Nguyen Cao Ky, South Viet Prime Minister Options

[Colonel Angus]

I am reading an autobiography on this guy right now. I’m not sure on what my take is of the guy yet. Do any of you know or have any opinions on this individual?


Nguyen Cao Ky was the Prime Minister of South Vietnam for three years, until he wrote himself out of office by penning his nation's first constitution. The intimate of Richard Nixon, Henry Kissinger, Bob McNamara, and other American leaders, he has lived in the US for 25 years.

[rage]

I too have read his autobiography and found it very interesting. It seems that he ocillates between being a political opportunist and a patriot. With any autobiography, you never know if the writer is exaggerating to some degree or not to recast himself in a more positive light. Ky certainly creates a hardcore anti-Communist/anti-bureacracy image for himself in his book - but then he flies over to Hanoi and talks about leaving the past behind and reconciling with the Communist government.

Hiện nay, ông ấy coi như là người phản bội.

rage

[Nero874]

Is this autobiography titled "Buddha's Child: My Fight to Save South Viet Nam"?

I bought this book, but haven't read it yet. My dad would get pissy at me if he saw me reading this book..lol.

[rage]

That's it! Sneak away from your dad with it for a while and then post what you think. hahaha!

rage

[Colonel Angus]

I’m halfway through and at this point I am souly reading it for any historic value it might have left. From an Autobiography point of view this guy seams to inflate himself at every possible turn and acts quite impressed with his own accomplishments. Like flying a freaking military plane next to a passenger airliner to score a date from a stewardess???……Like, WTF I didn’t need to hear that!

That’s funny you mentioned your dad! I was thinking about discussing this guy with my future father in law who was a fairly high ranking officer in South Vietnams army and a staunch Catholic who really liked Diem. I’m sure he does not hold “Buddha’s Child” in very high standards!

[Byron]

Didn't that guy go back to Vietnam recently and praised the Vietnamese government for modernizing the countries and told overseas Vietnamese who hate the Communist government to shut their mouths? Tough guy.

[Colonel Angus]

Didn't that guy go back to Vietnam recently and praised the Vietnamese government for modernizing the countries and told overseas Vietnamese who hate the Communist government to shut their mouths? Tough guy.

If that’s true then he really has a way of contradicting himself.

[Byron]

Enjoy.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A...anguage=printer

My favourite part:

"They say they want to overthrow the government here. I say fine, do it if you can," Ky said. "But this small minority can't do anything. So I say, shut your mouth." The true patriots, he said, are those Vietnamese émigrés who have already sent billions of dollars in remittances back to their home country.

Read the whole article on his full trip to Vietnam. lol

[fiji]

My impression of him during the war isn't too great. I don't really like any Southern politicians at the time, except for Duong Van Minh. But I do admire his envision of Vietnam future. He only hold grudges on the U.S. for abandoning South Vietnam. It was kinda shocking that he went to Vietnam in the beginning of the year, I support his action, but it didn't do much to strengthen the relationship of overseas Vietnamese and the VC. He should have known that overseas Vietnamese (the few of them from the old government) are very hardheaded. They live in a democracy, but can't even grasp the concept. Well, they don't matter anyways, most of them are in their 50s, not much they can do.

[Colonel Angus]

I wonder why he got to go back? My fiancés dad still can’t go back to this day under fear of being arrested. It’s sad because his Mom is 99 and not doing to well. When she dies he wont even be able to attend her funeral.

[vIeTpRidEs_wOrLd...]

I wonder why he got to go back? My fiancés dad still can’t go back to this day under fear of being arrested. It’s sad because his Mom is 99 and not doing to well. When she dies he wont even be able to attend her funeral.

oh that suxs ....

[Nero874]

...He should have known that overseas Vietnamese (the few of them from the old government) are very hardheaded. They live in a democracy, but can't even grasp the concept. Well, they don't matter anyways, most of them are in their 50s, not much they can do.

Those Viet Kieus are exercising their rights to free speech, and they're saying "fvck you" to Nguyen Cao Ky. If they're trying to suppress his rights, then I would agree with you, but the majority are protesting his actions, not trying to take his freedom, and hence, they're taking advantage of democracy.

Another example is how they were able to guard against the Vietnamese government's visit to the US, despite strong urgings by both the Vietnamese and the US government to step down. So basically, a small group of people was able to bend the arms of two state governments - now that is power, and that is the epitome of democracy in action. Don't give me that "they can't even grasp the concept" of democracy crap.

[fiji]

...He should have known that overseas Vietnamese (the few of them from the old government) are very hardheaded.  They live in a democracy, but can't even grasp the concept.  Well, they don't matter anyways, most of them are in their 50s, not much they can do.

Those Viet Kieus are exercising their rights to free speech, and they're saying "fvck you" to Nguyen Cao Ky. If they're trying to suppress his rights, then I would agree with you, but the majority are protesting his actions, not trying to take his freedom, and hence, they're taking advantage of democracy.

Another example is how they were able to guard against the Vietnamese government's visit to the US, despite strong urgings by both the Vietnamese and the US government to step down. So basically, a small group of people was able to bend the arms of two state governments - now that is power, and that is the epitome of democracy in action. Don't give me that "they can't even grasp the concept" of democracy crap.

That's not the only case man. What about a few years ago where the whole Vietnamese community protested just because some poor guy had a picture of HCM and the red flag in HIS video store? They threw eggs, protested outside his store so that he couldn't get any business, they send and threathen him by phone, by mails. You call that free speech? What about his right to freedom of expression? And their right to stfu. If they don't like him, they have all the right in the world to not go to his store. But they have to make a big fuss about it, that's a little extreme don't you think? And that's what I'm talking, these people over here doesn't know half of what democracy is. I wouldn't blame them, I even sympathize with them, but it pisses me off everytime they do something like this and think they're all righteous.

