Thank you for being the personification of integrity. I am a young, successful entrepreneur who was thrusted into the business world made up of mostly older, less idealistic people. I see that I cannot sustain a life in business nor politics, as I believe strongly in standing up for a principal. You are an inspiration to me, and my group of friends who are always digging for more knowledge. I send you a lot of positive energy, and I hope you have a wonderful day.

I don’t often feel compelled to write to a producer/writer about a film or book I find fascinating/inspiring. However, your documentary rises above the ordinary or even the extraordinary for it’s impact on the course of U.S. policy in Vietnam after the release of the Pentagon Papers. As with many others before me, I thank you for your courage and the strength of your conviction. I would like to say that most Americans are appreciative of individuals like yourself, but, I’m not entirely certain. I see America today as more concerned with its financial well-being and maintaining its economic superpower status than it is about foreign policy. Many polls and studies have shown that a majority of Americans understand very little of the issues surrounding our involvement in Afghanistan and Iraq. How do we as a nation overcome this political apathy? How do we get people to see beyond the demagoguery of tv political talk show hosts? How do we get people to think critically and ask more probing questions? I applaud your generation for the passion and zeal you and others of your era had for pricking the national conscience, but, I’m afraid that these attributes are a figment of the past not to be seen again.

Everything I could possibly say to compliment you on the content of your character and your courage has already been said by the people who posted a comment before me.

You TRULY are a unique and outstanding individual and it is sad to see that the governments of today don’t have more men like you within their ranks.

Last Sunday I saw the conversation you had with Ann Beeson and John Dean at the Open Society Institute online on FORA TV, and I also found a link to the BBC broadcast of “The Most Dangerous Man In America”. I have a website that I use to ‘broadcast’ educational and informative documentary films. I posted the interview on FORA TV and the link to “The Most Dangerous Man In America” in the “Lessons From History” section this Monday.

I really feel that your words and actions can (and in my opinion should) be an inspiration for generations to come.

With kindest regards,

Ms. Randy Thym
Amsterdam, The Netherlands

My name is Tuan Le, In 1971 when the paper was published, I wasn’t born yet, until July 1973 in Hanoi Vietnam, if it wasn’t for you I might not have been born today, my kids would not be here today also.
As a kid growing up in Hanoi in the 70s, I was told that the big holes in front of people’s houses and on the streets were to avoid being kill by bombs, I also heard many stories from my parents, uncles and people about how badly the city was bombed, I didn’t really quite understand how bad it was and who was responsible until much later when I came to Canada at the age of 10, and now I know who helped ended the massacre.

Mr. Ellsberg, thank you, you are my hero, you are a hero to millions of people, not just Vietnamese, American, but to the whole world, one day I will tell my kids about you and get them to watch your docucmentary, Thank you.

By the way, the newest documentary about Mr. Ellsberg and the Papers is phenomenal and gave me a lot of insight into my topic, compared to articles I read before. I highly recommend it!

So I would be glad, if you will add your biography data at your homepage or if you like via personal email to me. What was your father and mother like? How was their relationship, before your mother died? What was your family atmosphere like? Did you experiencend some form of violence or neglect? And if so was it often or rarely, hard or less hard? Was one of your parents the most emotional one? Have you been some times in other familys where you got help in growing up? And so on and so on.
For me this personal background of your childhood is very important. If you don t think so, it would be real pity.

Greetings from germany and I wish you and your family all the best!

Sven