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Calm down...
It was ill advised to post these "comparisons," however this won't be the first or the last of this kind of thing we see.
This is not the first post from Arya that I've thought was out of place.
However, as this "war" goes on, the debate over whether it's just, smart, worthwhile, being executed properly and a miriad of other things will show up.
Sooner or later the "Hawks" and "Doves" will probably have at each other.
I was a college student (and ROTC cadet) during the height of the Vietnam "Conflict" and a paraphrasing of, "America, Love it or Leave It," is a concern to me. Freedom of speech and discussion is one of the basic tennants on which our Constitution is based and upon which our country was founded. Nowhere does it say, "You can have any opinion you want as long as I agree with it."
"My country, right or wrong," is something we've all heard. As I understand it, that quote is generally taken somewhat out of context. The quote may not be exact, but I believe the entire thought is, "My country, may she always be right -- but, right or wrong, my country." In other words, I will support my country -- but I don't have to always agree with it.
If something endangers our national security, it should be surpressed. This doesn't.
Extremism vs. extremism is a recipe for disaster.
Name calling (Commie) doesn't help.
Remember that it was, to a large extent, the dissent of the "Anti-war" movement and later the media that helped bring an end to Vietnam.
Having said that...
There is little or no parrallel between the present situation and Vietnam that I can see. The North Vietnamese Army or Viet Cong never attacked on American Soil. While most of us (myself included) believe that the events of September 11 and days after demand a reply in kind, we still must leave room in our minds for thoughtful discussion -- pro and con.
I simply hope that our country and allies have the intestinal fortitude to bring this to a real conclusion. I'm not sure we've done that since World War II. Consider Korea, Vietnam and Desert Storm. Have any of the people or governments that started those actions really been toppled? If we're going to do this, let's finish it this time. If not, let's quit now.
But, that is a digression.
The First Amendment doesn't apply to the web, as far as I know, and probably wouldn't come to play in this case anyway, however the reasons for its existance were drawn from the supression of opposing views and opinions.
Arya, I think this was a dumb thing to post -- and I wish you hadn't -- but it is your right to do it. No matter how ill advised. If other posters choose to abandon this forum because of this posting, it is their loss in the long run.
And ours.
Fraternally,
DeltAlum
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