The Conflicted American Opinions on the Current War(s)

[jluetjen]

The war in Iraq (and to a lesser degree Afghanistan) has been a re-occurring theme on this BBS. I happened across this 5 part series on YouTube titled "America's War - World War II In Color" in which many of the themes that people bring up here echo what people thought, wrote and said about what we now consider to be almost a "Holy War" against the Nazis in Europe. The similarities -- and differences are striking. Also the scale is striking -- the US (alone) had about 450 casualties a day during the Battle of the Bulge, prior to which many believed that Germans were beaten, and which was itself only 5 months prior to the end of the War in Europe.











I often find a review of 1st person observations from history to be very enlightening when considering current day events. Any thoughts?

[cairns]

I always thought a better comparison might be the Korean War. I had heard similar support figures for Harry than Bush (50% disagreed with attacking the North, he had a 30 to 40% approval rating), I think the situation is fairly analagous and SK was (other than Hong Kong) the first real democratic foot hold in South Asia. If Iraq is as prosperous and free as SK twenty years from now no one will really remember the dissent. And if it's not, of course, history will have a different judgment. More like Vietnam I guess.

[jluetjen]

I understand your point Cairns, but for the reasons you mention it is far easier for many to draw connections between Iraq and -- let's say -- Viet Nam. Many here are all too willing to tie the two together as examples of wars that the US should never have entered. That straw man has been beaten to death already.

I find it interesting how conflicted people's opinions were during a war that was about as clear-cut example of "Good versus Evil" as has ever existed.