I think people are being more cautious than we were back then. Most people are directing their anger at George Bush and I hope it stays that way. Also, most people don't see the Iraqi as atrocious as the Vietnam war was seen.

I think the public of all western nations are a bit more spin-savvy than they were back in the 70's, and this should reduce any incidents of this type. It won't get rid of them entirely, however. In spite of my first sentence, I'd never underestimate the capacity for ignorance within the public as a whole, which will inevitably show itself. It's very sad that honourable service to a bad master isn't viewed positively or even neutrally by many. The service is the same whoever's name it's done in, and nothing should detract from that in the current circumstances. That said, I'd be interested to see any incidents of politicians being vilified in the same way. Unlikely I think, what with the wonderfully protected environments they've created for themselves.

There are some fundamental differences between the wars that make comparison hard. For one, the Vietnam vets were drafted - the majority of them didn't want to be there. There is way more pro-military fervour (from what I've seen) now than there was then, so I don't think this will be an issue. You'd think people have forgotten that violence is wrong, although I suppose we have the eighties to blame for that. Apparently it is justifiable if you are 'fighting for our freedom'. Society is filled with hypocrisy. :P

There will probably be some, however, I think this is where the "I support the troops but I don't support the war" sentiment is coming from. I think a lot of people can look back and say that the military personnel shouldn't have been treated the way they were in regards to Viet Nam. I think people now feel like, they are doing the job they were sent to do and we can't hold them personally responsible. We wish them no harm and no ill will, however, we disagree with the powers that be that sent them there in the first place.

What's scary is that the public did support the Vietnam vets in the first few years. They turned on them later. No way to know what's going to happen to the Iraq vets, but I think the Vietnam vets are going to do what they can to prevent it. And some of the people who took part in the harassment of the Vietnam vets now realize their anger was misdirected. I do know, though, that some people find blaming the Iraq vets a little easier because none of us were drafted.

I hope we have learned from the past and we will not do them the same horrible injustice.

No, I don't think that will happen. This is an older and wiser America that has been involved in one too many 'no win campaigns'. I would like to believe that the majority of Americans realize that we have been, once again, duped. Although Saddam Hussein was an evil man, America had at least one honorable opportunity to get involved in Iraq, namely when Saddam committed the horrible atrocity of attempted genocidal biological warfare against the Kurds. We chose to turn a blind eye. There was nothing to gain, after all. Our current involvement is based upon Bush's assertion that Iraq was associated with Al Qaeda and possessed further WOMDs, regardless of all the evidence provided by many U.N. investigators who stated this was not so. We are not wanted there, for the most part, and we are viewed as the enemy. This attack was a cowboy campaign by one man. I believe there were several motivations for it. I think the Iraq invasion was perhaps partly due to Saddam's failed assassination attempt against Bush Sr., partly a Texas oil man's greed and the greed and opportunity presented to his biggest advocates and supporters, and partly the need to just kick someone's ass. I believe that most of us see this and our hearts truly go out to the young men and women who are fighting this battle, sacrificing their young lives and minds, with patriotism in their hearts. They believe they are doing the right thing and I believe the American public is behind them, bless their hearts. This is not our first rodeo, after all.

What was done to the Nam vets?

in terms of benefit shtye are not being f-d over, BUT i am concerned about psychological welfare.....who has PTSD who doesnt is it being treated....id say not well enough.