The author, with an excellent op/ed, has it almost right. However, IMHO, "the machinations of domestic subversives" were only the catalyst for our loss in Viet Nam. The real reason was that many more millions of Americans bought into the crap and stabbed those of us who served, faithfully, in the back.
It broke my heart then and I am prepared to have it broken again. My real fear is for the new American centurions and patriotic heroes in service to their country today.
It is up to us, who served an uncaring and oft undeserving nation once before, to make sure the men and women serving today are not subjugated to the same treatment when they come home this time.
The general population supported the VW for years. After years and years they were tired of seeing body bags and the maimed coming back WITHOUT seeing a real desire from our government to decisively win the conflict.
How true! When my husband returned from Nam, he was warned not to wear his uniform because the American public had become so hostile to our military.
I haven't read all the posts here, but on a different note, it should be pointed out that any comparisons of Iraq to Viet Nam should include the statistics that an average of 500 body bags/week were being shipped home. (That's my husband's recollection and I don't have the exact stats - that sounds like an awful lot ... maybe someone has a documented number?)