Moody Center
Iraq Greater Commitment Than Vietnam
RECEIVED Mon., April 19, 2004
Dear Editor,
As casualties in Iraq begin to mount, I'm beginning to hear a great many comparisons to the conflict in Vietnam. A careful analysis of our current military engagements globally would describe a much greater investment, both in precious human life and hard-earned tax dollars, than the Vietnam War claimed at a comparable point in its history. While the actions in the Afghan republic were certainly justified, in the pursuit of the terrorists who got lucky (a dozen guys with a little flight training and some box knives), expanding the hunt for WMDs and such into Iraq may have been premature. If this country begins to lose its tolerance for the sacrifices that will surely lay ahead, then we may also be doomed to repeat our past mistakes when it comes to the occupation of foreign soil, without flexible exit strategies and clear objectives. Like water, Iraqi politics will soon seek its own level, and I, for one, do not believe that the consequences of that are worth even one more life of any of the brave military and private personnel that are deployed. At least in the Vietnam War we didn't invade China at the same time.
As casualties in Iraq begin to mount, I'm beginning to hear a great many comparisons to the conflict in Vietnam. A careful analysis of our current military engagements globally would describe a much greater investment, both in precious human life and hard-earned tax dollars, than the Vietnam War claimed at a comparable point in its history. While the actions in the Afghan republic were certainly justified, in the pursuit of the terrorists who got lucky (a dozen guys with a little flight training and some box knives), expanding the hunt for WMDs and such into Iraq may have been premature. If this country begins to lose its tolerance for the sacrifices that will surely lay ahead, then we may also be doomed to repeat our past mistakes when it comes to the occupation of foreign soil, without flexible exit strategies and clear objectives. Like water, Iraqi politics will soon seek its own level, and I, for one, do not believe that the consequences of that are worth even one more life of any of the brave military and private personnel that are deployed. At least in the Vietnam War we didn't invade China at the same time.
Pat McIntyre