Here's a little history about Vietnam more people should know about. After WWII many U.S. senators wanted to hang the emperor, Tojo and other war criminals. MacArthur however felt that there would be mass suicides if this happened. So he consulted Lord Mountbatten, the English viceroy of India, and told him that the UK bore much responsibility for the war. This little island controlled over 20% of the world's markets. The latter agreed.
So he, Mountbatten, went to Inchine to talk to Gen Le Clerc, DeGaulle's right hand man and told him what MacArthur had said. The French general agreed that it was the right thing to do, but he had strict orders from Paris to maintain the status quo ante bellum. The French wanted to maintain their business interests in particular their supply of rubber.
The Vietnamese people, inspired by Ho Chi Min, were zealous about finally achieving national freedom. They were one of the oldest nations on the planet, had their own language and culture, and fought bravely against the Japanese in WWII. In 1954, they soundly defeated the French at Diem bien phu and were ready to regain their country.
Here's why Ike gave his important warning at his farewell address in 1959. He warned to beware the industrial – military complex as he was pressured to send military technical “advisers” to Nam to start the snowball rolling. We all know what happened when JFK and LBJ took over.
I've written about the uncanny precocity of George Orwell and 1984. The purpose of constant war in Oceania was to destroy the products of industry so people could continue working and the economy thrive. It made absolutely no difference what happened to the products of industry or how many had to die to make it happen.
I've included a link to my book if you'd like to read more about Orwell.
[amazon.com]
To the written of this touching comment: I hope you don't mind my exposing this undisclosed bit of recent history. I hope you agree with old Biblical line: "The truth shall make you free."