Excerpts from Letters to Mom in italics.
25 October 1965
You probably have received a package by now. I thought this green was very pretty; I'll try to send some blue silk within a month or so. Is the pattern (print) too large?
This rice and beer is too much. When I begin to feel sluggish, it's time to cut down. It's such a shame too; over half the world is having diet problems and the rest can't get enough to eat. Looks like this point will be the main cause of friction on this spheroid through at least the rest of my lifetime. I think the Pope should have first endorsed birth control before he travels about putting other houses in order. There certainly are contrasts on earth. The "iron curtain" is practically history and the "dollar curtain" prevails. What pisses me off most are my fellow Americans who are so snotty, and superior to other people less affluent than themselves. I see this not only in Asia and in Europe where the contrast is less pronounced, but even in the USA.
Have you been following any of the civil rights trials in the South? Talk about predetermined verdicts of mock trials in communist countries - at least that is the fault of the "system" not of "personal prejudice." The older I get the less faith I have in "people." Some are incapable of being elevated to the human race even if they are educated and possess a decent living standard. Can you imagine how people who don't have anything (including hope) could hate us Americans (and other "have" nations)? It seems the rich do get richer and the poor get poorer.
If I were to protest anything, it wouldn't be our fighting in Vietnam, but the causes that necessated [sic] it. [Apparently, AG2 Fehr may have thought that economic factors alone, not necessarily nationalism, were responsible?] When nations become their "brothers' keepers," and curb their own greed, we won't have violent unrest and need for armies. I am disgusted with congressmen who are against the principle of foreign aid. Incidently [sic], one doesn't have to go to church to learn this.
I really got wound up, didn't I? Most or a majority of the guys here are single and naturally take out Chinese and Taiwanese girls. Ninety percent of the time you wind up in one of the US servicemen's clubs, which the wives (dependents) think were constructed primarily for themselves (PX's etc included). They just emanate radiation of hate toward the Chinese girls, and think they are all whores and lower than whale shit and should be barred from associating with Americans. Perhaps its not so pronounced, but it is easy to detect this animosity or feeling of animosity from many of these women.
My girl bears this ill feeling by ignoring that it exists, but it pisses me off. Those snotty bitches with the icy daggers should have been born into such an environment. Most of them would probably be earning their living via the prone position.
CiCi never hid the fact that she used to be a bar girl (or "hostess" some prefer), and though at first I never said anything, I was ashamed & displeased to hear her mention it. Doesn't bother me a bit anymore, funny how this pious, holier-than-thou attitude can become so ingrained in ones fiber without you ever realizing it.
Two more weeks of "Chinese One" left! It's getting a little "hairy" now, as the expression goes. [Hairy. Short sleeve clad Steve would often be accosted by curious Chinese youngsters while walking along the sidewalks in Taipei. The hairless Chinese were fascinated by the sailor's hairy arms and would hesitantly approach and quickly rub their oriental hand along the simian, occidental forearm in wide-eyed wonderment!] I'm trying to talk myself into continuing on to Chinese Two. I am going to Japan before this year is out for a business visit of approximately one week, and it would interfere with school.