Wrong Lesson

From CNN:

U.S. President George W. Bush said Friday the United States' unsuccessful war in Vietnam three decades ago offered lessons for the American-led struggle in Iraq.

"We'll succeed unless we quit," Bush said shortly after arriving in this one-time war capital.

If this is the lesson that the President has learned from Vietnam- a war which he did not serve in, instead finding his way into the national guard- then he needs to study harder.

What Vietnam can teach us about Iraq:

• It is exceedingly difficult for the US military to handle an insurgency movement.
• Wars should be 'declared' (not merely 'authorized' or launched by a President) in order to unite the American political system behind a war effort.
• Wars should be fought only when there is clearly an American interest at stake, for if this condition is not met, support for the war will erode rapidly.
• The government should not mislead the people about the causes of the war or the progress of the war, for if this condition is not met, support for the war will erode rapidly.

Given President Bush's difficulties with stating the facts clearly and honestly, I'm not surprised that he would misapply history in this way.

I just hope Americans won't fall for it.

GP