Criticism and reaction - A measure of character and intellectual capacity.

Intellectuals are the lifeblood of the nation – the pioneering force in knowledge creation, social critique, and promoting progress. However, not every voice claiming to offer criticism stems from a sense of responsibility to the country and its people. A clear line exists between constructive criticism and the misuse of criticism for subversive purposes, a line defined by the mindset, vision, and responsibility of the intellectual...

Part I: From Criticism to Betrayal

Despite being more fortunate than many others due to their education and formal training, there are still those who, driven by arrogance and self-interest, make statements and engage in actions that harm the national and ethnic interests, even betraying the ideals they cherish and the homeland where they were born and raised...

The fate of a slave

Few Vietnamese people are unfamiliar with the name "Prince Tran" Tran Ich Tac. Born into wealth and privilege, Tran Ich Tac was considered "intelligent, studious, knowledgeable in history, the six arts, and literature." At the height of his wealth and prestige, at the age of 15, Ich Tac was appointed King Chieu Quoc. However, when the Mongol invaders launched their second invasion, blinded by delusion and arrogance, and consumed by a lust for power, Tran Ich Tac surrendered his family in the hope of being enthroned as king.

The declaration of leaving the Party by "switching sides" intellectuals.

Contrary to his calculations, the invading army suffered a disastrous defeat, and Ich Tac was forced to live as a slave in the North and was called "Aunt Tran" by the Tran dynasty court, a sarcastic implication that he was as cowardly as a woman. It wasn't due to a lack of talent; "Aunt Tran"'s downfall and disgrace stemmed from his excessive arrogance, prioritizing personal gain over the fate of the nation.

The glaring example of "Ms. Tran" seems insufficient to awaken many educated and influential figures of the younger generation. Born into a prestigious family, a former Deputy Editor-in-Chief of the Nhan Dan newspaper, and a Colonel in the Vietnam People's Army, even though he died in solitude in a foreign land, Bui Tin is still remembered by the public with contempt as someone who, despite his education, was deceitful, blindly sold his conscience, and betrayed his country.

Having proactively colluded with anti-communist and reactionary organizations abroad beforehand, in September 1990, Bui Tin went to France to attend the annual conference of the newspaper "L'Humanité" (Humanity - the newspaper of the French Communist Party) and then stayed there illegally, seeking political asylum under the pretext of "fighting for freedom, democracy and human rights".

To make a living, Bui Tin constantly gave interviews and wrote articles containing distorted and slanderous content against the Vietnamese Party and government, even daring to insult the sacred image of President Ho Chi Minh. This angered people in the country, overseas Vietnamese, and the progressive and civilized community worldwide , who viewed him with contempt. Despite possessing knowledge, professional skills, and sharp thinking, Bui Tin lacked political integrity and revolutionary ethics, allowing personal gain to override responsibility. This was the main reason he lost himself and became a traitor and collaborator.

Along with fanatical anti-communist organizations like Viet Tan, the Brotherhood of Democracy, and the "People for Justice" group, there are many individuals who were once citizens of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, educated, knowledgeable, and who worked in state agencies in certain positions, but then fell into the mire of reactionary activities and sabotage, becoming entangled in legal troubles and seeking refuge in foreign lands. Names such as Cu Huy Ha Vu, Le Trung Khoa, Nguyen Van Hai (Hai the Cigaretteman), Vo An Don, Nguyen Van Dai, Bui Thanh Hieu (The Wind Trader), Dang Xuong Hung, and Nguyen Dinh Thang can be mentioned. These names will forever be a stain on the nation's history.

Cognitive slips

Having sworn absolute loyalty to the revolutionary ideals and goals of the Party, entrusted with important responsibilities in Party and State agencies, and having made recognized contributions, many intellectuals, upon retirement, have "changed sides," making statements and actions under the guise of "social criticism" and "democratic struggle," but in reality, these are words and actions that aid and abet malicious elements in exploiting and distorting the truth to incite division within the nation and erode public trust in the regime.

More than a decade ago, public opinion was outraged by a group of 72 "intellectuals" who signed and submitted a petition to the National Assembly proposing constitutional amendments. Shortly afterward, 61 "loyal party members" appeared, writing an open letter to the Politburo online, expressing their "concerns about the current situation and the nation's destiny." Many names on the list included academic titles such as professor, associate professor, and doctor. However, it's unclear what their level of knowledge or political perspective was, as the issues they raised in their petitions and social critiques were so extreme and naive: demanding the removal of Article 4 of the Constitution, denying the comprehensive leadership role of the Party; demanding pluralism and a multi-party system; abandoning Marxism-Leninism; and rewriting the history of the nation's resistance struggle...

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A prime example among this group of "intellectuals" is the writer Nguyen Ngoc. Born in 1932, Nguyen Ngoc (birth name Nguyen Van Bau, pen name Nguyen Trung Thanh) was a renowned writer, journalist, editor, translator, and researcher in culture and education, respected by many for his valuable works. However, in his old age, no longer holding important positions in state agencies, his statements, initially offering constructive criticism, gradually shifted towards denying the Party's leadership role and promoting rhetoric contrary to national and ethnic interests.

