Broken Record Keeps Repeating Itself and Costs Lives: American, Korean, Vietnamese and Iraqi

In March 1964, Secretary of Defense Robert S. McNamara started a speech about South Vietnam with the statement that "the independence of a nation and the freedom of its people are being threatened by Communist aggression and terrorism." Many speeches later he concluded in upbeat terms that sound frighteningly similar to other proclamations from the Defense Department since World War II:

"When the day comes that we can safely withdraw, we expect to leave an independent and stable South Vietnam, rich with resources and bright with prospects for contributing to the peace and prosperity of Southeast Asia and of the world."

We had heard that before and are hearing it again.

"When the day comes that we can safely withdraw, we expect to leave an independent and stable South Korea, rich with resources and bright with prospects for contributing to the peace and prosperity of East Asia and of the world." Our troops are still there.

"When the day comes that we can safely withdraw, we expect to leave an independent and stable Iraq, rich with resources and bright with prospects for contributing to the peace and prosperity of the Middle East and of the world."

Only this time, Iraq has become our colony. We are building a huge, secure “embassy” in Baghdad. We are building huge, permanent air bases to support our presence there. When will President Bush appoint a Governor General of our newest colony?