Enemy watching our divided nation

I take issue with Julie Long’s premise that the Vietnam war was shortened by protest (“War protesting: It made a difference in Vietnam War,” Monday). Protesting the war in Vietnam did not shorten it; it led to division, thereby contributing to the morale of the Viet Cong – especially to Hanoi. This factor would essentially lengthen any war considerably.

We might have won the war, or have promptly extracted our military if either side could have inspired a consensus. But why should conservative America listen to the empty diatribe of a drug-induced counter-culture who, unfortunately, had the loudest voice against the war? Yet, why should those opposed to the war take seriously blind patriotism as an incentive for self-sacrifice? As a result, when communist forces saw America divided, propaganda and, more importantly, time became their exclusive, psychological allies.

Once again, America finds itself divided, and the enemy, resolute for our destruction, accordingly gains unity and optimism while they kill our youth. Our primary enemies reside throughout the Middle East. What fate, more dreadful than that which occurred on Sept. 11, 2001, will unite us as a nation? And, if united, will we cower or fight?

Dan Palmer

Lynnwood