Into Vietnam

The question we'll consider today is whether the United States' entrance into the Vietnam War was justified. To do so, here are the materials we'll use.
1) Watch 30:30-35:54 of The Century: Poisoned Dreams
2) Read the letter from Bobbie Lou Pendergrass to President Kennedy and his response. In our notes, we'll write a letter back to President Kennedy from Mrs. Pendergrass.
3) Watch 36:00-End of The Century: Poisoned Dreams. Discuss how Kennedy's assassination impacted the nation.
4) Discuss the Tonkin Gulf Incident. Read Johnson's speeches. Respond in notebooks whether he makes a good argument.
5) Consider the Viet Cong by reading this article: Viet Cong Description. Respond whether this changes your views on entering the war. Note-this article did not come out until 1968 (although the incidents it describes took place in the 50's and early 60's. The American public were aware of Ho Chi Minh murdering thousands who opposed him as early as 1954 but not necessarily with the kind of detail available in 1968.
6) Close with the Ballad of the Green Beret. Here are the lyrics