Well…I have been called a lot worse in my time. But a couple of things to bring to mind. One, I was a Marine Lt., a FO, for my tour in the Nam, discharged as a Captain. Three years in the Reserves as a Naval Gunfire Liaison Officer. Riffed out because I had been on active duty and the Reserves were awash in officers seeking to keep out of the Nam. Later missed the military and joined the Army Guard; serving as a Mech Infantry Company Commander and Headquarters Commandant. Later, I was an Infantry Officer Advanced Course Instructor, IG, and Provost Marshal. I was due to get my battalion when I was injured and retired from my civilian job, LAPD. I graduated from the Army Command and General Staff Course. I mention all this foldetal just to show that I have some experience in the military. Not really expertise, but some knowledge . On the fight for the American country, to be, there were atrocities on both sides. Prior to the 70s, especially after Dee Williams wrote ‘Bury my Heart at Wounded Knee’ the emphasis shifted from Bad Indian to Bad Soldier. In the Old West, in the 1800s, it was Lo, the Indian,. The farther East you went, the nicer the Indians were perceived. Folks in the West had a much different perspective than the person in Boston. While there were Infantry units n the West, they mostly protected static areas, or, if in an operation lagged behind the horse soldiers.. all the real fighting was done by the various cavalry units, who followed out their orders to the best of their ability. Yes they killed Indians, but then the Indians killed them, also. If the Indians had been left alone, anywhere from Manhattan Island to Puget Sound, the USA would not be here. The Indian Nations would still be hunting Buffalo where are now cities and farms! Unfortunately history ended up being what it did. About all I have to say on the matter, I tend to back the officers and men who were there and had to do the fighting.
