The Lessons of Vietnam

 Henry Kissinger recently published an article "the lessons of Vietnam" in the LA Times. Kissinger argues,"(a) strategic design cannot be achieved on a fixed, arbitrary deadline; it must reflect conditions on the ground. But it also must not test the endurance of the American public to a point where the outcome can no longer be sustained by our political process. In Iraq, rapid, unilateral withdrawal would be disastrous. At the same time, a political solution remains imperative."

 Even though Kissinger is negative about a set tiimetable for unilateral withdrawal, he recognises the need to secure domestic support for any foreign military adventure. The Bush administration is already testing the patience of the American people by continuing the unwinnable war with the Iraqi insurgents who are effectively acting as standing troops of al-Quaeda with or without affiliation.

 Moreover, Iran has every incentive to meddle with the Iraq war by supporting the insurgents covertly just as Red China aided and abetted the Viet Cong(VC), hampering US efforts to win the war on the ground.

 Kissinger further asserts,"Vietnam and Iraq are different conflicts in different times, but there is an important similarity: A point was reached during the Vietnam War when the domestic debate became so bitter as to preclude rational discussion of hard choices. Administrations of both political parties perceived the survival of South Vietnam as a significant national interest. They were opposed by a protest movement that coalesced behind the conviction that the war reflected an amorality that had to be purged by confrontational methods. This impasse doomed the U.S. effort in Vietnam; it must not be repeated over Iraq."

 The Vietnam war had reached a bitter ending due to Kissinger's diplomatic skills that was dubbed "shuttle diplomacy". Kissinger recognised the need to reach a diplomatic agreement with the Communists that resulted in the Paris Accord of 1973. Kissinger cleaned up the mess left by the Johnson administration.

@It would take another Democratic president to achieve the same goal. @Moreover, the role played by the antiwar activists of the era cannot be discounted. Antiwar activism worked during the Vietnam war. Why not now?

Cindy Sheehan
Mood:  sad

On Cindy Sheehan's Retirement

 

 The icon of the antiwar movement Cindy Sheehan called it quits. She has been an inspiration for all of us who are trying to change the course of the US is heading for.

 "I have used all my energy trying to stop this country from slaughtering innocent human beings. I have been called every despicable name that small minds can think of and have had my life threatened many times," Sheehan said.

 She suffered harrasments and arrests and it's time for her to restore peace in her own life rather than jeoperdising her own life and her family by carring the flag of the movement.

 "It is hard to work for peace when the very movement that is named after it has so many divisions," Sheehan said.  Every antiwar activist has his or her own reason to get involved. But everyone has the same goal regardless of his or her ideological background.

 Nevertheless, the American public turned against the war overwhelmingly since the day she had enetered the fray. Her contribution to the good of the society should be honoured and we hope that she found some solace with regard to the loss of her own son.

 Now that Nancy Pelosi starts speaking like Ms Sheehan. It is up to those in power to achieve Ms Sheehan's ultimate goal of the termination of the war in Iraq. It would take time to reverse the wrong course taken by the Bush administration.

Meeting Blair
For the last time, Bush and Blair meet at the White House. Blair lost his popularity due to his decision to topple Saddam and side with Bush. For Great Britain, maintaining the special relationship is the only way to keep her great power prestige that she had lost by fighting the second world war that she copuld not afford without the American aid.

Hillary Clinton
During the first debate, she tried hard to look presidential and manly. She took a taough stance on immigration and terrorism. She could have shown her feminine side rather than competing with her male counterparts. She is the most electable candidate in both camps. All she needs to do is to show what she really is.

Dick Cheney
Mood:  incredulous
Vice President has the overwhelmimg influence on the policy-making of the Bush administration. He was selected as V.P. to bolster confidence on the voters who were sceptical of Bush's abilities to cope with the job as the leader of the free world. Clearly, Cheney overstepped his bounds by behaving as Bush's attack dog. Cheney should keep a low profile as he should be.