Into The Valley - Eric

Depiction of the Trojan War

The war against Al-Qaeda is almost identical to the story of the Trojan war and the Iliad.  In the Iliad, Trojans come to the Greek city of Sparta, a major city state, are welcomed and treated with respect but steal Helen and cause a massive disturbance through out the Greek world.  The Greeks then send a huge flow of troops that occupy all but Troy for 10 years in brutal fighting.  The war in the Middle East is nearly identical, America welcomes all races and religions and origins including those who decided not to steal the first lady but rather destroy the World Trade Center.  Just as in the Greek world, America coordinated a massive inflow of troops to the Middle East where fighting has continued over 10 years with not much progression on either side.  Although significant deaths have taken place on both sides, it seems the war will end only with total destruction such as the fate of Troy.  There are also a various other similarities between the wars.  One similarity is the feelings of boredom among troops.  both the Greek and American soldiers have expressed feelings of displeasure for fighting such a long war so far from their homes and families.  Another similarity is the glorification of those in battle both in victory and death.  Although the Greeks made more of a spectacle for death, those who fight and those who fall are still honored with gifts (medals, ceremonies, etc) and respected highly, in the same respect, those who do not fight but rather cower are treated without respect and often dishonored by the troops and their families. 
Comment:  I agree with some of what Eric says, and not with other parts, so this is a good, thought-provoking entry.  The boredom of the troops, the distance from home and families, the glorification of the 'beautiful death' of the fighting men, the concern for the bodies of the dead do seem strikingly parallel.  However, the reasons why the Greeks fight vs. the reasons of al-Qaeda for attacking the US seem remarkably different, as does the mode of warfare.  What do people think?  Would Achilles or Sarpedon carry out a sneak attack on civilians?