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TC Marti's avatar

This is one of those articles I've read multiple times, and every time I come across it, I can't help but reading it again. I truly believe that if more people knew about the story of Vietnam, they would be much less likely to support foreign aid elsewhere or government "handouts" here in the US. Note that I said "more people," because there will always be some who will wrongfully believe that central planning was just "done wrong," or something like that.

But the point is, so long as the number of those who learn about Vietnam's success increases, the higher the likelihood that more in our society will start seeing free markets in a more positive light, and not in the negative light that many public schools, media institutions, and politicians have conditioned the masses to believe.

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jg moebus's avatar

On August 8, 1966, i landed in Saigon and began what ended up being two years in Vietnam: The first as an airborne infantryman first in the Coastal Plain and then up in the Central Highlands; and the second as an assault helicopter door gunner down in the Mekong Delta.

As i’ve moved into my late 70s, one of the mainstays of my diet is Coconut Water; it tastes great cold or hot, and mixes well with just about anything.

i recently discovered the best ~ in terms of quality, price, and thus value ~ i have ever had available up here in Sitka, Alaska: CADIA Certified Organic Coconut Water. And what blew me completely away was reading the label that said PRODUCT OF VIETNAM

And ~ given that Vietnam has around 200,000 hectares of coconut plantations, with more than 88% of them in the Mekong Delta region ~ i could only wonder how many and which of those coconut fields i had flown over and no doubt helped destroy.

And i could only further wonder: How did Vietnam end up making Certified Organic Coconut Water and then selling it in Alaska?

Thank You for this article, Jon. It gave me a very good clue as to exactly where to begin to learn How and Why that happened. And offers a very clear set of arguments and examples of what Americans need to learn about Economics, Politics, Power, and Quality of Life.

Have a Great day. ~ jeff

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