Is it really possible to learn from history?

Question

Is it really possible to learn from history?
Take the question of whether or not to invade Iraq. Those who favored invasion argued that we must learn from History and Saddam is another Hitler. Those opposed to invasion argued that we must learn from History and that Iraq could become another Vietnam if we invaded.

Answer

History, like philosophy, the Bible, ad nauseam, is twisted for the claimants purposes. Your analysis is impressive, and as you point out, all we can do is take the information available and decide based on that. By analogy, most historical occasions must be judged in light of the knowledge prevailing at the time, and it is unfair for later generations to make a blanket generalization about it.