Path to War Page #3

ago are flimsy at best, Mr. President.

You are absolutely right.

China has atomic weapons now.

They tested their first bomb

four months ago,

it was no dud. We have no idea

what will set them off.

I, I don't understand.

Why is this?

North Vietnam has secret treaties

with the Chicoms, Mr. President.

We don't know what the flashpoints are

in their intervention.

We could take China out

in seventeen minutes.

They'd be crazy to take us on.

I agree, Bus, but why assume

they're as rational as we are?

Mr. President, four hundred Americans

have died in Vietnam,

and now eight more

in these atrocities,

there has to be a response

to this aggression.

Mr. President,

the Air Force

will be launching strikes

from the Danang airfield,

and that base will become

a more attractive target

to the Vietcong.

General Westmoreland is requesting

a Hawk missile battalion.

Is he asking for troops?

No. No troops.

Saigon will be responsible

for a base defense

but if the Vietcong activity

intensifies despite these measures,

they may need some help.

But it will intensify, Bob!

This is precisely my point,

Mr. President.

Yes?

Defense Secretary, Saigon,

Ambassador Taylor.

Put him through.

Max, we're all here with President

Go ahead.

Mr. President, gentlemen,

Saigon has agreed to the commencement

of air strikes.

They say their army's ready for any

counterattack from the North.

All right, Max. Thank you.

George... your concerns are mine,

as well as you know

but we're no where nea

the point you suggest,

and many here agree

there's a good chance

that Ho Chi Minh will quit

if we start makin him pay.

Now is there anyone here

who does not agree with this?

I'm concerned about the press.

They're gonna view this

as a change in policy.

There is no change in policy.

But we haven't struck back

since the Tonkin Gulf

affair six months ago.

That's right,

that's when I asked Congress

for the power,

they gave me the power,

now I'm usin it.

But we're takin it slow.

I'm not goin to Hanoi.

And I'm signin off on every target.

You're not gonna bomb

the smallest outhouse

without checking with me.

You understand, General?

We understand, Mr. President.

All right, Bob, you better get goin.

Now, anything else?

From Robert'S. McNamara

to Admiral U.S. Grant Sharp, Commander

Pacific Forces, Honolulu.

This is an execution order.

During daylight hours,

7 February 1965, Saigon time,

conduct the following

coordinated attacks:

Number 33 X Dong Hoi barracks...

Good evening, Mr. President.

Planes back?

Uh, the carriers weren't on station

when the order went out, sir.

The operation has been delayed.

Delayed?

About ninety minutes, sir.

We should have word shortly.

At ease.

What happened?

It's monsoon season there, sir.

Well are they goin

or aren't they goin !?

You find out what the hell's goin on

and you call me.

Get the White House operator

to put you through.

You want me to wake you, sir?

You won't wake me!

Why you up?

Worried for you.

Those planes

should a been back hours ago.

What's that?

Letter from a friend complainin

about junkyards.

She says here...

they're all up

and down the highway now

through Dallas to San Antonio

and Houston to Austin...

Right on the highway

or away where people can't see?

No, right along the road defilin

the countryside.

Through Waxahachie and Hillboro,

and lovely San Marcos

where you went to school.

Oh. Love... don't.... Love.

Yes, Mr. President?

What are you do in about junkyards

on the highways?

What?

Junkyards!

Well, I'm sendin somethin over to

your office right now.

You jump in your car in your jammies

you might even beat it.

Yes?

I spoke with Honolulu,

they're cabling now.

Planes are back, the primary was hit.

All the planes, they all get back?

Uh, no, sir.

I'm afraid we did lose one plane.

What about the pilot?

He went down at sea,

Search and Rescue

is looking for him now

but I'm afraid it's not looking

very good.

I'm sorry, sir.

All right, thank you, Bob.

Good night, Mr. President.

Yes, Mr. President?

Lyndon.

Oh, I'm sorry.

Put this on Moyer's desk.

Yes, sir.

Honey?

We lost a pilot.

Sweetheart.

Sweetheart. Oh, I'm so sorry.

This isn't about junkyards, is it?

Sh*t, what time is it?

I told Sandra I'd be home before one.

She didn't call.

That's not a good sign.

What about you, you coming or going?

He wants company.

We started bombing

North Vietnam tonight.

Christ. Are they talking about

combat troops?

No. Not yet.

No.

Christ,

I don't know what to tell the press.

We are backing into a war here,

for Christ's sake

and it's a war he campaigned against.

But now,

he talks like he's puttin a paddle

to Ho Chi Minh's behind.

Nah, Johnson's a deal maker.

He's the best politician

this country's ever seen,

he'll find a way out of this.

Sure, we'll just get

old Uncle Ho down to the ranch,

serve him up some tasty barbecue

and then offer him a damn.

Or a Federal Judgeship.

Hello, Mr. President.

Good evening, Mr. President.

Congratulations on getting

that education bill out of committee.

Well, it hasn't passed yet, has it?

I want all ya up there

on the hill day and night

to get me those yeas.

What is this?

Tapioca puddin ?

Yes, sir.

Would you like it?

Ah, now, votin rights,

that's the meat in the coconut, boys.

Where do we stand?

Um, at last tally

we are short fifty congressmen.

But the Senate is--

Start with the house

give me the names.

You want me to read the roll,

Mr. President,

All four hundred and thirty-five?

From Abbitt of Virginia to Zablocki

of Wisconsin. Go.

Um, Abbit, Virginia, nay.

Abernethy, Mississippi, nay.

Where do you think you're goin ?

Home.

The hell you are.

You're gonna relieve him

when he gives out.

Adair, Indiana, nay.

Adams, Washington yah.

Adabbo, New York, yah.

Albert, Okalahoma, yah.

Boys, it doesn't look like we're gonna

be able to get votin rights through.

Not this session.

Well, I must say I don't understand,

Mr. President.

Only a month ago in your State

of the Union message,

you made it perfect...

Reverend King,

I've been to the well

and the well has provided.

I got the votes on Medicare,

aid to education,

all these benefit the poor

and the disenfranchised

and you know who that is.

Please don't misunderstand,

we're very grateful, Mr. President.

Attorney General Katzenbach

here's written

a beautiful piece of legislation.

You think I wanna carry

that around in my ass pocket?

You see it's this,

this problem I got in Southeast Asia,

The Vietnamese to them Southerners

up on the Hill,

what are they but another bunch

of colored people.

And I go up there crawlin

for more aid as I must for Vietnam,

Mr. President,

old Wilbur Mills will say,

you're gonna have to raise taxes.

Declare war, call up the reserves.

And by the way, that's gonna

cost you your War on Poverty,

your votin rights for Negros.

Just like World War II

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