To: cnyndwllr who wrote (21764 ) 10/8/2004 4:15:41 PM From: Gator II Read Replies (1) | Respond to There is no intent to enter into a debate here Ed but I thought you might want to chew on another "simplistic" response just for the heck of it. First, even you might agree that one of the biggest mistakes the US made in Vietnam (disregarding the argument that we had no business being there...the fact is we were and we are in Iraq so to me, those points are and were academic after troops were committed) was the very late attempt to genuinely Vietnamatize the war by finally properly equipping the Vietnamese and attempting to train them to fight our way. There was a precedent for taking that approach because it worked in Korea but no, it didn't work in Vietnam but part of the reason it didn't was because we waited until the American Congress had tired of the war and we were looking for an exit strategy. The Vietnamese, both North and South, and we knew we were leaving the field of battle.not allow those whom we are attempting to train, protect, motivate, and inspire to get by on the cheap. Every effort has been made in Iraq since day one to minimize our troop presence. The critics of the war (and some supporters like John McCain) have been screaming from early on that we needed more boots on the ground. They haven't been sent and Rumsfeld make it clear that they wouldn't be unless the commanders in Iraq asked for them. I strongly suspect that those whom were so inclined knew better than to ask. After all, Tommy Franks made a point of achieving a rapid, near blitzkrieg victory with less troops than the critics said were needed so why are they needed now when there are thousands of Iraqi's that have a stake in their country's future wondering the country killing Americans. Sure mistakes were made after the initial military objectives were achieved like disbanding the Iraqi army, but all along we have made it clear that the Iraqis must actively participate in rebuilding their own country, provide their own security, and engage the enemy when and where needed.
