McNamara is an interesting case because there's a chapter in his memoirs (from what I was told by a friend with knowledge on the subject, haven't read it myself) that gives credence to the controversial "JFK ultimately wanted out of Vietnam" theory. Granted he's an unreliable witness who shifted his political positions many times but there's also nothing about this bit of information that somehow exculpates him in hindsight or makes him look good in any way (if anything the other way around), which is why it's interesting.

"Which US official in this or that administration said what when" is an area where I'm completely out of my depth. But an interesting thing I learned from reading up on the death gasps of the French colonial empire is that

1) JFK was a well-informed and articulate critic of US bankrolling of the French military in Indochina and Algeria even before his election as president, he believed that the European colonial project lost all legitimacy

2) JFK had warm personal relations with a few Third World leaders like Sukarno and Nkrumah. He took those people seriously and had respect for the national liberation movements in those countries because he assumed they would join the capitalist order if you offer them the right conditions. In other words, he had his reservations about the Domino Theory and didn't view the postcolonial countries as Soviet pawns in the making (which is the only way someone like Dulles regarded them). So in that sense it's about much more than Vietnam, where obviously no one doubted the communist presence.

https://jfkjmn.com/wp-content/upload...BA27SDEATH.jpg

I know. I'm a catholic ethnically-Irish guy (half at least) from Massachusetts. I've read at least 8 books on Kennedy.

I don't think it was the Communism thing is what I'm saying. Dulles was instrumental along with Kermit Roosevelt in toppling the Iranian Democracy. I think they just thought they could do whatever they wanted.

Iran was the "we can do this in any country we want!"
Cuba was the "no you ****ing can't"

I think they saw Cuba has the woman they couldn't have and took out anyone they thought would get in the way.

That's no indication. IIRC Biden told Obama not to do the SEAL strike on Bin Laden. Presidents do what they want.

Jon Stewart is our best American.

I actually get a feeling of patriotic pride when I read about what he's doing and how hard he fights for people.

He's my hero.

We actually had a contest to decide who the greatest Canadian was. I don't remember voting in this poll. I agree with #1. I'd put Banting and Bell #2 and 3 though.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Greatest_Canadian

Has this been done in the states before? I'm curious.

Terry Fox was pretty rad.

Yes he was. ESPN did one of those 30 for 30 shows on him. Steve Nash, the basketball player, narrated the story. To run a marathon every day with 1.5 legs, that's incredible.

I'm beginning to think that too. He's sure done a lot more than just the Daily Show.

The work he's done for vets and first responders is inspiring.

I heard he had become an advocate for more funding to support vets and first responders. We need to do more to support our vets and first responders in Canada. Nurses, especially, are leaving the profession in droves. Towns are putting full page newspaper ads to get doctors to come to them.

What's really good about Stewart is that he is the one person that seems to be able to hold the Senate accountable. I bet he isn't on Mitch McConnell's Christmas list. :laughing: