Trade Embargo Lifting

* While reading The Times on the lifting of the trade embargo on Vietnam and the reaction of the Vietnamese in Orange County (Feb. 4), suddenly an old memory came back to me. It was 1973. I went to a classmate’s home to give condolences to her for a family funeral. Her parents were killed, execution style, by a group of Viet Cong.

When I read where some people, so-called respected businessmen and physicians, congratulated each other for the new opportunity and a legal chance to do business with the same people that committed this inhumane act, and many more, I was very upset.

I understand that the war is over and we all have to put it in the past. But I cannot comprehend that these very wealthy professionals are so happy and eager to work with a regime that has no moral standard and does not value human life. The same regime that caused them to leave their home, family and friends and risk their lives at sea as boat people. The same regime that is oppressing their countrymen, religious leaders and intellectuals. I guess a few bucks heals all wounds and goes a long way with morality too.

PHU NGUYEN

Santa Ana