THE ISSUE: Similarities between the situation in Afghanistan and what America faced in Vietnam.

***

Ralph Peters hits the nail on the head again (“Vietnam-istan,” PostOpinion, Aug. 3).

As a draftee who wandered the Vietnam countryside in 1968, I agree that Afghanistan has developed the same “feel.”

We aren’t sure why we are there, and they aren’t sure why we are there. We don’t have a clear strategic plan, and they are basically useless.

This is a toxic combination that, if not altered, will end tragically, as it did in Vietnam.

Peters’ suggestion of a small, but “lethal,” American presence has some merit. We can hunt down the bad guys, and they can work on establishing a country.

It’s worth a shot, and will save some American lives.

Kenneth P. Lebeck

Plainview

***

Peters is correct. Unlike Iraq, which is flourishing into a semi-functioning democratic state, Afghanistan is not capable of anything near that success.

It’s very interesting that all of the liberal, tree-hugging hippies have not been holding war protests outside of the White House everyday since President Obama has been in office.

I guess war is only an ethical issue when a Republican is president.

Matthew Nugent

Staten Island

***

Peters was gung-ho during the entire Iraq war when George W. Bush was president. But now that it’s a Democrat calling the shots, all of a sudden Peters is against war? Give me a break.

I’m glad Peters wrote this article, because it shows people like my right-wing brother what a phony Peters is.

Rocco Pellone

Manhattan