The reason it was a lost cause, the politicians played games with objectives, ROE, mens lives and the facts.
Sounds like Iraq, Afghanistan, and Libya.
I graduated in 71, but I was only 17 years old. Good thing too, because my number would have been 13. When I did turn 18 and registered, I got a very high number, and the draft ended shortly thereafter. Libya, Afghanistan and Iraq are Americas newest “tarbabies”. We are spending our grand childrens treasure, and bringing home maimed soldier, and folded flags, for no discernible reason. We lose, not because we lose, but because the goal is to not win.