How could America get it so wrong in Vietnam, and, in Iraq?

Question

For those that are saying Washington didn't give the muscle to our military...well, it is not held out by the facts. In both wars, the Generals DID receive what they asked for. 500,000 troops in Vietnam by '66, and, Iraq, in those early heady Rumsfield days, got the troop levels Rumsfield and his top brass required.

Answer 1

America does not do a good job of understanding other cultures and how they will react to a situation. We tend to approach things like we are dealing with ourselves rather than a different culture.

Answer 2

I think the *real* reason for the Iraq War - and the reason not just Dems but Americans in general were so hesitant to oppose it early on - is a subconscious desire in the American psyche to "do Vietnam right". Hence "support the troops" and associated activities like applauding servicemen in airports are all the rage across the political spectrum.

The collective guilt over how our military was treated here at home during Vietnam rendered the policymakers (and, again, the public) blind to the utility of the Iraq War itself.

---------
OK, I see that our session is over, America. My rate is $160 per session.

Answer 3

They believe that military force can be used to pursue their interests when in reality it should be a last resort.They shouldn't interfere in the internal affairs of other counrtries except when that country is a direct threat such as when Japan bombed Pearl Harbour or when Nazi Germany was conquering Americas allies along with countless other countries. Vietman and Iraq are third rate countries who could never be a serious military threat to the US but the American government is influenced by arms companies and military people who will profit from these wars

Answer 4

apples and oranges. Vietnam was a UN military police action that was designed to stop the invasion and spread of communism. Iraq was an act of war by our country and a few others. Totally different. Vietnam needed the help, Iraq didn't. Vietnam would have been efficient and easily won if LBJ would have kept his hands out of the cookie jar and kept playing politics with our advances. Bush is war mongering plain and simple.

Answer 5

The warmongers at the top cannot understand, because they themselves never feel such, the fervor and patriotism of the people they attack who behave much as we would in similar situations. What can you do to young fighters who wake up every morning, look out the window, and shout to the world, "It's a good day to die!" As we are finding out for the second time in forty years, they cannot be demoralized so easily -- if at all.

Answer 6

If you are referring to the way America has turned against the wars, then consider in both cases, they've been aided with negative media. Particularly with the Iraq war, with the exception at the very beginning with the embedded reporters following the troops to Baghdad.

Answer 7

So many factors and most of them was addressed by the wrong people in Washington.
Most of them did not know about how the people of Iraq think or what the Muslims believe. Wrong intelligens or do it any way by the government. Now we must stay in it till it's all over. We are in it for the duration.

Answer 8

Whenever you feel as if someone needs your help when the majority of people have not asked for it .
Its like the police who go to domestic violence calls . The abused wife shoots the cop in the back while he is handcuffing the husband .
If you are not asked for help you should not involve yourself .
This goes to many area's of life .
Do not add your two cents worth if it is not requested . Unless you are just hanging out with friends and remember that what you say may damage that friendship .

I do not think as a nation we got it wrong it is the idea that we can change others and shape or mold them in our image when they are not ready as a hole to change .

Answer 9

The war in Vietnam was to stop the spread of Communism throughout Asia.

Bush & Co. gave the excuse of stopping the spread of terrorism to invade Iraq.

However, if Bush or Cheney had served in Vietnam, I find it highly doubtful that we would be in Iraq right now.

Answer 10

War is a racket. Somebody profits from war. America has sold out to the warmongers.