Obama and the General Who Was Framed by Nixon

[quiet.american]

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/theoval/post/2010/08/obama-and-the-general-who-was-framed-by-nixon/1">USA Today: Obama and the General Who Was Framed by Nixon



EXCERPT:
....Air Force Major Gen. John D. Lavelle, relieved of duty in 1972 after being accused of ordering illegal bombings in North Vietnam -- (was) falsely accused by a sitting president who knew better.

Lavelle, who died in 1979, had his rank restored and was posthumously promoted yesterday by President Obama amid new evidence that authorization for the so-called secret bombings came from none other than then-Commander-in-Chief, President Richard Nixon.

EXCERPT:
Not only did Nixon give the secret orders, but transcripts of his recorded Oval Office conversations show that he stood by, albeit uncomfortably, as Lavelle suffered a scapegoat's fate.

"I just don't want him to be made a goat, goddamnit," Nixon told his national security adviser, Henry Kissinger, on June 14, 1972, a few days after it was disclosed that Lavelle had been demoted for the allegedly unauthorized attacks. "You, you destroy a man's career ... Can we do anything now to stop this damn thing?"

But Nixon was unwilling to stand up publicly for the general. With many lawmakers and voters already uneasy about the war, he wasn't about to admit that he had secretly given permission to escalate bombing in North Vietnam. At a June 29 news conference, he was asked about Lavelle's case and the airstrikes.

"It wasn't authorized," Nixon told the reporters. "It was proper for him to be relieved and retired."

EXCERPT from AP Story:
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5i-lRQL60c1_xrPFLBRBMOZdQFNJAD9HCU5MG0

"The Air Force board recommended, in light of the new information, that Lavelle be reinstated to the rank of general. Defense Secretary Robert Gates endorsed the recommendation and President Barack Obama has asked the Senate to confirm Lavelle to the rank of general.

The Lavelle family issued a statement Wednesday praising the decision to exonerate the general.

"The president's nomination is a major milestone in the effort to publicly restore General Lavelle's outstanding record of military service, his honor and his good name," it said.

Lavelle's widow, Mary Jo Lavelle, 91, thanked all involved.

"Jack was a good man, a good husband, a good father and a good officer," she said. "I wish he was alive to hear this news."

[Cha]

1. Yeah, nixon was an asshole..

thanks for this q.american.

And, General Lavelle's widow is still around to accept it!

nixon wasn't tricky sneaky dick for nothing.

[quiet.american]

2. "....nixon wasn't tricky sneaky dick for nothing."

Hello! Thank God the general's widow lived long enough to see his name cleared.

Why do I have a feeling that had McCain won, he would have tried to bury the facts that came to light, just because it would have reflected badly on a Republican president? I wonder if he would have done the right thing.

[Cha]

3. "mccain do the right thing"?! Him of the

palin anchor around his neck bc it was the expedient thing!

I say he wouldn't and I'm super glad we have this President..it was our destiny and I'm enjoying it immeasurably as I know you are too, q.american!

:hi:

[quiet.american]

4. You got that right, Cha! Enjoying every minute! nt

[Number23]

5. That's a hell of a find, qa. With all of the "Nixon was more liberal than Obama" foolishness

that polluted this site about a month ago, this article is particularly timely.

[quiet.american]

6. Hello!, Number 23, hadn't thought of that! Cheers. nt

[treestar]

7. Nixon was a blight on humanity.

I am glad POTUS did something to put it right.

[nevergiveup]

8. I have stuck to my guns

in keeping Nixon one notch worse than W. It has been difficult these last few years to remain dead-fast in my view especially with the disaster that was GWB, but Nixon was a sick and evil bastard. It is sad that General Lavelle did not live to see this day.

[Hekate]

9. Where in Hell do some DUers get the idea that Nixon was anything other than scum?

Scum with a high-IQ, but scum nonetheless. The guy was evil.

Hekate