PrintJFK considered a nuclear strike against China
The Democrats revere John F. Kennedy as a sainted figure, even though his actual policies often were those which would be demonized today. Tax cuts. Strong national defense. Willingness to exercise military force in the national interest. Now comes news that Kennedy pondered the feasibility of a nuclear strike against China if it attacked India in 1963, according to newly declassified audio recordings of White House deliberations. The International Herald Tribune reports:
Over the crackle of the decades—old tapes, President John F. Kennedy and his advisers can be heard debating whether and how to prevent India from becoming, in the parlance of the day, another domino to fall under communism.
"Before any substantial commitment to defend India against China is given, we should recognize that in order to carry out that commitment against any substantial Chinese attack, we would have to use nuclear weapons," Secretary of Defense Robert McNamara is heard telling the president on the tapes, which were released Thursday by the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library in Boston.
Unlike most of today's liberal Democrats, Presidents Truman and Kennedy were not afraid to stand up to America's enemies and consider using the full force and capabilities of the American military.
In the 1960s, America's mission was stopping Communists. Today our mission is stopping fanatical terrorists. As we fight the global war on terror, wouldn't it be nice to have a few more strong Democrats?
Brian Schwarz of China Challenges blog 8 28 05
