Iraq And Viet Nam? Side-by-Side quotes from Presidents Bush and Johnson

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Find any similarities...?

* Johnson, March 15, 1967: "America is committed to the defense of South Vietnam until an honorable peace can be negotiated." Despite the obstacles to victory, the president said, "We shall stay the course."

Bush on Aug. 3, 2005: "We will stay the course, we will complete the job in Iraq. And the job is this: We'll help the Iraqis develop a democracy."

* Johnson on Aug. 16, 1967, on South Vietnam's government: "Our nation was not born easily. There were times in those years of the 18th century when it seemed as if we might not be born at all. Given that background, we ought not to be astonished that this struggle in Vietnam continues."

Bush, on Aug. 27, 2005: "Like our own nation's founders over two centuries ago, the Iraqis are grappling with difficult issues, such as the role of the federal government. What is important is that Iraqis are now addressing these issues through debate and discussion -- not at the barrel of a gun."

* Johnson, April 6, 1967: "Be assured that the death of your son will have meaning," he Johnson told the parents of a posthumous recipient of the Medal of Honor. "For I give you also my solemn pledge that our country will persist -- and will prevail -- in the cause for which your boy died."

Bush on Aug. 24: "These brave men and women gave their lives for a cause that is just and necessary for the security of our country, and now we will honor their sacrifice by completing their mission."

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[Hissyspit]

1. Iraq is not Vietnam!!

It tears apart families and friends like Vietnam. It slaughters civilians on a large scale like Vietnam. It breaks up families like Vietnam. It makes us look like imperialists like Vietnam. It kills Americans like Vietnam. It costs and costs us money like Vietnam. It goes on and on and on like Vietnam. But Iraq is not Vietnam.

They're, like, on different places on the globe and everything...

A real difference: Iraq had Vietnam as a MODEL and LESSON for WHAT NOT TO DO. And Americans ignored it.

[tabasco]

2. Thank you. I'm printing this out and showing it to my friends.

People really don't know squat about history.

[Sydnie]

3. Well, we know what the speech writers have been up to since

blivet** came back from vacation. Microwaving Johnson's speeches aren't going to get it guys. Sheesh :shrug:

[sinkingfeeling]

4. Gee, *'s speechwriters aren't too original are they? Can you say

'plagiarism'?

[Poiuyt]

5. Somebody needs to make a poster of these

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6. Karen Hughes- Author of the; "they died for a noble cause speech"

Karen & Karl rading the Viet Nam handbook, one would assume that you're supposed to learn from previous mistakes...?