Aside from the short-lived Desert Storm conflict in the early 90's, the United States has been involved in two prolonged wars in the past fifty years, wars which bear striking resemblances. One has to wonder if our governmental leaders, with all of their touted experience, simply choose to ignore history or fail to see the disastrous political, social and economic consequences involved in such adventures. There are, certainly, clear similarities between these two conflicts; however, lest one err on the side of simplicity, the differences must be understood as well. If we have learned nothing else, perhaps it is that political leaders lie, and in those lies, steer a country and its citizenry into disaster.
[...] We were in Vietnam for almost ten years, and the toll on America was significant. We have been in Iraq for seven years, and, while the actual loss of American lives is much smaller, the physical and mental damage to troops is substantial, and the economic toll is worse. Over four thousand Americans have died, and a whopping ten billion dollars a month is the current financial cost. The federal deficit is the highest in our history, and it will take years to once again balance the budget. [...]
[...] In the eyes of citizens of other nations, this war is about oil and nothing more. Let's face the truth. If Iraq grew broccoli, we would not be there! Opposition at home during the Vietnam era was loud, caustic and often violent, as dissenters were attacked by police and National Guard troops in cities and on college campuses. Domestic opposition to Iraq is vocal, to be certain, but has not resulted in the mass demonstrations seen during Vietnam. One may wonder why this is the case, but the answer is clear. [...]
[...] Vietnam and Iraq A study in comparison/contrast Aside from the short-lived Desert Storm conflict in the early 90's, the United States has been involved in two prolonged wars in the past fifty years, wars which bear striking resemblances. One has to wonder if our governmental leaders, with all of their touted experience, simply choose to ignore history or fail to see the disastrous political, social and economic consequences involved in such adventures. There are, certainly, clear similarities between these two conflicts; however, lest one err on the side of simplicity, the differences must be understood as well. [...]
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