Famous "successful" Conspiracies - Gulf of Tonkin

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.

Update on Ibragim Todashev incident.

The following is from a May 30 Atlantic Monthly account of reported events and statements regarding the case of the young man being shot and killed during FBI questioning.  Title of article: 

Why Did the FBI Kill an Unarmed Man and Clam Up?
"... It is difficult to understand how, having shot the man dead, the multiple law enforcement personnel on scene could've gotten the details wrong. Discrepancies can creep into an account of a stressful situation. But how can there possibly be confusion about whether the suspect was a) wielding a knife, per the original story; b) unarmed, per subsequent versions; c) or lunging with or toward a samurai sword? We're supposed to believe that multiple law enforcement personnel went to a man's apartment, confirmed via his own confession that he participated in a triple murder with an alleged terrorist, and still left him within reach of a samurai sword? And that, after he lunged toward one agent with the sword, or else lunged toward the sword, or an officer's gun, or something, there was so much confusion that it was reported for days that the suspect attacked with a knife? Come on. Law enforcement couldn't get its story straight.  "   
There are also reports that he was shot either 6 or 7 times and maybe once to the back of  the head.

springs of appalachia

jpr: Good place to wait for a bear to show!

????

"An Orlando, Fla., associate of one of the Boston bombers, Ibragim Todashev, was not armed when he was involved in an alleged violent confrontation with an FBI agent that resulted in Todashev being shot to death in his apartment, law enforcement sources told ABC News."

Graham Fuller —

Sometimes spies have to wear disguises.

a "former" top CIA strategist promoted the idea of co-opting Islamic extremists (providing training and money, including aid to O bin Laden) to wage mujhadeen against the Soviets in Afghanistan; persuaded the Reagan Administration to provide weapons to Iran during Iran's war with Iraq—not only knew Uncle Ruslan Tarsi, but shared his home with him for a couple years when Ruslan was married to Graham's daughter.  Ruslan is of course, the uncle of the Tsarenev brothers blamed for the Boston bombings.  

montana state flower

                               Bitterroot

wishing well

Ancient Celts worshiped Coventina, and threw coins to the goddess in a pool in Northumberland, England. Over 16,000 coins have been found in this well, ranging from the 1st-5th Century. Coventina is a Celtic river goddess known for healing. She is also associated with renewal, abundance, new beginnings, life cycles, inspiration, childbirth, wishes and prophecy.

coventina's well