Vietnam Unit

Although I usually am not a history buff or someone who knows a lot about war, I have found this past unit to be surprisingly interesting. I've really enjoyed the things we've read and watched about the Vietnam war, and I am actually learning quite a bit about the war as well.

After reading "Times have changed for student protesters" by Lampert Smith, I got a new perspective on what it must have been like for the protesters we watched yesterday and the day before in "Two Days in October."

The article talked about how college students today want to protest, and they care a little, but they don't care that much. I think that is definitely true. Students today want to participate, but only when it is convenient for them. Heaven forbid they should miss the new episode of "Grey's Anatomy" (to steal Smith's example) or "The Hills," "The Office," etc. These shows can all be viewed at a later date on the Internet, and I'm sure they'll be aired multiple times on TV as well. Most people have the idea that things aren't' going to change, so there is no hurry and no reason to get out and try to change things right now. This idea could be what is hurting us. How can our politicians know what the people are thinking if no one is willing to give up their favorite TV show to speak out for what they believe?

Also, since no one is willing to give up precious TV time to speak out for a cause, they have no right to bitch and moan about how horrible our politicians are and about how horrible it is that we are in Iraq, how horrible it is that taxes are going to be raised, how horrible it is that texting is illegal while driving. If you have a problem with it, do something about it! You can't expect anything to change if you aren't willing to put in the time and effort to do something about it.