Considering that I have a M.A. in Western Civilization, had a father who served two tours of duty in Vietnam (26th Marines), and am capable of independant thought, I'll bet I have MORE of an idea than you do.
Why is it that the 60's generation feels it has the exclusive, and unassailable, right to all knowledge, feelings, morality and historical point of view vis-a-vis Vietnam? Could it be a sense of overwhelming, collective guilt on the part of those that did not go? Could it be the sheepish remorse of those that saw their friends, neighbors and brothers get blasted to smithereens while they stayed home, protesting, fornicating and getting high?
Or perhaps it's simply, as my father once said, a matter of those that did go trying to regain their self-respect in the eyes of a nation that rejected them and of those that didn't to find some justification for their own short-sighted selifshness in protesting the war?
I am assuming the "two Hanois" you're referring to are "Hanoi Jane" and John Kerry (among others). It doesn't take a Baby Boomer to realize that anyone who gives aid, comfort and easy propaganda victories to an enemy has done irreperable harm to the country and it's military.
So, I can give a tinker's cuss about you being 55+. That does NOT qualify you as an expert on anything, nor does it make you omniscient.
It' been long past time when the people of your generation stop believing that you are the most noble, wisest, truthful, caring and sensitive people to have ever walked the planet. None of you can hold a candle to your parent's generation, and quite frankly, most of you are a bunch of whining crybabies who will live fat, dumb and happy off the sweat of my brow for far longer than you deserve.
The 60's are over. Get on with your bad self.
A-fricken-men
I cannot wait until we can stop talking about the da_m vietnam war. Good God. I have relatives who served in WW2, Korea, Gulf War and they talk LESS about those wars COMBINED!!
I respect service to our country and support our nation's actions in Vietnam. But I'm 26 and don't want to have this HUGE issue made of a war that was fought poorly IN America 30 years ago.
ROFLMAO
Watch it now you whipper snapper!
BINGO!
But you MUST note that this is the absolute first time we've been able to address this thing. For decades it has been verboten, a non-issue, don't go there....Kerry brought it into the forefront and that's the only thing I'll ever give him credit for!
I don't know what age might be appropriate, expect that age is not a factor, but I do know that until you have been told to your face that you don't deserve a job, a family, or anyone's ability to give a shit, you just might know only part of the story.