WHY IRAQ IS BECOMING VIETNAM

Ediblog ^ | May 10, 2004 | Patrick Rooney

[abigail2]

Why Iraq Is Becoming Vietnam

Liberals have long dreamed of turning our occupation of Iraq into another Vietnam, a scar on the face of America that they could revel in. I believe in many ways, they are succeeding.

Their latest victory is their success in turning incidents of prisoner abuse at Abu Ghraib prison into an indictment of American foreign policy and the President. Our Defense Secretary was dragged before a motley group of Senatorial inquisitors, many of whom don’t have the moral standing to tie his shoe, much less interrogate him.

The “scandal” is the Mai Lai massacre to this generation of liberals, and it reaches them like manna from heaven. They are hoping it is the turning point that allows them to toss dirt onto our Iraqi operation. It follows close on the heels of the Fallujah debacle, where America flinched instead of laying down the boot on crazy cleric Muqtada al-Sadr and his band of fanatical thugs.

America essentially let human scum get away with murdering our countrymen and desecrating their bodies on worldwide TV. Everyone knew the appropriate response would be to cordon off the city, allow the innocent to escape, and liquidate the terrorists. But we didn’t have the will to follow through, fearing the world would view too many civilian casualties on TV.

The failure cannot be blamed on liberals. After all, they’re not failing—they’re succeeding. It is the decent people of America who are suffering the failure of will. Our president is guilty of the same.

President George W. Bush has proven himself to be a very capable war president, but an uneven president in non-war matters. The reason is that he correctly perceived a need in war to do whatever it took to prevail. But once the hot war was finished in Iraq, he began to filter his decisions through the prism of political consideration. That is a recipe for failure.

When will we learn, I wonder. Vietnam was a humiliating defeat. Not because it was an immoral war, as liberals like to say, but because we failed to let the troops win due to political considerations. Iraq is no different. The Marines could have subdued Fallujah in days, if not hours, if they were given a free hand.

What has all of this political consideration gotten for Mr. Bush and for America? We are so worried about the “Arab street” and what they will think about everything. To hell with the Arab street! The Arab street are the same people who cheered on 9-11.

It is obvious to anyone with half a brain that America is a decent nation, and that terrorists are evil. When wrongdoing is found on our side, it is an anomaly. With terrorists it is their modus operandi. Yet CNN and their ilk continue to produce pieces spotlighting America’s errors in war, and not the daily routine of our bloodthirsty enemies.

President Bush had it right when he long ago called Iraq, Iran, and North Korea the “axis of evil.” We would have done well to quickly move as needed against these enemies. But indecision, weakness, and lack of preparation have caused the Iraq campaign to languish. Its overall slowness is killing whatever support and goodwill the administration may have had for future campaigns.

On September 11th, 2001, fanatical terrorists made clear that they had declared war on us. This would be a war of annihilation—either theirs or ours—there was no third solution.

Currently we have the world’s terrorists right where we want them—coming to us in Iraq. Would we prefer they come back to New York City. Or perhaps Los Angeles, or Chicago?

Are we naïve enough to think that if we walk away from Iraq, we won’t be followed home? That the world’s terrorists won’t correctly gather that we are running away with our tail between our legs? Look what happened when we left Vietnam—mass graves and lost prestige.

Lack of will was our true enemy in Vietnam. We must exorcize this demon, or we will be condemned to repeat history.

©2004 Patrick Rooney

Patrick Rooney is the Director of Special Projects at BOND, the Brotherhood Organization of A New Destiny, a nonprofit organization dedicated to “Rebuilding the Family By Rebuilding the Man.”

For more information, please visit www.bondinfo.org, call 1-800-411-BOND (2663), or write to patrick@bondinfo.org.

[abigail2]

Great article again Patrick...thanks. Time to get tough Bush.

[abigail2]

Liberals have long dreamed of turning our occupation of Iraq into another Vietnam, a scar on the face of America that they could revel in. I believe in many ways, they are succeeding. Their latest victory is their success in turning incidents of prisoner abuse at Abu Ghraib prison into an indictment of American foreign policy and the President. Our Defense Secretary was dragged before a motley group of Senatorial inquisitors, many of whom don’t have the moral standing to tie his shoe, much less interrogate him.

