Letter: Public will soon rise up to protest protracted war

Tuesday, Jan. 25, 2005 | 9:17 a.m.

We continue to hear people and commentators compare George Bush's war in Iraq with the situation that faced President Lyndon Johnson during the Vietnam War. I choose to compare the situation to the dilemma that Russia faced in Afghanistan.

Russia became involved in an unwinnable war. Its troops were bogged down in a battle with an insurgent army. Casualties and the death toll continued to mount, until the crescendos of protests rose to such a deafening level that the government finally realized that its troops had to be withdrawn.

What was left of the country was seized by the fundamentalist Taliban and subjected to Islamic Law. As we all know, it became a haven and training ground for al-Qaida.

Do I hear the sounds of history repeating itself? I hear more and more grumbling about the loss of American lives. I am shocked, however, that I do not hear the same concern for the innocent Iraqi civilians killed or maimed. I believe that one of these days the American public will say enough is enough and rise up in anger.

RAY HARBERT