubious (adjective) - questionable or doubtful
Crusade (noun) - a war or agressive movement
The passage is titled "A Dubious Crusade" because the Vietnam War made America question its role as a world superpower. Warren is saying the the Vietnam War was a questionable or doubtful war. This may come up later in our study of Vietnam when we learn about protests against the war, and the effect it had on America's status in the world.
History
The overall theme of the poem is the history of the Vietnam War, and how the whole crusade was simply a giant, pointless killing spree.
The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
The main thesis of the essay is that the incident which started the Vietnam War is very controversial. The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution was an approval made by congress to defend United States interests in the area of the Golf of Tonkin. It was made after a US Navy destroyer, the Maddox, was attacked suddenly by North Vietnamese boats. The decision is controversial because President Johnson is suspected to have lied about the attack on the Maddox. This links to the first reading, "A Dubious Crusade," because it shows how overall, the war may have been very pointless.
Dubious (adjective) - questionable or doubtful
Crusade (noun) - a war or agressive movement
The passage is titled "A Dubious Crusade" because the Vietnam War made America question its role as a world superpower. Warren is saying the the Vietnam War was a questionable or doubtful war. This may come up later in our study of Vietnam when we learn about protests against the war, and the effect it had on America's status in the world.
History
The overall theme of the poem is the history of the Vietnam War, and how the whole crusade was simply a giant, pointless killing spree.
The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution
The main thesis of the essay is that the incident which started the Vietnam War is very controversial. The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution was an approval made by congress to defend United States interests in the area of the Golf of Tonkin. It was made after a US Navy destroyer, the Maddox, was attacked suddenly by North Vietnamese boats. The decision is controversial because President Johnson is suspected to have lied about the attack on the Maddox. This links to the first reading, "A Dubious Crusade," because it shows how overall, the war may have been very pointless.
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
10 important things everyone should know about the Korean War
1. In 1945, the Soviet Union occupied Korea north of the 38th parallel and set up a communist government there. The United states occupied Korea south of that line, and set up a democratic government there.
2. In June of 1950, communist North Korea crossed the 38th parallel and invaded democratic South Korea. The resulting conflict became known as the Korean War.
3. The United States and 15 other UN nations made up the democratic fighting force . It was commanded by Douglas MacArthur.
4. In early fighting, North Korea pushed Sout Korea back almost to the city of Pusan at the souteast tip of Korea.
5. MacArthur landed his troops at Inchon, behind North Korean lines, and pursued the retreating North Koreans pastthe 38th parallel and deeper into North Korea.
6. China saw the UN movements into North Korea as a threat to its own security, and on November 25, 1950, the Chinese drove UN forces back to South Korea.
7. By early 1951, both sides were deadlocked along the 38th parallel.
8. MacArthur requested permission to bomb China, but Truman refused. MacArthur tried to rally support against the president's decision, and it resulted in Truman firing Mac Arthur.
9. As the war drew on, it became more and more unpopular.
10. Eisenhower won a landslide victory in 1952, and talked truce with North Korea and China. The war ended in a stalemate in July 1953, with the communists in control of North Korea, and democracy reigning over South Korea. A line of armistice was drawn near the 38th parallel seperating the two countries.
2. In June of 1950, communist North Korea crossed the 38th parallel and invaded democratic South Korea. The resulting conflict became known as the Korean War.
3. The United States and 15 other UN nations made up the democratic fighting force . It was commanded by Douglas MacArthur.
4. In early fighting, North Korea pushed Sout Korea back almost to the city of Pusan at the souteast tip of Korea.
5. MacArthur landed his troops at Inchon, behind North Korean lines, and pursued the retreating North Koreans pastthe 38th parallel and deeper into North Korea.
6. China saw the UN movements into North Korea as a threat to its own security, and on November 25, 1950, the Chinese drove UN forces back to South Korea.
7. By early 1951, both sides were deadlocked along the 38th parallel.
8. MacArthur requested permission to bomb China, but Truman refused. MacArthur tried to rally support against the president's decision, and it resulted in Truman firing Mac Arthur.
9. As the war drew on, it became more and more unpopular.
10. Eisenhower won a landslide victory in 1952, and talked truce with North Korea and China. The war ended in a stalemate in July 1953, with the communists in control of North Korea, and democracy reigning over South Korea. A line of armistice was drawn near the 38th parallel seperating the two countries.
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
What am I most Looking Forward to this Unit?
I'm most looking forward to the War with Vietnam, because it interests me the most. It was a very powerful time in American History, when not only did America's views collide with Vietnam's, but America collided on itself. It was a time of tremendous protesting, through song, movies and organized marching, and what the soldiers met on the battlefield will never be forgotten. Vietnam was no doubt an important part of American history, and it is what I am looking forward to the most.
Monday, May 14, 2007
Has MLK's "dream" been realized?
The education condition of African Americans and other minorities has gotten better since King's powerful speech. Since 1980, the School Enrollment Rate of African Americans ages 3 to 34 has increased by 6.5%, the percentage of African Americans who graduate from high school has risen by 29.4%, and the percentage of Hispanics who graduate from high school has risen by 14.4%. Many people would say it is safe to believe that the status of minority education has indeed risen.
However, there is still a gap between whites and minorties in the education system. Today, 5.2% more of the white population of America graduates from high school than the black population. 2.6% more African Americans drop out of high school than whites, and 16.8% percent more Hispanics drop out. The education status may have risen, but minority and white populations are still not equal when it comes to education.
The education gap can be shortened by encouraging minorities to stay in school and approving Affirmative Action. If minorities stay in school longer, the possibility of obtaining a better job will increase. By approving Affirmative Action, minorities without a decent education will have a better chance at success in the future, helping minorities and whites become more equal. If these two strategies are enforced, MLK's dream of equality will become closer to reality.
However, there is still a gap between whites and minorties in the education system. Today, 5.2% more of the white population of America graduates from high school than the black population. 2.6% more African Americans drop out of high school than whites, and 16.8% percent more Hispanics drop out. The education status may have risen, but minority and white populations are still not equal when it comes to education.
The education gap can be shortened by encouraging minorities to stay in school and approving Affirmative Action. If minorities stay in school longer, the possibility of obtaining a better job will increase. By approving Affirmative Action, minorities without a decent education will have a better chance at success in the future, helping minorities and whites become more equal. If these two strategies are enforced, MLK's dream of equality will become closer to reality.
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