Rumors of US Military Returning to Vietnam (ironic)

[Ted Striker]

...but not in the way you think.

Since relations were normalized with Vietnam in 1996, the United States has become Vietnam's biggest trading partner. We have big multinational operations there, including companies like Cisco, Nike, and of course, Coca-Cola.

Anyway, many of my friends are originally from Vietnam, and call home frequently to get the latest news. They are saying there is a rumor going around that the US wants a military base in Vietnam, especially since the Phillipines won't grant them access to have a major military installation.

I seriously doubt this could ever happen, but stranger things have already.

June 19th, the Prime Minister from Vietnam is coming to the White House, the highest official ever from that country to arrive, since the fall of Saigon.

Many in the community are very angry that Bush has acknowledged the visit from the Prime Minister, and are feeling betrayed because they supported him during the elections. Many want him to address human rights issues.

This is the only article I could find on the upcoming visit:

http://www.nysun.com/article/14666

ps. I notice that we don't pick on Vietnam the same way we do with Cuba. Neither one is a threat. Double standard? Could it have to do with Miami politics? Duh.

[Tassadar500]

Re: Rumors of US Military Returning to Vietnam (ironic)

Originally posted by Ted Striker
...but not in the way you think.

Since relations were normalized with Vietnam in 1996, the United States has become Vietnam's biggest trading partner. We have big multinational operations there, including companies like Cisco, Nike, and of course, Coca-Cola.

Anyway, many of my friends are originally from Vietnam, and call home frequently to get the latest news. They are saying there is a rumor going around that the US wants a military base in Vietnam, especially since the Phillipines won't grant them access to have a major military installation.

I seriously doubt this could ever happen, but stranger things have already.

June 19th, the Prime Minister from Vietnam is coming to the White House, the highest official ever from that country to arrive, since the fall of Saigon.

Many in the community are very angry that Bush has acknowledged the visit from the Prime Minister, and are feeling betrayed because they supported him during the elections. Many want him to address human rights issues.

This is the only article I could find on the upcoming visit:

http://www.nysun.com/article/14666

ps. I notice that we don't pick on Vietnam the same way we do with Cuba. Neither one is a threat. Double standard? Could it have to do with Miami politics? Duh.

Well, Cuba is a lot closer than Vietnam is.

[Dinner]

The Vietnamese have been floating this idea for a decade but the US hasn't bit. No need for such a base thanks to today's longer range more sea worthy navy. Subic Bay would have been closed anyway but the greed of the Phillipine government just pushed that forward. They demanded a ton of money for a base we didn't really need so we told them we were taking are money and going home.

With friendly ports in Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Malaysia, Singapore, Australia, and Thailand we have east Asia covered without expensive new bases or even reviving old closed bases.

[GePap]

First time I have seen a link to the NY Sun, the Conservative Broadsheet in NYC....

As for California "recognizing" the South Vietnamese flag..recognizing it as what, exactly?

[Ted Striker]

Yeah, I wasn't sure what that paper was GePap. Is it any good?

I'm not sure what the recognition is, but I see that flag flying all over the place. There are more Vietnamese here than any other place besides Vietnam, sortof like Jews in New York City. So probably that's where the idea to recognize the flag came from:

[GePap]

People are free to fly any flag they want. Government recognition would have to mean something, thought. Obviously California can;t decide what the flag of Vietnam is.

Anyone from Cali care to clarify what this Senate bill would actually DO?

[Ted Striker]

Maybe it's just symbolic...

[notyoueither]

Re: Rumors of US Military Returning to Vietnam (ironic)

Originally posted by Ted Striker
...but not in the way you think.

Since relations were normalized with Vietnam in 1996, the United States has become Vietnam's biggest trading partner. We have big multinational operations there, including companies like Cisco, Nike, and of course, Coca-Cola.

We're sorry, GI. Come back, please!

[Dinner]

Originally posted by GePap
As for California "recognizing" the South Vietnamese flag..recognizing it as what, exactly?

As a way to get votes from Vietnamese Americans.

[Ted Striker]

Yep

[GePap]

Originally posted by Oerdin


As a way to get votes from Vietnamese Americans.

That's a given. BUt what does recognition mean? Its not like California can force any Vietnamese consulates to fly that flag. If a foreign dignitary comes, you fly their flag, not one approved by a state legislature..

In short, does that bill have any practical applications, or is it a waste of time vote pandering bill.

[:) Smiley]

Would you hit it?

[Ted Striker]

FO SHO!

[Imran Siddiqui]

Originally posted by GePap
That's a given. BUt what does recognition mean? Its not like California can force any Vietnamese consulates to fly that flag. If a foreign dignitary comes, you fly their flag, not one approved by a state legislature..

Jesus... that would be the international incident of international incidents.

[Ted Striker]

Originally posted by Smiley
Would you hit it?

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