In 2015, Nguyen Ngoc announced on social media that he was leaving the Vietnam Writers Association. In 2018, also on social media, Nguyen Ngoc announced that he was leaving the Communist Party of Vietnam. From a party member and revolutionary intellectual, Nguyen Ngoc officially joined the ranks of those who oppose the government and aid the enemy...

Also among the 72 "intellectuals" who signed the petition to amend the Constitution with illogical and absurd provisions, Mr. Chu Hao (born in 1940), a professor, former Deputy Minister of Science and Technology, Director and Editor-in-Chief of Tri Thuc Publishing House, has shown ideological and political decline, moral decay, and lifestyle degradation, "self-evolution," and "self-transformation," violating the Regulations on what Party members are not allowed to do.

Chu Hao had written articles and made statements that contradicted the Party's Political Platform, Charter, Resolutions, Directives, and Regulations, as well as the State's policies and laws. Due to these particularly serious violations, which negatively impacted public opinion, Chu Hao was officially expelled from the Party. Prior to this, knowing he could not avoid the highest form of disciplinary action, Chu Hao had announced his resignation from the Communist Party of Vietnam on social media...

Along with Chu Hao and Nguyen Ngoc, there are many others who, under the guise of being "intellectuals," have received formal education and training, enjoyed privileges from the regime, and held important positions in Party and State agencies. Yet, they have shown dissatisfaction, "turned sides," colluded with those who oppose the country, and continuously published articles and made statements that contradict the Party's policies and guidelines, and the State's laws and regulations...

"The common denominator" of reactionaries

Each case has its own circumstances and its own path, but if we look deeply into the nature of things, it's not difficult to recognize the "common denominators" in the process of a segment of intellectuals shifting from social criticism to opposition and resistance. This is not a change that happened overnight, but rather the consequence of a decline in awareness, political acumen, and civic responsibility. First and foremost is a mentality of complacency and an illusion of self-worth.

With their knowledge, experience, and past successes, some people gradually develop the belief that they are always right, that their opinions must be accepted, and that any differing viewpoints are wrong or conservative. When their ego grows excessively, knowledge ceases to be a tool for discovering truth and becomes a means of defending subjective prejudices. From debating to find optimal solutions, they gradually shift to debating to assert themselves. Along with this comes a sense of entitlement and dissatisfaction at no longer holding the desired role or position.

Le Trung Khoa's rhetoric is distorted and falsely presented as "social criticism."

Some individuals have made contributions to the country, their profession, or their field of work. These contributions deserve (and have been) recognized and appreciated. However, when they are no longer at the center of social life, no longer hold a decisive role, or their personal expectations are not met, some develop feelings of disappointment, believing they are being undervalued, treated unfairly, or discarded. From personal dissatisfaction, they gradually develop dissatisfaction with the organization, the system, and ultimately with the regime.

Even more dangerous is the process of radicalizing perception. Instead of viewing things and phenomena in their comprehensive, historical, and specific context, they gradually approach social issues with a one-sided mindset, absolutizing shortcomings, denying achievements, and attributing isolated incidents to the essence of society. From offering suggestions to correct specific limitations, they go on to deny fundamental values, deny the leadership role of the Party, and deny the path of development that the nation has chosen.

During this process, many people fall into misconceptions about democracy and social criticism. They equate democracy with unlimited freedom, considering all dissenting opinions as truths to be protected, and even viewing opposition, denial, and criticism as expressions of independent thinking. They forget that in any country, democracy is always linked to the law, rights always go hand in hand with responsibilities, and genuine criticism must aim for construction, not destruction.

The rapid development of social media has accelerated this process of distortion. In the digital environment, information with a similar narrative easily forms "echo chambers," where people only hear what they want to hear and believe what they want to believe. Each extremist post receives hundreds of accolades, and each widely shared distorted statement fuels the illusion among some that they represent the majority or possess the truth.

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More worryingly, opposition organizations and individuals both domestically and internationally are constantly seeking to exploit this sentiment. Through flattery, praise, and flowery titles such as "independent critic," "democracy activist," and "voice of conscience," they gradually cultivate illusions about the social role of some individuals, transforming personal grievances into political opposition. Many initially only wanted to express their personal opinions, but after continuous encouragement and incitement, they have gradually slid down the path of denial and sabotage.

All these factors combine to lead to a process of "self-evolution" and "self-transformation," a decline in trust, a distortion of political awareness, a detachment from national and ethnic interests, and ultimately, a loss of social responsibility among intellectuals. When the mind is no longer clear enough to guide knowledge, when personal interests overshadow community interests, knowledge ceases to be a constructive force and can become a tool serving misguided purposes.

This is also the dividing line between genuine criticism and the misuse of criticism for subversive purposes, between intellectuals who serve the nation and those who act against the interests of the people and the nation.

Part II: Advanced Power Supply Circuits

Cao Khoi

Source: https://baophutho.vn/phan-bien-va-phan-dong-thuoc-do-tam-tam-tri-thuc-255789.htm