tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7809154325142515833.post574976317069011580..comments2023-08-04T05:38:28.380-07:00Comments on TOM'S JOURNAL.---"The Man in the Door“.: Do you see how things can mushroom into a 3 ring Circus??Heli gunner Tomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04793588674806453096noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7809154325142515833.post-72780176666099739522008-12-23T20:13:00.000-08:002008-12-23T20:13:00.000-08:00This Hugo individual is an interesting character. ...This Hugo individual is an interesting character. First, those poor peasants and children were setting boobytraps for our soldiers, throwing grenades at our soldiers, and shooting at them. Yes, it's tragic that so many died, as it is in any war. But it was the North Vietnamese THEMSELVES who were behind it. And, how did it threaten our country? I'll tell you. Our great country has always gone out of its way to defend people in other parts of the world against oppression, and in this case, a very cruel Communist regime as all Communist regimes are. Communism only offers poverty to the population, and controls everything. There's no going to the store & getting a loaf of bread unless the government OK's its sale, that is assuming one has the money to purchase it in the first place. Next, we were at war with the Soviet Union. The Soviet Union, otherwise known as Russia, has always had world domination as its chief goal as well as extending their empire so that they can have warm water ports. This latter conquests have been going on for centuries. Anyway, the Soviet Union was providing supplies to North Vietnam as well as intelligence on our troop movements, bomber approaches, etc. If Mr. Hugo wants to look at the source of the genocide, he needs only to go north - slow down some in North Vietnam & the Communist government, but keep going north - to Moscow. "French Colonialism" had nothing to do with it.<BR/><BR/>If Mr. Hugo is truly Vietnamese, it's a classic example of the propaganda of the Communists. Really something how it lines up with our own leftist news media propaganda, isn't it?<BR/><BR/>Dirk<BR/>http://tsalagiman2.blogspot.com/Dirkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04794945973074374935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7809154325142515833.post-63729545550347407022008-12-19T18:19:00.000-08:002008-12-19T18:19:00.000-08:00Tom- I don't want to write a whole post here, as i...Tom- I don't want to write a whole post here, as it is your blog- and I know you wouldn't mind if I did lol, but I don't want it too long. As I said in my e mail to you, when I read Mr. Hugo's reply, I felt sad and pity for him, but a little anger too as the way it seems that you and your fellow comrades still have to live with certain lables (which I don't want to say now) you know what I mean. I just find it sad that you all fought over there when you were kids- following old men's orders. Same goes for today and every other war it seems. Kids fighting enemies which they can't identify because not many of them wear a uniform anymore. It was easier during WW2 I imagine as you could see a nazi, Japanese or italian by his uniform. <BR/>Mr. Hugo, I address this part mainly to you. Please know that in my words here, I mean no disrespect to you. I will say that I really don't know much about the Vietnam war. Just the basics of what I have seen and read in documentaries and history books. I believe that it was originally started by the French, and I don't know why- but I am not wanting a whole history lesson here now. I remember the end of the war, seeing as a young girl in Canada, the hundreds of thousands of refugees or the "boat people" as they were called back then. Thousands came to settle in and around Toronto, and I was aquainted with a few Vietnamese later in my life, although they never spoke about life back there- and I didn't want to be rude and ask.<BR/>I remember seeing the sad photos of children with burns caused by napalm, and of course that famous little girl who was so badly burned. She eventually came to America and personally forgave the soldiers for her suffering.<BR/>That's it. The extent of my knowlege there. I freely admit my ignorance when I don't know something, and I do try to learn up on subjects so I can be more knowlegeable, as I am one to believe that if people are ignorant about the past, we are doomed to repeat.<BR/>What I heard through your comment to my dear friend Tom, was a lot of pain and anger. Now, I am not meaning ANY disrespect here, please understand. I felt very sad for your loss, and I cannot remotely imagine losing friends or family members in such horrible and brutal ways. I hate war Mr. Hugo. I really do. I hate that there is so much evil and hatred in the world. It makes me sad and angry myself to see what humans do to one another. I am grieved to see pictures from the destruction of your beautiful country and it's people- your people. I am grieved as well when I see pictures of the nazi concentration camps- the millions of Jews and Christians who were gassed or shot and piled like cordwood in mass graves. It makes me sad to think of not only America's past mistakes, but of virtually every other nation's as well- and it is still happening all around the world. From African countries, to the middle east and Asia- people are being beaten and murdered for who they are, what tribe they belong or what religion they believe in. <BR/>My point here, what I am trying to say, in the most humble way, is that while I feel much pain from your words and I am truly sorry for your loss, it is something that has already unfortunately happened and can not be made right.