Imagining Vietnam Without the War
The Vietnam War costly in lives, collateral damage and national pride. Even worse, it wasn’t a war we had to wage. There was another choice.
Two Americans Freely Exchanging Contrary Views
Awhile back, I wrote a blog about the perilous verbal journey across the partisan divide. This blog is a follow-up with excerpts from a vigorous political exchange between James G. … Continue reading
My Story About My ‘Wasted Vote’
For young, first-time voters or disillusioned voters of any age, I have some advice based on first-hand experience: Don’t waste your vote. I cast my first presidential vote in 1968. … Continue reading
Strange Song Titles and a Sweet Slice of Satire Love
I have a difficult time remembering the titles of my favorite songs. Often I can’t remember the name of the artist or group who performed the song either. So, during … Continue reading
Morse, Vietnam and Feeling the “Bern”
I came of age during the Vietnam War and, like many of my generation, questioned why we were sending Americans to fight and die there. It took a prickly constitutional … Continue reading
Group W Bench
One of the most influential songs for people like me who came of age during the Vietnam War was “Alice’s Restaurant Massacree,” an 18-minute anthem that spurred a successful antiwar … Continue reading
Ghosts of Agent Orange
The maxim, “No good deed goes unpunished,” should be conjoined with a corollary, “Bad deeds are punished sooner or later.” Vietnamese children, whose grandparents were exposed to Agent Orange dropped … Continue reading
Honor Without Bias
A Texas high school dropout and short-order cook stormed and singlehandedly destroyed four armed bunkers in the jungle of Vietnam. His valor was recognized, but his heroism didn’t merit the Medal … Continue reading
The Christmas That Almost Wasn’t
Christmas has held a special place in my life as a child, parent and husband to the affectionately and appropriately named Christmas Carole. But the Christmas that sticks in my … Continue reading
Flat-Footed Fly Boy
News that Pentagon brass canceled this Saturday’s military academy football games because of the federal government shutdown brought back a rush of memories. Not about government shutdowns, but about warm, … Continue reading
Gary Conkling Life Notes 