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May 20, 2004 -- Now available from WinterSoldier.com -- the entire 21,477 page collection of FBI files detailing the activities of Vietnam Veterans Against the War during the late 1960s and early 1970s. Wade right into our new Complete VVAW FBI Files section for days, nay, weeks of investigative enjoyment.
A quick look through a few files turned up an interesting proclamation that the VVAW issued in February of 1971:
"We, as veterans of the war in Vietnam, give notice that if Laos is attacked, we will respond at once. We call for mass civil disobedience to take place all over this country. We call for industry to shut down. We call upon the students to close the schools. We call upon our brothers who are still in uniform to close the military bases throughout America and the world. We call on the anti-war movement to shut down the major cities of America.... If this be a threat, let us make the most of it... We have been trained to fight. If need be we will use the knowledge we have gained against those who are seeking to extend this war." -- 100-HQ-448092, Section 02, page 66.
Such threats of sedition and violence seem a bit difficult to square with Kerry campaign spokesman Michael Meehan's recent description of the VVAW as "thoughtful" and "moderate," but no doubt there's a reasonable explanation. Incidentally, one of North Vietnam's greatest fears was that U.S. forces would move enough ground forces into Laos to cut off the Ho Chi Minh Trail. The VVAW, so it appears, felt exactly the same way.
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May 19, 2004 -- Vietnam Veterans for the Truth has made announcement forms available for their Kerry Lied Rally in Washington on September 12. They plan to bring 100,000 veterans and their supporters to the nation's capital to "tell the truth about Vietnam veterans, and to counter the lies John Kerry told about them." The KLR leadership is looking for local and regional coordinators, so consider dropping them a line.
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May 18, 2004 -- We have added a 1971 article from the Philadelphia Inquirer titled Two Veterans: Study in Contrasts to our News Articles section. The photocopy is old and smudged, but you will want to read it. Trust us.
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