The Lies That Lead to War

Most American wars have been started based on a lie.

James K. Polk lied that “American blood had been shed on American soil,” and the United States Congress declared war on Mexico.

Abraham Lincoln lied that secession was illegal and that the Southern States were in “rebellion.” He called up 75,000 volunteers to “save the Union” and launched the bloodiest war in American history.

Republicans in 1896 lied that the Spanish blew up the U.S.S. Maine, and Congress declared war on Spain, bringing the United States an overseas empire.

Woodrow Wilson lied about making the world “safe for democracy” and got over 100,000 Americans killed on the Western Front.

Franklin Roosevelt lied that the attack at Pearl Harbor was a “surprise,” and the United States entered World War II.

Harry Truman lied about a communist North Korean threat in 1950, and tens of thousands of Americans died in one of the bloodiest forgotten wars in American history.

Lyndon Johnson lied about a North Vietnamese attack in the Gulf of Tonkin and led the United States into one of its longest wars.

George W. Bush lied about weapons of mass destruction and American soldiers were forced to “liberate” Iraq.

As Elle Reynolds points out at a piece at the Federalist, what makes anyone think the press and the government wouldn’t lie about another war?

They would, which is why everyone should be cautious about the current mess in Europe.

I discuss lies that led to war on episode 601 of The Brion McClanahan Show.