A war with Iraq could divide America much like the Vietnam War did more than 30 years ago, according to Central Michigan University sociologist Robert Newby. He offers the following viewpoints:
ð On support for a war with Iraq: "Even though the polls say that a majority of Americans think the U.S. should wage war against Saddam Hussein right now, there is a substantial segment of Americans who feel the war is premature and possibly dangerous in that it may lead to a quagmire and more terrorism, not less. Even the Vietnam War did not have this much opposition at the onset."
ð War will further divide Americans: "Sociologically, the divisions will be explosive. A major part of the division will be based upon the fact that Bush lacks legitimacy because of the 2000 elections for many Americans. For this grouping, an invasion of Iraq will be seen as a cynical ploy to keep his ratings up.
"Much of black America falls into this latter category. They did not vote for Bush. They feel that conservatives, including Bush, are opposed to an agenda that promotes their status as a people. Moreover, it will be black enlisted personnel who will die disproportionately in such a war."
ð Bush could find himself in the same position as Lyndon Johnson: "Vietnam was a Cold War disaster based upon lies. The Gulf of Tonkin resolution that provided former President Lyndon Johnson with the support of Congress to wage that war is now known to be a lie. Many are suspicious of Bush for the same reasons. He has not provided the clear and compelling evidence to the American people such that they know Saddam is an immediate threat to the U.S."
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