Last year I published a 15-item list of comparisons between the US experience in Vietnam, 1965—1966 and that of the current war in Iraq, 2003—2004. With another year behind us, here is Part II of that comparison for Iraq, 2003—2005 and Vietnam, 1965—1967:
`
Item
Iraq 2003—2005
Vietnam 1965—1967
16
Poisonous weapon used?
17
Administration’s response to soldier complaints of being poisoned by US weapons?
18
US troop deaths?
2,178
19
Troops in country during 3rd year?
160,000
500,000
20
US troop deaths per troops in country?
136 per 10,000
300 per 10,000
21
Number of President’s children of military age?
22
Number of President’s children serving in military?
23
Strange concept of liberation applied?
We had to destroy it to save it
We had to destroy it to save it
24
Who have war supporters blamed for lack of quick victory?
25
Who have war supporters not blamed for lack of quick victory?
26
Language, history, and customs unknown to American soldiers on the ground?
yes
yes
27
Election held to choose head of state of country?
28
Monthly cost to US for operations in country (in 2004 dollars)
29
Member of US Congress calls for withdrawal?
John Murtha D-PA
Eugene McCarthy D-MN
30
Term increasingly applied to US involvement?
Thus, we can all still take comfort securely in our knowledge that Iraq is not Vietnam; Vietnam is spelled with a "V" and is in Southeast Asia, Iraq is spelled with an "I" and is in Southwest Asia.
Jim Cox is an Associate Professor of Economics and Political Science at the Lawrenceville Campus of Georgia Perimeter College and the author of The Concise Guide to Economics and Minimum Wage, Maximum Damage.
