Try again!

Yesterday I posted "Repeating past mistakes". I failed to mention any past mistakes. . . duh!
In the Korean war, we did not invade North Korea for fear of getting China involved; our politicians choosing instead to set a defensive line in South Korea. China got involved anyway and 57 years later we're still there.
In the Vietnam war, we did not invade North Vietnam for fear of getting China involved; our politicians choosing instead to set defensive positions in South Vietnam. China (and Russia) got involved anyway and we lost. President Johnson and Sec. Robert McNamara knew in February 1965 (I went to Vietnam in July 1965) that the United States could not win the war, but decided to continue anyway. As a result, more than 50,000 Americans died and hundreds of thousands were injured, before the war ended in our defeat.
Politicians should not run wars, generals should. Warn Afghan civilians to stay away from terrorist groups or risk injury or death. Give Gen. McChrystal what he needs, order him NOT to use "proportional response", and let's get this damn war over with.