Not long ago, I was watching on TV a high powered proceeding on the analysis of the Vietnam War, chaired by McNamara (defense Secretary) and his counterpart - defense minister of Vietnam during the war. The meeting few decades after the war, and after a review of all the historical archives show that: all Vietnam wanted was to be an independent country. McNamara said to his counterpart, "If all you wanted was independence, why did you not say so then?" His counterpart replied,"Does not the Pentagon or the State Department in the United States have history books? We have been fighting for independence from the Chinese for 1,000 years." Very telling how otherwise intelligent people (with a pre-determined mindset) can be so ignorant. So many innocent people on both sides had to die; for the lack of basic understanding from the leadership. >From the web-link Fog of War: "Mr. McNamara, You must never have read a history book. If you'd had, you'd know we weren't pawns of the Chinese or the Russians. McNamara, didn't you know that? Don't you understand that we have been fighting the Chinese for 1000 years? We were fighting for our independence. And we would fight to the last man. And we were determined to do so. And no amount of bombing, no amount of U.S. pressure would ever have stopped us." - Thach, former Foreign Minister of Vietnam, 1995, as recalled by McNamara.
------------ Mervyn Lobo Bob McNamara described himself as a war criminal. Here is the link: http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/The_Fog_of_War I sure am glad he was in charge of the Bay of Pigs invasion. I am sure El Supreme Commandante is glad too. If we live long enough, we will get to hear George Bush (43) uttering similar words.).
