Discussion 1

Read this selection from The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien: On the Rainy River. Once all reading is complete, respond to the following:

· How does O'Brien feel about the war in Vietnam?

· Why does O'Brien go to the rainy river?

· What various factors does O'Brien take into account when deciding whether to go to Canada or not?

· Why ultimately, does he decide not to escape to Canada?

· What is O'Brien trying to communicate when he writes: "I was a coward. I went to the war?"

· What does this reading reveal about the polarization of society during the war?

You are required to submit an initial posting (200 words minimum) that addresses the items above.

Discussion 2

Using a minimum of 200 words, address the following:

· How did Lyndon B. Johnson make the Vietnam War his own?

Discussion 3

Using a minimum of 200 words, address the following:

· How did the U.S. economy end up suffering both from inflation and high unemployment in the 1970s?