... To covet truth is a very distinguished passion.", George Santayana goes on to say. Here We Are Again, Here We Go Again. And On It Goes ......
Three weeks before the June 13 tanker explosions in the Gulf of Oman, Lawrence Korb, former director of National Security Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, raised the haunting specter that a clash much like the Tonkin Gulf Incident of August 1964 might transform the long-simmering conflict between the United States and Iran into a major war. Since last Thursday, several other commentators in the media have drawn a comparison between the two events.
Is the analogy apt?
In at least one sense, it is. The Gulf of Tonkin Incident was a brief, violent encounter between vessels of the U.S. and North Vietnamese navies. The Johnson administration described the incident to the world as a case of blatant and “unprovoked aggression” by North Vietnam in international waters. After a brief consultation with a handful of congressional leaders, President Lyndon Johnson on his own authority ordered an immediate retaliatory attack, destroying a North Vietnamese barracks and sinking several of Hanoi’s PT boats.
The incident had major strategic implications.
With lightning speed, Congress passed the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution nearly unanimously, granting LBJ broad power to “take all necessary steps” to defend a “vital” area. “I didn’t just screw Ho Chi Minh,” Johnson quipped to a reporter at the time. “I cut his pecker off.”(read)
A tip of the hat to Mooner Johnson for the timely photo!
Three weeks before the June 13 tanker explosions in the Gulf of Oman, Lawrence Korb, former director of National Security Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, raised the haunting specter that a clash much like the Tonkin Gulf Incident of August 1964 might transform the long-simmering conflict between the United States and Iran into a major war. Since last Thursday, several other commentators in the media have drawn a comparison between the two events.
Is the analogy apt?
In at least one sense, it is. The Gulf of Tonkin Incident was a brief, violent encounter between vessels of the U.S. and North Vietnamese navies. The Johnson administration described the incident to the world as a case of blatant and “unprovoked aggression” by North Vietnam in international waters. After a brief consultation with a handful of congressional leaders, President Lyndon Johnson on his own authority ordered an immediate retaliatory attack, destroying a North Vietnamese barracks and sinking several of Hanoi’s PT boats.
The incident had major strategic implications.
With lightning speed, Congress passed the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution nearly unanimously, granting LBJ broad power to “take all necessary steps” to defend a “vital” area. “I didn’t just screw Ho Chi Minh,” Johnson quipped to a reporter at the time. “I cut his pecker off.”(read)
Beej. Quite the time capsule, no? Does Trump, like Johnson, not realize that these guys have more peckers than a three-peckered billy goat? Or maybe they're like lizards and grow more.
ReplyDeleteAnyhoos, fuck Trump, Iran and Walmart, all three!!!
Hiya, Pal! and thanks again for the pic of that rear glass sticker
ReplyDeleteon that Impala.
Maybe ol' Ayatollah Ko-MEANIE and Hassan Rouhani are try'na jump on the band wagon. Trump is like all bullies. Deep down Cadet Bonespurs is a WEAKLING morally, mentally and physically. That's why he's so impressed with 'Strong Men', dictator types. Kim Jong, Putin, Xi, raise a clatter of sabre rattling and Old Orange Stain thinks "Jeez ... I wish I could be that guy! Maybe if I be nice to him, maybe he'll play with me!". And Boy, HOWDY do they play him!
Every time I hear that phrase Protecting American Interests, myriad OIL COMPANY ADS flash before my eyes. Don't get me wrong, though, I remember the Embassy takeover and the hostage situation and there is little Love lost between me and Iran - but - if a bully insists on hangin' around MY backyard constantly threatening me and mine, and fuckin' with MY "interests" that sumbitch WILL get his nose bloodied. In this case unfortunately the blood could be that of American service men and women. And on it goes round and round ...
shit. now I'm off on a rant.
Yeah ... fuck all three of 'em.
Thanks for comin' over, Your Doodness. I know you've better things to do.
I keep bitching about and laughing at the Clowns. I NEED to stop going back to that Circus.
Delete