It's like déjà vu....all over again...

I have been slowly reading through Grand Expectations: the United States, 1945-1974 (Oxford History of the United States) by James Patterson. I am currently reading the chapter Escalation in Vietnam. The following paragraphs are from that chapter:

"One of the most important lessons that might have been learned from the Vietnam War is that it is difficult for a nation--even a world power--to protect and reform a client state that cannot or will not manage itself. It may be impossible to provide protection if the state in trouble also faces widespread civil unrest and invasion, as was the case with South Vietnam.
Second, the North Vietnamese were willing to fight hard and for ever how long it took."

I just keep shaking my head at our utter stupidity. You know, at least during the Vietnam War there were citizens pointing out the futility and immorality of what we were doing. We don't even have that now.