-Is President Bush like Louis XVI of France? Bush is hated by many for his unpopular war in Iraq to defeat tyranny and create a free government. Louis XVI was also unpopular during his reign (obviuosly ) for his support of the American War for Independence--which like the war in Iraq, took a financial toll on his country. Both leaders had other intentions than the simply cause of liberty.

-Britain lost the war to the American colonists. It possesed better ships and more powerful armies. They were the superpower of the world--much like the U.S. is today. Our F-22s, laser guided bombs, aircraft carriers, satellites etc. are nice, but arent going to win the war.

-The British lost because they simply couldnt control the entire land. It didnt matter that cities were under its control--much like Baghdad is under ours. The British capture of New York and Philadelphia didnt greatly change the pace of the war.

-The American colonists fought on their home turf, had easier access to supplies/food, and had new men at its disposal....much like the Iraqi insurgency.

-American soldiers sometimes fought with insurgent tactics.

-The Hessians were mercenary soldiers used by the British. Today, we use our money to hire private contractors.

Our war of independence inspired people all across the globe to revolt. Our cause may have not been popular with everyone in the European capitols that spent a great deal of money supporting the young nation. A hundred years later--the investment by nations like France, the Netherlands, and Spain spent its money and sent its soldiers to back its cause in two World Wars. Who knows how Iraq will turn out (the U.S. and France both had civil wars that it recovered from) but perhaps down the road--this small nation will help us out. Hopefully, its free elections can inspire others in that region to settle out its differences so that its people can have a higher quality of life.

What????

What???

France wanted the united states, We dont want Iraq...? we arent looking to make Iraq a state or even a republic......good god!

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America’s political correctness is a disease that will bring down our once fine nation.

What????

What???

France wanted the united states, We dont want Iraq...? we arent looking to make Iraq a state or even a republic......good god!

i like the vietnam theroy better although i dont agree with it, because its not even close.

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America’s political correctness is a disease that will bring down our once fine nation.

^no. The war in the America's was unpopular with many in France. Its people were upset with Louis spending money on people across the sea, instead of on its own poor. The people wouldnt have cared if America was free. The only reason they would have is because it would have been a huge blow to its rival, the British.

American people now arent wanting Iraq. The American people, like the French, are growing tired of the expenses paid by an unpopular leader to a nation thousands of miles away. Its a great analogy. Its like Vietnam in some ways....however, I never said the U.S. revolution was the ultimate comparison. Parts of it are like the Iraq War.

It's an odd choice of comparisons. Especially since, thanks to French support, America turned out so well and eventually came to France's aid in WWI and WWII.

there is also something funny in that. The French only started to support the U.S. after the Battle of Saratoga--a huge defeat of the British. This is similar to the U.S. in Europe during WWII. We came in after the Soviets already did most of the fighting in the East. Its also similar because the French supplied us with most of our weapons during Saratoga, we were a huge supplier and lender to the Soviets in the East.

and who knows if Iraq will ever come to our aid in the future? We had two wars with the British, yet are the two closest allies today. France, who helped us, is disliked now. The French and British supported the South during the American Civil War---yet it was capitol of the Norths actions that aided both nations in the two great wars. Stuff changes so much that its not out of the realm of possibility.

The Revolutionary War is an interesting analogy.

Regarding France, I tend to agree that France was more interested in hurting the British than trying to take over the US territory

The one factor which may not be comparible is the level of desire of the Iraqis to fight for a new govenment. I believe the desire was much stronger in the case of the Americans, who largely initiated the revolution versus having a foreign country intiate it. This difference I believe helps explain the difference the level of success thus far.

The exception to the level of desire arguement might be the Kurds.