When the U.S. bugged out of Vietnam, we left thousands of Vietnamese translators and workers to the tender mercies of the Viet Cong. Some were killed, while others spent years in “re-education camps.” The “boat people” were those who managed to get out, often in horrific circumstances. Many of the boat people settled in San Jose; I taught some of their kids at San Jose State.
I was ashamed of what my country did--or failed to do--for our friends and allies. People who help us should not be left behind, even if it means that thousands of them are resettled here.
Today’s New York Times has a front-page headline: “Afghan Interpreters for the U.S. Are Left Stranded and at Risk.” We are doing it again.
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