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On Presidents Day: Neglecting Translators & Other Allies

Started by tomwatson · 11 months ago

Tales of Iraqi translators being denied U.S. visas after endangering their lives to aid the American military remind me of a scene — and harrowing moment in history — from Tom Bissell’s The Father of All Things: A Marine, His Son, and the Legacy of Vietnam. ... Continue reading »

2 comments

  • Maud, what a great post. So heartbreaking and something we should all be reminded of constantly.

    I have to admit, I've put off reading your post actually - every time I click over. Only because, I remember seeing that stuff on the news ... I grew up with my nose buried in books about Vietnam. Naively thinking... Ha. I was right. So awful this time, but at least it won't happen again. Look how much we've learned from it! We'll all make better choices from now on!

    Hmmm. I've learned in recent years that that was a very naive attitude. I'm still learning every day. And I can't stand what I'm learning. That horrific things just keep repeating.

    They seem to be on a loop.

    So sad to think that maybe I can't find the hope I had when I was 15. I'm trying though.
  • Jim Webb's book captures the exquisite pain of former comrades left behind by the fleeing Americans - one of them becomes the protagonists driver. And it's going to happen again.
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