My Lai = Phoenix Program

[Jan Klimkowski]

I'm continually stunned how otherwise intellectual people are surprised by the depths of brutality in war. Perhaps its time for those that beat the drum the loudest to speak with those as to the why(s), and wherefore(s) of those combat actions. Blaming those on the ground for carrying out ones country policy AND battle tactics (of which terror and assassination may be tactics) during the time of war, is utter foolishness, a waste of time -- and serves only to prop up failing media EGO'S. Especially those ego's that can't quite grasp the big picture or theater context.... Wringing hands 40 years after the fact provides what again?

Soldiers on the ground had moral choice in their actions when faced with women and children.

However, the Phoenix Program was authorized from the highest levels of the CIA and then compartmentalized. It was in large part, William Colby's operation, and he should have been prosecuted for war crimes.

Perhaps that's why GOD has a special place in mind for leaders of countries who can't resist the urge to conquer.

Who is GOD, and what's he got to do with it?

btw, TERROR is nothing more than another tactic of war.

As the Phoenix Program proves.

However, US, NATO, British Army, IDF etc propagandists will not publicly admit that Terror is a tactic of how the armies of democracies should fight wars. They try to claim the moral high ground.

These propagandists are liars and hypocrites.

And imagine this, the fore runner of the CIA the OSS, during WW2, provided assistance and arms to none other than, yep, Ho Chi Minh!

Yes, I know.

Rather like Mossad creating Hamas, and the CIA creating the KLA, Al-Qaeda, etc etc.

The Phoenix program was one answer in combating Ho's Viet Cong (who today would be termed terrorists) reign of murderous terror against his/their own countrymen, the South Vietnamese. Make no mistake the majority of the Viet Cong were So. Vietnamese! Well, it didn't work! Ho and his merry band of terrorists murdered more than anyone can imagine.... Not unlike past megalomaniacs, simply fewer in number. Being a South Vietnamese tribal leader or hamlet elder, or family member no matter how distant was not a good gig during the mid-late 60's thru the mid 70's

Members of the Phoenix program I knew, whom lived to well into their 70's, I never heard one complaint about sleepless nights. But they were the consummate, professional soldiers. The best America had and currently HAS in my estimation...

Fine.

If I'd murdered women and children, I wouldn't be able to sleep at night.