When you say, "it's like Vietnam" to Jim Webb, it has a different meaning than it does to me. Webb, as you know, is a new Senator, a darling of centrists, our "progressive" (yes I have heard him called that, no I won't get a cite and if I never see another such reference, that's all I could ask for) savior.
In this article at USATODAY Webb is quoted as saying "I can still justify the war in Vietnam".
UPDATE: commenters provide a likely context, a Meet The Press interview that I remember now that it's been brought up... the quote is not exactly the same, but very similar, see comments for the quotes/links.
Was it an evil press? What is the apologia? Frankly, if it's propaganda it works a bit on me, except that I'll pause, as I do, and keep watching, but it plays right into the deep anger welling up inside me as people that use "progress" and "liberalism" to sell themselves, then try to redefine that, for example, as similar to "Reagan Voter".
Listen, if you think Reagan was a swell guy or can still justify Vietnam, you are not a "progressive", CERTAINLY, and you are not a "liberal" either, not by the definitions I know. You may be a great guy, I know great people that happen to be conservative (or think they are)... fine, but you can't claim to be an apple pie when you are made of peaches, right? Reagan had Iran-Contra (right after Iran holding American's hostage for over a year!), Reagan had Watt (destroying the environment for the buddy system), Reagan had Haig, one of the craziest fuckers you will ever have the pleasure not to meet.
As a progressive I get very little of what I want in the way of social organization, I have to look to the future, but you can't take my identity and put a Reagan suit on it. What is the problem?!?! If you are a conservative be one.
Who else here can still justify the war in Vietnam?
I'd love to hear Webb's justification, but even more, I'd love to hear him clarify, to flee that quote with all possible speed. And don't get me wrong, you can support the Vietnam War or anything you like... that's fine, but you can't do it and then call yourself the opposite.
"I can justify Vietnam" is the opposite of the progressive position.
(from MLW)