Why doesn't the US remain united in wartime?

[DanS]

AH: Here's a fascinating poll. See question 12, where they compare public perceptions over time of different military actions, such as Korea, Vietnam, Gulf War I, Serbia, etc.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/polls/postpoll062705.pdf

The original Iraq action has much higher support than the original Korea action did, and we have sustained troops in Korea for half a century.

The Tet Offensive really took the stuffing out of public support for the Vietnam War.

[Kuciwalker]

Originally posted by Rufus T. Firefly
Let's also be clear: the Bushies did absolutely NOTHING to prepare the country for a long, difficult war that would require sacrifice. On the contrary, they reassured the public over and over that the war would be quick, clean, and painless.

Isn't it always like that?

The only exception I can think of would be Iraq I.

[Alexander's Horse]

feckless Yankees

[Rufus T. Firefly]

Originally posted by Kuciwalker


Isn't it always like that?

The only exception I can think of would be Iraq I.

Roosevelt did a great job of calling for sacrifice and perserverance in WWII. Lincoln did the same with the Civil War. That's what leadership is.

And actually, my memory is that Bush I sold Gulf I as a quick, painless war -- but he was politically savvy enough to make it one, too, even though it meant screwing the Kurds. Remember, it was Daddy Bush who said he didn't topple Saddam because, if we got to Bagdhad, we would have no way to get out again.

[Zkribbler]

Originally posted by DanS
The Tet Offensive really took the stuffing out of public support for the Vietnam War.

True. Up until that time, the public believed the government's assurances that we "could see the light at the end of the tunnel."

However, when we were taken completely by surprise by a nationwide sneak attack, we realized (a) that the population of South Vietnam must be supporting the Viet Cong and (b) that the U.S. government had been lying to us.

[Vesayen]

Because the Republicans are pepetrating act of evil against the American public and our grievances are legitamite?

You should not ask "Why can't you just stop fighting!"

You should ask "Are their grievances legitamite?"

[Kuciwalker]

Originally posted by Rufus T. Firefly
Roosevelt did a great job of calling for sacrifice and perserverance in WWII. Lincoln did the same with the Civil War. That's what leadership is.

I seem to recall learning that people thought the Civil War would be over in weeks...

And actually, my memory is that Bush I sold Gulf I as a quick, painless war -- but he was politically savvy enough to make it one, too, even though it meant screwing the Kurds.

More like he was lucky enough to have a military that could accomplish even his limited goals in such a short timespan.

[Rufus T. Firefly]

Originally posted by Kuciwalker


I seem to recall learning that people thought the Civil War would be over in weeks...

People will think all sorts of crazy things. My point was that at least we had a leader who was encouraging sacrifice and preparing people for the long haul, even if they weren't listening. The same cannot be said about the present administration.

[Alexander's Horse]

Tet really showed the perils of misleading the public with over optimistic assessments - the daily media briefings in Vietnam came to be known by journalists as the "5 O'Clock Follies" .

Nothing seems to have been learned.

Now we have Rumsfeld saying Iraq is looking at up to 12 years of fighting - that would make the war longer than Vietnam or the Lebanese civil war and give the Afghan war a nudge. This, after claiming the war was all but over months and months ago. What a mess.

[Berzerker]

Why doesn't the US remain united in wartime?

Roughly half the people in this country believed Iraq was behind 9/11. How do people who saw thru the BS unite with those gullible enough to believe the government? If a nation does not have overwhelming support for war, then expect problems. My advice, dont go to war if the nation is divided.

[MrFun]

Re: Why doesn't the US remain united in wartime?

Originally posted by Alexander's Horse


Do you see a pattern? Maybe Americans don't love freedom and liberty as much as we do.

Having unthinking, conforming US Marines going about wreaking havoc as gangsters and rackateers for US corporations during the Cold War has nothing to do with freedom and liberty.

[Theben]

Cant believe AH has kept this troll going this far...

[Alexander's Horse]

not a troll - you got feet of clay

[Theben]

BS this aint a troll...

[Alexander's Horse]

it ain't a bouquet I'll give you that much