Today, March 16, Marks the 50 Year Anniversary of the My Lai Massacre
March 16 marks the 50th anniversary of the date that does not live in infamy. … In 1968, American soldiers slaughtered animals, raped villagers, and murdered 109 "Oriental human beings" in My Lai. That was the number cited in a court-martial 18 months later.
The memorial there today, however, lists 504 men, women, and children. Lieutenant Calley was found guilty of murdering "not less than 22 victims" and sentenced to life in prison. … His sentence was reduced to 20 years, then to 10. He was released after 42 months of house arrest. His captain was found not guilty. No one else faced court-martial. …
Americans learned about the My Lai story on 12 November 1969, from Seymour Hersh’s Associated Press story, and then saw grisly photos of the carnage 10 days later when Life published Army photographer Ronald Haeberle’s shocking photos …
Haeberle’s photos, like Calley’s sentence, create cognitive dissonance. They do not comport with Americana ideals of brave soldiers risking their lives to protect freedom and make the world safe for democracy. … our soldiers abused prisoners at Abu Grahib; marines murdered women and children in Haditha, Iraq; Navy SEALs killed Afghan detainees at Kalach.
normal human beings, Americans among them, behave abnormally when stressed abnormally amidst unremitting violence. Viewed across time and space, My Lai is no exception. Its rape, plunder, and carnage occur in wars reaching back through antiquity both real and legendary …
News of My Lai reached war-weary America when it could no longer be hidden. Now, it is buried again. A recent study of more than 100 U.S. history textbooks found that fewer than half mention My Lai at all. Of those that do, it merits only 80 words on average …
Site Information
About Us
- RonPaulForums.com is an independent grassroots outfit not officially connected to Ron Paul but dedicated to his mission. For more information see our Mission Statement.
Connect With Us