<BR/>Let me please tell two stories to try and show you what I believe as a Bible believing Follower of Christ. <BR/>There was a lady named Corrie Ten Boom. She and her family lived in Holland when it was occupied by the nazis. Long story short, she, her elderly father, her older sister and other members of her family and many friends where arrested for hiding Jews. They were sent to Ravensbruk in Germany. Corrie was the only one out of her immediate family to survive. Her father died in a camp where she never got to see him again. Her sister died in the same camp. They were treated horribly. A few years after the war, Ms. Ten Boom met one of the nazi guards who had been at the camp, and she knew who he was, remembered his laughter when the women and children were made to strip naked and forced into the showers. She asked Jesus to help her forgive him, because knowing she was a Christian, it was the right thing to do, but she had a hard time getting over her anger at this man, who was now standing before her- as a new Christian convert. She did forgive him right then, and because of this, many, many people have seen the power of Christ through her actions and others like her.<BR/>Another story is one from the book I am reading right now called the "End of the Spear".<BR/>It is a true story, actually it's a second chapter of another true story which I read years ago called "Through the Gates of Splendor" which was an account of 5missionaries who were murdered in south America in the Amazon. <BR/>This second book is written by one of the missionaries son- Steve Saint. He talks about the love for the people who murdered his father and four others when he was a small boy. He has lived among the people who brutally murdered his father, seeing them come to repentance and salvation in Christ. He is part of their family, and they are part of his. He has long forgiven the men and are like brothers with them now. <BR/>You see, Mr. Hugo, there is a lot of evil in the world. What people mean for evil, or even out of ignorance, or corruptedness, when bad things happen- it is the response of those affected which determine other events. There are millions of examples, I have given only 2 extraordinary ones, but millions of victims and family of victims who realize that something evil has happened, but they change course of things by bringing forgiveness and something good out of it. <BR/>What some intend for evil, good can and does come of it. It is only what we determine which is good and right, or which is what our first gut instinct- which we choose.<BR/>I can not tell you to forgive others, because I have never had to walk in your shoes.<BR/>Please know that none of us Christians are perfect, and some are downright hard to believe they are a Christian. I am far from perfect, but I believe the Bible when it says that God, who began a good work in me, will perfect me and complete me some day. I know there is evil in the world, and that no one will be perfect, and we all make mistakes and do things we regret. Will we continue on in that, or seek forgiveness or forgive or will we choose to keep on in our own thoughts and emotions? There is evil in the world, and yes- you pointed to Osama in comparison with our radical religion. <BR/>There is a big difference between the two sir. Much more than what I can say here. For one, the God of the Bible is a loving, but righteous God. He knows the evil of all people's hearts, but love us so much that He sent His Only Son to take away our sins and wash us clean enough to have a Personal relationship with Him. We don't murder people for not believing in Christ. We are murdered for our belief though. Not only by muslims, but also by hindus and buddhists and others. Every day. People are beaten, jailed, persecuted, brought before judges and kings, spit on, mocked and martyred, only for our faith and belief in Christ. These people though forgive and love their persecutors- because Jesus teaches us that.<BR/>Others who know not the Whole Word- and Jesus IS The Word, don't know what it is to truly love one's neighbor or enemy. Other religions who know NOT Jesus, claim to be martyrs, but it is not a martyrs death when you take out as many others with you by murdering them with bombs and booby traps. <BR/>Christians do not murder those who choose not the Christ, but many other religions do.<BR/><BR/>You asked if we are willing to be martyrs- I suppose you believe that by answering yes, we could be compared to the likes of Bin Ladin. My answer is, no, I don't really want to be murdered by an evil person, but if someone threatens my life because of Christ- I would willingly give my life for Him. Not so I could further some cause or war. On the contrary, I would find it shameful to suffer for any other reason except for my love of Christ. I don't plan on blowing myself up in a crowd of women and children if that is your idea of martyrdom. No, I would only be willing to Glorify and Honor my Lord if I were to be murdered for my faith in Him. I would hope that my death would be a testament and change some hearts towards Him. That to me, is what a real martyr is.<BR/><BR/>As for your painfilled past and rememberances of your loved ones and the wrongs done, I can't tell you what to do, if you even want to do something- but if you are a peaceful and loving pacifist as you say you are, why don't you search your heart and open it to those who may or may not have had in the part of the atrocities, and learn to forgive and maybe find a way to help? After all, there are thousands of men who were once boys who may just be having the same horrible memories and nightmares you have. In the Words of my Lord and Savior- Peace I leave with you.<BR/><BR/>Tom- I appologize for the book I just posted! God Bless and peace to you as well my brother.Carolynhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06778221847847541523noreply@blogger.com