MODIFY HATE

by David Nuttle

As part of my efforts to assist the South Vietnamese Government (GVN) counter efforts to convert that nation to communism, I had a research project. This effort was to see if any one dedicated communist could have their hate modified. Those tested were captured Viet Cong and soldiers from PAVN (North Vietnam military units). The hate modification techniques I used where as follows:

a) Being empathetic but amplifying my alternative views.

b) Speaking calmly while correcting their hateful opinions.

c) Using counter-speech (debate) to validate why their expressed opinions were wrong.

d) Amplify alternative views to communist doctrines.

e) Teach the need for tolerance for people with opposing ideologies so they may live together in a state of mutual peace and prosperity.

f) Show the strength, tolerance, and benefits of what you believe.

g) Employ humorous responses to counter anger.

h) Correct hateful misinformation and expose communist propaganda for what it is.

i) Never show anger and offer friendship.

The most difficult part of the above formula was to get communists to debate and seek to defend their beliefs. The problem they find is that there is no real justification for their beliefs.

After 3-months of following the above hate modification formula, for communist participants, we held a graduation ceremony that including giving graduates a gun and asking them to join one of our village defense units. All but one graduate accepted this offer. The communist who did not pointed his gun at me and said, "I'm sorry, I am pledged to kill all Americans." As a precaution, we removed firing-pins from graduation guns, so it only went "click" and the bullet was not fired. Lucky for me!!!

The above hate modification research had promising results. Such research needs to be continued to perfect a means for reducing all the hate that now exists.