Vietnam War Terms Creep Into U.S. Debate on Iraq

[Spazito]

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The language of the Vietnam war has crept into the U.S. debate on Iraq (news - web sites), with officials and pundits talking of guerrilla warfare, pacifying the country, combating insurgents and even how to leave with honor.

<snip>

In an editorial on Wednesday, The Washington Post said the wave of attacks "probably is intended to have the same effect as the 1968 Tet offensive in Vietnam: to convince Americans that their troops are committed to a losing cause and must withdraw -- even if, in military terms, that is not the case.


"The attacks so far ... like those of Tet, pose no strategic threat to the U.S. military presence in the country; they also pale beside those of 1968, which cost the lives of more than 3,800 U.S. servicemen and 14,000 Vietnamese civilians," it added. "Still, the bombings have shocked Iraqis, intimidated some would-be allies and strengthened doubts in Congress and the public about the Iraq mission."

<snip>

"The fact that things are going well in many parts of the country is not to me overly comforting because in an insurgency things are generally going well in most of the country because the insurgents pick, in a very strategic way, high-value targets to create disruption in some parts," Berger said.

more

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=615&e=12&u=/nm/iraq_usa_vietnam_dc

[saigon68]

1. That's why this "Adventure" has to be called IRAQ-NAM

And mark my words---- it will end the same way too!!!!

With lots of deaths-- A country torn to pieces---

A lot of pissed off Veterans

And a lot of God Star Mothers and Fathers.

[leftchick]

4. 2 Queations about the Vietnam era....

1. How long did it take congress to start pulling the wallet closed on funding the war.

2. Was the term "terrorist" used during the war?

....I have been wondering about these things for a while now as I was a little young at the time to be really aware of what was happening. I do remember seeing the dead soldiers coming home, and we need to see it again to appreciate their sacrifice and get a grip on the chaos that is Iraq!

[saigon68]

5. answers

1. Funding, the Dems under Johnson followed his lead and promoted the war. Only after Nixon took over in 1968, did Sen Frank Church from Idaho and William Fulbright from Arkansas. Start to put the screws to the war financially, remember, the Democrats controlled the Senate and House then. Tricky Dick had to come crawling for $$$ Not all Dems then were anti-war. All the southern states that are now Republican were conservative Democratic.

2. I never heard the word terrorist used during the Viet-Nam War to describe either the NLF (National Liberation Front, -VC- Viet-Cong) or the NVA. They were called Communists, that was the term of art.

[leftchick]

7. thank you saigon68...

and thank you for everything you had to sacrifice in another illegal war. My heart goes out to you and all the Vets ......
Peace,leftchick

[Bridget Burke]

2. "Winning Hearts & Minds"

Was used early on. I got deja vu, big time.

[MoonAndSun]

3. I have especially noticed the term, "leaving with dignity"

WTF is that? We will never leave Iraq with any kind of dignity. I hope the Vietnam era war terms get ratcheded up so that the regular American people will finally start to realize what a mess this is.

If there is one thing they will recognize is "this is turning into another Vietnam".

[saigon68]

6. "leaving with dignity" that's Tricky Dick Nixon

It was a disgusting term. It had no credibility. We were on our way out because we could not win.

In a guerrilla war the powerful, agressive side loses by not winning.

And the weaker, homegrown side wins by not losing.