The delay in my response was due to my being in Vietnam for the last month. I am now home for the holidays and preparing for another trip o/a March '95.
I was on the other side of the movement, therefore, as a professional career soldier with three tours in VN (1946, 1959-60 & 1967-68), I see the movement from a different perspective. I fully understood why I was there and what needed to be accomplished. Each of my tours were during different phases, pacify & clean-up after the Japanese occupation, remove war materials after the French defeat + civil action (humanatarian) projects and the military actions during the major build-up. During all three phases the Marxist-Leninist (Viet Minh, later called Viet Cong) were assasinating educators, doctors, lawyers, journalist and elected governmental officials. Even today they maintain a huge prison system for religious and political "detainees".
No one seems to ask why so many people left the country when the communist took over. I do not see any of the movement people sitting down and talking with the Viet Kieu after it was all over to really see just why they fled, risking everything. Was the "anti-war" movement just a gross social affair? Being thousands miles away, really not studying the politics and culture of the situation, and not knowing actually what was happening (being fed condensed media over prolonged periods of time) was really in tune with Hanoi's general plan.
Look at the situation now. The SRV (Communist) are still in control, the remaining people have been through almost 20 years of hell because their political system just did not work, and now they are bilking the rest of the world for all they (SRV goverment officials) can get. Maybe they too will put their monies in Swiss banks and live out their time in luxury. May one ask, just how many of the "movement's" participants have gone over to Vietnam and provided some well meaning deeds to those who really need them, the peasants and general population. You will find many Viet Kieu who are doing just that, going back to help their homeland with both money and technical advice.
Many natives have personally told me that they were wrong by supporting Hanoi and they are worse off now than they were 20 years ago. Personally, I would like to see the "anti-war" movement be employed to open communications with the Peoples Party, break down the barriers, and grant the man-on-the street the freedom(s) he deserves. Then maybe, the whole matter will be put to rest.
Please note: Owen Wylie never was an opponent of the Vietnam War. Therefore, I do not want any of his comments to be misconstrued as being supportive of the antiwar movement.