Lessons of Iraq War

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Lessons of Iraq War start with U.S. history

By Howard Zinn

03/14/06 "The Progressive" -- -- On the third anniversary of President Bush's Iraq debacle, it's important to consider why the administration so easily fooled so many people into supporting the war.

I believe there are two reasons, which go deep into our national culture.

One is an absence of historical perspective. The other is an inability to think outside the boundaries of nationalism.

If we don't know history, then we are ready meat for carnivorous politicians and the intellectuals and journalists who supply the carving knives. But if we know some history, if we know how many times presidents have lied to us, we will not be fooled again.

MORE: http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article12339.htm

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1. Absolutely not true. Ask those of us who marched and demonstrated

against the Vietnam War. The number of people who participated was overwhelming, huge, huge demonstrations.

A reported asked me why I was at the demonstration with my child (in a stroller).

I said "Because all of the citizen who realized this war was wrong, want to send a message to Washington so that this country is never, never taken to war like this one."

So much for history.

The problem is that every generation thinks they know better than the last. Every person sitting in DC thinks they will not make the mistakes of the past, because they are so much smarter....

edited for spelling

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2. I think the article was speaking....

...to the overwhelming war "sentiment" the mainstream has (had) in this violent country of ours.

We know war is hell and based on lies but there are many sheep in this country.

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3. Yes, I appreciate very much Zinn's analysis and diagnosis so to speak.

But like every patient sitting in the paper gown, we yearn and pray for a cure.

And Zinn's wonderful take on history is just that, a diagnosis. And a right on one at that.

So what's next Ollie?????

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4. The problem is the wannabe big shots and control freaks never give up.

Otherwise, however, you are right. Back then, for a while, the government feared the people.

[Viva_La_Revolution]

5. absolutely true... for 90% of this country

He is speaking of the majority of people in the US. I heard it just the other day when a man (not even a freeper, he claimed to not be interested in politics at all) defended bombing the hell out of Iraq, because "we need the oil". Doesn't matter to him that it's not our oil. We need it, therefore they are expendable. That attitude is rampant here, in various degrees.