Shane Reads Texts From His Uncle About Vietnam; What It Was Really Like | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

Joe Rogan discusses the emotional impact of watching a Ken Burns documentary on the Vietnam War and shares personal stories of his uncle's experiences in the war.

Key Insights

• 🫱 The emotional impact of war documentaries can be profound, even for those who have no personal connection to the events.
• 💀 The Vietnam War was characterized by chaos, danger, and a lack of support from many American troops who did not believe in the mission.
• 🇨🇫 False flag incidents throughout history have been used to manipulate public opinion and justify military actions.
• 🥺 The lasting effects of war can have a significant impact on individuals, leading to feelings of guilt, trauma, and the questioning of personal responsibility.
• 🥹 Vietnamese perspectives on the war differ from American perspectives, with the Vietnamese holding more resentment towards the Chinese than Americans.
• 🙈 The Vietnam War was seen as a futile and unnecessary conflict by many, wasting time and resources.
• 🫱 Joe Rogan's uncle's experiences highlight the bravery and sacrifice of soldiers during the war, as well as the significant physical and emotional toll it took on them.

Transcript

The Joe Rogan Experience I don't know anything but I've been watching oh dude on the plane I was watching the [ __ ] I've been watching the Ken Burns Vietnam heavy stuff God damn dude I cried on the plane like a [ __ ] idiot oh is that why you watched PBS stock Mark if you're gonna say nasty stuff that's pretty funny that was a nice ride though I c... Read More

Questions & Answers

Q: What were Joe Rogan's emotions while watching the Ken Burns Vietnam documentary?

Joe Rogan became emotional and cried while watching the documentary, reflecting on the tragic nature of the war.

Q: What was Joe Rogan's uncle's role in the Vietnam War?

Joe Rogan's uncle served as a forward observer in the Battle of Hill 102, calling in coordinates for gunships and artillery.

Q: Why did the Vietnamese people not hold a grudge against Americans after the war?

The Vietnamese people direct their animosity primarily towards the Chinese and refer to the war as the "American war," not holding Americans accountable.

Q: What was the false flag incident that led to US involvement in the Vietnam War?

The Gulf of Tonkin incident, which falsely claimed that the North Vietnamese attacked American ships, was used as justification for escalating US involvement in the war.

Summary

In this video, Joe Rogan and his guest discuss Joe's recent experience of watching the Ken Burns Vietnam documentary on a plane. They talk about Joe's emotional reaction to the documentary and how it made him contact his uncle who got wounded in Vietnam. They dive into the details of the Vietnam War, discussing the length of the war, the tactics used, and the experiences of soldiers on the ground. They also touch on the reasons why the Vietnamese fought so fiercely and the impact of false flag incidents on the war. The conversation then shifts to Joe's personal connection to the war through his uncle, who had a stressful job after returning from Vietnam. They talk about the effects of war on individuals and the importance of acknowledging and processing traumatic experiences. The video ends on a lighter note with discussions about Vietnamese culture, food, and recreational activities during the war.

Questions & Answers

Q: Why did Joe react emotionally while watching the Ken Burns Vietnam documentary on a plane?

Joe cried while watching the documentary because it touched him deeply, reminding him of the sacrifices made by individuals like his uncle who got wounded in Vietnam.

Q: How long did the Vietnam War last?

The Vietnam War lasted for nine years, starting from its inception till its end. From the beginning, it was clear to people like McNamara and LBJ that the war was not winnable.

Q: What was Joe's uncle's role in the Vietnam War?

Joe's uncle served as a forward observer, calling in coordinates for gunships, artillery, and airstrikes. He was responsible for directing firepower to the enemy and protecting his fellow soldiers.

Q: Why didn't the Vietnamese hate Americans?

The Vietnamese harbored more animosity towards the Chinese than they did towards Americans. They referred to the war as the "American War" and had moved on from the past.

Q: What was the Battle of Hill 102 also known as?

The Battle of Hill 102 was also known as the Battle of Khe Sanh. It involved around 200 U.S. soldiers who were surrounded by approximately 3,000 Vietcong or RVN forces.

Q: How did Joe's uncle describe his experience during the war?

According to Joe's uncle, during combat, soldiers enter a zone where they shut down their emotions and focus on survival and protecting their comrades. There's no time to process feelings amidst the chaos.

Q: What was the significance of gunships like "Spooky" during the Vietnam War?

Gunships like "Spooky" played a crucial role in providing relentless fire support to the ground troops. Joe's uncle, as a forward observer, relied on gunships to repel enemy advances with a continuous stream of fire.

Q: How did Joe's uncle feel about his own experience in Vietnam?

Joe's uncle felt a sense of guilt and responsibility for getting wounded and not being there with his men. He believed he was too reckless and blamed himself for not being able to protect his comrades.

Q: Did Joe's uncle struggle with the aftermath of his experience in Vietnam?

Yes, Joe's uncle had a challenging time dealing with the aftermath of his experience. He held himself accountable for his injuries and felt disconnected from his stressful job on Wall Street, realizing that his problems were rooted in his war experiences.

Q: What was the impact of false flag incidents on the Vietnam War?

The Vietnam War escalated partly due to false flag incidents, such as the Gulf of Tonkin incident. The government used these incidents as justification to increase military involvement in Vietnam.

Takeaways

The Vietnam War was a deeply impactful and tragic event that affected countless lives. Watching the Ken Burns documentary reminded Joe of the sacrifices made by soldiers like his uncle, which brought a strong emotional response. The war lasted for nine years, with early recognition from high-ranking officials that victory was unlikely. Joe's uncle served as a forward observer, directing firepower to the enemy. It was noteworthy that the Vietnamese, rather than hating Americans, held more animosity towards the Chinese. Gunships like "Spooky" played a vital role in supporting ground troops during combat. Joe's uncle struggled with the aftermath of his experience, feeling guilt and holding himself accountable. False flag incidents, such as the Gulf of Tonkin, influenced the escalation of the war. It is important to acknowledge and process the traumatic effects of war on individuals to promote healing and understanding.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Joe Rogan shares his emotional reaction while watching a Ken Burns documentary on the Vietnam War, expressing how it brought him to tears.

• He discusses his uncle's experience as a forward observer in the Battle of Hill 102 and the chaos and danger he had to navigate.

• Rogan reflects on the Vietnam War and its lasting effects, highlighting the Vietnamese perspective and the false flag incident that led to US involvement.