Your thoughts on the real antagonists in the story?

Use this forum to discuss the November 2019 Book of the month, "Deadly Waters: The Vietnam Naval War And Its Aftermath", by Randy Miller.
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djr6090
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Re: Your thoughts on the real antagonists in the story?

Post by djr6090 »

randy6175 wrote: 08 Dec 2019, 04:53
VTEC lar it wrote: 17 Nov 2019, 03:43 At first, I thought the real antagonist of the story was the Veteran affairs department. Clearly, the injustices they serve these honorable veterans are unthinkable.

However, on a closer look, I think the real antagonist here is not even human. Sometimes we get so caught up in post-war politics. I think we have to realize that the real antagonist isn't the enemy or the Veteran Affairs department despite the wrongs committed by them.

The real antagonist, in my opinion is, war itself.

Do you agree?
Nope. I see that as a cop out.
The real antagonist may be apathy. Who cares about changing any of this?
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Post by djr6090 »

Abacus wrote: 30 Nov 2019, 16:00 The bureaucrats in the VA who deliberately withheld services not because of policy but because of personal rancor should be punished for killing members of the military. They are as guilty as terrorists and the Viet Cong.

What an asinine rule that military personnel should wait months to be seen at a VA hospital and cannot go to hospital available to the public. Someone should be held accountable for that.
Thankfully, that policy is changing. The local VA health clinics can assign the vet to a local hospital or specialist if it is requested and is medically in the patient's best interest. You have to play "mother may I" first.
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Post by LyorBoone »

The veterans affairs department just handled the veterans when they returned home, right. I’d say the greatest enemy was America in general. It’s leaders got us into war and played the game of politics to justify it even if it meant ignoring men that died by our own hand. Like unorganized ships wrecking into each other. American citizens hated the soldiers when they came home, and I imagine that might have fed into the notion that Veteran Affairs didn’t need to take care of the returning soldiers, though not a direct correlation.
“History doesn’t repeat itself, but it does rhyme” - Mark Twain. Dare we say the same thing about every story that gets told in the world?
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Post by mensah2 »

It is 900% evil to deny men of war their pension. It is evil than war itself. These are heartless perpetrators who have never set their foot in war front. I believe these laws come directly from hell.
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Post by Nikolas Farmakis »

I think they were a terrible group that showed no respect to veteran sailors. I also disliked the Marine that was responsible for turning the VA against veteran sailors, as his decisions were fueled by revenge and anger.
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Post by Jorge Leon Salazar »

It is essential to continue investing in improving the VA there are still veterans affected by the Vietnam War that require support.
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Post by roymutuma »

The real antagonist of war is war. I still do not understand how we let passions between different factions go unchecked knowing clearly the consequence of such passions is war. War causes untold amounts of suffering.
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Post by Saraion »

The Veterans Affairs Office was cruel. There are some unjustified crimes against the veterans.
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Post by hmorgan90 »

It is such a hard place to be in. But what happened over the years, there is no excuse. Creating new rules and regulations out of the blue like that? Horrendous. Giving hope to so many and then taking it away? How can you deal with yourself? It makes me angry.
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Post by Jajachris »

I think this thread generally addresses what veterans face in many countries around the world. It is a very sad situation indeed
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Post by jhunt »

I agree with your statement! They definitely came across very callous and uncaring to the people serving but also their families who would not be able to collect on much needed money.
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Post by Maris Charles M »

Katherine Smith wrote: 03 Nov 2019, 13:06 I think that the Veterans Affairs department needs to be completely redone to meets the needs of our soldiers coming home. As a country, our priorities are getting men and women ready for combat. We focus so intently on fighting that we don't put any time or effort into helping them into civilian life. I think that this was perfectly illustrated during the Vietnam War and the way that these veterans were left behind to fend for themselves.
These were exactly my thoughts. Thanks for the comment.
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Post by Agbata precious »

Katherine Smith wrote: 03 Nov 2019, 13:06 I think that the Veterans Affairs department needs to be completely redone to meets the needs of our soldiers coming home. As a country, our priorities are getting men and women ready for combat. We focus so intently on fighting that we don't put any time or effort into helping them into civilian life. I think that this was perfectly illustrated during the Vietnam War and the way that these veterans were left behind to fend for themselves.
I will agree with you .
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Post by Blackstenius »

I was very annoyed by the VA, especially the former Marine corporal. Because of his evil heart, I was actually happy that the Navy boys, the deck apes, gave him a thorough beating. They were so heartless in their treatment of people who sacrificed their lives and gave their all for country. The way they frustrated the woman who was fighting for the vets' rights displeased me a big deal.
The gift turned out to be a curse. They killed him with kindness.
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Post by Samuel Okoye 2 »

The veterans Affairs Department was truly the real antagonist in the story. I found their activities very aggravating and outrightly wicked.
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