War is a Racket! by Smedley Bulter (Yes, that one!)

[Pat]

People who like history and former Jarheads of RSF- i present you with this...

http://www.ratical.org/ratville/CAH/warisaracket.pdf

One of the baddest dudes to ever wear the uniform says war is bullshit. Not new thoughts, just cool to read.

[Strange]

TWO!!! congressional medals of honour...

[bustr]

Every registered republican voter should be forced to memorize that book.

[dragontigerpalm]

Every registered republican voter should be forced to memorize that book.

FWIW the Vietnam War was the Democrat's war - began with democrat JFK, inherited and continued by democrat LBJ, and ended by republican RMN.

[Chanchu]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Smedley_Butler

J.C! A real warrior a general and a honest man- Semper Fi

Honors rendered! Salute!

[Darth Rock&Roll]

fwiw, the vietnam war wasn't a "democrats" war, it was America's war.

War is a racket, but not in every case.

despite that the most uncomfortable peace is better than the most just war, there is a preponderance of war in the history of America starting pretty much at the foundations and working forward in time.

war is a racket and the price to play is blood and treasure and the winnings are power.

[Darth Rock&Roll]

Having said that, I'm surprised there is no marking of the passing of one of Americas greatest warmongers ever, Robert McNamara, who ironically died peacefully in his bed at the age of 93.

This guy knew more than almost any american what the country was into war for and why.

[Dr.Rob]

Ever watch The Fog of War? Great docu about McNamara and all his involvemants...

[dragontigerpalm]

Darth R&R,
My statement was in response to the absurd and simplistic notion implied by bustr's post that republicans are pro war and through implication by omission that democrats are antiwar. Such gross generalizations are silly particularly in light of the historical record. Pro and anti views, feelings and support vacillated greatly across party lines and even amongst and within individuals throughout the 60's and early 70's with regard to the Vietnam War.

[Darth Rock&Roll]

dtp- understood, but your statement seemed to exacerbate that which you seem to want to dissuade?

dr.rob- yes I have seen that doc. It was interesting for sure and I would watch it again. I'm sure I'll get to soon too seing as the guy just died yesterday.

[ashe]

Every registered republican voter should be forced to memorize that book.

FWIW the Vietnam War was the Democrat's war - began with democrat JFK, inherited and continued by democrat LBJ, and ended by republican RMN.

actually the US involvement in vietnam extends back before JFK. he inherited it too. many speculate he was killed because he wanted to pull out of vietnam when the industrial/mil complex wanted an escalation.

[dragontigerpalm]

Every registered republican voter should be forced to memorize that book.

FWIW the Vietnam War was the Democrat's war - began with democrat JFK, inherited and continued by democrat LBJ, and ended by republican RMN.

actually the US involvement in vietnam extends back before JFK. he inherited it too. many speculate he was killed because he wanted to pull out of vietnam when the industrial/mil complex wanted an escalation.

Our involvement which was essentially non-military did predate Kennedy but when JFK took office there were fewer than 1000 (800-900) advisors in Vietnam. By the time JFK was assassinated in 1963 there were 16700 advisors comprised of special ops, green berets etc. Johnson bumped that up to 27000 a few months later. After the Gulf of Tonkin resolution in 1965 the first 3500 combat troops were sent in and by June 1965 there were 74000 troops in Vietnam.

[Darth Rock&Roll]

It's a matter of public record that the Gulf Of Tonkin incident was a false flag op in order to enter into war with Vietnam though.

so, the assassination theory kind of holds water in terms of jfk.

It was quick on the heels of Eisenhower's warning about the military industrial complex taking over the halls of power in the USA.

Which brings me to my own belief that America hasn't had a legitimate president since Eisenhower and most certainly not since JFK. Essentially, the US is run by the pentagon, big oil and big pharma. The pentagon umbrellas all the drug dealers and arms dealers while the others control the domestic desires. It's a good set up for America and not so good for anyone else.

[dragontigerpalm]

It's a matter of public record that the Gulf Of Tonkin incident was a false flag op in order to enter into war with Vietnam though.

so, the assassination theory kind of holds water in terms of jfk.

It was quick on the heels of Eisenhower's warning about the military industrial complex taking over the halls of power in the USA.

Which brings me to my own belief that America hasn't had a legitimate president since Eisenhower and most certainly not since JFK. Essentially, the US is run by the pentagon, big oil and big pharma. The pentagon umbrellas all the drug dealers and arms dealers while the others control the domestic desires. It's a good set up for America and not so good for anyone else.

I don't give much credence to that assassination theory but I'm not big on conspiracy theories in general. Even if JFK started to have misgivings about the US involvement in Vietnam such a drastic course of action was hardly necessary. A significant majority of Americans supported US miltary action in Vietnam. Despite a rising decibel level of antiwar protest in the US it wasn't until August 1968 around the time of the Democratic Convention in Chicago that a majority thought it was a mistake to send troops to Vietnam. Even when LBJ's approval rating sank to 35% the majority of respondents (61%) classified themselves as hawks. More people criticized LBJ for not taking a more aggressive stance than wanted a reduction or withdrawal of forces.