Đăng ký: VietNam News
 Mr. James Rhodes and his wife. (Source: ajc.edu.vn) (CPV) –“I love Vietnam, the people of Vietnam; the ethnic tribes of Vietnam; the food of Vietnam; the students of Vietnam; the farmers of Vietnam; the traditional medicine and herbs; the martyrs of Vietnam; the Heroic Mothers of Vietnam; the herbicidal poison victims; the landmine victims-daily you are in our thoughts and prayers,” said Mr. James Rhodes, an U.S. veteran and author of the book with the title ‘The memory of an U.S. Veteran’, at an interview of the Communist Party of Viet Nam Online Newspaper. Here is the full text ò the interview:Reporter: During your tenure in Vietnam, could you share your feelings about Vietnam and the people?Mr. James Rhodes: I love Vietnam, the people of Vietnam; the ethnic tribes of Vietnam; the food of Vietnam; the students of Vietnam; the farmers of Vietnam; the traditional medicine and herbs; the martyrs of Vietnam; the Heroic Mothers of Vietnam; the herbicidal poison victims; the landmine victims-daily you are in our thoughts and prayers. In 2014 I was blessed to have published (in Vietnamese) my memoirs on my war and Agent Orange experience. All the funds I received from this labor was donated to the victims at the Friendship Village. In 2015 I will again be blessed by having another book published (in Vietnamese) with all those proceeds being donated to an educational scholarship fund for poor students. The people of Vietnam have shown us virtues we have seldom witnessed anywhere else in the world-for this, we remain most grateful. Reporter:What is your assessment of Vietnam’s development process in recent years, especially in 2014?Mr. James Rhodes: My assessment of Vietnam (2014) I have the following thoughts: The national symphony, ballet, opera should be better supported as they are tremendous-I was fortunate enough to have written articles about them for THE HOLLYWOOD PROGRESSIVE and THE LOS ANGELES PROGRESSIVE ! Upon returning, we really want to hang out with some of these people.. The Green Eco-Tourism industry is taking off and this is something of great value to the planet. The railway system is improving and should be encouraged for accelerated improvements as this will attract many more foreigners and assist in positive economic development of the nation. The illegal and unlawful intrusion by a foreign power into the VIETNAMESE Spratley and Paracel Islands is an outrage. The Vietnamese government has exhibited Herculean patience and restraint when dealing with such fascist, imperialistic developments forced upon them by others.. GARCO 10 has presented to the world a business model that actually treats workers with dignity and respect. I have also written about this in THE LOS ANGELES PROGRESSIVE. There is nothing wrong with a corporation making money; however, when that corporate model, as the ones we currently have in the United States, oppresses workers, strips them of their right to organize for better working conditions and a decent wage, discounts families while merely viewing employees as a monetary commodity and not human beings-then that system needs to be replaced. GARCO 10 presents to the world a business model that is Green and eco friendly and takes into consideration not only the company but the employees as GARCO 10 has their own hospitals, day care, company store; food supply system; temples. In many ways GARCO 10 is futuristic. The system they have in operation is truly impressive and I hope one other companies will imitate. Many foreigners we know like to travel to other countries for religious experiences. Vietnam has a rich Buddhist heritage and one not fully “exploited.” We feel this is an area that seriously needs to be looked into and marketed not so much to make money, but for the spiritual enrichment of others in search of such an adventure. Reporter:During your tenure in Vietnam, have you had the chance to celebrate Tet (Lunar New Year) in Vietnam? Could you share with us your feelings about Tet? What is your most impressive thing when welcoming Tet in our country?Mr. James Rhodes: What I will miss about TET most is going to family and regional cemeteries to give respect to those who have gone before us and to honor the sacrifice of the national martyrs. During this TET I will pray and meditate for DUAL CITIZENSHIP and to meet my idol (and forgive me, heart throb!) My Linh, of whom I have written articles about in the HOLLYWOOD PROGRESSIVE…. We celebrate TET a little different than most as we do NOT drink. Many Vietnamese find this to be most unusual and fail to realize that constantly asking us to drink violates one of our most holy religious principles. I tell you this not to criticize but to educate. Reporter:What wishes do you want to give to Vietnamese on the New Year?Mr. James Rhodes: My wish to myself and the people of Vietnam is for us to celebrate next TET AS A VIETNAMESE….Regardless, we will continue to work in the best interest of the Agent Orange victims and national policies of Vietnam. May GOD bless all of you! Reporter:Thank you so much! |
