What ‘Ramboism’ and Vietnam Is All About

Thank you, Lee Nickerson, for giving us the Ten Commandments of Ramboism. It looks as though the 1980s are going to be the Rambo Decade. The use of ultra-violence to right the wrongs in this messed-up world should be our national philosophy from now on.

The Rambo Doctrine is all the Reagan Administration needs to justify an invasion of Nicaragua. I’m sure that the American troops are all fired up by the new wave of patriotism that is sweeping the country. Maybe their commanding officers should let them take their Walkmans into battle so they can listen to The Boss singing, “Born in the U.S.A.” while they blow the enemy away. This war isn’t going to get us bogged down like in Vietnam. But if it does, the joint chiefs can just bring out the tactical nukes and get it over with.

What about the war protesters? Well, I’m afraid that they’re going to be Rambo-tough, too. You can bet that we’re going to see a lot more than just flowers and peace marches on the nightly news.

Rambo behavior is going to be a way of life. You can use it to settle a dispute with your neighbor, punish the jerk who cuts you off in traffic, or stop the thug who looks like he’s about to rob you. So break out the steroids, gulp down some raw eggs and start pumping that iron, because the Rambo years are here.

TOM EDWARDS

Culver City