Joshism
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Sep 8, 2019
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Confederate soldiers died for a mistake.
American soldiers who died in Vietnam died for a mistake.
Most Confederate soldiers volunteered, but nearly all were subject to conscription starting in early 1862.
The majority of US soldiers in Vietnam were volunteers, although nearly all were liable to be drafted anyway.
Confederate soldiers fought to split a country.
Vietnam soldiers fought to prevent a country from unifying.
Both sets of soldiers fought for patriotic reasons, but I would say Confederates were far more motivated to fight by higher ideals in contrast to Vietnam were it was more of a reluctant obligation.
US soldiers in Vietnam probably committed more war crimes than Confederate soldiers, especially if you exclude unsanctioned pro-Confederate guerrillas.
Confederate veterans were celebrated after the war. Vietnam veterans were initially scorned.
Southern whites might have been better off if the Confederacy won; Southern blacks certainly would not have been. At least some good came out of the war in the end.
The South Vietnamese would probably have been better off under Hanoi's rule than the one they had in Saigon. Probably no good came out of the Vietnam War.
This is not an attempt to campaign for tearing down the Vietnam memorial.
This is a philosophical pondering about the two wars, attitudes toward their veterans, and how they are remembered. Most importantly, it is an attempt to consider whether our views of the two groups of veterans is consistent. We must always strive to avoid hypocrisy.
What are your thoughts?
American soldiers who died in Vietnam died for a mistake.
Most Confederate soldiers volunteered, but nearly all were subject to conscription starting in early 1862.
The majority of US soldiers in Vietnam were volunteers, although nearly all were liable to be drafted anyway.
Confederate soldiers fought to split a country.
Vietnam soldiers fought to prevent a country from unifying.
Both sets of soldiers fought for patriotic reasons, but I would say Confederates were far more motivated to fight by higher ideals in contrast to Vietnam were it was more of a reluctant obligation.
US soldiers in Vietnam probably committed more war crimes than Confederate soldiers, especially if you exclude unsanctioned pro-Confederate guerrillas.
Confederate veterans were celebrated after the war. Vietnam veterans were initially scorned.
Southern whites might have been better off if the Confederacy won; Southern blacks certainly would not have been. At least some good came out of the war in the end.
The South Vietnamese would probably have been better off under Hanoi's rule than the one they had in Saigon. Probably no good came out of the Vietnam War.
This is not an attempt to campaign for tearing down the Vietnam memorial.
This is a philosophical pondering about the two wars, attitudes toward their veterans, and how they are remembered. Most importantly, it is an attempt to consider whether our views of the two groups of veterans is consistent. We must always strive to avoid hypocrisy.
What are your thoughts?