TIME FOR RECONCILIATION
Every year at this time we get the same rhetoric from Teresa Tran using the anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan to attack the government of Vietnam.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Ms Tran appears to have forgotten that prior to unification South Vietnam was ruled by a number of USA puppet governments, which were dictatorships, oppressive, cruel and corrupt.
This was a civil war, not a war against another country.
There were some terrible things done by both sides in that war. No one could deny the human rights violations of the Communists following the unification of the country.
Nor could any fair-minded person deny the violations committed by the many corrupt South Vietnamese governments. .
Many of the Australians who served in Vietnam today would not accept Ms Tran's view the war was right or just. They served their country, some paying the ultimate price either on the battlefield or at home as a consequence of trauma or chemicals.
A commanding officer at the battle of Long Tan, retired Lieutenant Colonel Harry Smith stated (Illawarra Mercury, August 8, 2012) that we shouldn't have been involved in the battle or the war. However, we were and we should never forget those who died in that battle and in that war.
I understand there is a proposal for a memorial or shrine to recognize the death of South Vietnam soldiers and civilians (Illawarra Mercury, April 29, 2016). This would have greater significance and credibility if it acknowledged all Vietnamese, including those living in and fighting for North Vietnam
Ms Tran forgets that thousands of tons of bombs were dropped on North Vietnam citizens by the Americans and I would have thought it appropriate that these deaths be acknowledged. After 40 years maybe it is time for reconciliation.
Ken Bone, Conjola Park
DOUBLE STANDARDS
During the game between St George Illawarra and Bulldogs where Tyson Frizell was suspended for contacting the referee another contact incident between James Grahame and a referee was overlooked by the NRL, the match review committee and the judiciary.
Grahame, at the time, is stated to have had a conversation with the referee regards the incident.
The Frizell suspension may have influenced the outcome of the game and their position on the ladder, yet we will never know.
Double standards like this and the Josh Reynold’s tripping incident question the integrity of the entire system.
Another reason for the low attendance of games was highlighted when those die hard supporters on a recent Thursday night at WIN Stadium could have been given the opportunity to use the empty grandstands instead of supporting either team on the hill in the rain.
Robert King, Koonawarra
ED’S NOTE: Robert fans were offered the chance to move under cover via stadium announcement but those on the hill chose to remain on the hill.
LEADERS WITHOUT SKILL
After reading the papers, I couldn't help but notice that the Premier as now banned all dog racing in the this state.
A law unto himself. Never mind about the hundreds of unemployed people that will go on the dole and claim unemployment.
He just doesn't didn't have the skills to do clean up this industry – a big pity and a bit petty.
Now the banks are not obeying the government on bringing down the fees, but are intent on making huge profits yet again.
This Prime Minister just can't and won’t do the job properly. Don't think any government can make the banks do what they should for the people of this great country.
Yet another toothless PM.
Lawrence Wren, Fairy Meadow