Stop the Laos plots already!
Some people will never learn their lesson. They either lack the capacity to learn or choose to ignore all the facts that enfold right in front of them in search of the “higher goal”.
Have a look at Iraq or Mess-opotamia as they are frequently called on the Daily Show. The invasion of Iraq under false pretenses of WMDs has lead to the total destruction of its political field. Not bad, one could say, because that political field comprised of one dictator and he is gone now. But where has the swift and violent overthrow of this regime led us?
Iraq is in a civil war. The ongoing violence in Iraq has been incited by a stream of religious extremists that believe an Islamic Caliphate should rule, old sectarian regime members that had ruled under Saddam that want back the power they had, and Iraqi nationalists that are fighting the U.S. military presence. There is no foreseeable end for the suffering of Iraqi people (and US Soldiers) after the violent turnaround.
Do people learn a lesson from this? Certainly not former general in Laos’ Royal Army, Vang Pao, and 8 of his Californian companions. They have been scheming and plotting for years to topple the regime in Laos. Secretly, of course, mostly under cover of charities and other institutions for the well being of all Laotians.
Overthrowing the Lao government with 100 AK-47 machine guns, 20,000 rounds of ammunition, and crates of smoke grenades is never going to work. Not even all the fire power used in Iraq will topple the regime. Why? Because people are fed up with all the violence and the petty dreams of gung ho generals. Peace and prosperity will not come from any general with AK guns.
Laos needs new ideas and policies to strengthen the economy. And yes, change may be needed, but preferably gradual change through great minds. By all means done through the hands of someone that truly understands the people and politics embedded in a South East Asian region.
Stop the simple plotting and scheming! These are new days. Apparently, you have been in the US far too long. John Wayne is long gone and so are his “type” of solutions. Get real and step aside for young people with positive plans. Thank you, dear general.
It's a bit sad that they can't let go of the past. I received a phone call from a friend today asking if I've heard of the news. "What were they thinking?" he asked, not a whole lot I'm afraid. I'm sure we'll hear more about this from the Hmong community.
I'll probraly receive another phone call from my dad tomorrow morning.
The '75 generation needs to let go of that violent takeover thought, regardless of their ethnic background. It is not going to work. Even if you can get the government on its knees (highly unlikely) the post war problems are infinite.
So Vang Pao will spend the rest of his days in jail. What a sad end for a stubborn old man!
Might as well because now at least he can’t hurt anyone or
himself. As far as being in jail, I think he is mentally prisoned himself all
these year, the reality just catching up with him.
The $9.8 million he raised could have been well spent on schools or books - something that'll get results.
[...] Ginger: Might as well because now at least he can’t hurt anyone or himself. As far as being in jail, I think he… [...]
[...] Sim: The $9.8 million he raised could have been well spent on schools or books - something that'll get results. [...]
Wow, I was speechless when I heard the news. I never thought something like would happen in the US. Talk of war and plot reminded me of a statement I made in a converstation with a friend sometime ago, "War is inevitable." She was from Agne Scott, an all girls University. Her reply was, well more like a snap, "It is ineviable because men believe it is." She was passionate about fight for peace. Through out history people fought among themselves. People will fight as long as there a fight left in them. Caught a documation on PBS the other night on the war between the Isreali and the Arab nations. You know the one in 1967? It lasted about six days. The Egyptian and the Jordanian army were smashed. Does anyone know why people fight in the beginning? Do some research on their history. Do some research on the fight in Irag. For me, my gung ho day came and went. I got my fill of the spill. Now I got so caught up in my daily life that I have not been following up on what happening in by birth land. Now this happen. There is a lot to learn from the media and perhap from folks back in Laos, from the Hmong and Laotian on both side of the ocean. Blew my mind. Can't say, but I always believe that peace is possible through negotiation in human language. I don't know what it would be like in Laos if the plot does felt through. If there is such a plan is true to begin with. Remains to be seen. Like the Middle East, the Southeast Asia, especially Laos, had served as a battle ground. Lets those who care for peace stripe for peace. End the cycle of fights!