07-07-2005 06:54									#1
	Hmong Got spare money?

IIRC the Hmong fought in the 'Nam War on South Vietnam-US side and they were punished for it in the post-bellum years for their efforts resulting in them fleeing to Thailand.

My question is - do Americans have moral obligation to help them out? After all if the war ended in favor of South Vietnam, the Hmong's fate may be different.

OTOH, Vietnamese never really liked Hmong anyway so it might won't make that much of a difference anyway.

quote: Hmong Forced Out Of Homes In Thailand By Rungrawee C. Pinyorat Associated Press Wednesday, July 6, 2005; A09 HUAY NAM KHAO, Thailand, July 5 -- Soaked by rain, thousands of poor ethnic Hmong refugees from Laos were living without shelter in northern Thailand on Tuesday, forced from their homes under a Thai campaign to pressure them to return to their native land. Landlords in this village said the government set a Monday deadline for them to evict the estimated 6,500 refugees from their bamboo shelters, threatening locals with prison or fines of up to $1,200 for sheltering the Hmong, considered by Thailand to be illegal immigrants. Thai officials also instructed vendors not to sell food to the refugees, including children, camped out since late Monday by the roadside in Huay Nam Khao, village leaders said. "They have no place to stay, no place to cook. How can they stand the heat and rain?" asked Sawai Leeprecha, a Thai-Hmong village leader. Some of the Hmong demonstrated Tuesday outside a government office near the village, located in Phetchabun province about 185 miles north of the Thai capital, Bangkok. But most clustered in groups along the road carrying reed mats and plastic sheeting. "The Hmong would like to call for the United Nations to help us survive," said Jongli Saeloh, 43. "I would rather die here than be sent back to Laos." A sign on a fence read: "Please help, we're very hungry." During the Vietnam War era, the Hmong in Laos helped U.S. forces fight communist insurgents. After the communists took control of Laos in 1975, many Hmong fled, fearing persecution. Although pressure on the Hmong has eased, military operations against small bands of Hmong insurgents in Laos continue and tensions persist.

	07-07-2005 07:32									#2
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The U.S. does not have an ethical duty to support them. We were allies. The war is over. We each go our own way.

However, that doesn't mean it isn't wise to support them. When we go to the aid of our allies, previous allies, potential allies, etc., it makes the prospect of being a US ally more attractive. When we ignore them as they go down the drain, the message we send is why risk it.

	07-07-2005 08:49									#3
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I actually read a book on the hmong in my anthro class. I think we should help them out - it's a very interesting culture and it would be a shame to see it die.

	07-07-2005 09:30									#4
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I don't think we have to help them, but it would be a good idea.

	07-07-2005 10:07									#5
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quote: Originally posted by Theben I don't think we have to help them, but it would be a good idea.

	07-07-2005 11:14									#6
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We used them so we owe them. Besides, abandoning allies is bad politics.

	07-07-2005 11:32									#7
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IIRC I believe Americans let Hmongs settle somewhere in the midwest/rocky area, Montana comes to mind years ago. So shall we open doors to the rest?

	07-07-2005 19:15									#8
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quote: Originally posted by Barinthus IIRC I believe Americans let Hmongs settle somewhere in the midwest/rocky area, Montana comes to mind years ago. So shall we open doors to the rest?

They come to Fresno, CA. That's where I live. Some of them go to Minn.

Hmongs are pretty good people. They have a tough time here sometimes though with culture shock.

A new wave of them just came from Thialand. The're overwelming our services for the poor here, and the services were already overwelmed. Still they've done more for this country than any other of those fat ass Americans so why shouldn't they deserve it.

	07-07-2005 19:49									#9
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quote: Originally posted by Barinthus IIRC I believe Americans let Hmongs settle somewhere in the midwest/rocky area, Montana comes to mind years ago. So shall we open doors to the rest?

If we remember that incident in which one hunter shot a bunch of others, the shooter was Hmong...its sad that's the only thing I have ever heard on the TV about the US Hmong community.

	07-07-2005 21:27									#10
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Interesting. Not a mention by a poster that the Hmong are Christian, and that Christians don't fare too well in a communist state.

	07-07-2005 21:44									#11
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Actually, the fact that they Christian should make no difference in whether we should help them or not.

ACK!

	07-07-2005 21:55									#12
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That is very true. However, when mono speaks of interesting culture, and no mention that they are Christian, it makes me wonder why no one has made a comment in passing.

	07-07-2005 21:57									#13
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They're christian? I'd like to change my vote, then. They shouldn't be helped.

	08-07-2005 00:57									#14
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quote: Originally posted by Ben Kenobi That is very true. However, when mono speaks of interesting culture, and no mention that they are Christian, it makes me wonder why no one has made a comment in passing.

Because not all Hmong are Christian, IIRC, and it doesn't exactly define who they are, either. Sure, it's a big part of a lot of them, but it's like saying that the French or German culture is Christian. Hell, there are a lot of Korean Christians, but I wouldn't necessarily note as one of the earlier orders of business when talking about how interesting their culture is.

There's a huge Yes, But there, Ben.

	08-07-2005 08:51									#15
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Helping the Hmong:

We have a lot of them here in MN, especially in Minneapolis. Fargo-Moorhead also has a good sized population.

	08-07-2005 12:40									#16
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Christian churches give the Hmong a lot of assistance here in the US, which has resulted in a lot of them becoming Christian. I don't think they are traditionally Christian though.

	08-07-2005 12:41									#17
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Most Asians, as a rule, aren't "traditionally" Christian, at least not in the sense of Western Europe. The whole thing about the Judeochristian tradition being, y'know, Western.

	08-07-2005 12:54									#18
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quote: Originally posted by Q Cubed Most Asians, as a rule, aren't "traditionally" Christian, at least not in the sense of Western Europe. The whole thing about the Judeochristian tradition being, y'know, Western.

That's no excuse.