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Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Problems Enough Already
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum.

Problems Enough Already

Artifact ID1973.1.1575
Object Type Cartoon Drawing
Artist
Publisher
Gifter
Date ca. January 1968
Medium Ink and grease pencil on drawing paper
DimensionsOverall H 13 in x W 16 in (33 cm x 40.6 cm )
Physical Description
Physical DescriptionOriginal cartoon drawing. LBJ sits at a desk in a classroom with a chalkboard ("Exam time"). He works on a paper ("Vietnam Solution", "Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, etc."). An arm extends with another paper ("Korea Question: Assassination Attempt, 'Peublo' Seizure") to give to LBJ. A cat with a dunce cap sits on a stool in the lower right corner under the chalkboard (“Bogged down in Asia”). Caption: “Problems Enough Already”. Artist signature lower right: "Vic Runtz news 68”.
Inscriptions and MarkingsHandwritten at lower right: [blue] “3 col line Ed Page Wed”. Handwritten at lower center: [blue] “Bangor Daily News - Jan 24, 1968”.
Historical NoteIn August 1964, US ships were seemingly attacked in the Gulf of Tonkin, leading to the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution that allowed President Johnson to take military action. In February 1965, Johnson authorized Operation Rolling Thunder to bomb North Vietnam and in March, 3500 Marines were deployed in Vietnam. Over 1965, President Johnson escalated the conflict to a full-scale war and over 1967, there were 500,000 American troops in Vietnam. The war’s unpopularity in the United States was increased further by the North Vietnamese Tet Offensive in early 1968, which led to even greater casualties. On January 23, 1968, the USS Pueblo was captured by North Korea, which claimed that the ship had entered North Korean territory. In response, President Johnson negotiated for the release of the captive sailors to avoid getting into another war. From 1964-1973, the United States heavily bombed Laos through CIA covert operations because it provided supplies to North Vietnam during the Vietnam War, making Laos the most bombed nation in history. In Cambodia, the Khmer Rouge political party in the 1960s was supported by the Chinese Communist Party. Thailand was an ally to the United States during the Vietnam War so the United States provided Thailand with aid, leading to urbanization and Westernization. This was right after the end of the rule of the general Sarit Thanarat from 1957-1963.
Additional Details
Custodial History NoteThe item was a gift from the general public to President Johnson during his term in office. It was received by President Johnson, until the President donated it to the Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum in 1973.
Credit LineGift of Lyndon Baines Johnson
National Archives Catalog CollectionLyndon B. Johnson Library Museum Collection (National Archives Identifier 192413)
National Archives Catalog SeriesGifts from the General Public (National Archives Identifier 189698395)
Use Restriction StatusRestricted - Fully
Use Restriction NoteCopyright or other proprietary rights are held by individuals or entities other than the LBJ Presidential Library and Museum. The LBJ Presidential Library and Museum does not warrant that the use of materials will not infringe on the rights of third parties holding the rights to these works, or make any representations or warranties with respect to the application or terms of any international agreement, treaty, or protections that may apply. It is your responsibility to determine and satisfy any copyright or other use restrictions. Pertinent regulations can be found at 36 C.F.R 1254.62.
Person Referenced Lyndon Baines Johnson (United States, 1908 - 1973)
In Collection(s)
Not on view
Place of Publication
Bangor
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