Ellsberg Warns Iraq Is Similar to Vietnam

[ProSense]

Ellsberg Warns Iraq Is Similar to Vietnam
By ROSA CIRIANNI, Associated Press Writer
34 minutes ago

MAPLEWOOD, N.J. - The former Defense Department official who leaked secret documents about the Vietnam War said Saturday that he sees many similarities between that conflict and the one in Iraq.

Daniel Ellsberg, 74, became famous for his release of the Pentagon Papers, which indicated the government had deceived the public about whether the war could be won and the extent of casualties.

He spoke to a crowd of more than 400 people at a New Jersey high school, telling them that the Vietnam War and the war in Iraq were both based on lies, referring to the such as the claim that Iraq had weapons of mass destruction.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051113/ap_on_re_us/ellsberg_iraq

[swag]

1. Thanks for the post.

Newsday also has a piece on the speech:

http://www.newsday.com/news/local/wire/newjersey/ny-bc-nj--ellsbergoniraq1112nov12,0,5753568.story?coll=ny-region-apnewjersey

excerpt:

During Saturday's talk, Ellsberg said both the Vietnam war and the war in Iraq were based on lies, referring to the failure to find weapons of mass destruction in Iraq.

Ellsberg also sent out a special message to people working in the federal government today, urging them to speak up now about possible government misconduct they witness relating to the Iraq war.

The Harvard graduate, who has praised government whistleblowers who leak information about the Iraq war, said he wishes he had leaked the Pentagon Papers earlier, possibly ending the war sooner.

"I still wish I had done it," he said.

Ellsberg also criticized todays media for its coverage of the war in Iraq, particularly for not keeping tabs of the Iraqi casualties since the conflict began two years ago. Just focusing on the lost American lives is not enough, he said, pointing to a headline in a newspaper about four U.S. soldiers who died.

The author also rallied peace activists to stay vigilant in their cause, saying "It all depends on you."

[ProSense]

2. The article in your post has more details. Thanks. n/t

[swag]

3. Looks like he's making the rounds

Bergen County on Monday

Ramapo College of New Jersey:

Student Activities: Platinum Series, AIS, CA, EOF and ADP
present Daniel Ellsberg: “A Free Press in a Time of War”
Nov. 14, Sharp Theater, 3:30 p.m.

http://guide.ramapo.edu/

A 300-acre campus at 505 Ramapo Valley Road, Mahwah, New Jersey (Bergen County), one mile from the intersection of Routes 17, 202 and 287.

[ProSense]

5. This is great!

Ellsberg is putting the focus on the Iraq and the media's responsibility.

[mopinko]

4. .