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>We were hobbled by our "Bible Belt" mentality,
i.e. "GOD is on our side." Under this perspective the existence of "evil
kummunism" becomes proof (not mere evidence) of an active devil, boosting our
natural belief in the justness of our cause.
----
Isn't this regional stereotyping of Southern
Whites?
It seems that whenever there are accusations
of a superior European American
mentality among the general Caucasian
populace the finger always gets
pointed
at Southern Whites. Isn't this a form of
scape-goating and discrimination in itself?
I agree with the
point that ignorance of the socio-political-cultural-linguistic situation
and failure to adapt to the situation are serious problems in any regional
conflict that have not received as much attention as should have been
given. Korea is an excellent example of this. (It's a wonderful
thing we held South
Korea though, we just could have done a lot better
with more knowledge of the situation).
One point I'd like to make is that the author does
not look at finding solutions to problems caused by the so-called "bible belt"
mentality. He points to the problem of ignorance, but then shows
ignorance by blaming the cause on the United States selectively adopting
stereotypical southern regionalisms as a whole.
The ideological background for ignorance and the
real problems behind it, like so many arguments of this type, puts the blame on
a simplistic abstract.
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Saturday, June 01, 2002 5:18
PM
Subject: Re: MacArthur's War
Good take on Gen. Mac -
"There is no sense in the UN, with America
bearing the brunt of the thing, being constantly compelled to man those front
lines. This is a job for the Koreans. We do not want Asia to feel that the
white man of the West is his enemy. If there must be a war there, let it be
Asians against Asians, with our support on the side of freedom."
Dec. 17, 1952, Gen. D. Eisenhower
Ike's stark warning fell on deaf ears and the
Vietnam War saw millions of Asians killed by the white man - for what?
The white man was driven out in the end for little to show for.
What about Korea? Didn't the white man save
Seoul from Stalin's rapastry? Didn't South Korea rise from ashes to become an
Asian tiger - all thanks to the white man?
What if the white man had not intervened in
Korea? Would Korea be starving and backward as North Korea is
today?
ysk
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Saturday, June 01, 2002 1:26
PM
Subject: MacArthur's War
Bob Dove, Bruce
Gardiner,
Thank you for giving me the clue for searching old files.
My reaction to Weintraub's work written in April 2000 is below.
I don't see any need to update it to reflect what Afghanistan is
teaching (we are learning ?) about other sorts of war.
My exposure
to MacArthur began with reading of his exploits and statements during WWII.
It was tempered a bit by the USMC's attempt to keep their own place in
the sun. Typical: "With the help of God (and a few Marines) MacArthur
got back to the Philippines." My clerk's job in the headquarters of
the 7th Marines in Hopei Province in North China stuck many things about him
in my mind. Going to Japan in 1949 made him the big chief, hence in
the consciousness of all of us. Korea was disconcerting to any soldier
as innocent as me.
And this intellectual baggage is what I carried
during all my military service, particularly in Laos and Vietnam. My
positive reaction to Weintraub's discussion of the first ten months of Korea
owes much to reflections that have never left me tranquil.
Best
regards,
Carl Bernard
MACARTHUR'S WAR, Korea and the
Undoing of an American Hero
by Stanley Weintraub
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