Responses Below:

America At War

Are we on the Viet Nam path Out of Iraq?

October 02, 2005

Fox News "War Stories" with Ollie North on 10/02/2005 focused on the indecision of American leaders during the Viet Nam war and the terrible price our pilots, and in effect, all troops paid.

President Johnson and Defense Secretary McNamara during the Viet Nam war (neither one knowing anything about fighting a war) demonstrated a callous disregard for the lives of our troops and welfare of our nation, by spending more time focusing on what our "cold war" enemies would think of U.S. decisions than the life threatening impact on our own troops and success of the war.

Fast forward forty years to the middle east conflict in Iraq. President Bush and Secretary Rumsfeld are engaged in some of the same indecision that cost us victory in the Viet Nam war.

As in the Viet Nam war, the anti-war rabble is again raising it's ugly head, having never learned "freedom is not free", our troops in the middle east are being second guessed, hamstrung with limitations on what can and cannot be attacked, which raises the question... where is the war in Iraq being managed. My guess is that Washington is still calling the shots, otherwise our Generals would have insisted Syria be in the cross-hairs long ago.

During the Viet Nam war, Washington was making tactical decisions which nearly always put our pilots and ground troops at a disadvantage. Rather than being bold, aggressive, and fighting on our terms to win, politicians were more concerned about what the "Russians would do". Great thought was given to our bombs falling on Russians assisting North Vietnamese in the north but little thought of North Vietnamese artillery located in Cambodia firing on us in South Viet Nam with impunity...we were not allowed to take action against North Vietnamese in Cambodia...U.S. politicians, in effect, protected our enemy which resulted in American lives lost.

Now the same scenario is reflected in Iraq... instead of taking action on Syria and Iran for supporting the enemy in Iraq, we allow them to funnel money, weapons, and materiel into Iraq with impunity. President Bush and others appear more concerned what France, Germany, the UN and other pip squeak nations will think. The Iraq war is being waged with an emphasis on politics at the expense of our troops...our decision makers are hell-bent on repeating the Viet Nam mistake.

I view the fight in Iraq as just, honorable, necessary, and President Bush did the right thing in taking Saddam out. However, politicians have no backbone, our troops are put in a rut, we are treading water as men and women die, while the "get out" cry becomes more shrill...in short, our superior fighting force is muzzled.

Syria and Iran are our enemies. We are allowing them to kill our warriors without being held accountable. Our troops are once again fighting with one hand while the enemy is given the advantage. Syria and Iran should pay a heavy price for their support of the Al Qaeda butchers.

President Bush states "the war in Iraq is central to defeating terrorism"...if that's what he believes, then why does he not fight the war accordingly?

If we are unwilling to take the fight to the enemy, even if it means involving another nation, it will only be a matter of time until we tuck our tail, exit Iraq, and build another wall of names.

Harry Riley, COL, USA, Ret

Responses To:

America At War

In my humble opinion, yes we are on the same path. In the beginning if SecDef Rumsfeld had taken the advcse of his senior military advisors and sent the number of troops that THEY felt were needed to get the job done in the shortest time possible then we would not be in the position we are in today. We ARE going to tuck our tails between our legs and hightail it out of IRAQ the same way we did in Viet Nam. One saving grace is that there won't be 58,000 lives lost in IRAQ as there were in 'Nam. Fighting the way we are fighting in IRAQ is like going into the boxing ring with one hand tied behind your back
A.C. Pilger, USN Retired (Com7thFlt '65-'69)
Catonsville, MD

They appear to be on the same path. The American military machine in Vietnam was micro-managed by those with the most to gain by turning the faucet on/off as desired. The largest construction company in Vietnam was partly owned by LBJ. his wife and other cronies. The largest company in Iraq is also owned partly by VP and his cronies so it will go on much longer than it should. Of course if he is forced to resign then it just might save some lives. Go investigators. Keep up the good work Harry.

Francis Sementilli

US Army Retired

It is a sad commentary but the evidence is overwhelming! Remember all to well: Those who do not learn from the mistakes of history, are doomed to repeat them!!! It appears that those who orchestrated this war never learned or even understood the politics of destruction wrought upon our warriors in Viet Nam. Harry is right! Calling the shots from Washington places our troops at the mercy of the body politic and the consequence is now surfacing in the public arena. We owe our troops a pledge that any states lending aid to or harboring insurgents is likewise our enemy and is not secure from swift and decisive retaliation!

J. D. (Jim) Wise, US Navy Retired

I would like to point out that the President did indeed lie when he said he took us to war in Iraq because of poor inaccurate intelligence. That was pure and simple a lame excuse for a war his advisers pointed out to him as being necessary in order to be re-elected. His advisers knew the necessary financial support for his election campaign based solely on the tax cut for the wealthy would be inadequate. Going to war would bring in big bucks from oil interests and the war materials manufacturers/providers who stand to enrich themselves from every war. Furthermore, if the President's lips are moving you can take it to the bank that he is lying to some extent; After all, isn't that the way of most all politicians?

