But the difference between Iraq and Vietnam is-WE CAN'T AFFORD TO LOSE!
It never mattered two sh*ts who ran the shi*hole in Saigon.
It matters, cosmically, if we are chased out of Iraq.
That was also true for Vietnam, for after Saigon fell, a lot of 'dominoes' started dropping around the globe. The Ford/Carter presidencies were either unable, or in Carter's case, unwilling to oppose a number of national-liberation movements.
The difference here is that the Iraqi's doesn't have a NVA-level opponent to worry about -- that is there is no cross border threat from a major conventional force that could overwelm the Iraqi counter-insurgency force. Our proper role is to counterbalance any external threats (Iran, Syria) as they arise.