Comments on: Robert McNamara, Ex-Pentagon Chief, Dies

Served As Secretary Of Defense For Presidents Kennedy, Johnson During Vietnam War; Dies At 93

[speakinup22]

oh pa-leeze jgjbcmi....

JFK believed we needed to stay.
LBJ ramped us up to 500,000 men and micro managed the war right down to the tagets to be bombed, or NOT bombed.

And, BTW, the Commander in Chief (ie the Prez) can say enough is enough, at any time, and bring home the troops.

So quite with the far left lies, ok !

[waiting4gado]

I visited Ho Chi Minh this past May, on the 34th aniversary of the fall of Saigon. While I was there I purchased a copy of McNamara's book, "In Retrospect". I was not subject to the draft until after the Johnson administration, but I protested against the war while still in high school. In all honestly I enjoyed reading McNamara's story. Was he responsible for huge mistakes? Clearly. Was he criminal in intent or responsibility? Doubtful. Many American soldiers died under his watch, and I am certain that he took that with him to his grave. Perhaps in historical analysis it will be detremined that we lost the Viet Nam War because the war was planed and managed by World War II veterans who were never able to propell themselves beyond that 1940's mind set. Maybe that is what is going on today. Viet Nam vets seeing Iraq as a continuation of their own war.

[stn_sage]

Well, your summary is pretty accurate! Though, each is a unique situation with factors that must be analyzed specific to it!

Regarding the passage you quote, I think the author was speaking in terms of the overall lengthy nature of that war, the heavy manpower and material commitment to it, and the resulting failure to achieve the desired result---compared to some of the other wars you note in your
summary!

[michigander62]

McNamara was in deed a war criminal. His arrogance and stupidity caused the death and destruction of hundreds of thousands of M/W. Not just the >50K on the Wall. JFK new the war was wrong and so did Eisenhower, but not the brain dead Johnson. They both should be labeled criminals and have history record them as such.

[stn_sage]

I agree with you when you suggest that every citizen needs to be MORE discerning when it comes to electing politicians to lead them!

But the obvious facts are that many Americans are poorly educated, easily deceived, and make the wrong choices when electing officials. As that changes, less scoundrels will get elected!

I disagree with you when you attempt to get the public to be responsible for the war! This war CAN be traced to a hand-full of politicians and appointees! THEY had the power and authority to act in matters regarding the war---NOT the public! THAT, WAS their job! And, they did it poorly at best! THEY should be held accountable for their actions!

We elect the politicians to do the work of government, if they can't or won't do it, all we can do is replacement them. But, the PUBLIC is NOT responsible for THEIR MISTAKES!

[dennisgreen5]

Viet-Nam was a long time ago. The Secretary of Defense was selected by President Kennedy to fill that post. His job was to win the war as best as he knew how. That war wasn't the fault of any one man. It was the fault of every citizen who was intelligent and mature enough to guide this country down a different path but didn't. Congress, the president and and the pentagon put us there as early as 1956. The voters should have been paying attention to halt the escalation of that war.

[stn_sage]

I agree with you when you suggest that every citizen needs to be MORE discerning when it comes to electing politicians to lead them!

But the obvious facts are that many Americans are poorly educated, easily deceived, and make the wrong choices when electing officials. As that changes, less scoundrels will get elected!

I disagree with you when you attempt to get the public to be responsible for the war! This war CAN be traced to a hand-full of politicians and appointees! THEY had the power and authority to act in matters regarding the war---NOT the public! THAT, WAS their job! And, they did it poorly at best! THEY should be held accountable for their actions!

We elect the politicians to do the work of government, if they can't or won't do it, all we can do is replacement them. But, the PUBLIC is NOT responsible for THEIR MISTAKES!

[stn_sage]

inesje88 & veteran71, I agree with both of you!
It isn't a case of either/or, but one of both/and !
And it's taken both parties to destroy our government!
If there's any redeeming factor at all, it's that more and more Americans are waking up and realizing it! And those people who are responsible for it---like McNamara in his time---may have a price
that they're made to pay for their evil and malevolent actions!

[stn_sage]

I think you're right---on BOTH counts!

[stn_sage]

There are MILLIONS of Americans who can relate to what you are saying!
I'm sorry about your brother Pat, that's why these clowns need to be
held accountable for their actions! So, men like your brother aren't
needlessly killed! That's why Bush & Co. ought to be prosecuted for
what they've done regarding the Iraq War! For the good men & women
who were senselessly killed during this war, too!

[stn_sage]

tapittwice, you raise a couple interesting points! However, I must respectfully disagree with your interpretation of those events.

Mr. McNamara was only part of a true 'team effort' during the Cuban Missile Crisis, I think you want to give him a little MORE credit than he deserves!

And second, you suggest that he listened to LBJ, and was merely taking orders from HIM! Whereas, it is generally believed---rightfully I think---that LBJ always felt academically inferior to these 'Harvard men' and wanted them to tell him he was taking the correct action!
In short, McNamara knew this, and played on LBJ's insecurity by telling him what he wanted to hear! He could have---and should have---told him
the truth, but HE CHOSE NOT TO! McNamara made REAL decisions that influenced LBJ and impacted the war on a day-to-day basis!

I think you want to recall him in a more positive light that he doesn't necessarily deserve. But, that's an act of kindness, and is understandable.