Now, is that a "Liberal" myth or is it basically correct?
That is my understanding. (Again-the word 'French' rears its ugly head!)
I always believed our involvement in Vietnam-to prevent the communists from complete take-over-was justified. And I always believed it was Kennedy's and Johnson's war--but somehow-the hippie, anti-war kerry's of this world managed to screw Nixon and label the war as his. Our press has so crushed the truth for so long, in order to re-write our history and push their liberal agenda.
They used the word 'quagmire' to describe the Iraqi war (once again, ala kerry, to destroy the moral of our nation and worse, our courageous troops over there) and referred to the Vietnam War, hoping America will always see that as a republican led war, as well.
The network press corp is my enemy.
Supposedly at the end of WWII, there was a quasi-deal for Indochinese independence, but we reneged on that as a concession to the French. When the French ran into big trouble in the 50s, i.e. Dien Bien Phu, they even asked Eisenhower for nuclear assistance. After they left we assumed the reponsibilty in fighting the Communists.