When did Limited War Doctrine become dogma?

Way back during the Vietnam era, a newly developed Limited War Doctrine was used by our political leaders to guide their actions, and prosecutions, of their war. In hindsight, they were wrong, but I don’t fault their Ivy League judgment at the time, given the bigger problems they were trying to prevent. Like I said, hindsight is wonderful. And while we “lost” in Vietnam, a greater world war with the Chinese or Soviet Union was prevented, according to the bigger doctrine of the Cold War and “containment”. Since we did not enter a nuclear war or even a bigger conventional ground war in Asia, our leaders may have done well. All this is history now, though I really enjoy the hindsight debate about this subject.

What I do not enjoy, or understand, is why our politicians still follow Limited War Doctrine. For the neophytes, the Doctrine practices two things: 1) Gradual escalation of military power will both send a message and kill people; and 2) they will think like us and respond like us. The pressure we apply will be overwhelming, and dictate political decisions on the “other” side’s part.

For the more suspect and conspiracy oriented of us, it appears our present President has hired lightweights, or even well intentioned “educated fools” to do their bit. Others totally opposed to Bush have even amplified their emotions to being against him, as opposed to being for America. What a sad state of affairs, if either one, or both, are correct. Thank goodness people can vote, so excess of emotions and bad judgment can be balanced by calm reason and boredom.

So does the Limited War Doctrine from the 50’s and later work for the USA today? No!
So why, if I am correct, are our politicians still using, and even honoring, this worn out doctrine? There is hope. It appears our President, and his hired minions, are moving towards another Doctrine, one more 2000 oriented. In this there is hope. All most of us want to do is protect our Families, and come home.

When national politics play in, I understand the game of trying to gain votes. When the Democrats point out the obvious problems, I understand. What I want to hear is what are our politicians, local and national, are doing for me and my Family. In this idea, the Limited War Doctrine, fades by the wayside. This is not politics. This is the Nation.