"JohnH" wrote in message
...
On Wed, 19 Nov 2008 16:03:41 -0500, "Eisboch" wrote:


"Boater" wrote in message
...


Johnson was gone by January 1969. Nixon expanded the war and also bombed
the crap out of Cambodia and Laos. Then, with peace in sight, Nixon
intiated operation linebacker 2, a bombing campaign against north
vietnam,
the biggest bombing campaign engaged in by the US since world war ii.

We got our ass kicked in vietnam. Your delusions about the war won't
change that.




Holy Crap Harry!

I normally give you credit for some intelligence, but this one really
makes
me wonder if Alzheimer's is setting in.

I won't even bother giving you details of the correct historical account.
You can research them for yourself if you want to, which I doubt.

But, here's the highlights:

Kennedy and especially LBJ micro managed a "limited" war. In spite of
this,
the military held it's own, even though not designed, equipped or trained
for this type of warfare.

Nixon came to office vowing to end the war. Fruitless attempts to
negotiate
were just that .... fruitless.
Call in the big guns and the big airplanes..... and start bombing the crap
out of 'em.

Next thing you know, we are at the table, seriously negotiating. Bombings
stop.

The North pulls an about face and a fast one .... Bombings start again.

Mad rush back to the table, and a cease fire is negotiated.

There's a book, written by someone who was "there" (and on the North's
side)
who gives a very interesting and detailed account of what was happening at
this critical point. Damned if I can remember the name of it, but when it
comes to me, I'll forward it. Bottom line was that unknown to us, the
North
was virtually on the brink of collapse when the bombings were restarted.
They were just about ready to surrender. We blew it at the negotiating
table, not recognizing this because the focus was on a cease fire due to
all
the political pressure back in the States to end the war.

It was a war poorly managed politically. It was a war that the military
did, as usual, what they were asked to do, despite the constraints and
handicaps imposed by the politicians.

I wish you had more experience with the military and it's capabilities.
It's an amazing organization that can take people from all walks of life,
smart and not so smart, black, white, rich, poor and somehow convert
myriad
backgrounds into a cohesive, organized and motivated organization. It's
not perfect by any means, but the concept of being a equal member of a
team,
rather than a standout produces an amazingly competent and efficient (for
it's size) organization. And the new, "volunteer" military is 10 times
better than the old one I am familiar with.

Eisboch



Ten times better, my ass.

Maybe eight and a half. No more.
--
John H.

He was referring to the officer ranks.