without politicizing this post (as if that hasn't been done already) I would like to point out a few things. First those opposed to the War say they're afraid that it will turn into another Viet Nam. The war in Viet Nam was fought with preconditions going in that no sane person could expect to have a chance of susscess (staying out of the enemies country, allowing enemy supply lines to remain relitivly unmolested because they went through 'neutral' countries, ect.) We are fighting in response to an attack on our country. You may choose to stick your head in the sand, but as someone who's been in the service since '92, I can attest that when we launched TLAM's against Iraq in '03, we were SURE that we were striking a blow back for 9/11, and those who supported it directly AND INDIRECTLY. We remembered every loss of our comrades that had gone largely unavenged (USS Cole, USS Samuel B. Roberts, Khobar Towers, Beiruit Marine Barracks, ect.) The only striking similarity between Viet Nam, and Iraq is the media coverage. During the Tet Offensive, if you read accounts of it, we got our asses kicked! There was very little taken from us that we hadn't retaken within two weeks, and within six months the Viet Cong held NONE of their gains! Further, we fought mostly the VC prior to Tet, but mostly NVA regulars afterwards, why? Because the VC ceased to be a combat effective unit after the Tet Offensive. But the media put the worst light on it, and we were told we had been beaten badly. So now we hear about how depraved some of our troops are, and how many are killed each day, and how pointless it all is.
The more things change, the more things stay the same! If you REALLY want to support our troops, ask your local media outlets to cover some of the positive things going on, and not just the spectacularly gruesome stories!
I'l still be posting as I am able, but I'm headed that way soon my self. Hoo-ah!
