TriX
Loc: Raleigh, NC
pendennis wrote:
I got a chance to read some of Walter McDougall's writings on Viet Nam. He posited that Kennedy/Johnson split their advisors essentially into Tories and Whigs. The Tories believed we should smash the enemy, allow for not so good government until victory was won, and the Whigs believed we should win "the hearts and minds" of the Vietnamese people, and convince them that good government would be able to beat the insurgency and North Viet Nam. The Tories had the right idea, because there wasn't enough time to stall the insurgency. However, there was constant push/pull from LBJ's advisors, and also the incessant meddling of LBJ himself. It was also the first war the U.S. entered where the goal wasn't to defeat the enemy first.
The Tonkin Gulf Resolution was Congress' way of not having to declare war. What cowards!!
I got a chance to read some of Walter McDougall's ... (
show quote)
Agreed. About 50+ years ago, after returning, I read the book by the Captain of the Maddox, the US Naval vessel that was supposedly fired on in the Tonkin Gulf, leading to the resolution, and essentially he said it was BS - they were never actually attacked.
TriX
Loc: Raleigh, NC
Glenn Harve wrote:
I understand why one brings this up such time fogged "reminiss missing". But it doesnt fix the f'in fix we are in. Negate the fact that many of chronkites "commarades" took us here.
We are not far away from cameras being seized, along with all of our Constitutional God given rights. We must all call out the fundamental issue here. Its easy to see, for those with the intelligence and honesty to do so. The first things "they" do are erase history, create cultural hatred and division, seize guns, and indoctrinate the youth. Pick any one and FIGHT! Realize which party and fight. Speak up loudly, while you still can. Those who try to silence you are the enemy. Its simple.
I understand why one brings this up such time fogg... (
show quote)
What does any of this mean? Cronkite’s “comrades”? Cameras being seized? Guns being seized? What exactly is “the fundamental issue”? Another conspiracy/“deep state”? It’s not “simple” to me. What exactly are you talking about, other than the division in the country, which is obvious and you seem to be espousing?
therwol wrote:
I believe so. Politicians are mostly concerned with getting elected and staying in power, and if they waiver from the opinions of the people they consider to be their base, they may be toast. Opinions in our population seem extreme and polarized now, and politicians put those ahead of any reasoning or compromise.
Man, you got that right. Unfortunately, the bases of both parties contain some of the least well-informed, least-educated, low-information voters in the population at large. So we get BS policy decisions no matter who is in charge. The billionaires who donate to campaigns rely on the bases to support their picks. Without them, they wouldn't get to make their puppets dance.
Rich2236
Loc: E. Hampstead, New Hampshire
FOR SURE I remember Walter Cronkite....One of the best.
TriX wrote:
What does any of this mean? Cronkite’s “comrades”? Cameras being seized? Guns being seized? What exactly is “the fundamental issue”? Another conspiracy/“deep state”? It’s not “simple” to me. What exactly are you talking about, other than the division in the country, which is obvious and you seem to be espousing?
There's a complete, alternate reality presented on some of the media outlets now. It's sad that those who need to manipulate the innocently ignorant to retain power don't have more integrity than to allow their supporters to create such fantasy worlds.
"Alternative facts" are pure garbage, and dangerously misleading. But trying to convince the followers of these goons that that's the case is futile. It's like trying to convince someone to believe Covid 19 is real. Many have died of it, realizing far too late — as they are intubated — that they should have taken precautions.
If only we could get them to watch this from Carl Sagan and think — REALLY think:
https://youtu.be/wupToqz1e2g
America was a different country back then: the home of the free. People of different political beliefs could be friends and could express freely their opinion. The country was civilized, people would not dream of trying to destroy another individual due to divergence of opinions. People used to love their country not their political party. For the first time, I truly believe that America needs the blessing of God.
TriX
Loc: Raleigh, NC
faustincpa wrote:
America was a different country back then: the home of the free. People of different political beliefs could be friends and could express freely their opinion. The country was civilized, people would not dream of trying to destroy another individual due to divergence of opinions. People used to love their country not their political party. For the first time, I truly believe that America needs the blessing of God.
I (sadly) have to agree. If the pandemic hasn’t unified the country, I can’t imagine what will. We are facing several existential threats, and instead of unifying us, we are even more divided over the seriousness and actions required. I blame the politicians for this mess. The vast majority of Americans are good, honest, hard working and compassionate individuals, but they have been manipulated by those who exploit their failures, fears and anger for their own selfish aggrandizing goals, and we are the worse for it. I am reminded of the required reading for my HS Latin classes, “The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire”.
I concur with you: Arrogance and ignorance are always the basis for the decline and collapse of an empire. It is sad
that ancient history is not thought in high school.
I loved listening to him. A Brilliant and fascinating man.
I thoroughly agree with you. I believe that Civics and History are the most important important subject that can be taught in schools, especially in secondary education. Today, in many states, social science is taught as an elective if at all. I still remember when I was a Junior in high school how shocked the class was when we were taught about Teapot Dome. This was our first exposure to scandal in high office. Of course. What would you expect when we were taught that the history of the United State was black and white, good vs eval, and our founding fathers were paragons of faith and virtue. And what really sticks in my craw is the movement in America to prepetuate the mythology that was forced down the throats of American kids prior to the mid 1960's.
TriX wrote:
What does any of this mean? Cronkite’s “comrades”? Cameras being seized? Guns being seized? What exactly is “the fundamental issue”? Another conspiracy/“deep state”? It’s not “simple” to me. What exactly are you talking about, other than the division in the country, which is obvious and you seem to be espousing?
Seriously? You have a LOT to catch up on. Like decades. I cannot do that for you.
TriX
Loc: Raleigh, NC
Glenn Harve wrote:
Seriously? You have a LOT to catch up on. Like decades. I cannot do that for you.
With all due respect, write something intelligible and then there will be something to discuss. I don’t know who “they” are, nor do I share your paranoia, conspiracy theories, hatred and fear of “them” or your apparent anger.
TriX wrote:
With all due respect, write something intelligible and then there will be something to discuss. I don’t know who “they” are, nor do I share your paranoia, conspiracy theories, hatred and fear of “them” or your apparent anger.
A typical false "all due respect" to boot. Start your education by some light reading of facts and history. Try "American Marxism" by Mark Levin. Open your mind to the reality and all the insanity makes sense.
TriX
Loc: Raleigh, NC
Glenn Harve wrote:
A typical false "all due respect" to boot. Start your education by some light reading of facts and history. Try "American Marxism" by Mark Levin. Open your mind to the reality and all the insanity makes sense.
Nope, checked a couple of your posts in the attic, and now I know everything I need to know - not interested in your brand of politics/philosophy or authors that espouse it.
If you want to reply, then
register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.