>Because they thought a successful revolution in Vietnam would lead to
>revolutions in other SE Asian countries and maybe elsewhere as well.
And that's the nub of it right there. Wrapping things up in crap like 'domino theory' gave a nice name to the fear of 'losing' SE Asia they way Eastern Europe and China were 'lost' in the 1940's and '50's. A succesful revolution in Vietnam was seen as a precursor to that. Throw in some anti-colonial sentiments and there's the rationale for the price paid.
PC
N P Childs
'I'm Mister Bad Example, the stranger in the dirt, I like to have a good time and I don't care who gets hurt'.
-Mr. Bad Example, W Zevon