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Originally Posted by John_W
I also was in the 8th grade, I had just come into the locker room from phys-ed and coach came in and announced it to everyone. I also saw Ruby shoot Oswald live on TV. I remember jumping on my bike and riding over to the park to find my dad to tell him, he was hitting golf balls.
I believe there wouldn't have been a Viet Nam if JFK had lived, I think he had told the Joint Chiefs that morning to figure out an exit plan. Imagine 53,000 Americans had not died, all the disabled both physically and mentally would have been spared, and today I still see the effects everytime I go to the VA Clinic at Mullberry.
The effects of illegal drugs on this country, I'm not saying marijuana is a gateway drug, but the introduction to so many Americans by way of Southeast Asia relaxed a lot of attitudes, especially those of a conservative background who probably would of never tried pot if it wasn't for the war. Today it seems 90% of all crime committed is tied into drugs in one way or another.
I enlisted in the Army in 1970 and after basic and school had orders for Nam, but that morning when I was to leave they were cancelled. Three weeks later I was told I was going to Korea for 13 months. I ended up on the DMZ at a small airfield that patrolled the 38th Parallel. Ironically I became fascinated by the JFK Assasination and every week when the bookmobile came by our camp I would check out a new book, I must of read about 10 books while there.
My favorite book was written by Mark Lane, former DA in New Orleans who worked with Jim Garrison. It was the book by Garrison that Oliver Stone used for his movie JFK. However, I much preferred Mark Lane's book, not so much for his conclusions but for the unusual occurences and coincidences that he brought to light which would lead anyone to disagree with the Warren Commission. If interested, pick up the book "Rush to Judgement". Mark Lane died just last year at the age of 89. Here's Mark Lane with JFK.
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John : Thanks for sharing such a thoughtful and interesting Post .
I share with you the belief that JFK would NEVER have allowed us to get so deep into Vietnam .
He had already been burned by the botched " Bay of Pigs " attempt to invade Cuba and take down Castro . He also had the experience as the guy who had to stare down the USSR over " The Cuban Missile Crisis " .
I believe that Kennedy had too much direct experience with the Communists to have allowed the US to move beyond the role of " Military Advisors " and probably some form of " equipment support " .
How LBJ , who witnessed up close and personal all that Kennedy went thru , allowed himself to get us so invested in that far away very small country is something I will never understand .
I am going to order a copy of the book you mentioned in your Post .
Thanks again .