essay - Why Iraq is comparable to Vietnam...

Iraq, a steady stream of bodybags... A new Vietnam...?
(by Hoaks, The Netherlands, April 9th 2004 - This essay is a compiled work of edited elements or complete parts of previous posts by Hoaks on www.atsnn.com plus new added content.)

First of all I want to state that I can understand any problems with the comparison, I really do, but I am just trying to point out the fact that the time has arrived for the U.S. to learn a lesson they could have been taught many times before. Many people don't seem to or want to get that point. I could write another essay on the comparison between Afghanistan and Iraq, just to point out other similarities between those major military and/or political failiures. But that is not of relevance to the context of this essay.
Now, in my opinion the American arrogance regarding the entire Iraq issue is very similar, as is the lack of understanding and respect towards foreign cultures.
In my view it's like Vietnam, as technological superiority has hardly any use against an guerilla style resistance army that fights from within the population, with the majority of their public support, unless of course you arrogantly say..."let's bomb" or "level the place." Like the U.S. tried in Vietnam without big succes, but with a high rate of civilian casualties instead. It just made the general resentment against the U.S. forces grow and did violent incidents increase, it will do the same here, as I see it. Going in with tanks or heavy fighting vehicles is "idem dito," as violence will raise violence, and retaliation wil provoke retaliation.
The instalation and bound failiure of a "puppet goverment." Resulting in the unwillingness of the occupied people to accept their "given American freedom". Accompanied by the confused reaction on the side of the U.S. towards this fact.
The daily stream of casualties and its effect on western public opinion (748 coalition deaths, 645 Americans, 59 Britons, five Bulgarians, one Dane, one Estonian, 17 Italians, two Poles, one Salvadoran, 11 Spaniards, two Thai and four Ukrainians, in the war as of April 8th, 2004), yes the rate is substantially different, but like we know, then we didn't have live media like CNN or Fox. Now a far less number of U.S. or coalition casualties and/or a few stomach twisting TV images are enough for many people to get the picture.
The fact that the U.S. goverment is considering to send more troops, even though they primary believed and promised that they had suffici�nt personel for this opperation, and of course that they would come home soon, again just like in Vietnam. Furthermore forces and personel are under huge psychological pressure, asking or telling themselves, "What the [censored] am I doing here, and what for?" or "I just want to go home, I'm here for over a year now!" For the soldier on the ground it's also similar as anyone could be the enemy. That's also a reason why friendly-fire incidents between coalition forces and Iraqi police are increasing, a clear sign of lack of trust and stability.
It's not just one city anymore were talking about here, violence has been occuring all over Iraq, Ar Ramadi, Najaf, Fallujah and more. Plus the fact that it has become both Sunni and Shia anti-American violence. There might not be a "green" jungle in Iraq, but enough urban ones, and the believe and dedication of the underground resistance could turn them into similar hell-like settings.
In this case U.S. domestic public opinion on the war could change in such drastic manner that a "pull-out" scenario would undoubtfully be possible.



Copyright � 2004 Hoaks.


[Edited on 9-4-2004 by Hoaks]

Waiting for your comments and/or views towards this subject.

You want a reply? Here you go.
I don't care what likeness you see of Iraq a and Vietnam. Anybody can sit down and make comparisons between two things as any two things has shared characteristics, no matter how different they are. You've done what any idiot can do, the question is are you bright enough to see the differences.

As far as I'm concerned, you are just another Monday morning quarterback trying to pick apart what another has done.

As far as American arrogance, you'd better worry about your own as you are coming across pretty arrogant.

Right with ya TC, This is a very shallow self serving political diatribe that ignores the history of Nam from WWII onwards and how America really got involved along with ignoring the fact that a democratically controlled congress let an allie twist in the wind rather than live up to its obligations, Iraq under Saddam thumbing his nose at the U.N. and bribing those very officials for 12 years.

Originally posted by Facefirst
Nicely written.

I think it is too soon to call it Vietnam II as many people are. (and I don't say this lightly, my little brother is in Tikrit!)

I do agree that Iraq has the possibility of becoming another Vietnam or Soviet Afgahnistan, but it is too early to tell. It certainly is leaning towards that. Time will tell....

Response to Thomas Crowne (& Phoenix)

Originally posted by Thomas Crowne

I don't care what likeness you see of Iraq a and Vietnam.

Anybody can sit down and make comparisons between two things as any two things has shared characteristics, no matter how different they are.

You've done what any idiot can do, the question is are you bright enough to see the differences.

As far as I'm concerned, you are just another Monday morning quarterback trying to pick apart what another has done.

As far as American arrogance, you'd better worry about your own as you are coming across pretty arrogant.

Originally posted by Phoenix
Right with ya TC, This is a very shallow self serving....

Thank you, for this highly intelligent contribution to the advancement of this subject and thread.

I won't argue, as I may have to sound arrogant.

Hoaks






[Edited on 9-4-2004 by Hoaks]

[Edited on 9-4-2004 by Hoaks]