50 yrs ago today

[Clipper]

Fifty years ago today the Paris peace accords were signed, ending the Vietnam war. 58,000+
American lives were lost, and over 303,000 Americans wounded. Sadly the US could not claim victory.

We lost lives in Iraq, and Afghanistan in smaller numbers, with a similar outcome. Lives lost, and no decisive victory to be claimed. Iraq is still rife with ethnic conflict and turmoil even after toppling Sadam Hussein, and in Afghanistan we pulled out troops out and ended the loss of American lives, but failed to gain any sort of victory. The Taliban had a firm handle on victory even as we orchestrated a poorly planned evacuation from Kabul. Thank goodness the number of American soldiers killed in Afghanistan is much lower than Vietnam or Korea.

Now my prayers are that we do not end up with boots on the ground in Ukraine and an end to that conflict. We are pouring billions into humanitarian support efforts for the Ukrainian people while we are forced ignore the needs of people right here at home, ranging from homeless veterans to the multitude of undocumented immigrants that are being allowed to flow unfettered and unvetted across our Southern border. There also needs to be a line drawn when it comes to limiting the depletion of our own military defense resources.

So many lives affected by war. Even today here in America PTSD is a sad gift that keeps on giving. Every day I see more and more veterans with companion service dogs on a leash, and the suicide rates for victims of PTSD continue to climb.

My constant prayer is for peace. Peace for not only us, but for generations yet to be born.

[Atticus Pizzaballa]

I have talked with three different families from Afghanistan. They all had one thing in common. They worked along side of our military and when the troop withdrawal started they all ran to planes to get to a safe place to live which was the USA and Utica. It was funny how I met them. Each time was out in front of Walmart New Hartford. I didn"t recognise there language as they were talking so I said to them hi I do not recognise your language and immediately they said they were from Afghanistan. I said to them welcome to the USA. We talking on the way back to Utica. Great people.

I am glad I got out of serving in Vietnam. I think I would have been among those who died.My two classmates served in Vietnam and in 1966 they were discharged from Army and Navy. They were more than happy to be back in the USA.

[Atticus Pizzaballa]

Thank you for serving in Vietnam.....

[BHU]

Aid to veterans & others who need it is not in jeopardy because we're aiding Ukraine. The wealthy in this Country have ammassed more wealth in the past 30 years then in the entire history of this Country combined. The U.S. Treasury has lost trillions of dollars in revenue because of tax cuts to 2%ers & multi national corporations since Reagen was POTUS. Reagen, who taxed Social Security & cut taxes for his cronies. But that's not enough for them as they continue to screw the rest of us by cheating on their taxes costing the Treasury hundreds of billons of dollars a year. That's why Republicons are up in arms over Biden's plan to hire IRS agents to enforce tax laws.They're cronies will get caught robbing the rest of us blind.

These are the same people who rant & rave about SS & Medicare because they don't want to pay taxes to fund those programs. Why would they care? They don't need them to survive. It's pure greed on their part.