Andy Spolski, MSgt. USAF Ret. ( Medicare eligible so long as I pay premiums for part "B" )

Comment: Military Intelligence is good and in many cases totally accurate but it is far from a science...in the case of WMD's in Iraq....the entire world was lying I guess because they all believed WMD was present...no believes Secretary Powell would face the UN and perpetuate a "lie"...it was bad intelligence probably supported by the fact Saddam had used WMD on his own people in the past...President Bush failed by not firing his Intelligence leadership.

Harry Riley

While all our "armchair" generals/Monday morning quarterbacks are rehashing Vietnam and Korea I wish they would also put their minds to ending this war without loosing many more troops and Iraqis. We will never overcome the Moslem world that we have turned into a "monster" against us with our war games. Has anyone thought about strengthening the United Nations and putting our forces and dollars in that direction? This is where it will eventually end whether the politicians like it or not.

A Very Upset Grandmother

Comment: I think a "confused Grandmother"...America didn't start the confrontation, Islamic terrorists did and where did you get the notion we are trying to "overcome the Moslem world"? To make matters worse, you trust the United Nations? Come on Grandmother, think about what you wrote.

Harry Riley

THE PRESIDENT LIED TO GET US INTO THIS WAR THEN THERE WERE NOT ENOUGH TROOPS TO FINISH THE MISSION. AT THE SAME TIME HE FIGHTS THE EFFORTS OF OUR RETIRED WARRIORS TO GAIN THE BENEFITS THAT WAS PROMISED. HE ONLY CARES ABOUT THE TROOPS WHEN HE CAN MAKE HIS "GRANDSTAND" APPEARANCES.

HOLLEN E. MARR

MSGT. USAF (RET)

hemarrxx@msn.com

Comment: Disagree the President "lied"...bad national intelligence does not make the user of intelligence information a "liar".

Harry Riley

The USA has long forgotten what the word WAR means. Iraq is another Viet Nam, a war that can't be won.

Marshall Jackson

While this is a Global war at the moment, the brilliance of our approach to dealing with it is that we are confining our participation in it to two countries. IRAQ and Afghanistan. Sadly, our elected representatives have such short memories that they cannot remember what happened yesterday, fail to
grasp what is happening today and reject what we plan for tomorrow.

We let them get away with losing the war for us in Viet Nam, they will not get away with the same kind of approach in this war. We do Remember September 11, 2001. This is not now and never has come close to a Viet Nam style quagmire. Go home Democrats and take Cindy with you.

R.E. Nygaard

Winchester, OR

From: The Federalist Patriot http://FederalistPatriot.US

THE LAST WORD

"One of the many negative consequences of America's defeat in the Vietnam War has been the uncontrolled proliferation of Vietnams since then. Nicaragua threatened to become another Vietnam. Lebanon nearly became another Vietnam. Had Grenada been only slightly larger than a manhole cover and lasted one more hour, it would have become a Caribbean-Style Vietnam. The invasion of Panama was rapidly degenerating into a Narco-Vietnam, right up until we won. Likewise, the First Gulf War was certainly developing into another Vietnam, but then sadly, it ended quickly and with few casualties. For people of a certain age or political stripe, Vietnam is like Elvis: it's everywhere. For example, during a long wait at a Chinese Buffet in Georgetown in 1987, Ted Kennedy was reported to have exclaimed 'QUAGMIRE!' and attempted to surrender to a Spanish-speaking busboy. And that was probably the smart thing to do, because the lesson of Vietnam is: it is best to lose quickly, so as to avoid a quagmire... If you liked what our quick, casualty-saving withdrawal from Somalia did for us at the Khobar Towers, at our embassies in East Africa, at the waterline of the U.S.S. Cole, and at the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, then you'll love what a quick 'casualty-saving' withdrawal from Iraq will do for us for the next twenty years. It'll finally make you stop worrying about Vietnam." —Mac Johnson

As a former Operations Sergeant E-7 that was promoted to Master Sergeant E-8 and becoming a First Sergeant E-8 in Vietnam, I have every reason to believe what Colonel North has stated and more. I served most of my military career in logistics of conventional ammunition, guided missiles, large rockets and bulk explosives, and had no experience in the "front lines", thank goodness.

Illicit drugs were prevalent in Vietnam and it is a known fact that civilian businesses operated there, same as in Iraq.

Moreover, under the leadership of President Johnson and company, the State Department allowed civilians in North Vietnam and every once in awhile one reads where non military are in Iraq

( our Congressmen making so-called observations which detract troops/units from their missions, and that is NOT to assign personnel for their safety and security).

I stand behind the purpose of sending troops into Iraq. However, "wars" may be a form of a businesses, but they need to be fought under the "leadership" of those that have received the training

and NOT by civilians, and, especially any that never served our Country in uniform.

Admittedly, I served most of my 20 consecutive years plus during the "COLD WAR", but nevertheless I had some experience with preparing for dignitaries visits.

