the fog of war

i recently saw a really great documentary called The Fog of War. Basically its a documentary on Robert McNamara, the Secretary of Defense during the Vietnam War. I plan on watching it again when i can get my hands on it at home, because he talks fast sometimes, and i think you need time to register. But, good film. Basically it details what was going on behind the the doors of the White House during the Cold War. It was incredibly interesting for a number of reasons:
First, Ive only heard of McNamara as the man responsible for basically mass manslaughter in indochina. And as it definitely hightlights the complications of war, and how we really cannot as humans grasp this concept entirely, it did a great of job of showing exactly how little the johnson administration knew about what was actually going on on the battlefield, and how they were so underdeveloped in crafting strategy. As i was watching, i couldnt help but wonder if this exact situation occured or is occuring in the White House today with the war in Afganistan and Iraq. I know i hate Colin Powell and he definitely deserved to leave as sect of state, but it makes you just somewhat consider the choices those people have to make, and indeed they have an entirely different goal than keeping their word to the american people or saving a few lives in the process. They have the entire weight of war on their shoulders. It was amazing to see how McNamara really didnt have a clue what to do, he understood he was screwed either way, and he really tried to make the right choices. Truthfully he did act as a war criminal, publicly lie to the american people numerous times, but at least you see his perspective and the hard choices he had to face at such a turning point in american history. Also, it was rediculous to see the relationship between McNamara and Johnson after Kenedy was shot, and the difference it really makes depending on who is president. Really scarry thought but not suprising considering our president is (was!) Bush, and we have an even bigger mess to deal with now. Either way, it makes you wonder what really goes on behind the doors of the White House durring a war.

Check it out!