The Squakbox comment that transformed into a blog

I remember reading in the history books that it took a lot of persuasion in both the U.S. and in Europe to actually insert some physical or political pressure against the events in occurring in Germany.

After all it did take the attack at Pearl Harbor to convince America that there was a good fight to fight across the pond.

I think historical times (50's, 60's 40's et al) seem black & white because public opinion has been reinforced by every generation reading the same streamlined historical account in our history textbooks.

Or maybe because World War II was a successful choice; it certainly had a successful effect in Europe, France, Germany, Poland -that effect being freedom. Those people had their land, liberty, and justice returned to them (although some got it later than others, i.e. East and West Germany).

Vietnam certainly was not a successful military choice. More than two decades later it is still viewed as an unsuccessful military decision, not matter how noble its original intentions. When Vietnam's conclusion reaches its 50 year anniversary I doubt it will be viewed any differently. This one won't age well.

But will the Afghanistan/Iraq conflict be viewed as a having a positive effect on those countries and a positive effect on the international community in 50 years? I think it depends what comes out it. If in the end the US and its allies leave the proper framework for a democratic country to flourish, grow, and sustain itself, then yes. If not, then it may be yet another black mark on the US; one more chance for US leaders and society to second-guess our country as an arrogant aggressor. If in five years all the US government can brag about is that they brought those 'liberated' countries cell phone service and Levi's but not the ability to self-govern then I believe this will not be considered the correct choice and will haunt Bush Jr's. administration for the ages.

And no airport or building re-naming or a presidential mug on some American currency will diminish that blemish from Bush Jr's record.