The American Spectator

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/p> p> NO MORE VIETNAMS br> Re: Mark Tooley's "Lessons From Vietnam" : /p>

Conspicuously absent from most articles concerning what might have been if only the United States had stayed in Vietnam is any attempt to assess how long we would have had to remain and at what cost in human lives and national treasure. Monday morning quarterbacking is always a gratifying activity. We are confident that our alternative scenario would have led to a more desirable conclusion. Of course, we have the luxury of never having our alternative tested.

One lesson from Vietnam and Iraq that is rarely, if ever, discussed is that the American public quickly becomes wary and restive when the administration lies, obfuscates or misrepresents about the reasons for war and/or the progress of the war. Both political parties have proven to be adept at lying, obfuscating and misrepresenting.

During Vietnam, the draft and taxes were two of the many reasons why public support for the war waned, but neither applies today. Perhaps this will be a subject for future generations to think about when they contemplate the "lessons from Iraq."

p>Also, why so much concern for the people in Southeast Asia who fell under the tyranny of communism and the people of Iraq who lived under the tyranny of Saddam Hussein and so little for the people of Darfur? I guess it's more gratifying to castigate our political enemies than it is to develop and pursue a consistent moral philosophy. br> -- Mike Roush br> North Carolina /p>

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