Episode 677: My Lai Massacre Part II - Ain’t No Daylight in Vietnam
Summary
Hosts Marcus Parks, Henry Zebrowski, and guest Ed Larson discuss the escalation of US involvement in Vietnam under JFK and LBJ. They cover the Cold War context, the Bay of Pigs, and the use of Agent Orange and napalm. The episode details the Buddhist crisis, the self-immolation of Thich Quang Duc, and the US-backed coup against Ngo Dinh Diem.
Topics discussed
Intro and SNHU Sponsorship
Welcome and Cold War Context
JFK's Cabinet and Fear of Communism
Escalation, Bay of Pigs, and Cuba
Sponsors: Squarespace and Mint Mobile
Laos Conflict and Advisor Deployment
Agent Orange and Chemical Warfare
Diem's Collapse and the 1963 Coup
JFK's Assassination and LBJ's Domestic Goals
LBJ's Reluctance and McNamara's Influence
The Gulf of Tonkin Incident
Draft Resumption and Troop Surge
Sponsors: Acorns, BetterHelp, and Chime
LBJ's Behavior and Jungle Warfare Tactics
Veteran Treatment and Media Access
Dehumanization and Training Failures
Body Count Metrics and Search-and-Destroy
Atrocities and Civil War Dynamics
Tiger Force and Suppression of Dissent
Outro and Angie.com Sponsorship
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