[kearnyirish2]

In 1919 I doubt Ho was a communist at all, but he was given the cold shoulder at Versailles because “freedom” was for white people - colonies remained colonies (and Germany’s were distributed among the victorious allies). At that point someone like Ho had to work outside the system.

I don’t see why Vietnam today is treated any differently than Cuba; both governments repress their people, and neither has any use for us outside of money. We are ENABLING them.

[ThanhPhero]

The "repression" In Việt Nam is a hell of a lot less than in Cuba. It is not as if the Communists were Communist in anything but name and organization. They much more resemble in Việt Nam a less than heavy handed Latino rule by Junta. They also respond to American pressure to ease the repression that there is. The current problem is that Obama hates Việt Nam and Vietnamese and prefers the country to be more traditionally Communist. Clinton and Bush achieved much in the way of easing the weight on the Viets with constant pressure. Hà Nội backslid a bit in the Obama years. Trump has not yet turned his attention to that situation but he will. The Carrier is a bright portent.

[ThanhPhero]

I don’t see why Vietnam today is treated any differently from Cuba

We need to treat Việt Nam very differently because VIệt Nam responds to American pressure for reforms. Cuba does not. Việt Nam wishes to be an American ally in the Eastern Sea. Cuba allies with the Venezuelan hồ tĩ to thwart and frustrate America in the Caribbean Sea.