We Must Now Show the World Our Moral Power

68% of Americans are against sending ground troops into Iran, while Pete Hegseth is sitting at a 65% disapproval rating.pic.twitter.com/EP5lunAloA

— WarMonitor (@TheWarMonitor) April 4, 2026

As I mentioned yesterday, I watched the Apollo 8 episode of FTETTM.  Interspersed between space stuff, it features clips and audio from the period to set context, including something Senator John Stennis said.  It's actually anachronistic (May of '67, not '68), but still a good backdrop for what was going down during a tumultuous epoch:

We simply cannot afford to stop in the midst of a shooting war and take time out to debate whether we have been wise or unwise and whether our past actions were sound or unsound. At this critical time, we need unity and a sense of national purpose not disunity and divisive- ness. Our brave fighting men have the right to expect this and more; we can afford to give them no less. 

It is not my purpose, Mr. President, to criticize or to deny anyone's right to constructive dissent. My purpose instead is to support and uphold our country and its flag, and those men in uniform who defend them so bravely. I fear that even more trying days lie ahead. Recent events clearly indicate an intensification of the war in scale and Violence. More American blood will be shed. All Americans should face these hard realities squarely. 

In view of the fact that our flag and national honor and integrity have now been committed, I believe that we must be firm and resolute and meet increased force with increased force. I shall continue to give support both to our efforts to achieve an honorable settlement and to our resolution to stand firm and per- severe if that proves to be unattainable, I hope my fellow Americans will follow the same course. 

Let there be no mistake in the minds of our adversaries that they think America is divided. America is not divided. Our people are not divided. We are united. We will remain that way. 

According to Gallup¹, in the spring of 1967, 37% of Americans thought the war in Vietnam was a mistake, while 50% disagreed (13% had no opinion).  Around the time of Apollo 7 and Apollo 8 (end of 1968), a majority said it was a mistake.

Around that time when the war was more popular, Dr King said:

Let us save our national honor — STOP THE BOMBING.

Let us save American lives and Vietnamese lives — STOP THE BOMBING.

Let us take a single instantaneous step to the peace table — STOP THE BOMBING.

Let us put an honorable peace on the agenda before another day passes — STOP THE BOMBING.

Let us be able to face the world with a concrete deed of genuine peace — STOP THE BOMBING.

Let our voices ring out across the land to say the American people are not vainglorious conquerors — STOP THE BOMBING.

Yea, verily, amen.

1 - Also check out which age cohort broke the code first.