Former Defense Secretary McNamara is dead

[Romulus111VADT]

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31760364/ns/politics-more_politics?GT1=43001

I don't think there will be many tears shed from Vietnam Veterans about this passing.

[ozzy72]

So a bottle of champagne or two tonight Romulus?

[Romulus111VADT]

Allot of men and women died because of that idiot and his statistical analysis and trying to run the war from DC.

If he'd left the decision making to his generals, field commanders and soldiers that fought the war, the outcome would have been considerably different.

[ozzy72]

To quote one Spitfire pilot autobiography "Politicians caused the war, and they'll be sure to make a mess of the peace"

[Ang2dogs]

And hopefully Hanoi Jane will follow him soon!

[Alonso]

Was just making a paper about his policies in the Cold War for my History class.

RIP? Hope so...

[Travis]

Well, even though he is considered the father of the stupidest war in modern history, still he deserves a little respect.

I have no concept of understanding that era, since I wasn't alive to witness it.  But I asked my grandmother about McNamara this afternoon, and this is what she had to say:

"Your grandfather was at the Pentagon while McNamara was there, and he always said the man was a smart person."

That's a bit paraphrased, but gets the point across.

Now, I'm no proponent of the Vietnam war, but I do know that my grandfather was not an idiot.

I don't hold McNamara in any esteem, but I do know that hindsight is 20/20.

[Romulus111VADT]

[quote]Well, even though he is considered the father of the stupidest war in modern history, still he deserves a little respect.

I have no concept of understanding that era, since I wasn't alive to witness it.

[beaky]

Not to say his actions during that war deserve defending, but FWIW he later realized the folly of most of it. It's as if the old McNamara, who proved instrumental in the outcome of the Cuban Missile Crisis, re-emerged and said "what have I done?"
In this documentary he actually seemed haunted by it... including his decision to not speak up more when his superiors pushed him in the direction of these useless doctrines (it wasn't entirely his fault). I have to give him respect for sharing what he did for this film; maybe he hoped others would learn from it.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid ... 4462752804