The Curse of ‘Vietnam Mentality’
The US Americans are pathetically slow learners when it comes to their primal blind spot. For a nation with such promise, endowed with natural resources almost beyond belief, with a diverse cultural background augmented by some truly creative people in the matters that count, in many ways they are collectively stupefied people. It’s a shame really that a country that could be of great benefit to the global community, has become, and remains, so ethically damaged. It could be said that besides its enormous military might, the USA at present has virtually nothing “going” for it. It is by and large morally, culturally and spiritually defunct. I have no doubt that many of the US American readers of this article will be experiencing a fit of indignation; but that’s just the point. I think I can say without serious contradiction, that to the vast majority of the worlds people, it is time that the US Americans took a good hard look at themselves and made a fundamental assessment of their role in the world as well as their duty to themselves and their country. Alas this is a difficult ask of a people who still can’t face the fact that death is a part of life and that there is such a thing as growing old. In a Land of Make Believe where reality has long been submerged in sitcoms, introspection is hard work and the results would be depressing if not sobering.
But what is the “primal blind spot” and how does this relate to Vietnam? Firstly, my definition of Vietnam mentality is the propensity to make oneself believe that if one does the wrong thing long enough it will eventually turn out right. It is a refusal to recognise reality and work within its parameters. In a child it is called “hard-headedness”. Unfortunately we are considering a nation of people. So the primal blind spot is the inability of the nation to see itself in relation to the rest of the world and to recognise what their legitimate duty is in the world community. This manifests as a refusal to see and respect other points of view. It is a worldview that says, “You are either with us or against us” and is predicated on hubris. Common sense indicates that this line of thought is not a sign of collective mental health.
I forget the name of the philosopher that said, “those that fail to learn the lessons of history are doomed to repeat them”, but this is exactly what the USA is doing in Iraq right now. Like in Vietnam the US Americans and their sycophantic cohorts attack a small country in the name of “democracy”, create havoc, steal resources, impoverish the people, destroy the environment and say we are protecting the “free world” from communism, or as the excuse is now called, terrorism. Nothing has changed, but another great defeat is looming and yet another humiliation of national pride. If things go to script, the leadership will say the defeat is all because of lefty pacifists and traitors, etc. And so it goes on until something shatters the dream. Of course then it is too late.
Until a few years ago Australia was recognised in the world community as a supporter on universal human rights and humanitarian enterprises. Now, because of the behaviour of the present government and craven compliance of the opposition, Australia is looked upon as scum that is totally subservient to the interests of the USA.
Around about 1950 the USA made a decision that is even now haunting it. After WW 2 the US had the world on a string. They had just completed one of the greatest humanitarian efforts in world history in organising the reconstruction of Europe and by ameliorating the needs of thousands of refugees. The USA was loved and respected by the International Community and was offered the leadership of the western world. Oh what great deeds could have been done with that window of opportunity. But history tells us the story of squandered opportunity and the lust for world supremacy and rule. This set the stage for what is happening now.
Like Australians the US Americans are isolated from the rest of the world’s thinking, mostly these days by a controlled media that refuses to speak the truth. It is easy for Aussies to talk to Yanks because we are so similar. Just as the average Aussie has no idea what the world thinks of their country, likewise the average US American would be shocked and hurt to know that in the eyes of the world’s people they are loathed and despised.
The aim of Quakergreen is to touch the men and women of goodwill. Is it not time to stop pandering to the crazies and strive to turn this appalling situation around? Perhaps the reason we are losing our “rights” is in some part due to the fact that we have ignored the rights of others.
Until we meet again let us practice thoughtfulness in our dealings with our fellow creatures.
1:42:18 PM 
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