Hiya
I had to make a comment. Most threads dealing with the politics of the War on Terrorism, I don't involve myself in, becuase I have quite a stake in it. However, something has gotten the best of me and I just gotta opine.
First, I'm a soldier. I enlisted becuase of the events of 9-11. Since then, I have been in Afghanastan and Iraq. I've seen and fought in both countries. Some of the places I've been (Fallujah), have been the center of media attention on the war of terror. I like to think, becuase I was a pair of boots on the ground, I have a pretty good grasp on things.
I can't justify either combat zone. I'm not nor will I ever be privy to the intellgince reports the Commander of Cheif is privy too. All I know is, I rose my right hand and swore an oath to a higher power then myself, that I will obey his orders.
With this in mind, I'm not sure how someone can accurately compare the War on Terrorism to Veitnam;
--First, Veitnam was considered a conflict for containment, to keep communinsim from spreading. Iraq wasn't about containing Sadaam, but taking him out of power.
--Second, all Military branches today are volunteer. Everyone I have and am serving with, agreed to go, knowing full well the dangers. No one was drafted against their will, no one race, creed or tax bracket is bearing the burden of sending their family members there, they are all equally sharing it.
--Third, The oppostion in Veitnam was much stiffer. NVA and Veit Cong had firm grasp of gorilla tactics that took a toll on human life, that the combined life loss in the War on Terrorism is just a fraction off. The oppostion faced in Iraq and the Stan are **** poor in comparison. Suicide bombings and kidnaping are not the acts of proud resisters, they are acts of desparation, by believers of a failed idealogy.
-- Fourth, Service members are supported. I've never been spit on, mocked, ignored or treated with anything but dignity and respect by every civilian I come across while in uniform. Veterans of Veitnam didn't have the luxory or dare I say, the glory that I received. The public has supported us 110%.
-- Fifth, Veitnam was unpopular and costed officals their terms in office. The war in Iraq and it's occupation got President Bush re-elected. Thats got to mean something.
Ya know, when I walked the streets of Fallujah and the canals of the small villages up and down the river of the Euphrates, I never got the evil eye. When I looked those people in the eye, I didn't see hate. I didn't see mass resistence. What I did see, was a people caught between American occupiers they didn't understand and radical muslims from around the Arab world (rarely Iraqi natives) that couldn't wage an effective war to save their lives ( which often didn't ) so they had to resort to bullying poor farmers.
Was this war started becuase of lies and motivated for some kind of poltical or monetary gain? I dunno. However, when people ask me, " Was it worth it?" reffering of course, to the price we and I have paid, I can look them in the eye and say with a confident conscience, " Yes. everybit of it was."
does this mean you don't follow any man made rule?
