This or That?

Two choices. Zero context. Infinite fun!

Vietnam or Iraq?

01/09/2007, Submitted by Jeremy Stockwell

Vietnam 24.0%

Iraq 76.0%

25 votes

This poll is closed.

This or That? will run its final poll on December 1st. Subscribe to the ToTers Google Group to keep in touch!

14 comments for Vietnam or Iraq?

jen cox said:

2007-01-08 21:07:29, posting from 76.214.115.93

Ugh. Not sure I can even vote on this one.

Jeremy Stockwell said:

2007-01-08 21:08:57, posting from 66.202.112.227

Ouch! Once again, what seemed like a good idea when I submitted this topic is now a real downer to actually choose! How about Iraq or Count Chocula? That'd be an easier choice. I voted Iraq -- though I'm not entirely sure why. Maybe I should have chosen Vietnam, simply because it's OVER!

Says Randy, the This or That? administrator:

2007-01-08 21:37:43

I went with Iraq because according to Wikipedia, the total number of people killed in the Iraq conflict (including war-related civilian criminal violence deaths) is still far, far fewer than the total number of people killed in the Vietnam war.

Total dead in Iraq so far: Around 665,600 (using the highest estimates)

Total dead in the Vietnam war: Over 1,890,000 (including approximately 1 million civilians)

Doctor Z said:

2007-01-09 05:25:25, posting from 68.54.213.240

Yeah, but Iraq is worth it. It's a 'Crusade' not just a 'Police Action.'

jason said:

2007-01-09 05:26:29, posting from 209.43.1.25

Iraq - mostly for the same reason that Randy gave, and there were good reasons (whether we stated the real ones or not) to try and help them get rid of Saddam.

Did you know, nearly 1200 people die each day in the US from smoking related issues? Since the beginning of the Iraq war, we've lost approximately 1,602,000 people...

Says Randy, the This or That? administrator:

2007-01-09 05:58:39

Jason, does that figure include people who are shot to steal their cigarettes?

Pat said:

2007-01-09 07:18:04, posting from 24.98.81.221

I am becoming more concerned about the inability of using military means to achieve peace. So I voted Iraq because this war calls for thought and action today--much more important than second guessing what could have been done in Vietnam.

I highly suggest you listen to the talk given by Rob Bell on December 10. It is helping me to reform my thinking about Iraq and armed conflict in general.

Go to http://www.mhbcmi.org/listen/index.php then download December 10, 2006 "Calling all Peacemakers II: The questions of a kingdom"

Chris B said:

2007-01-09 07:36:41, posting from 66.162.239.18

Iraq - currently fighting a civil war

Vietnam - currently not fighting a civil war

So I'll choose non-war over war.

Dave C said:

2007-01-09 08:04:47, posting from 207.67.90.51

It would be nice if for all future conflict the US could stick to fighting people who don't believe blowing themselves up is a good idea.

War is hell, no doubt about it.

Unfortunately the prospect of nuclear armed (or supposed armed as with Iraq) hostile middle eastern states leaves US security in question. What do you do? Wait for them to get armed and use them or pre-empt? Neither option is good as the MAD principle doesn't always seem to apply.

10.

Jeremy Stockwell said:

2007-01-09 09:18:03, posting from 204.11.94.66

"Did you know, nearly 1200 people die each day in the US from smoking related issues?"

That's why I'm quitting smoking!! :-)

Good, civil discussion here so far. I hope that it will remain that way. Thanks to Randy for the casuality figures. Thanks to Pat for the Rob Bell info.

11.

Dana said:

2007-01-09 09:45:29, posting from 198.209.167.104

That whole you-get-to-make-up-your-own-context thing really made this one easier for me. To which place would I rather vacation? Which war provided the backdrop for my favorite musical (Miss Saigon)? Vietnam, on both counts.

12.