Jim Reeves

What a great show! They held the banner for red-blooded American men in the 1980's. It was violent, but seldom did anybody get seriously hurt or killed. This show was a modern story of standing up for people that could not stand for themselves. The A-Team was a feel-good, get justice, type of show that people seemed to gravitate to in the 1980's. It was also one of the first shows that brought the subject of the Vietnam War into contemporary life and the popular culture of the time. Before The A-Team, the subject of the Vietnam War was often avoided, or swept under the carpet to be forgotten by the entertainment industry. It showed Vietnam Veterans in a positive light, instead of labeling them all as a problem in modern society. It also showed that many Veterans were unfairly accused and convicted of being criminals (figuratively and in reality), by public opinion or made scapegoats by the US military and the entertainment industry. It was the media that labeled our Veterans as a substandard group of society, so it was refreshing to see the media acknowledging that the Vietnam Vets had a lot to give to our daily lives. On The A-Team, it showed what a group of highly trained military veterans could be very effective problem solvers in our society, without all of that "Crazy Vietnam Veteran with PTSD" stigmatism that many of the Vietnam Vets were unfairly labeled with. Mostly, this show was fun! It made you feel good and it reminded you that there are still people out there that want to do right for others instead of just doing for themselves. It also made many people want to step up and be part of the solution, instead of being a part of the problem. It brought the "patriot out" of many of us and made us realize that, as citizens of United States of America, we still had a lot to be proud of: of our country, and of our Veterans. I wish the producers of The A-Team could have brought new story arcs, and story lines, in to keep the show somewhat more interesting, and less predictable show after show. Sure, this show could be silly, corny and cliche, but in a time when it seems like more people hate America, than stand up for her; it would be wonderful if we could remember that we are Americans first, and we will stand together when it comes down to it. We need to realize that we were recently divided by people in power, that do not care for this country. All they care about is obtaining and keeping power. They have done, and will do, whatever it takes - no matter who it hurts - to take and keep power; even if it destroys our country. We need to see each other again, as Americans, not the enemy. If it takes a corny show like The A-Team to feel that way again, then I wish every network would come out with as many similar shows as possible, and air them around the clock.