Hmong sense new betrayal: Arrests stir memory of 1970s U.S. abandonment after Vietnam War.

[Bluebear]

Note: The Sacramento area is home to many Hmong. What most Americans do not know is that the Hmong fought valiantly for the US side during the Viet Nam war, and saved many many American soldier's lives, only to be abandoned to the Hmong's deaths in Laos.


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The hopes, dreams, achievements and fears of America's Hmong surfaced at a Sacramento banquet Thursday night -- along with a sense that the U.S. government, their greatest benefactor, had betrayed them again.

The man who guided the Hmong journey from the mountains and jungles of Laos to a new life of opportunity in America, Gen. Vang Pao, sits in the Sacramento County jail on charges of plotting a violent overthrow of communist Laos.

Vang, 77, is one of 10 men arrested and charged in Sacramento federal court last week with plotting a full-scale coup against Laos that would have included AK-47 assault rifles, ground-to-air Stinger missiles, anti-tank weapons and a mercenary army. The older members of the alleged conspiracy include Hmong men -- Laotian mountain tribesmen -- who followed Vang Pao as he waged war under the CIA's direction against Southeast Asian communists between 1961 and 1975...

In America, Vang became the champion of Hmong worldwide, helping tens of thousands emigrate to the United States, France and Australia, while fueling hopes that one day the Hmong would be able to safely return to their mountain villages. May Ying Ly, whose father fought with Vang's army, is now executive director of Sacramento's Hmong Women's Heritage Association. Ly said Hmong -- particularly those born in Laos and the Thai camps -- "see VP as a savior, representing our dreams."

"Whatever trouble he's in," she said, "he's still our leader ... I have to admire.

http://www.sacbee.com/101/story/214467.html

[Bluebear]

1. .

[vireo]

2. There has been a movement to name a Madison school after him

Finally, the Madison school board is showing signs it may back away from its wrongheaded decision to name a new elementary school for Hmong warlord Vang Pao.

To a remarkable degree, the board has stubbornly ignored all evidence of Vang Pao's bloody past. That's because Madison's emergent Hmong community has rallied behind the proposal, and the board, wishing to celebrate Madison’s multicultural makeup, has decided that the Hmong's time is now, no matter what the objections.

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The indictment contains tantalizing references to Wisconsin. Prosecutors portray Lo Cha Thao, a former aide state Sen. Gary George (D-Milwaukee), as a pivotal figure in arranging the arms deal.

Prosecutors assert that he told an undercover agent that he wanted seven or eight Vientiane government buildings blown up "like September 11th."

http://www.thedailypage.com/daily/article.php?article=7552

[seemslikeadream]

3. Hmong Genocide

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HZUQI1yTPeI

http://us10.pixagogo.com/S5zbTG1dgOCeCFGwDXVKYFnjhE!E5NzwRoQ8gZfrYlB0Hc7R4X90AuvOo6OxIW5HkHCnv5SP8xv1QxbCO65VUtM3GK!odnswADJl00ZzRA2vFE0biNImXgBQ__/Little_Admiral.jpg




http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=364&topic_id=1947980&mesg_id=1948306

[seemslikeadream]

4. kick