Nguyen Cao Ky is not a public figure, nor has he been since the war ended. If he want to go to Vietnam, it's his choice. Then you know what else? They boycott his daughter Nguyen Cao Ky Duyen at her show to fund for the boat people still stuck in the Philipines.

[rage]

It is like I said in a post on a different thread - for most Viet Kieu, the war is not over at all. The war has not ended just because the U.S. said it did. Viet Kieu still see THEIR homeland in the grip of an Invader's army. The see themselves not as immigrants, but as refugees (huge difference there). So it is no wonder that they would attack the symbol of the Invader (the picture of HCM inthe shop window) when it is flagrantly displayed in their place of refuge. Yes, I think they DO understand democracy, but that doesn't change the complexity of their reality. That is why Viet Kieu seem to have universally branded Ky a traitor. He, their self-proclaimed spokesman, making overtures of peace with the Invaders? Terrible!

I think Ky wants to be recognized in some international capacity though - maybe create a legacy for himself as the man who reconciled the 'two' Vietnam's (Communist and Viet Kieu). I think that is why he is doing this.

rage

[herosword]

It is like I said in a post on a different thread - for most Viet Kieu, the war is not over at all.  The war has not ended just because the U.S. said it did.  Viet Kieu still see THEIR homeland in the grip of an Invader's army.  The see themselves not as immigrants, but as refugees (huge difference there).  So it is no wonder that they would attack the symbol of the Invader (the picture of HCM inthe shop window) when it is flagrantly displayed in their place of refuge.  Yes, I think they DO understand democracy, but that doesn't change the complexity of their reality.  That is why Viet Kieu seem to have universally branded Ky a traitor.  He, their self-proclaimed spokesman, making overtures of peace with the Invaders? Terrible! 

I think Ky wants to be recognized in some international capacity though - maybe create a legacy for himself as the man who reconciled the 'two' Vietnam's (Communist and Viet Kieu).  I think that is why he is doing this.

rage

Nguyen Cao Ky has thrown away whatever shred of respect that oversea Vietnamese had for him. I agree that if he wants to go back to Vietnam and talk about improved human rights and better living condition for the people, that's cool. However, when he insults the people who were his brother in arms by calling them morons for still believing in a democratic Vietnam, the man screwed himself. Viet Kieu did not ostracize Nguyen Cao Ky, the man brought it onto himself.

That's not the only case man. What about a few years ago where the whole Vietnamese community protested just because some poor guy had a picture of HCM and the red flag in HIS video store?  They threw eggs, protested outside his store so that he couldn't get any business, they send and threathen him by phone, by mails. You call that free speech?

In that particular case, the man was an agent of the Commie and he did exercise his right to free speech. However, the people in Orange County were also exercising their rights to free speech, which is to protest.

What about his right to freedom of expression? And their right to stfu.

I do not recall stfu is a right guaranteed in the constitution. In fact, the way you use it seems like you're implying that the only "right" they have is to keep silent on their criticism of the corrupt Vietnamese govt. That's very undemocratic. (IMG:http://www.asiafinest.com/forum/style_emoticons/default/sure.gif)

This post has been edited by herosword: Jul 21 2004, 02:46 PM

[Byron]

In that particular case, the man was an agent of the Commie and he did exercise his right to free speech. However, the people in Orange County were also exercising their rights to free speech, which is to protest.

So I guess throwing eggs and threatning to beat him up is "free speech" as well. So that means the commie government is also having the "freedom" to protest and beat up anyone who says anything against them as well.

I don't mind protesting but inflicting harm on someone because of their views is a no no.

And was it confirmed that he was a "commie spy"? Yeah anyone that disagrees with the Viet Kieu is a commie spy.

This post has been edited by Byron: Jul 21 2004, 03:05 PM

[supernovasp]

In that particular case, the man was an agent of the Commie and he did exercise his right to free speech. However, the people in Orange County were also exercising their rights to free speech, which is to protest.

So I guess throwing eggs and threatning to beat him up is "free speech" as well. So that means the commie government is also having the "freedom" to protest and beat up anyone who says anything against them as well.

I don't mind protesting but inflicting harm on someone because of their views is a no no.

And was it confirmed that he was a "commie spy"? Yeah anyone that disagrees with the Viet Kieu is a commie spy.

Everyone who disagrees with the communist goverment is branded traitors.

[Nam Quoc Son Ha]

It's his choice, let him be. Any Vietnamese would want to see their homeland once again before they die. No dramas.

[Huynh]

i guess to him instead of trying to fight the gov. he hope to make it better for his country and his people

[herosword]

So I guess throwing eggs and threatning to beat him up is "free speech" as well.  So that means the commie government is also having the "freedom" to protest and beat up anyone who says anything against them as well.

No one beat him up. If you watch the demonstration, the people who were demonstrating held back the crowd to make sure he wasn't harm. They didn't like the guy, but they were law abiding citizens. The egg (well) he got that coming. Just be glad that it wasn't $hit.

Did you know why the protest finally stopped. The man's video store was shut down because police found that he had been illegally making and saling copyrighted material. In this case the Vietnamese community not only showed their disdain for a communist, they helped to apprehend a criminal.

I don't mind protesting but inflicting harm on someone because of their views is a no no.

Yet you believe that the corrupt Viet Cong government has the right to harm fellow Vietnameses in the homeland because of their political views.

And was it confirmed that he was a "commie spy"?  Yeah anyone that disagrees with the Viet Kieu is a commie spy.

Yes, he made several trips back to Vietnam and met with government officials. Obviously not an undercover spy, but an agent of the govt because it almost seems like he was testing the water in Little Saigon to see how the people would react. I suspect he got more than he bargained for.