Bush's Real Visit to Viet Nam
Tom Hutchings
November 23, 2006
Ho Chi Minh City -- Last month, on October 24th, I wrote the following:
When Bush visits, the country will give him a dignified reception, though, because the Vietnamese have grace and style. Bush will think he is the man of the hour, but all will resume laughing at him when he finally leaves. When the Vietnamese pour out to see him in Ho Chi Minh City, I'll be there with my camera, but I'll be more concerned about taking the photos of many wonderful Vietnamese; not a disgusting rogue cowboy who does more harm than good.
That's exactly what happened.
As a resident of Ho Chi Minh City for the past two years, I am very close to the Vietnamese people. In fact, I have been close to them for the past 37 years beginning when I served during the American War.
President Bush’s camp reported warm, welcoming and cheering crowds that waved as he passed by and he warmly waved back. Nothing could be further from the truth. I saw the presidential motorcade speeding through the city at breakneck speeds. Side streets were filled with motorbikes and anxious riders who simply wanted to move on with their lives; perplexed at how one man can command such power to have traffic police clear streets and keep them free of people.
Other friends, at other places, also saw a speedy motorcade sans waving and cheering crowds. There was no waving or cheering that anyone saw or heard. There were only questions about the US not learning its lesson after Viet Nam and frustration with the Bush Administration and it’s retreat from democratic rule.
Bush’s presence and statements here were an embarrassment. Not only did he not bring the Permanent Normalized Trade Relations agreement with him, but his visit was completely sanitized and he had no contact with local people at all.
Everyone is glad he's left.
Ho Chi Minh City -- Last month, on October 24th, I wrote the following:
When Bush visits, the country will give him a dignified reception, though, because the Vietnamese have grace and style. Bush will think he is the man of the hour, but all will resume laughing at him when he finally leaves. When the Vietnamese pour out to see him in Ho Chi Minh City, I'll be there with my camera, but I'll be more concerned about taking the photos of many wonderful Vietnamese; not a disgusting rogue cowboy who does more harm than good.
That's exactly what happened.
As a resident of Ho Chi Minh City for the past two years, I am very close to the Vietnamese people. In fact, I have been close to them for the past 37 years beginning when I served during the American War.
President Bush’s camp reported warm, welcoming and cheering crowds that waved as he passed by and he warmly waved back. Nothing could be further from the truth. I saw the presidential motorcade speeding through the city at breakneck speeds. Side streets were filled with motorbikes and anxious riders who simply wanted to move on with their lives; perplexed at how one man can command such power to have traffic police clear streets and keep them free of people.
Other friends, at other places, also saw a speedy motorcade sans waving and cheering crowds. There was no waving or cheering that anyone saw or heard. There were only questions about the US not learning its lesson after Viet Nam and frustration with the Bush Administration and it’s retreat from democratic rule.
Bush’s presence and statements here were an embarrassment. Not only did he not bring the Permanent Normalized Trade Relations agreement with him, but his visit was completely sanitized and he had no contact with local people at all.
Everyone is glad he's left.
posted by thomashutchings at 7:02 AM
1 Comments:
Nice post thanks for ssharing
Post a Comment
<< Home