"One  of the saddest episodes in our history was the degree to which returning vets from Vietnam were shunned, demonized and neglected by some because they served in an unpopular war. Too many of those who opposed the war in Vietnam chose to blame not only the leaders who ordered the mission, but the young men who simply answered their country's call. Four decades later, the sting of that injustice is a wound that has never fully healed, and one that should never be repeated." Barack Obama in Virginia talking to vets.

This kind of pandering, lapel pin squarely in place,  is not necessary to win against John McCain.

Do not place the so-called shunning, demonizing and neglect of Viet Nam vets on the backs of those protesting that tragic war.  Put the blame where it belongs -- at the feet of politicians in Washington, D.C.  They are responsible for the thousands upon thousands of dead and maimed.  They are responsible for the poor care vets received when they returned home.  They are responsible for ignoring the plight of Viet Nam vets, especially those with PTSD.  And they are now responsible for turning their backs on that aging population who are homeless, mentally ill and drug addicted -- soon to be overtaken by vets from Iraq and Afghanistan.

Your statement was shockingly ill informed and misplaced.

We are far enough away from Viet Nam that a great many historical examinations have been written and discussed and analyzed. Unfortunately, however, the President does not seem to have reviewed any of that scholarly investigation before making his VFW speech yesterday.

What he has created in his own mind is a conflict which ended too early and which seemed to have inspired Viet Namese communists to follow us home after we pulled out.

He then compared Iraq to the Korean conflict, saying that we created an "Asian Tiger" by staying and holding against the North. Again, the historical comparisons are outrageous.

He somehow misses the point that we are in the middle of a religious civil war in Iraq. In making it equivalent to the Cold War battle against Communism he has elevated the Al Qaida terrorists from criminals to a government entity.

So what do historians think of Bush... and what will future historians think of his activities?

I'd like to see their comments. Any out there?

Under The LobsterScope

If you look on the left side column of The Political Dogfight you'll see a piece written by the brilliant, ground level historian Bernard Fall on the Viet Nam war and the climatic battle that drove the French from the country.  He was killed in that goddamn war when the US was there. Just another jounalist like so many that have fallen in Iraq.

This is a very personal Diary

Just this morning I see that over 10%, over 10% of our KIA [Killed in Action] have come from my own Camp Pendleton Marine Base, just 15 miles down the road and I fear more will die. Only one, just one, insurgent war in the 20th Century has been won by an outside force according to President Clinton.

I wish I could remember the one that was....I don't. 10% of our battle casualties and most of them drank a beer and raised hell in some bar in San Clemente I've probably been in years ago when I more or less lived there with a girlfriend.

more on the flip