The Vietnam War myth

[Bear]

"But that is insufficient grounds for fighting a decade long war that cost 60,000 US lives and 3 million Vietnamese. This is not a right / left issue."

That is an opinion, not a fact. And which side of the opinion you are on is one of the things that defines left/right.

IMHO, The Domino theory was proven in Greece in the '46-'48 period when the USA help the Greek nationalists fight off the Communist takeover of Greece. If we hadn't it could be argued that Italy and Spain were the next Domino's.
You need to read your Marx. Socialism advances by what ever means available to it, under what ever title works.
That is why one day they are progressives, the next Liberals, then after that, in no particular order; Socialists, Marxists, Maoists, Communists, What ever label works at that moment.
I call them all 4th worlders, since they obviously live on a different world then the rest of us and 3rd worlder was already taken.
By Labeling them 4th worlders I prevent them from escaping responsibility for their actions by changing their name. Sinking the goalposts in concrete is a good way to make them harder to move.

Anyway, the Domino Theory is better then any theory the 4th World has produced. Imperial America? Explain why the USA has returned conquered land to it's inhabitants more often then not. Explain why the USA hasn't taken Canada or Mexico, why the PR is allowed to live in limbo as a none sovereign state yet not the 51st state although that might change soon. Congress added a do or die amendment to the Health care bill that requires PR to either become a state or a sovereign nation. Not sure it's constitutional for Congress to do that, it being a treaty of sorts.
It is a valid argument that Vietnam kept Australia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia and several former English colonies from going communist.
Or do you think it a co-ink-see-dink that when the west resorted to force of arms to halt 4th world expansion, it was stopped?

The "Domino Theory" as it was used as a reason for the USA to goto war in Southeast Asia is what I am disputing. The history of Vietnam proves this up to today. Easy in hind sight. The reason to goto war there is the Myth or lie used to make it happen. And I believe the war on Iraq is another lie perpetrated by the "Combine".
Communism is used as a catch all phrase, the West, you see I say the West, defense of Greece was to counter Stalinism which is not Communism. Semantics for some, but if we're talking truth to history we should try to be clear with one another.
Maoism is another abomination of Communism. Stalin and Mao, in their quest for power by expansionism became dictatorships under the guise of "Communism". Y'know, absolute power corrupts absolutely.
Matter of fact my security clearance was held up until my/family "affiliation" with a White/Czarist Russian organization was cleared up. No collaboration with the German/Axis...no fn way.
This is the week of The Ninth of May...9 MAY 1945. A very solemn day for us all to remember and give thanks to the dead and survivors. Amen.