Give Passion Life

What I knew as truth was challenged on a dramatic level today. I was completely rocked to the core. I visited the war museum in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam that recounted a great deal of the war in Vietnam between the North and the South. By far the heaviest day I’ve had in on my trip, I found myself tearing up on quite a few occassions. I honestly didn’t know how to process it initially. Going in the the museum, I ignorantly expected to see something loosely related the version I saw in textbooks as an adolescent. I was after all, in the south of Vietnam, which is the side that the US fought with. Wrong.

*Disclaimer*-This presentation of the war was very well done by the Vietnamese. However, I’m sure that the picture that was painted at the museum isn’t completely accurate. Nor do I think the depiction in US textbooks is accurate. I am not by any means indicting anyone who fought in the Vietnam war or anyone else who serves our country. I’m also aware that the reason that I am able to voice my opinion about these matters is because of the freedom I have.

While sitting on the streets of Vietnam, I am often approached by severely handicapped people asking for money. Other than thinking that there seemed to be an overabundance of them, I hadn’t given it much thought. After reading that we had dumped approximately 100 million liters of chemicals during the war, and learning how much that affect the development of children, the amount of handicapped people on the street came full circle. I grew up in a fantasy world compared to the pictures I saw. I’m aware that there are always wars and civilian casualties, but so much of this pained was caused by my county, and for what reason?

At some point you have to ask….what the fuck were we doing? And furthermore, what the fuck are we doing now? Again, I don’t put any of this on American soldiers. I can’t imagine fending off being brainwashed in those situations. But what exactly was the point of us putting that much effort into that war? I’ve gleaned from many people around the world so far on my trip that the United States mantra of “In God We Trust” seems to be a cop out. I can’t say I disagree. It seems to be a common theme of using the name of God for power and money. Question everything and keep your eyes open, or you might end up believing something or even worse, believing “in” something that you never challenged.

Please check out the video labeled Vietnam War Remnants Museum. It is good to balance the scales a bit of what is truth.