I saw the movie, "The Post," this weekend and found it very informative. As with most Hollywood productions I thought it would be slanted towards protecting the Democrats from criticism while blaming the Republicans. However to my surprise it was very critical of JFK, McNamara and LBJ , he of the famous," we will not send American boys 10,000 miles away to fight a war Asian boys should be fighting." It even pointed out the blatant conflict of interest that existed with Ben Bradlee and Kay Graham and their incestuous relationship with the three mentioned above and how it affected their objectivity.
I do think they neglected to mention that even though Nixon fought the publishing of the Pentagon Papers he was not mentioned in the papers anywhere as the study ended before he came into office. One would think he would have relished the revelation of the failures of the previous administration (JFK and LBJ).
Just to set the record straight on our troop commitment to South Vietnam and who was responsible:
1961- JFK/LBJ come into office- 3205
1964- October LBJ makes his famous 10,000 miles way speech-23,300
1968- last year of LBJ- 536,100
1971- the year of the Pentagon papers, Nixon's 3rd year, 156,800
Douglas Jones
Ooltewah
* * *
Well, as someone who lived through that time, I'm not sure how much relishing Richard Nixon would have had time to do as he was pretty busy trying to save his own skin; firing first one DOJ or FBI official and then another, as well as undermining the free press.
Sound familiar folks?
We just don't seem to learn anything from history do we? Or not pay attention, or take the little time it actually takes to learn something about what or who we vote for?
Mr. Jones had some good takeaways from "The Post" but he may have missed the most important point from that movie (in my opinion) and that is that Kay Graham had the courage to stand up and speak truth to power. Something that is sorely lacking in our elected representatives who continue to (incredibly) provide cover for an out of control narcissist who will say anything and fire anyone he can to save his own skin.
By the way, I am a lifelong Republican and I will get off my soap box with one last comment: another historical reference: Mark Twain said: Love your country, but don't trust the government."
Tom Colley
Ooltewah