I'm glad you're putting this so succintly Patrick. It's so obvious this is the work of 'plants' within our own army. To see Bush get so upset about this and not the massacred soldiers burned and tortured - they didn't show THOSE pictures much.

[EternalVigilance]

BUMP!

[abigail2]

The failure cannot be blamed on liberals. After all, they’re not failing—they’re succeeding. It is the decent people of America who are suffering the failure of will. Our president is guilty of the same.

I agree 100%. People know what is going on, but there is no outrage. Or there is outrage but no action.

[abigail2]

President George W. Bush has proven himself to be a very capable war president, but an uneven president in non-war matters. The reason is that he correctly perceived a need in war to do whatever it took to prevail. But once the hot war was finished in Iraq, he began to filter his decisions through the prism of political consideration. That is a recipe for failure.

Well put Patrick!!

[abigail2]

Thanks for the bump EV. Guess its late to be posting...

[GOPyouth]

The Marines could have subdued Fallujah in days, if not hours, if they were given a free hand

Comparing Iraq to Vietnam is gigantic stretch. The variables are totally different, and the people backing the communists were a helluva lot more powerful than a small group of thugs.

As for the ability to take care of Fallujah in days, if not hours, if they (marines) were given a free hand, it could be done in a matter of seconds if a B1 bomber dropped a nuclear bomb in the dead center of the city. It would be all over if would do that. But going in and demolishing the city is not in our best interests at this point in time. If there are other ways of doing this without smoking the place, we should try that.

[Texasforever]

It follows close on the heels of the Fallujah debacle, where America flinched instead of laying down the boot on crazy cleric Muqtada al-Sadr and his band of fanatical thugs.

It would help if he got his facts sraight. Fallujia had NOTHING to do with Sadr.

[lainde]

bttt

[abigail2]

When will we learn, I wonder. Vietnam was a humiliating defeat. Not because it was an immoral war, as liberals like to say, but because we failed to let the troops win due to political considerations. Iraq is no different. The Marines could have subdued Fallujah in days, if not hours, if they were given a free hand.

[TheLion]

I always tell Democrats that they should be able to recognize a Vietnam....it was their war, they started it, managed it and turned it into an monumental failure. It took a Republican to get us out and save face. (Nixon)

Vietnam is also a good example as to why Democrats should not be in offices that have anything to do with our National Security.

The points in this article are well taken. Bush needs to say to hell with the Democrats and media and get the job done. There was a poll today that said 70% of people want Rummy to keep his job!

Americans know what is a stake here and will be turning away from the media....they are already doing it.

[abigail2]

Comparing Iraq to Vietnam is gigantic stretch. The variables are totally different, and the people backing the communists were a helluva lot more powerful than a small group of thugs.

I think what Patrick is saying is that forces within our country as well as without are undermining our efforts. That happened in Vietnam itself. The media is twisting everything and missing the big picture. We are being assaulted within as well as without and not wanting to be 'bad guys' the good guys in both wars are weakening. I think it's a crime.

[SAMWolf]

On September 11th, 2001, fanatical terrorists made clear that they had declared war on us. This would be a war of annihilation—either theirs or ours—there was no third solution.

We worry too much about world opinion and won't do what is necessary. There are still those who think that we can negotiate with these people. They only negotiate long enough to save their butts from being annihilated, regroup and come at us again.

[abigail2]

Why do decent Americans talk about each this way? (The way you are?) Instead of pointing it out to help him, you have to get it in as a dig? Whose side are you on? Don't you get his point?

[abigail2]

Thanks lainde...

[abigail2]

Well said! When is Bush going to learn that this is no time to cater to anyone. We are behind him, but we want him to stop trying to please everyone.

[Texasforever]

No, if he is going to publish an article then he should know what he is talking about. That error is so fundamental that it puts his entire claim to informed opinion at risk. How can he opine on Fallujia when he doesn't even know who the enemy is?

[abigail2]

There are still those who think that we can negotiate with these people. They only negotiate long enough to save their butts from being annihilated, regroup and come at us again.

That's right. Bush! Wake up!!

[TheLion]

Bush looked better on TV today. I think he has had a little time to reflect. I was thinking a few days ago that they should have waited a few days before responding to this but what is done is done, as the saying goes.

[TheLion]

"There are still those who think that we can negotiate with these people. They only negotiate long enough to save their butts from being annihilated, regroup and come at us again."

Democrats?