The more things change...
I'm as happy about the elections in Iraq as the next guy. But let's not lose our sense of historical perspective. From the Times, dateline September 3, 1967 (courtesy of Kevin Drum):
U.S. Encouraged by Vietnam Vote Officials Cite 83% Turnout Despite Vietcong Terror
by Peter Grose, Special to the New York Times
WASHINGTON, Sept. 3-- United States officials were surprised and heartened today at the size of turnout in South Vietnam's presidential election despite a Vietcong terrorist campaign to disrupt the voting.
According to reports from Saigon, 83 per cent of the 5.85 million registered voters cast their ballots yesterday. Many of them risked reprisals threatened by the Vietcong.
Of course, we all know that times have changed. (For one thing, torture is now legal.) But even our gaily optimistic president says the fighting will continue. And when he says fighting will continue, you better believe him.
U.S. Encouraged by Vietnam Vote Officials Cite 83% Turnout Despite Vietcong Terror
by Peter Grose, Special to the New York Times
WASHINGTON, Sept. 3-- United States officials were surprised and heartened today at the size of turnout in South Vietnam's presidential election despite a Vietcong terrorist campaign to disrupt the voting.
According to reports from Saigon, 83 per cent of the 5.85 million registered voters cast their ballots yesterday. Many of them risked reprisals threatened by the Vietcong.
Of course, we all know that times have changed. (For one thing, torture is now legal.) But even our gaily optimistic president says the fighting will continue. And when he says fighting will continue, you better believe him.
posted by Benjamin Lessing at 9:12 PM
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