Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

To: baystaterebel
Sorry to say that, but I have feeling that altought US can not be military defeated by anyone now, one can defeat US politically and ideologically. It happened in Vietnam and, I'm afraid, can happen in Iraq. Vietnam and Iraq - in both US military superior inflicting high casualties to the enemy, both media concentrate on the losses and suffering causes nation morale breakdown. So US seems to lack durability for long conflict (especially far away from its boundaries).
Just a thought. Correct me if I'm wrong. I have no monopole for knowledge.
3 posted on 11/21/2005 3:03:39 AM PST by Matrix33
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies ]


To: Matrix33
The difference between Vietnam and Iraq is that the left wing press does not have an automatic lock on the news cycle anymore. Circulation and advertising sales of almost every major newspaper are down in the double digits (again).

Time, Newsweek, and other weekly magazines have lost huge revenues since the late 1980's.

The ratings of the "Big Three" networks are so low by comparison to 30 (or even 10) years ago that they are on the verge of extinction.

Still, the MSM is doing its flat out best to aid the Democrats, the Terrorists, and to drain the morale and will of the American people.

4 posted on 11/21/2005 3:18:03 AM PST by SkyPilot
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies ]

To: Matrix33; Registered

We need a poster/bumpersticker/slogan in the tradition of Soreloserman to demonstate our support for the troops.

No one wants war.
We all want our troops home.

But Iraq is but one campaign in the War on Terror.

The dems have turned this into another Viet Nam as the new campaign is being fought in the halls of Congress. Unless we mobilize, the dems and the left will lose this war in the halls of Congress with the help of the squishy GOP members. Murtha's reference to the Fulbright Hearings left no doubt in my mind.

We cannot allow it to happen again.

Registered, I pinged you because without a doubt you are the best. Any ideas?


6 posted on 11/21/2005 3:24:14 AM PST by Protect the Bill of Rights (GOP, The Other France)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies ]

To: Matrix33
No, you are not wrong --you describe precisely what happened with Vietnam.

Too many people are yet alive, and with memory of what politico's did with Vietnam.

It isn't going to happen that way this time. And that is, IMHO, if conservative pundits and columnists can just stop slamming President Bush in the middle of their columns about "supporting the troops and supporting the War".

There are conservatives who are NOT helping matters in re the War, IMHO.

Sometimes, I don't think they see this matter, domestically, as clearly as I wished they would.

9 posted on 11/21/2005 5:09:31 AM PST by Alia
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies ]

To: Matrix33

"Correct me if i'm wrong."Your right.You mentioned the media.That's the problem.The incessant negativity and biased(dishonest)reporting from Iraq by the msm is certainly taking a toll on morale.They're using the same strategy they used(very successfully)in VN.Divide the nation.The upside in 2005 is we have the internet,FoxNews,Talk Radio,etc.Of course the fact that Bush/Cheney are begining to(finally!)speak out and defend and explain the administrations actions is helping.I feel optimistic we can accomplish our goals in Iraq.


73 posted on 11/21/2005 7:59:22 AM PST by Thombo2
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies ]

To: Matrix33
Sorry to say that, but I have feeling that altought US can not be military defeated by anyone now, one can defeat US politically and ideologically. It happened in Vietnam and, I'm afraid, can happen in Iraq. Vietnam and Iraq - in both US military superior inflicting high casualties to the enemy, both media concentrate on the losses and suffering causes nation morale breakdown. So US seems to lack durability for long conflict (especially far away from its boundaries). Just a thought. Correct me if I'm wrong. I have no monopole for knowledge.

I think you are correct in your assessment. There are too many decadent Americans out there. The West is in decline, a victim of its own success. Material wealth leads to laziness and superficiality. Our attention spans are too short, we expect results too quickly. Military power is nothing without resolve. It is my hope that our leaders do not heed the wailings of the ephemeral masses. But I doubt that they will have the political will. If we do end up cutting and running, then future generations will furrow their brows in an attempt to understand how 2000 deaths in 2 1/2 years scared away the greatest military power the world has ever known.
87 posted on 11/21/2005 8:58:43 AM PST by Cyclopean Squid (Born to sing the Blues)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies ]

To: Matrix33

A 1999 Communist Chinese White Paper on the strength and weaknesses of the US concluded what you observed. Our society is not designed to fight wars of attrition, unless we are defending our homeland. Our war strategy is to keep the fighting overseas. I think the next President will use arial bombardment (cruise missiles, PGM, etc) as the warfighting strategy and not boots on the ground.


134 posted on 11/21/2005 1:47:49 PM PST by Fee (`+Great powers never let minor allies dictate who, where and when they must fight.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies ]

To: Matrix33

The difference between Iraq and Vietnam is that we are fighting an enemy (AQ) who declared war on us and attacked us repeatedly culminating with 9/11, which inflicted more casualties than Pearl Harbor. Iraq is just one front of the War On Terror.


162 posted on 11/22/2005 8:22:30 AM PST by kabar
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies ]

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article


FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson