Generals fight wars, but politicians lose them
Re “A Commander Caught in the Mire of Vietnam,” Gen. William C. Westmoreland obituary, July 19
It’s interesting that we criticize the generals but forget that they must do as their commander in chief orders. We have lost wars (or police actions) in Korea, Vietnam and Iraq because the generals did not run the war, the president and his team did. We are losing the present war in Iraq, or at least extending it tremendously, because President Bush and Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld are running the war. Westmoreland dedicated himself to the service of this country. He should be remembered as a great patriot. Nothing less will do.
Suzanne Brugman
Whittier
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Westmoreland blamed the media for his failed leadership in the Vietnam War. He never admitted we lost the war in Vietnam. He said, “The U.S. did not fulfill its commitment to South Vietnam.” Maybe President Bush can claim we did not fulfill our commitment to the Iraqi people when the inevitable pullout of our troops begins.
Praba Chandran
Playa del Rey
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