“It became necessary to destroy the town to save it.”
—U.S. officer, speaking of Ben Tre, 1968
We had to burn their huts to protect them from the Communists.
We had to napalm the people to get their allegiance.
We had to use B-52s to win their hearts and minds.
We had to humiliate the young and old, the men and women to earn their respect.
We had to put people in concentration camps to give them freedom.
We had to give orders to them in English to show our respect for their culture.
We had to use Agent Orange to prevent forests.
We had to wreak havoc to deliver the peace.
And so we did.
–from-novel in progress, Our Heroic and Ceaseless 24/7 Struggle against Tsuris