Charles Bunner

That show hit the nail on the head and shows that we don't learn from history. It's a real shame when the US develops leaders and then seriously degrades their performance because some Washington Bureaucrats think they know what a war is and how it can be fought. It's true that an obstetrician doesn't need to give birth in order to make a delivery but, the mother feels the real pain while the Doctor sits back and takes the glory while he is counting his money.

I really believe that any soldier committed to battle should earn as much as a Major League Baseball player.

Anytime a president decides to have a war, the war baton should be passed to the theater commander and then let the president read about how the war was won in the newspapers.

Art Schefler

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Responses To:

Who Wants To Go To War?

What is going on at Walter Reed Army Hospital sounds like what we faced when we came back from Vietnam. We were called "baby killers" and spat upon by a bunch of low life's who didn't have the moral courage to back our country when we were called upon to defend a small nation that was being overrun.
Our wounded service personnel do not need to be hearing the filthy cries and epithets of a lot scumbags who aren't worth wiping their feet on. Aren't there enough patriots and veterans in the area that could organize, roll up their sleeves and pick up a ball bat and go and clean that nest of vermin out?

Rev Gary D. Bell, PhD
CW3, US Army Retired

Col Riley:

I to am 68 yrs of age and having retired from the world's most powerful Air Force and served

from Korea to post Vietnam. I remember the protestors from the Vietnam era. I taught AFROTC

on a major university campus and the atitude of some of the "students" will never be forgotten. I would loved to have used my M16 during that assignment and I believe it would have been approved by the President of the University. He was a retired Colonel, USMC. Enough said about that.

I agree with someone who said that these protestors should not be permited within 3 miles of WRAH. I would like to go just a little farther than that. Perhaps when WRAH is closed and moved to Bethesda, MD. we can have a better field of fire.

If there is a need for more men on the perimeter, I await your call.

E.W. Fadely

MSgt, USAF RETIRED

Just read your story on "Who want to go to war" I am a vet of world war two, 78 years old, I agree with you completely and want to thank you for saying what you said. Our prayers are with the troops with the hope they will finish the work soon and be able to come home. I guess you could call me and old flag waver. Proud to be an American!! A M Hartenstein Oregon City, Oregon

Just goes to show how the liberal news media makes "Big Head Lines" for a small minority of anti-war groups that the enemy calls useful "idiots". What has the liberal news media done for the security of
this Nation?? What has the small anti-war groups done for the security of America??

They have no comprehension of the definition or meaning of Patriotism and Sacrifice as those Veterans in our Armed Forces do. Their definition of Patriotism and Sacrifice is calling evil good and good evil and demonstrating in front of Walter Reed and against Veterans who were protecting their sorry butts.

This 70 year old Retired Master Sergeant, Vietnam Veteran (67-68) would gladly serve again and stand my watch as so many Veterans have done in the History of this Nation.

John

Oh, great. Same same as was those who were labeled as "Baby Killers" upon their return to the U.S. from Nam. I think the Sheehans and her followers, along with many members of Congress as well as the Liberal News Commentators should don uniforms and go experience the war in real life.

The "new generation" America is a Hate America crowd. Have you bothered reading excerpts from modern day American History books? Would you believe the American West was settled mostly by blacks and women? My Daughter showed me one chapter in the "New History" in which MLK was mentioned 17 times, Louis Farrakan mentioned 3 times, Jane Fonda on numerous occasions but no mention of Washington, Jefferson, Franklin etc. other than that entire group of the founders of the country were anti black, anti woman and slave owners.

Only those of us who have experienced the horrible lives many people who live in other countries must endure can even begin to understand just how great this country is. I see no way of reverting to the days when the Sgt. Yorks, Audie Murphys and all those poor souls who landed at Normandy and such patriots will once again be among us. I think Congress and the Liberal News has taken all of those folks away.

Just wanted to throw in my two cents worth. Just a tired old retired Sergeant,

Ken Mason

Whatever their purpose was, it lacked planning. With BRAC the issue of the day, why would they demonstrate in this manner in front of Walter Reed hospital unless it was in support of keeping the hospital open? The demonstrators efforts were anything but to support the hospital's need to remain open. Rather it was to my way of thinking an effort to ridicule the Bush Administration's invalid reasons for our being involved in this war.

Demonstrating for that purpose, should be done currently in Crawford, Texas and in the not too distant future in front of the White House.

Just goes to show you Harry, we did what we were told to do, well enough, to preserve the rights of even idiots to demonstrate/protest. What we nor anybody else have done, is explain to them Puss heads, how to and not to demonstrate/ protest.

Andy Spolski, MSgt.USAF Ret. ( Medicare/Tricare For Life eligible, if I pay for Part "B")

If I had anything to say about it Harry, anyone but military, friends, and their relatives, wouldn't be aloud within a mile of that hospital. I would cite probability of terrorist activity. The Patriot Act, gives the government a lot of room.

Don Pratt

Excellent comments in the editorial.

I hope pictures are being taken of this rabble and that they are all identified and investigated to find out if they are Democrat operatives, employed by the Muslims or just plain stupid and unappreciative of the sacrifices of others.

If the government ain't getting the job done, we should step and do it privately.

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