In 1964 the President of the United States was given authorization by Congress to declare war on North Vietnam, without the Congress actually declaring war (as it authorized to do). This led to the escalation of a long conflict until more than 500,000 American troops were in Vietnam at one time; over 200,000 American causalities, including more than 50,000 deaths.
The justification for the war and the virtual bestowing unlimited war powers on the President came about because of a purported attack on two US Destroyers in the Gulf of Tonkin by North Vietnam gunboats. Years after LBJ's death it became known that the story was a FABRICATION on the part of the President and the Secretary of Defense, in order to justify all-out war. Sound Familiar?
It should be mentioned that there was an incident the day before the "attack on Americans". It involved two destroyers that were test firing big guns. There were NV gunboats in the area and they were firing some bravado guns as well. But neither ever fired at each other. The best lies have a kernel of believeability.
It should also be mentioned that none of the members of Congress, very bright and involved insiders to the running of the Country, had a clue that they were being fed bullhits.
The justification for the war and the virtual bestowing unlimited war powers on the President came about because of a purported attack on two US Destroyers in the Gulf of Tonkin by North Vietnam gunboats. Years after LBJ's death it became known that the story was a FABRICATION on the part of the President and the Secretary of Defense, in order to justify all-out war. Sound Familiar?
It should be mentioned that there was an incident the day before the "attack on Americans". It involved two destroyers that were test firing big guns. There were NV gunboats in the area and they were firing some bravado guns as well. But neither ever fired at each other. The best lies have a kernel of believeability.
It should also be mentioned that none of the members of Congress, very bright and involved insiders to the running of the Country, had a clue that they were being fed bullhits.
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