1954 - Senator John F. Kennedy speaking against American involvement in Indochina

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I read the book JFK and the Unspeakable by Douglas and he has a great story that in 68, RFK was asked how he and JFK were so right about Vietnam (it was obvious in 68 the war was a mistake). RFK slammed his fist on his desk and screamed 'BECAUSE WE WERE THERE!'. Referring to his and JFK's trip in the 50s where they saw the French getting routed by the Vietnamese. JFK knew we would be just replacing the French if we stayed there (same outcome). He was ready to get out in 65 after the election.

rodni7777 1 year ago 6

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This is a clip for posterity...the record...they cant lie about it. He really didnt want to be there but the military industrial complex criminals had other ideas.They didnt just Kill JFK that day but thousands more americans in a foolish war that didnt have to be and the end result was rich men got richer just as it is today.

Gunnarsguns 1 year ago 9

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According to Kenny O'Donnell's book, JFK was ready to get out of Vietnam after the Diem coup in November 1963. But he told O'Donnell that he'd have to wait until after the 1964 U.S. election; if he pulled U.S. troops out before that, the Republicans would accuse him of being "soft on Communism" - in 1964 that would have been devastating for his re-election if it stuck.

observer9670 1 month ago

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actually, yeah. the main turning point in that whole cold war thing was the Cuban Missile Crisis. After that, Kennedy established detente with Khrushchev. This led to a more optimistic and less fearful vision with JFK's American University speech.

Nominay 2 months ago

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Eisenhower also said that he couldn't imagine land troops in vietnam.
nixon, on the other hand, wanted to nuke Ho Chih Minh in the 50s.
(see Burn Before Reading by Stansfield Turner)

DoBrigh 6 months ago

 

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If this clip isn`t èvident` enough try looking at NSAM 263 or the last press conference he held where he said he was pulling out of Vietnam and that troops were coming home for Xmas 63. Or count the myriad of number of times he used the word peace in speeches or public address.Or look at his non-interventionist attitudes towards Cuba, Argentina and Indonesia in keeping with the constitution.

wunderdoggy 7 months ago