Re: Myth 3. If you were truly anti-war (as opposed to anti-communist), the high casualties of North Vietnamese soldiers (and civilians) would be as appalling as the number of South Vietnamese and American casualties. The total body count (often misrepresented in the news of the day) should have inspired everyone to support ending the conflict.

But here are two ironies: (1) If you were anti-war (as opposed to pro-communist), you would be just as appalled at the atrocities commited by Pol Pot as by those ordered by William Calley. But many celebrities in the anti-war movement criticized Joan Baez and others for objecting to the atrocities committed by so-called communist leaders after the US withdrawal.

(2) If you were anti-war, you would have been as sympathetic to American soldiers as to everyone else who suffered for this needless disaster. But some (not all) anti-war activists vilified all of America's returning soldiers, many of whom were well-intentioned though misled by the war machine and were just as much victims as anyone else.