Cloning Vietnam

As a military retiree with 35 years service, and having joined the Air Force in the waning years of the Vietnam War, I often reflect on what we achieved there.

… Nothing

Nothing at all.

This nation, and the presidential administration thereof, sacrificed the lives of almost 60,000 American men (and women), subsequently signed a peace treaty with North Vietnam, pulled out our troops, and two years later the North Vietnamese Army marched into South Vietnam.

In the early years of the 21^st century our country proceeded to repeat the same mistake.

… Twice

(and with the participation of two of our presidents).

Having invaded and occupied Iraq, accompanied by the loss of thousands of our young soldiers, sailors and marines, President Bush set the proverbial gears in motion for the establishment of the terrorist organization known as ISIS, or The Islamic State. For had he “left well enough alone,” Saddam Hussein would have continued to wrest an iron fist on that nation, and no terrorist organization could have possibly prevailed there.

And then, lo and behold, and in spite of warnings to the contrary, President Obama made a unilateral decision to withdraw all of our military troops from Iraq; in essence, cooperating with the previous president in an unintended, and poorly thought out outcome. Suddenly, the flood gates were open. There was nothing to prevent these throat slashing, child raping, ancient ruins destroying hoards from “having their way” with the country and citizens of Iraq.

We did little better in Afghanistan. Invasion and occupation. The destruction of thousands of our soldiers, sailors and marines. (Sound familiar)? The ultimate withdrawal of most of our troops. The renewed presence and influence of the Taliban in province after province; until they control half the country.

I can only imagine the abject grief and anger which must permeate the very souls of them who lost husbands or wives, sons or daughters, brothers or sisters in military fiasco’s which would be almost laughable, were it not so inestimably regretful.

It is a well-worn adage, but altogether suitable to the occasion.

“They who fail to learn from the past are bound to repeat the mistakes of the past.”

 

By William McDonald, PhD. Excerpt from "(Mc)Donald's Daily Diary" Vol. 10. Copyright Vol.'s 1-15, 2015

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