by TChris

Bush administration supporters have been chanting a new mantra: "Iraq is not Vietnam. Iraq is not Vietnam." In the words of Molly Ivins: "It may not be Vietnam, but it's sure a quagmire."

Iraq may not be Vietnam, but the Vietnam Syndrome has returned.

At the height of his Gulf War triumph in 1991, President Bush Sr. impulsively and defiantly exulted, "By God We've kicked the Vietnam Syndrome once and for all."

Now former President Bush's son has taken us back to the future, as government officials lie to the public in an effort to win support for a war. The Vietnam Syndrome is back with a vengeance.

As in Vietnam, the role of the U.S. in Iraq is dividing the country. The central question at this point: should we stay in Iraq (with or without broad international support) or should we leave? Howard Zinn's view: get out now.