Where Left Is Right / The Old Site

Smirky provides a transcript (via Editor and Publisher) of LBJ's 1965 speech, reassuring (or attempting to reassure) American citizens that (a) we were in "Viet Nam" for good, sound reasons, not least of which was "a national pledge" which the Prez "fully intend[ed] to keep"; (b) we needed to remain there until the job was done; (c) many people within that faraway country were, for some weird but discreditable reason, actually resisting our help; and (d) etc. -- the points of similarity to the present situation being many and sundry.

I especially liked (if that's the right word) this bit:

...it is a war of unparalleled brutality. Simple farmers are the targets of assassination and kidnapping. Women and children are strangled in the night because their men are loyal to the government. And helpless villagers are ravaged by sneak attacks. Large-scale raids are conducted on towns, and terror strikes in the heart of cities.

The confused nature of this conflict cannot mask the fact that it is the new face of an old enemy. The contest in Viet Nam is part of a wider pattern of aggressive purposes.

Not, of course, that I imagine W might be induced to read up on some history -- especially of that war. (Heck, if it didn't concern him then, what'd be the point of worrying about it now?)

Update, 4:10 pm: Eric Alterman (via EditorMom) has provided us with a handy (and quite funny, in a sick way) "Vietnam 2 Pre-Flight Check":

1. Cabal of oldsters who won’t listen to outside advice? Check.
2. No understanding of ethnicities of the many locals? Check.
3. Imposing country boundaries drawn in Europe, not by the locals? Check.
4. Unshakeable faith in our superior technology? Check.
5. France secretly hoping we fall on our asses? Check.
6. Russia secretly hoping we fall on our asses? Check.
7. China secretly hoping we fall on our asses? Check.
8. SecDef pushing a conflict the JCS never wanted? Check.
9. Fear we’ll look bad if we back down now? Check.
10. Corrupt Texan in the WH? Check.

Etc., for 17 more. His conclusion:

Vietnam 2, you are cleared to taxi.

Update, 6:00 pm:Actually, as I found out from a more careful reading of Alterman's opening remarks, the Pre-Flight Checklist dates back to 2003, having been published then by the late, lamented Media Whores Online.