Posted on 05/20/2016 5:10:16 AM PDT by LoneCrusader
Yep. And I think Ike viewed the situation from the paradigm of our stunning success managing both the war and the aftermath in Europe and the Pacific. Too bad no one saw the asinine, insane, illogical, disconnected, over-engineered, rules-of-engagement implementing, body-count-will-win idiocy as embodied by Johnson and his beast McNamara.
Reminds me of the scene in Austin Powers after he wakes up.
“Austin, the Cold War is over.”
“Good, now those Capitalist Pigs will finally answer for their crimes, eh Comrade?”
I hope China eats them alive!
“Too bad no one saw the asinine, insane, illogical, disconnected, over-engineered, rules-of-engagement implementing, body-count-will-win idiocy as embodied by Johnson and his beast McNamara.”
You will definitely enjoy (now Lt General) HR McMaster’s ‘Dereliction of Duty’, although the book will raise your blood pressure.
The treachery began with JFK who first hired McNamara and let him design the strategy that doomed so many GIs. McNamara and LBJ were worse than even you may suspect.
Strategic defense ping
CC
Cam Ranh Bay is the probably the best natural harbor in the region. Having access to it is in our interest, and it doesn’t compel us to do anything for Vietnam that doesn’t further our interest.
We don’t have to be the military guarantor of Vietnam in order to take advantage of the offer of access to the base. They are quite capable putting together an army for their own defense. What they have no experience in is a blue water navy. Let them spend the manpower and money to improve the port facilities. That’s their price for having us hang around and defend the sea lanes that we want open.
Actually, China occupied Vietnam for more than a thousand years, from 111 B.C. to 938 A.D.
Vietnamese have very long memories when it comes to China. Their communist brethren to the north are also their biggest nightmare.
Politically it would be impossible to bring a U.S. presence back to Vietnam. We Vietnam vets also have long memories.
“I hope China eats them alive!”
Not if you can read a map. It would lead to a general war in southeast Asia and our current allies would be pulled in.
“That’s a problem. Ditch the communism, guys, and maybe we can consider it. “
We gave China our industry and they’re commies.
“China is trying to do what the Japs ultimately couldn’t. Create a new Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere.”
That’s about the size of it.
At no time have I ever considered that a good idea. Quite the contrary, in fact. The commie bastards in Peking should NOT have ever been given MFN trading status. Or missile technology. Or a whole bunch of other things. FU Bill KKKlinton.
You make a consistent, logical case for your point of view. I’m not entirely convinced by it, but it is worthy of consideration.
“Not if you can read a map. It would lead to a general war in southeast Asia and our current allies would be pulled in.”
Could give a rats ass about maybes.
HR McMaster’s ‘Dereliction of Duty’
Installed into the Kindle library, thanks!
$$$$
Such a presence facilitates operations by shortening logistical lines, but what operations? I can see why it is in Vietnam's interest to pursue the matter, because any US operations at all will suffice from their point of view. From our point of view, though, cui bono?
I'm not opposed, necessarily, I'd just like to think that we're not leaving the fleet out there as war bait - a "tripwire" to use the tired Korean analogy - and nothing more.
Just as soon as you pay us for the last debacle.
I’m thinking in the hundreds of billions ought to do it.
Nike and other shoes made in Nam:
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