"The Quietest War," a recent essay by Kevin Baker, suggests of the general non-serving American public's response to the Iraq War: "We do not serve, we do not pay, we do not watch, and we do not object."
Yet this week even Air National Guard veteran G.W. Bush drew a parallel between the 2006 Battle of Bagdhad and the 1968 Tet Offensive, when public opinion turned permanently against the Vietnam War. Of course, he has since tried to clarify his words, but the cat's out of the bag. Light at the end of the tunnel. Oncoming train. Stay the course. Off a cliff.
US casualties in Vietnam over eight or so years:58,209 Total Deaths
153,303 Wounded in Action
US casualties in Iraq in three years:
2,787 Killed in Action
20,687 Wounded in Action
44,779 Non-mortal casualties (wounded and disease)
American forces today have better technology, medical facilities, weaponry, communications, and equipment than those who fought in Vietnam. Today's military is a volunteer force; the Vietnam era had the draft. If 18-25 year old Americans were being drafted today, I guarantee more of them would be switched on to world events. Nowadays, they can run off to see Marie Antoinette or sit at a bar and watch the World Series and not worry about it.
Vietnam was fought within the context of the Cold War, with big national powers backing each side; Iraq is being fought as part of the Terror War, more a free-for-all with factions, big powers, and everything but the kitchen sink thrown in.
Pulling out of Iraq, if countered with effective diplomacy and wise policies, will no more lead to the collapse of the world than pulling out of Vietnam did. Or, we can believe those who took us there in the first place -- civil democracy is coming, with flowers and candy for all. I don't think so.
Today's Rune: Breakthrough.
Hasta La Vista!
3 comments:
In our American society, if something doesn't directly affect you, then it's not a big deal. Thus the age group you mention doesn't seem to care. They're more interested in what's happening in their own back yard. Also, I'm willing to bet most are sold on the idea that "The Shrub" is protecting them from terrorism at home. As we return more to the right, our youngsters have learned not to question authority; father knows best.
Plan and simple: War sucks. The bad thing about Nam was that most of the soldiers didn't want to be there any more than all the protesters of the war wanted them to be. When they came home, they were ridiculed, spit on and basically told what terrible people they were. At least with this war the general public, even though they may be against the war and feel like we have no business over there, don't take it out on the soldiers upon their return home. The soldiers that are fighting this war at least get some respect for risking there life everyday for "our country" regardless whether the war is right or wrong in American citizen's eyes.
We'll bomb them with stingrays.
Post a Comment