Tuesday, March 22, 2011

The Party of War


There is a popular myth that the Republican party was the belligerent during most American armed conflicts.  If one looks at who was running the U.S. when we have sent our soldiers into battle, this clearly proves wrong, viz:

First World War -- Woodrow Wilson (D)
Second World War -- Franklin D. Roosevelt (D)
Korean War -- Harry S. Truman (D)
Vietnam War -- John F. Kennedy (D)
Vietnam War Escalation -- Lyndon B. Johnson (D)
Bosnian War -- William J. Clinton (D)
Kosovo (Monica's) War -- William J. Clinton (D)
Kuwait War -- George H.W. Bush (R)
Afghanistan War -- George W. Bush (R)
Iraq War -- George W. Bush (R)
Afghanistan War Escalation -- Barack H. Obama (D)
Libyan Incursion -- Barack H. Obama (D)

Even the Spanish American War, although started under William McKinley (R), was really instigated by the Democrat congress at the time (see Spanish-American War.)  So, we see, popular myths are often just that.

Afterthought:  I (conveniently) forgot about Ronald Reagan's (R) incursions into Granada and Panama.

4 comments:

DEN said...

It is no myth that Neocons since 2000 have been hawkish, imperialist and nationalist. BTW,
Which of Obama's military actions are you opposed to?

George W. Potts said...

His militancy toward American industry (coal, oil, health insurance, etc.) and the Governor of Wisconsin, Scott Walker.

DEN said...

So, you actually agree with and support Obama's escalation in Afghanistan and recent Lybian incursion?

George W. Potts said...

It's "Libya." If we leave Afghanistan and the Taliban start stoning non-burka-ed women to death, I guarantee that we will go back in ... at twice the current cost. I kind of wish we wouldn't, but let's be realistic. And as far as Libya is concerned, I would quickly kill Qadaffi and that Lockerbee terrorist and get out. (Much of Libyan oil goes to China anyway, so what is our interest there?) See my e-mail comment to you.