Flash Points USA - America at War - James Thorber
Flash Points USA - America at War - James Thorber
Flash Points USA - America at War - James Thorber (raw material of interview with James Thorber, answers questions related to various Presidents) 03.22.27 James Thorber says that the "one criteria that helps Presidents with respect to war is that they're willing to listen to all the arguments and they're willing to weigh them, and when they make up their mind they do it very fast, and they have a center core of authority around a clear mission." He continues to speak about their educational background, speaks about Roosevelt s African campaign to "test" troops before they invaded Normandy (D-Day). 03.24.01 Thorber talks about Lincoln, that his generals were timid, he didn't have the support of the American people nor Congress. 03.25.03 James Thorber speaks about Congress' role in determining when President's should use force, go to war, and the power of the purse (money). 03.26.41 Mr. Thorber talks about how "war coverage" has changed over the years, print media, censorship, newsreels, Vietnam gave us real time coverage of war, embedded reporters in Iraq. Thorber says "Media coverage has forced Presidents to be more careful and more transparent in how they do things, because they know it's going to be out in the press eventually."