Since there weren't demonstrations in the streets, editorials in newspapers of any stripe, letters to papers/Congress, etc. as there were against Vietnam, there was tacit approval. Afghanistan dropped from voters' minds unless there was a major screw-up that made the headlines for a day. It disappeared because it wasn't costing the avera…
Since there weren't demonstrations in the streets, editorials in newspapers of any stripe, letters to papers/Congress, etc. as there were against Vietnam, there was tacit approval. Afghanistan dropped from voters' minds unless there was a major screw-up that made the headlines for a day. It disappeared because it wasn't costing the average American anything in terms of money (no taxes raised to pay for it so dear George just put it on the government credit card so that Rs can start screaming about how much Social Security/Medicare costs years down the road), it wasn't causing any rationing (heaven forbid Joe/Mary/rich guy down the street should have to sacrifice something), and of course, with no draft, it wasn't their blood being spilled, or their sons and daughters being killed/maimed/scarred for life. Never thought I'd want the draft to come back! Even among Ds, Afghanistan was a bare blip in their thoughts. So, yes, the war went on because the voters didn't care.
Since there weren't demonstrations in the streets, editorials in newspapers of any stripe, letters to papers/Congress, etc. as there were against Vietnam, there was tacit approval. Afghanistan dropped from voters' minds unless there was a major screw-up that made the headlines for a day. It disappeared because it wasn't costing the average American anything in terms of money (no taxes raised to pay for it so dear George just put it on the government credit card so that Rs can start screaming about how much Social Security/Medicare costs years down the road), it wasn't causing any rationing (heaven forbid Joe/Mary/rich guy down the street should have to sacrifice something), and of course, with no draft, it wasn't their blood being spilled, or their sons and daughters being killed/maimed/scarred for life. Never thought I'd want the draft to come back! Even among Ds, Afghanistan was a bare blip in their thoughts. So, yes, the war went on because the voters didn't care.
See (um, *hear*) McMurtry, James: "Operation Never Mind".