Vietnam’s Angry Feet

New York Times ^ | June 6, 2013 | By TUONG LAI

[Brad from Tennessee]

HO CHI MINH CITY, Vietnam — LAST month, Vietnamese courts imposed heavy sentences on two patriotic students in their early 20s who had been charged with “speaking ill of China.” These charges touched the most sensitive nerve in the nation’s psyche — our patriotism and spirit of nationalism — and publicly exposed the government’s shady collusion with foreign aggressors.

Vietnam’s greatest tragedy is that the illusion of a common socialist ideology has been used by the Vietnamese government as an excuse to allow Chinese expansionism to run rampant and to stifle democracy, censor and suppress information, and psychologically terrorize its citizens. Earlier this week, the police in Hanoi broke up an anti-China demonstration and sent the organizers to jail.

We Vietnamese are rightfully proud of building and defending our nation for thousands of years despite its perilous position, bordering a gigantic neighbor that has never abandoned its expansionist dream of devouring Vietnam. We endured 1,000 years of Chinese occupation. During that long and painful night, China constantly sought to assimilate the Vietnamese people. But they failed.

Vietnam fought off the Mongols in the 13th century and defeated other foreign aggressors during the 15th, 18th and 20th centuries. Our character was forged by these ferocious struggles. Yet today, in defiance of international law and trampling on principle and morality, China’s territorial claim stretches into the South China Sea like an ox tongue trying to swallow up waters that hold in their depths a vast reserve of petroleum to feed an energy-hungry economy that dreams of attaining superpower status. It is also a vital maritime artery that would enable China to achieve its ambitions.

In response to China’s actions, so-called angry feet have pounded Vietnam’s streets in demonstrations that have united intellectuals and urban youth. . .

[Brad from Tennessee]

A new revolution against the Chinese-backed government of Vietnam may be imminent according to the writer. Such a conflict would likely draw in the People's Liberation Army from up north.

[katykelly]

BFL

[Frank_2001]

I wonder if they’ll ask us to come back and help ‘em fight China;)

[Gen.Blather]

“Such a conflict would likely draw in the People’s Liberation Army from up north. “

Confucius say, never get involved in a land war in Asia. Of course, the Chinese won’t be hampered by human rights. They won’t bother with body counts as there will be no need. They’ll count the ones still standing...er...kneeling. Having said that, pass the popcorn.

[joe fonebone]

like my mama told me...

be careful what you ask for, ‘cuz you might just get it..

the viets asked for and got the government they wanted..

our boys died trying to tell them different..

not a lick of goddamn sympathy from me..

eat the crap sandwich of your own making

[ThanhPhero]

YOu think all Vietnamese were born in the North raised under HoChi Minh’s ideology?

[Billthedrill]

I worked with half a dozen ex-Boat People who tell it a little differently. We lost 56,000 people resisting precisely the problem our author is complaining about, and damned if he and his didn't make us out to be the bad guys. Fine.

Lest there be any misunderstanding, I'll be blunt - I wouldn't spend one drop of American blood or one penny of American money to help this arrogant son of a bitch. Maybe he can find a Chinese Jane Fonda or John Kerry to help him out. Best of luck.

[familyop]

Coming to a county near you.

[familyop]

Agreed with ThanhPhero. Our own American political/regulator class pulled the rug out from under South Vietnam and our own soldiers. Now, the brats of our own government-linked ruling class of the past (the so-called anti-war protesters, commies that they are) are running our own country into the ground.

[PGR88]

A number of intellectuals, including me, have put forward a series of petitions

This author thinks very highly of himself.

[Brad from Tennessee]

[A number of intellectuals, including me, have put forward a series of petitions. . .This author thinks very highly of himself.]

Can't help wondering if the poets and aesthetes agree with this panhead.

[ThanhPhero]

Things are deteriorating in Việt Nam in larg part because the current American president has radically changed the policy of the last two presidents. Clinton, in his one foreign policy example of doing the right thing, restored \relations with Việt Nam. Then he proceeded to start pushing for liberalization and the government of Việt Nam responded. Bush continued that policy of constant pressure and things opened up a lot, they even had a prime minister who worked hard to try to erect democratic procedures. This president does not appreciate democratic institutions in other countries, or in his own. He also resents countries that are friendly to the United States which Việt Nam was. My friends in Việt Nam say that conditions have deteriorated steadily in the last 4 years. Hà Nội pretty much feels they have to suck up to China now to some extent because the US has cold shoulderêd VN.For a dozen years each country had acted as the other's bulwark against China in the East Sea. The USA has reneged on that arrangement in part, I suspect,because Việt Nam's tiny Moslem population has not influence in the government and Moslems outside of the country aren't permitted much contact.

[Brad from Tennessee]

Beginning a few years ago the U.S. was negotiating with Vietnam to reoccupy the Cam Ranh Bay naval facility. I don't know where these talks finally led. I can't imagine the Chinese want us there and Obama has seemed unwilling to offend the Chinese.