The analogy between the Little Big Horn in the 19th Century and Iraq and Afghanistan today continues to be rather interesting. Custer was out-maneuvered, out-flanked, and out-numbered. In the hornet's nest we call the Middle East, the same is true of Bush, particularly the out-numbered part, according to McChrystal. There is, however, one major difference. Custer was killed in the battle. Bush was relieved. The similarities, however, continue. The Sioux and Cheyenne had complete disdain for the federal government in Washington. The tribes Bush attacked have complete disdain for any government, central, provincial, and local, not to mention the government of occupiers.They rely on the tribe for security. The American Indian was technologically inferior toWashington's cavalry and infantry. The bow and arrow and spearswere no match for repeating rifles. The weapons possessed by the tribes Bush attacked, AK-47's, IED's, grenade launchers, andthe occasional mortars androckets are no match for thehigh tech American infantry and armor along withcomplete air superiority.
Despite enormous odds against him, because of his cunning and use of terrain, it took over a 100 hundred years to subdue the American Indian. The tribes Bush attackedappear to have the sameabilities. Want proof? The longevity of the two wars caused by Bush.Are we willing to pay that price again, a 100 years, particularly when it comes to Afghanistan, a far-off land that has no consequence to Americans even if they could locate iton a map, aland so different from us it could be on a different planet.
It is hoped the analogy above ends where it began, that our leaders have learned the lessons of history ... and the immediate past.
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