One Minor Point of Clarification

Posted on April 16, 2004    Posted by John Scalzi

Yes, I’m still on break until Monday, and still soliciting topic suggestions for Reader Request Week 2004 (see previous entry). I just wanted to jam in a quick note here about the “Iraq = Vietnam” meme:

1. Iraq is not Vietnam. Politicians and liberal commentators who insist it is are the political equivalent of the aging radio DJ who can’t stop talking about how Jim Morrison changed rock and roll, i.e., they’re sad and lame and thoughtlessly circling a fetishistic object of desire.

2. The fact that Iraq is not Vietnam does not mean it’s not its own unique clusterfuck. Which is the other problem with the “Iraq = Vietnam” meme; by using it, dumbass politicians and liberals allow other dumbass politicians and conservatives to promulgate the following, also incorrect, meme: “If Iraq does NOT = Vietnam, then Iraq = success.”

So please, if you’re a liberal, avoid the “Iraq = Vietnam” meme. You look an ass, and you’re giving a cudgeling oar to all the people who want to pretend that what’s going on in Iraq is some sort of smoothly operating military action, where everything is happening exactly as it should. Live in the now. There’s enough going on here.