General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsAnyone watching Ken Burns' "Vietnam" documentary?
I've watched the first two episodes and here is my major though: If there was a mistake or bad decision to be made, we made it each and every time over decades through three presidents so far. And, it's not like we didn't know that we were making bad decisions. We clearly knew. It was like we made them because making the right decision meant that we would look "weak" to the world.
question everything
(52,393 posts)BigmanPigman
(55,525 posts)If you study world history you will find that we never learn from our mistakes and are always willing to repeat them. Human civilization isn't as smart as we think we are.
malchickiwick
(1,474 posts)-- Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel
The first two episodes show so clearly how politicians, Presidents, military personnel, ambassadors, et al,
tend to obfuscate the reality of what is really going on. The most disheartening revelation for me, aside
from the horrifying waste of lives, has been the obsession of those in power to get reelected, and the
awful decisions made as a brutal consequence of that obsession.
TeamPooka
(25,577 posts)Don't give away the surprise twist ending.
hlthe2b
(114,680 posts)Mistakes can be well documented from Truman, Eisenhower, JFK, LBJ, Nixon.
Bleacher Creature
(11,504 posts)Does anyone know whether it's available on demand on the PBS app?
mitch96
(15,876 posts)But I like Ken Burns work. The first two episodes are very good.
m
Kick in to the DU tip jar?
This week we're running a special pop-up mini fund drive. From Monday through Friday we're going ad-free for all registered members, and we're asking you to kick in to the DU tip jar to support the site and keep us financially healthy.
As a bonus, making a contribution will allow you to leave kudos for another DU member, and at the end of the week we'll recognize the DUers who you think make this community great.