From my fathers perspective, who was in intelligence units' in the US
army for twenty years. It seemed to legitimize his lifes work.
From my mothers perspective, who had to say goodbye to my father for
extended periods as he was not allowed to tell her where he was going.
In some cases he was not able to contact us for months at a time,
including three tours in vietnam. In two cases he was not able to
return for one year, although he did make regular contact during the
longer trips. My mother was finally able to see the purpose to which
my father had dedicated his life.
From my perspective, for the same reasons as my mother.
That christmas was the closest one my family had. We all sat and
watched the christmas eve celebration in germany on television.
The United States learned and proved that sending troops to battle was
not the only way to win a war.
The US learned that the government could not support the economy any
longer.
The people of the US learned that they could not rely on the
government for their livelihood. (the issue of welfare not
withstanding)
The Soviet Union learned that people will only put up with oppression
for so long. In case we forget tianenmen(sp?) square, the Chinese have
also learned this lesson. This is evidenced by the fact that they are
allowing capitalism to establish itself in china. They have recently
allowed such things as the internet and discotechs to invade their
cities. Although they have a long way to go, they are headed in the
right direction (in terms of allowing personal freedoms to the
people).
Although there is still much strife and suffering in the world, we in
the United States can be assured that we currently have the best thing
going. It is true that the government lost a very profitable enemy.
The near collapse of the economy after the cold war proves that, but
now we are reaping the rewards of the Peace Dividend. Much of the
technology in front of your face right now is a result of research
done for the cold war effort.
How many of you had personal computers ten years ago? Or surfed the
internet, or had cell phones or GPS units, or home satellite dishes.
The compact disc player uses technology that was developed for radar
tracking and communications systems (digital to analog and analog to
digital conversion, phase locked loops, data compression techniques, I
know because I worked for a government contract R&D lab in the
eighties that helped develop this technology).
Indeed the Peace Dividend is going full strength in our country as the
government is realizing (learning) that in order to ensure our long
term survival, they have to allow the release of information and
technology that was once classified so that the private sector may
develop products and services that keep us (US) in demand.
A nation learns the same way the rest of us do, (hopefully) from our
mistakes
JHC
--JAMES_H_CARRINGTON@HP-Chelmsford-om1.om.hp.com
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