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My Lai Massacre Analysis

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1. After reading the New York Times editorial and the National Review article, is one argument stronger than the other?
• In my opinion, the New York Times makes more sense on their rationalization of who should take the consequences of the atrocities committed in Vietnam. As opposed to National Review’s, America as a whole cannot take the blame of the horrible deed during the war in Vietnam. The majority of the Americans, and some political leaders strongly opposed it. However, due to Truman’s doctrine, America would not abandon the war in South Vietnam against communist North Vietnam, under the direction of Ho Chi Minh. The succeeding presidents just carried out Truman’s legacy. To make it worst, America got deepened in the involvement in the war during the Lyndon B. Johnson’s administration. The war escalated, and became an American war against North Vietnam. As for the My Lai massacre, the commanding officer of the operation has the moral responsibility for the killings. As the commander, he directed the platoons to abide orders. The platoons are drafted and trained to carry out and rely on orders from the officials. Thus, they bear lesser liability of the aftermath that the officials have directed them to carry out. …show more content…
Technically, whoever pulled the trigger is the one responsible for the “My Lai Massacre”. However, it goes beyond that. Morally, the commanding officers hold the bigger responsibility of the entire operation in general. One cannot be a commander in enforcing the operations, and then be selective of the repercussions when circumstances end wrong. The lowest rank is abided to follow orders directed by the superiors. Disobedience in the service has consequences, they are trained to be commanded. The American people had nothing to do with what happened in the Pacific. In fact, several demonstrations at home have been done in protests of the United States involvement in the war in

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