General Discussion

Martin Eden

(15,972 posts)

23. In the wake of 9-11, Democrats didn't want to look "weak" on national security

Sat Jun 6, 2026, 03:58 PM

Jun 6

The IWR vote came just before the 2002 midterms. First and foremost, support for the war was a political calculation.

But you are correct, as was Smedley Butler -- war is a racket, and a bipartisan one at that.

The war in Vietnam grew from the Democratic administrations of JFK and LBJ. The Tonkin Gulf Resolution should live in infamy along with GW's IWR.

The USA was full of promise for a better future when JFK asked Americans to ask what they can do for their country. The Peace Corps was a good start, then our young men were sent to kill and die in the jungles of Vietnam for the nebulous "Domino Theory" of communist takeover.

On the home front we had a lot of liberating counterculture and great music, but I long for the better future in which our war in Vietnam never happened.

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H2O Man love_katz byronius

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An Unanswered Question Today [View all] H2O Man Jun 6 OP

had the last part of that quote on a button. mopinko Jun 6 #1

We are the Elders now. H2O Man Jun 6 #3

oooooo boy. mopinko Jun 6 #5

I hear you! H2O Man Jun 6 #9

i'm planning to get surgery. mopinko Jun 6 #12

The surgeries available now H2O Man Jun 6 #15

i had a double fusion 18 yrs ago. mopinko Jun 6 #25

A very serious question my friend malaise Jun 6 #2

It is. H2O Man Jun 6 #4

No I haven't seen any of them malaise Jun 6 #7

MAGA: Go ahead and hate your neighbor, go ahead and cheat a friend Ponietz Jun 6 #6

The whole song is worth hearing... 2naSalit Jun 6 #10

I love that song PatSeg Jun 6 #13

It was an indy film... 2naSalit Jun 6 #14

It was made on a budget of only $800,000 PatSeg Jun 6 #20

I loved those movies! H2O Man Jun 6 #19

Did you watch any of the sequels? PatSeg Jun 6 #24

There were five. H2O Man Jun 6 #27

Thanks PatSeg Jun 6 #29

I didn't know of the one before Billy Jack MustLoveBeagles Jun 6 #37

Thank you! Ponietz Jun 6 #17

Tee-hee 🤭 RB77 Jun 6 #31

Great! H2O Man Jun 6 #18

OMG canetoad Sunday #42

The song comes... 2naSalit Sunday #43

Beautiful! H2O Man Jun 6 #16

John Kerry broke my heart in October 2002 Martin Eden Jun 6 #8

THIS malaise Jun 6 #11

Exactly. H2O Man Jun 6 #22

In the wake of 9-11, Democrats didn't want to look "weak" on national security Martin Eden Jun 6 #23

Vietnam H2O Man Jun 6 #28

Very well said. H2O Man Jun 6 #21

Mine too EncantoCatColony Jun 6 #26

Right. H2O Man Sunday #41

Recommended, so many great antiwar songs back in the day ... cliffside Jun 6 #30

Very good. H2O Man Jun 6 #32

War never leaves those who fought IMO, but we've left too many behind to fend for themselves ... cliffside Jun 6 #38

Something tells me Saoirse9 Jun 6 #33

I sure hope it ends H2O Man Jun 6 #34

I listened to that song when I was in Vietnam... kentuck Jun 6 #35

Right. H2O Man Jun 6 #36

McNamara was out front pushing the war... kentuck Sunday #39

My niece's husband H2O Man Sunday #40