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Show 'Stop Bombing Viet, Recognize The NFL' Editor: As the Vietnam war drags into its seventh indecisive year, we wonder if the American public has learned anything at all from this tragic adventure. We cannot answer an-swer for the public at large, but we can give a few bits of insight we have gained as Veterans of the crusade being fought 10,000 miles from our shores. All of us took the long journey over, all have returned re-turned in relatively good shape. We all shared a feeling of immense joy upon returning home, but it was dampened by the public apathy toward the Vietnam conflict. con-flict. Something was wrong; something some-thing is wrong with this effort of the United States "to make the world safe for democracy." We veterans are against the war as it is being presently carried out. We plead with all Americans (for that is the only place change can come from in this country) to act now to stop this country from committing committ-ing what is turning out to be an immoral and an unjust action. We submit the following five points for consideration of our fellow citizens. citi-zens. We feel that they will lead to negotiations where words will be fired instead of bullets. Five Point Plan First, cease the bombing of North Vietnam; it is not only tragic but has been unsuccessful in its aims and will serve only to cut the possibility of negotiation. Second, let us recognize the National Na-tional Liberation Front as a legitimate legiti-mate party in South Vietnam. We must cease ignoring one of the main belligerents in this conflict. Third, a stabilization of the Vietnam situation by a "stand fast" of American troops is needed. need-ed. We believe this climate would be conducive to negotiations. Fourth, we must close now and forever the credibility gap created creat-ed by the news manipulators in the government. The people should be given all of the facts of this conflict. Fifth, let us show willingness on our part to honor the Vietnamese people's capacity, integrity and common sense in handling their political affairs no matter if our interests are not served. This is our position as Vietnam veterans concerned about the United States. We truly hope that our views will stir people into deep thought on this most important import-ant question of our day. We should also like to invite all other Vietnam veterans to contact any of us if they too feel they would like to help bring this conflict to the negotiating table and awaken America from its slumber. Lynn Hanson Brent Rowe Greg Christenson Joe E. Kirk i |