Les Incompetent

Frea This week on Les Incompetent, we cover the controversial figure throughout a large portion of the Vietnam War, Dr Henry Kissinger. We cover his political philosophy Real Politik, and how it has had massive consequences to Americas foreign policy, while also covering current events to tie into his philosophy, and whether it aligns with Americas ideals. Needless to say, he's a interesting figur...

This week on Les Incompetent, we cover Frederick Downs Jr's novel Killing Zone: My Life in the Vietnam War. This is a first hand account of a single persons tour of the Vietnam War and it is, arguably, the best to read to understand the conflict. We discuss what was lost, what was gained, and what it was all worth in the end. 

This week on Les Incompetent, we are watching Oliver Stones film Born on the Fourth of July starring Tom Cruise. We go over whether it is a good representation of the Vietnam War, PTSD, veterans coming back to society, and if the overall message works. Needless to say, we were not fans of this film.

This week on Les Incompetent, we discuss Robert McNamaras novel In Retrospect: The Tragedy and Lessons of Vietnam. We go over the idea of Hindsight, shifting the blame, and putting yourself in the fire the better explain the situation; all of which we felt while reading this book. We also discuss his open debate at Harvard University, which was both an admirable attempt, but also may have done mor...

This week on Les Incompetent, its a snow day in the Triangle, so Austin will be solo talking about Stephen Kings The Shining and Misery since we are snowed in. Both films showcase isolation, loneliness, and losing yourself, but also the humanity that prevails. We are back next week to discuss Robert McNamaras In Retrospect.

This week on Les Incompetent, we cover Francis Ford Coppolas film Apocalypse Now. We cover the significance of the film, the meaning of the ending, and how director cuts have ruined cinema for us all. 

This week on Les Incompetent, we finish Ken Burns' series The Vietnam War. We go over the Watergate Scandal, the resignation of Nixon, the fall of Saigon, and what the war was for. We also discuss the veterans reaction to the aftermath, and them coming to terms to what they had been put through. 

This week on Les Incompetent, we cover episode 9 of Ken Burns' The Vietnam War . We cover the Vietnam Veterans joining the anti war effort, the release of the pentagon papers, and the creation of Nixons group of burglars, the plumbers. We also discuss what the Vietnam War was for, what was gained and what was lost. 

This week on Les Incompetent, we go over the year we had. We talk about Napoleon, Pirates, Vietnam, what books we enjoyed, what movies we enjoyed, and a whole lot that we didn't. We talk about how we have grown as a show, we we hope to accomplish in 2026, and how thankful we are to our listeners. Thank you!

Merry Christmas from Les Incompetent! This Holiday Season, we are taking break from the horrors of Vietnam and just hanging out and talking about life. Stop by and hang out, and enjoy your holidays!

This week on Les Incompetent, we discuss episode 8 of Ken Burns' The Vietnam War. We discuss Nixons Presidency, the vicious and violent reaction to the antiwar movement, and the start of the peace negotiations with Northern Vietnam. We also discuss the death of Ho Chi Minh, and the emerging difficulties of a prolonged war. 

This week on Les Incompetent we go over the 1982 film Rambo starring Sylvester Stallone playing John Rambo, a Vietnam Veteran suffering from PTSD. We go over treatment of Veterans, how Vietnam vets were treated when they came home, and how we have failed veterans in trying to reenter society after war. 

This week on Les Incompetent we cover episode 7 of Ken Burns' series The Vietnam War. We go over the 1968 election, the growing rise of dissent against the milatary, and the beginning of the Nixon administration. We go indepth to Nixon committing treason earlier than Watergate, and the new commanding force directing the war effort.

This week on Les Incompetent, we cover Bao Ninh's novel The Sorrow of War. We go over perspective of a northern Vietnam soldier; one that is severely lacking in the conversation about the war in America, as well as what its like to go back to "normal" after a war has ended. We also go over the ideas of sorrow, regret, and acceptance in understanding what you were fighting for. 

This week on Les Incompetent, we cover episode 6 of Ken Burns documentary The Vietnam War . In this episode we go over the Tet Offensive, and how it not only solidified American distrust of the war effort, but how it had devastating effects on the people managing the war, especially General Westmoreland. We also go over the rise, and assassination of Robert Kennedy, and how his loss cast a dark sh...

This week on Les Incompetent, we continue Ken Burns Documentary The Vietnam War. In this episode, we do a dive into the state of the military, the demons the veterans are still facing, and how difficult the choices they made were. We also talk about the rising anti war movement, and the presidential response to its rise. 

This week on Les Incompetent we are discussing episode 4 of Ken Burns The Vietnam War. In this episode, we go over the growing frustration of American Leaders, especially President Johnson during the war. We also go over the emerging anti war movement, and what that meant to the people in charge of the war effort. 

Happy Halloween to all our listeners! This week on Les Incompetent, we go over something that was present during the Vietnam war, and something that everyone was thinking about while our soldiers we over in Asia; Nuclear Fallout. We talk about the various times we have gotten close, the various test we completed around the world, and the impact of us dropping weapons on Japan at the end of WWII. W...

This week on Les Incompetent, we go over episode 3 of Ken Burns The Vietnam War. In this episode, we over the importance of historical recordings, especially from the president, the uneasiness of now knowing the war was unwinnable in 1963, and the strategy adjustment the Vietcong used to combat the invading US troops. We also discuss the human aspect of the war, with Ken Burns diving in Mogsie Cro...

This week on Les Incompetent, we cover episode 2 of Ken Burns documentary The Vietnam War. On this episode, we go over the struggles facing a newly elected President Kennedy, a deepening Crisis in South Vietnam, a rise in insurgency and rebellions due to negligence, and are shown the happiness one feels when they successfully defend their homeland. 

This week on Les Incompetent, we are discussing Dr King, his impact on the civil rights movement, and how his approach to equal rights differed from Malcolm X. We go over Peniel Josefs book The Sword and the Shield as well as Jonathan Eig's King: A Life. We also discuss current events associated with the topic, the harm on inaction, and how going to your leaders is the best way to enact real chang...

This week on Les Incompetent, we are joined by our good friend Collin Ruffin to discuss Malcolm X, his teachings, his impact, and what he left behind. We go over readings from Peniel E. Josephs book The Sword and the Shield as well as The Autobiography of Malcolm X as well as going over multiple interviews, lectures, and tapings that are easily acceptable. We discuss how he would look at the world...

This week on Les Incompetent, we cover Stanley Kubricks film Full Metal Jacket that is his depiction of the Vietnam War, and what it takes to become a marine. We go over the balance of the movie, and how both parts have their pupose. We also talk about the huamnity people lose in war, and how important it is to have it stay intact. 

This week on Les Incompetent, we begin watching Ken Burns miniseries The Vietnam War. Incredibly indepth, as Ken Burns always delivers, we discuss episode 1, which goes over early Vietnam and their Japanese and French occupation, the French war, and the eventual inclusion of America unto the warfare. We also go over Ho Chi Minh and his incredible popularity, the OSS getting involved in the militar...

This week on Les Incompetent, we are covering Tim O'Briens novel The Things They Carried ; A hisotrical fiction account of his time in the Vietnam War, and what is really important. He shows us what a real war story is, how connecting with others is needed in times such as war, and how simple innocence can be corrupted by war. Its an incredibly powerful book, and it shows the humanity on display,...