Comparing Iraq and Vietnam can be a little scary at times, even for the Decider. His comparisons, like his view of the world is rather delusional. Rep. Robert Wexler (D-FL) actually made some sense yesterday when Petraeus made his way to D.C. for the anticipated (but not surprising) report on the war.
From Crooks and Liars:
Wexler: I vehemently opposed the surge when the president announced that last winter and instead I call for troops be withdrawn. In your testimony today you claim that the surge is working and you need more time. With all respect General, among unbiased nonpartisan expert consensus is far. The surge has failed based on most parameters. In truth, war related deaths have doubled in Iraq in 2007 compared to last year. Tragically, it is my understanding that seven more American troops have died while we’ve been talking today. Cherry picking statistics or selectively massaging information will not change the basic truth.
And please understand Gen. P., I do not question your credibility. You are a true patriot. I admire your service to our nation, but I do question your facts. And it is my patriotic duty to represent my constituents and ask you. question you about your argument that the surge in troops be expended until next summer, especially when your testimony stating that the dramatic reduction in sectarian death is opposite from the National intelligence estimate the Government accounting office and several other non-biased non- partisan reports.
I am skeptical General, more importantly the American people are skeptical because four years ago very credible people while in uniform and not in uniform came before this Congress and sold us a bill of goods that turned out to be false. And that’s why we went to war based on false pretense to begin with.
This testimony today is eerily similar to the testimony the American people heard on April twenty eighth nineteen sixty seven from General William Westmoreland, when he told the American people–America was making progress in Vietnam.
Wexler makes a very good point here. Iraq may not be a carbon copy of Vietnam, but there are many eerie similarities that make it seem like Bush and his team are taking the lessons of thirty years ago and repeating actions that have been shown to lead to failure. A small percentage of Americans believe Bush is exhibiting leadership in the Middle East, but it looks a lot more like insanity to me.
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