Burnt Orange Report

May 11, 2004

The Vietnam Test

By Jim Dallas

To my horror, Jerome Armstrong documents some polling which indicates widespread ignorance among young people like us about the Vietnam War (hint - only 47 percent of 18-29 year olds knew which side we were fighting on!). This is a bad thing, since those who don't know history are doomed to repeat it.

While I am hardly an expert, I paid attention in history class. I've whipped up a few basic questions for you to answer. Since I am a big softie, I've made them multiple choice.

1. In the Vietnam War, enemy fighters were often referred to by the acronyms:

a. FARC and UNITA
b. USSR and UAR
c. NVA and VC
d. NWA and RUN-DMC

2. US involvement in Vietnam began under which administration:

a. Eisenhower
b. Kennedy
c. Johnson
d. Reagan

3. Congress authorized the President to use military force in the _________ Resolution:

a. Bay of Pigs
b. Gulf of Tonkin
c. Gulf of Mexico
d. Pearl Harbor

4. The Secretary of Defense when the last US deaths (during the seige of Saigon in April 1975) was:

a. Robert McNamara
b. Caspar Weinberger
c. Donald Rumsfeld
d. James Schlesinger

5. Public support for the war was generally perceived to be strong until a series of battles referred to as the "Tet Offensive" in early _____:

a. 1966
b. 1967
c. 1968
d. 1969

Note: the answers are below.

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1. c. (North Vietnamese Army and Viet Cong guerrillas)

2. a. US involvement in the region began shortly after the conclusion of the Geneva Accords in 1954, which created South Vietnam (which was backed by the United States).

3. b.

4.d. Donald Rumsfeld would not become Secretary of Defense until November 1975. US involvement technically ended with a cease-fire in early 1973; however, several detachments were left to guard US interests, such as the US embassy (which was abandoned April 30, 1975).

5. c.

Posted by Jim Dallas at May 11, 2004 03:07 AM | TrackBack

Comments

Actually, this is more of a horror only to Democrats because John Kerry, et al. are running this 2004 election based on the memories of Vietnam. Of course, to Republicans, this is just yet another reason why there is strong support for the war, the troops, and Donald Rumsfeld. =)

Posted by: Chris at May 11, 2004 11:37 AM

The Alliance for Justice has launched a new website urging Justice Scalia to recuse himself from the Cheney energy case! Check it out: www.ChooseToRecuse.org Scalia can recuse himself anytime before the Supreme Court renders its decision.
There is a great flash animation that goes with it too. You have to see "Quid Pro Quack" http://www.allianceforjustice.org/action/scalia/flash.htm Duck'em!

Posted by: Natacha at May 11, 2004 01:21 PM

"Actually, this is more of a horror only to Democrats because John Kerry, et al. are running this 2004 election based on the memories of Vietnam."

And the bad economy, the SORRY state of healthcare, the sorrier state of education, the horrific environmental damage being done by Bush's big polluting friends....the list goes on....

I don't think support for this war is as strong as some may think. People who dare speak their minds in opposition are labeled as traitors and unpatriotic, and are accused of undermining the efforts of those who serve. I wonder if the soldiers overseas on active duty enjoy the bashings that veterans who run as Democrats have been taking lately by guys who ran and hid when their opportunity to serve came along......

Posted by: Andrea M. at May 11, 2004 04:41 PM

"Actually, this is more of a horror only to Democrats because John Kerry, et al. are running this 2004 election based on the memories of Vietnam."

And the bad economy, the SORRY state of healthcare, the sorrier state of education, the horrific environmental damage being done by Bush's big polluting friends....the list goes on....

Posted by: Andrea M. at May 11, 2004 04:44 PM

Iraq 54% against; 54% think Kerry will do better with the economy. From CNN, yet our President has a 2 point lead.

This election is not a comparison between Kerry's Vietnam and W's guard service. Its a comparison between Kerry's Vietnam and the Presidents experience as President. Most people don't know much about Vietnam, they do know about our President.

Hey Bob Dole resigned his senate majority seat as well as his senate seat to run for president, that way his electorate was about to get someone else to represent them. Kerry missed an important vote to extend unemployement benefits till he becomes president. His electorate wasn't represented. His day job wasn't important. He needs to resign and let someone else vote for his constituants needs. Show us how dedicated he is to his campaign. Come on and show us you're as honorable as Bob Dole, a WWII vet.

Relieve the quagmire of the Kerry campaign. And don't think about pulling a 'Torricelli' at the convention.

Posted by: peter at May 12, 2004 02:01 PM

peter: the problem is that if Kerry resigns, the (Republican) governor will either appoint himself or appoint some right-winger in order to boost his standing with the national GOP (note his behavior on the same-sex marriage issue).

Posted by: ckd at May 12, 2004 06:24 PM

SO...the count doesn't matter. The rest of the term shouldn't matter. The people he represents matter. He has only been there for 1 vote this year. Remember we're talking Mass. here, how many right wingers can there be? Also remember it takes 60 senators on many votes.

Isn't he assured victory? Doesn't he have confidence in his candidacy? Safety net here. His campaign needs this, otherwise he looks like a loser.

Posted by: peter at May 12, 2004 09:14 PM

News, Politics, and Fun From Deep in the Heart of Texas

May 11, 2004

The Vietnam Test

By Jim Dallas