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I can't get the image out of my mind of the US helicopters evacuating people from the roof of the Saigon Embassy. Not the same situation at all, of course, but a time where we left a political vacuum that guaranteed victory for the other side.
Nor can I forget the image of my father coming home from his deployment to Vietnam, and a protestor coming up and spitting in his face in the airport - he wasn't even home an hour, and that was his homecoming greeting...you can imagine the effect that had on a 3 year old boy at the time (me).
I understand the Chamberlain comment, but I don't think it's really the same situation. Spain is fighting it's own battle with the Basques. The Spanish government simply was not in favor of the way we prosecuted the war -- without the UN or whomever.
The Spanish situation was a government snafu of trying to lay blame on the Basques, when it looks as though it was al qaeda - I just hope the voters made their choice in anger over deception, and not in fear of further attacks - if it is the latter, then yes, they will follow Chamberlain's doctrine, which, if history is our guide - will only lead to further bloodshed and chaos. The former government in Spain was in favor of our prosecution, but obviously not the new administration.
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