On POWs
This should probably go under a new thread if you want to discuss it. I don't like the idea of abandoned POWs any more than you do, but when you don't get a clear victory in a war, or even give up, what other options are there?
We didn't have diplomatic or trade relations with communist Vietnam. What could have been done outside of further military action? No carrots, and our stick broken over our own knee. What's left?
If you lose or give up in a war, you don't get to call the shots after that.