tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5668712602334003954.post138632026756560594..comments2024-01-12T15:32:22.236-08:00Comments on The Episconixonian: PerlsteinlandFr. Johnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09974142521713230215noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5668712602334003954.post-26050036670204226982011-04-27T11:24:27.659-07:002011-04-27T11:24:27.659-07:00Thanks, Rick. More later. I'm in Episcopalianl...Thanks, Rick. More later. I'm in Episcopalianland today.Fr. Johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09974142521713230215noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5668712602334003954.post-15168205314988474402011-04-27T10:58:16.013-07:002011-04-27T10:58:16.013-07:00Meaty discussion here, John:
http://www.dailykos....Meaty discussion here, John:<br /><br />http://www.dailykos.com/story/2011/04/26/970386/-Rick-Perlstein-and-the-Nixon-MythRick Perlsteinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03210571165266146662noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5668712602334003954.post-78174526496077945862011-04-26T12:35:56.510-07:002011-04-26T12:35:56.510-07:00Perhaps not publicly announced yet. It's in co...Perhaps not publicly announced yet. It's in conjunction with the publication of this volume:<br /><br />http://www.wiley.com/WileyCDA/WileyTitle/productCd-1444330179.htmlRick Perlsteinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03210571165266146662noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5668712602334003954.post-37313379393559370612011-04-26T11:53:47.631-07:002011-04-26T11:53:47.631-07:00Thanks, Juan and Rick.
I've seen taped Nixon...Thanks, Juan and Rick. <br /><br />I've seen taped Nixon comments in which he holds open the possibility of SV's survival. Also, I don't think even he and Kissinger knew how well Vietnamization had worked. I believe Rick has been too hard on the SV army which fought bravely for two years without us. It's true we'll never know. But I don't think we can lump RN and HAK together on this one.<br /><br />I don't know about a NARA conference, Rick. <br /><br />Thanks again, gents.Fr. Johnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09974142521713230215noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5668712602334003954.post-2998947073984019922011-04-26T09:59:58.710-07:002011-04-26T09:59:58.710-07:00I wonder if Nixon and Kissinger believed that Sout...I wonder if Nixon and Kissinger believed that South VietNam could not survive at all or could not survive without a credible US promise to back up the peace accords with force if need be.<br /><br />At any rate, I thought "Nixonland" was a first class read.J.C. Marreronoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5668712602334003954.post-51059250864446083092011-04-26T09:45:40.337-07:002011-04-26T09:45:40.337-07:00John, these would be great matters to discuss toge...John, these would be great matters to discuss together at the NARA conference on July 22. Will you be there? <br /><br />J.C., I respect your point of view, but factually, Nixon and Kissinger's avowals to one another, in their most intimate strategic conversations, that South Vietnam could never survive on its own no matter what, predate Watergate.<br /><br />Also, Rev, thanks for not mentioning that I identified the concurring Supreme Court justice as "Lewis Black."<br /><br />All best,<br />RPRick Perlsteinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03210571165266146662noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5668712602334003954.post-7990245367066281912011-04-26T07:00:40.091-07:002011-04-26T07:00:40.091-07:00As you so wisely imply, the tragedy of Watergate i...As you so wisely imply, the tragedy of Watergate is that we will never know if, without it, South Vietnam could have survived or whether Cambodia would have avoided Pol Pot's reign of horrors. <br /><br />The yet unanswered question is whether Congress morally failed in not helping Nixon save himself, not for Nixon's sake, but to avoid a paralysis in government and its far-reaching consequences. Nixon could have been punished without destroying his then fragile achievements.<br /><br />Perhaps I am too cynical in suspecting that the 1975 Southeast Asia debacle served those who had opposed the war just fine. I am very suspicious of liberals who do not take responsibility for the consequences of their posturings. Good intentions are fine, but not if they lead to cruel results. <br /><br />Back to the new Watergate exhibit, does it bring up such questions? As I noted in a previous comment, the unopened can of worms here is what were the many motives at play when Congress opted for the presidential "death" penalty? <br /><br />An analogy (albeit extreme) is the abdication of Nicholas II which led to a separate Russian peace with Germany, a prolongation of war on the western front and ultimately the consolidation of Bolshevik government. Luckily, Watergate's worst effects were not felt at home.<br /><br />There were no heroes in Watergate--not the president, the Congress, the press, nor the public. <br /><br />Reading and refelcting upon your blog, I have come to the sad and belated conclusion that the Nixon presidency turned out mostly to be a disaster. But it was not all his fault.J.C. Marreronoreply@blogger.com