The Vietnam-Iraq learning curve
A lot of folks who did not live through the Vietnam era, or those who did but slept through it, may be rightfully puzzled and tired of having that "war" brought up and injected so much just now. But there are parallels between Vietnam and Iraq that should be known if not obvious to everyone.
Vietnam and Iraq surely differ in their strategic justifications: a war to defeat the communists and prop up democracy (hmm, maybe that's not so different in rhetoric) versus a war to "topple a dictator" who "threatens the world" with his diabolical weaponry (even right wingers must be embarrassed to review the inflammatory rhetoric of the Bushies in inciting this war in light of the exposure of all the lies and deceptions of the administration).
But here is where the similarities come in, and why Vietnam is apposite. Lies. By an administration which has not leveled with the American people. An administration which has ignored dire forecasts by its own experts and published rosy predictions (certainly rosy in comparison to the emerging realities). An administration increasingly defensive and accusatory with regard to any and all who question the need, and the right, of the President to have have a free hand, a license to conduct foreign policy ex cathedra, indeed in a vacuum. Eschewing cooperation, both at home and abroad is the mode. Unpatriotic is the verdict for those who fail to fall in line.
So, you guess. What era, what war, what President am I describing? You could say either and you'd be right.
At the time, many said we must learn the lessons of Vietnam and never, never let this happen again. Never again let an administration lead the country into a disastrous enterprise, and continue to coverup the failure and compound the cost.
Well, its pretty obvious that we have short memories, inadequate checks and balances, an inattentive public, and deceitful leaders. Or all of the above.
Vietnam and Iraq surely differ in their strategic justifications: a war to defeat the communists and prop up democracy (hmm, maybe that's not so different in rhetoric) versus a war to "topple a dictator" who "threatens the world" with his diabolical weaponry (even right wingers must be embarrassed to review the inflammatory rhetoric of the Bushies in inciting this war in light of the exposure of all the lies and deceptions of the administration).
But here is where the similarities come in, and why Vietnam is apposite. Lies. By an administration which has not leveled with the American people. An administration which has ignored dire forecasts by its own experts and published rosy predictions (certainly rosy in comparison to the emerging realities). An administration increasingly defensive and accusatory with regard to any and all who question the need, and the right, of the President to have have a free hand, a license to conduct foreign policy ex cathedra, indeed in a vacuum. Eschewing cooperation, both at home and abroad is the mode. Unpatriotic is the verdict for those who fail to fall in line.
So, you guess. What era, what war, what President am I describing? You could say either and you'd be right.
At the time, many said we must learn the lessons of Vietnam and never, never let this happen again. Never again let an administration lead the country into a disastrous enterprise, and continue to coverup the failure and compound the cost.
Well, its pretty obvious that we have short memories, inadequate checks and balances, an inattentive public, and deceitful leaders. Or all of the above.
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