Monday, May 28, 2007

Memorial Day

What would you say to the men and women on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial?

I would tell them that they are so brave for what they did for this country. I would also thank them and tell them that they made our country very proud and they should be proud of all they have done, even if we didn't technically win the war.

Wednesday, May 23, 2007

Times of Change 3

Farmer Nguyen- by W.D. Ehrhart
Massacre at My Lai- by Hugh Thompson
A Nun at Ninh Hoa- by Jan Barry

What do these two poems and the article say about the impact of the war on the native Vietnamese?:
-The War effected the Natives, probably the most of anyone, because it war their homeland that was being destroyed.

Can you think of any other ways in which the war will impact the native Vietnamese?:
-Native children, old men and women had to try to hide to save their lives
-Children, old men and women had to watch out where they steped, becuase they would either step on land mines or fall into ditches
-The Natives were tortured and then put out of their missery and shot

Times of Change 2

Jack Smith by Ron Steinman

What challenges does Jack Smith face as a soldier in Vietnam? (a bulleted list is fine):
-The intense, warm climates of Vietnam
-The chance of dying anymoment, or having your friends die right next to you
-It was very boring doing the same things over and over again with your free time

How does Smith’s attitude toward war change?:
-Before the war, he really wanted to be part of it, but then as the war progressed, he really started to hate it.

I Feel Like I’m Fixing To Die Rag by Joe McDonald


This song by Country Joe and the Fish became one of the first protest songs of the Vietnam Era. Read the lyrics to the song, and then respond to the following:


What is the song asking the “big strong men to do”?:
-To go over to Vietnam and fight for the United States


… the “generals” to do?:
-To kill all of the Vietnam soldiers


… “Wall Street” to do?:
-To make supplies for the war


… “mothers” to do?:
-To send their young boys to the war, so that they can fight for the United States


Write down four specific lines from the song that display sarcasm, cynicism, or anti-war sentiment:
-"Open up the Pearly gates"
-"We're gonna have a whole lot of fun"
-"To have your boy come home in a box"
-"Your big chance has come at last!"

Monday, May 21, 2007

Times of Change

A Dubious Crusade by James A. Warren:

Look up both words in the title of the short essay. What do they mean?

-Dubious: Doubtful
-Crusade: A war for a cause

Relate the title to the reading. What is Warren saying? How do you think this will relate to the rest of our study if Vietnam?

-The Vietnam war was a war to end terrorism, that was the doubtful cause. I think that there will be doubts of the war in the future.


History by Thuong Vuong-Riddick:

What is the overall theme of Vuong-Riddick's poem?

-The theme of this poem is that the Vietnamese is always fighting for their freedom.



The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution … by Goldberg:

What is the main thesis of the essay?
-The US had to go through a lot to get to fighting the war


What was the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution?
-The firing of US ships


What evidence does the author give to support his thesis?
-There are many different points of views of the Vietnam War

How does this link to the theme of the first reading, “A Dubious Crusade”?
-Many people don't think that this was a war that should have been fought

Wednesday, May 16, 2007

Korean War

1.) In reponse to North Korea's invasion into South Korea came as an uncertainty as untrained Americans were sent into South Korea to fight with them.

2.) After the Inchon landing in September, president Truman was relieved which was followed a by a quick military success.

3.) Events in Korea started to go down hill after the Wake Island Conference. The Chinese entered the war which was not good for the United States, there was a massive emergency defense buildup, and the controversy over the firing one of Truman's military commanders in Korea.

4.) Korea is a peninsula of about 85,000 square miles that was affiliated by ethnicity, language and culture before the problems occured.

5.) The liberation of Korea by the Japanese at the end of WWII was short before the US and Soviet Union inquired post war influence in Korea.

6.) Right after the Korean war began, American foreces were sent into battle immediatly.

7.) Many individuals were certian that the American troops would be home by Christmas, including Gernal McArthur, but no one had forseen the entry of the Chinese, which changed their prediction immensely.

8.) Segregation had spread everywhere in the U.S, even to the armed forces and after WW11, President Truman was very disturbed by the reports of the mistreatment of African Americans.

9.) Truman didn't like the idea of having segregated forces, so by the end of the war, most of the forces were integrated.

10.) The Korean war was a very bitter war where there were an exceeding number of deaths. The troops had to fight in the bitter cold winter which was very painful.

Monday, May 14, 2007

MLK's Dream- Income

There has definatly been an inprovement with African Americans and Hispanics in the working field, but it could be a lot better. In 2003, Hispanic's income was only about 70% of White Americans and 74% of all house holds in America. Also in 2003, African American's income was only about 65% of White Americans and 67% of all house holds in America. That just goes to show that there is still racism in our country. MLK's dream obviously did not get around to some people, and if it did, there are still some people who do not belive in what he said.

The number of families who's income is $250,000 or above for Blacks, Asians and Hispanics is much higher than White families. There were about 1,264,000 White families who's income is $250,000 of higher and only 29 Black families, 64 Asian families and 63 Hispanic families who's income is $250,000 or more. This is not positive at all and something needs to be done about this racism because it is not fair at all.

I think that one reason that this is happening is becuase of the number of minorities who are educated and can get a good job. I think that more and more blacks, hispanics and asians need to go to college and get a good job so that these statics don't appear again, but i think that it will take some time.

MLK Reading

Why does the author feel that whites owe King the greatest debt?
For freeing them from the worry of America's-century old dishonesty about race

Was King "the right man at the right time"?
Yes. The movement definatly wouldn't have ended out the way it did, if he wasn't part of it.

Would King be upset with the current use of his most often quoted line? Why or why not?
No, becuase he is known as a great man and his famous quote helped save our country. I think that he would be honored.