Iraq Is Not Vietnam
by Jim Cox
A rising concern that Iraq is becoming the new Vietnam has prompted many commentators to denounce any such comparisons as too ridiculous to be entertained. Here’s a comparison of Iraq limited to 2003–2004 to match the first two years of US ground troop involvement in fighting in Vietnam, 1965–1966 to show the difference:
- Item
Iraq 2003–2004
Vietnam 1965–1966
1
Commander-in-Chief?
Texan, George W. Bush (with stateside duty during Vietnam war)
Texan, Lyndon B. Johnson (with stateside duty during World War II)
2
Justification for invasion?
Based on deceptions – WMD, 9/11, aluminum tubes, etc
Based on deceptions – Gulf of Tonkin
3
US Casualties?
1,432 killed, 3,000+ wounded
3,910 killed, 5,000+ wounded
4
War Declared by Congress as required by US Constitution?
No, instead a resolution authorizing the president to take action he deems necessary
No, instead a resolution authorizing the president to take action he deems necessary
5
Enemy?
Not a nation, but an abstraction – terrorism
Not a nation, but an abstraction – the spread of communism
6
Frontlines?
No frontlines, guerilla resistance
No frontlines, guerilla resistance
7
President makes TV appearance to reassure Americans of the necessity of the war?
Yes, after 2 years – 2005
Yes, after 3 years – 1968
8
Handling of the Federal Budget?
Guns and butter policy
Guns and butter policy
9
Party in control of Congress?
No check and balance as Congress is in the hands of the same party as the Presidency
No check and balance as Congress is in the hands of the same party as the Presidency
10
Troops?
Enlistments buttressed by deployment extensions, and National Guard and Reserves
Enlistments buttressed by draft
11
Troops in country?
140,000
200,000
12
Alliance?
minimal troops from allied countries
minimal troops from allied countries
13
History of country?
former colony of a European power (Britain, 1917–1932)
former colony of a European power (France, 1887–1954)
14
Hoped for Solution?
Iraqification
Vietnamization
15
Most extreme suggestion?
Michael Savage: "Drop a nuclear bomb on the Sunni triangle."
Curtis LeMay: "Bomb them back to the stone age."
Thus, we can all take comfort securely in our knowledge that Iraq is not Vietnam; Vietnam is spelled with a "V" and is in Southeast Asia, Iraq is spelled with an "I" and is in Southwest Asia.
July 15, 2005
Jim Cox is an Associate Professor of Economics at the Lawrenceville Campus of Georgia Perimeter College and author of Minimum Wage, Maximum Damage.
Copyright © 2005 LewRockwell.com
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