I remember when the NY Times published the entire Pentagon Papers in a special section. They claimed that they revealed that Nixon was an evil rat.
Curious, I read through the whole thing—which was a considerable labor. The only really interesting thing I found was the revelation was that JFK ordered the CIA to assassinate Diem. Needless to say, it was buried in that enormous pile of stuff, and the Times never called any attention to it.
But it was obvious to me at the time that it was JFK who wrecked the Vietnam War, not Nixon or even LBJ. After Diem was killed, South Vietnam basically ceased to fight against the invaders, and we were stuck with having to do it ourselves. Thousands of our troops died, because JFK (author of the Bay of Pigs fiasco) was an idiotic jerk, who wanted to prove that he loved the Buddhists more than the Catholics in Vietnam. Heavens forbid that JFK should act like a Catholic! It would cost him votes!
“who wanted to prove that he loved the Buddhists more than the Catholics in Vietnam. Heavens forbid that JFK should act like a Catholic! It would cost him votes!”
Vietnam was above 70% Buddhist. It is generally thought to be between 70 and 90 depending on who you listen to. Diem had several anti Buddhist policies. Is your argument that the Catholic faith should have dominated the huge Buddhist majority?
I don’t agree with this mentality that Diem was some sort of alternative. The mentality that a friendly dictator is a good guarantee against the communist block has caused much worldwide misery since 1945.
And there is no proof that JFK order the CIA to assassinate Diem. He supported a coup against him and that’s it. Lay out your proof JFK order Diem to be assassinated. I call BS.