×

Lesson still unlearned

To the editor:

Now that the American public has started to notice Afghanistan after ignoring it for many years, maybe we will finally realize that invasions and occupations of Middle Eastern countries are very unpopular with the people who live there. Our good intentions don’t mean much to people who experience destruction and death in their own towns and cities year after year. And then there is the suffering U.S. military families have endured. Flag-waving and kind words will not ease their loss or make them whole.

The lesson was supposed to have been learned after Vietnam, but there are some temptations that are too strong to resist. War makes lots of money for a select few, it generates inspirational campaign slogans for some others and it allows for endless chest thumping by those who keep their boots planted firmly on the ground, here at home.

John Rucki

Amsterdam

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

COMMENTS

[vivafbcomment]

Starting at $4.73/week.

Subscribe Today