The Beat Goes On

"I really, truly believe that we are as close as we have ever been to peace."

-- Laura Bush, May 20, 2005

"I think (the terrorists are) being defeated, and that's why they continue to fight."

-- George W. Bush, May 23, 2005

"U.S. deaths mount in Iraq: 14 killed in past three days; May is on track to become one of deadliest months in the past year."

-- The Virginian-Pilot, May 25, 2005

"Sometimes I wonder whether the world is being run by smart people who are putting us on or by imbeciles who really mean it."

-- Mark Twain, late nineteenth century

Insurgents have killed 54 U.S. troops so far this month, The Pilot reports. More than 620 people, including 58 American troops, have been killed since Prime Minister Ibrahim al-Jafaari established his new government on April 28. Insurgent attacks presently average 70 per day. In light of increasing sectarian violence between Sunnis and Shiites, Iraq appears to be turning into two battlefields--insurgents fighting the U.S. military and religious sects fighting each other.

These insurgent dummies need to start listening to Laura and Dubya. How long before they realize they're losing and give up? (The insurgents, I mean.)

Countless Bush administration supporters have explained our difficulties in combating terrorism by claiming this is a "new kind of war," but there's nothing about this war that the Greek general and historian Thucydides didn't describe in 400 B.C.--and none of it was "new" then, either.

In coming weeks, I'll outline historic case studies--from Hellenic times to the present day--that illustrate how wars are similar regardless of technologies and cultures, and how war itself is a proven failure as a tool of national power.

Hope you can stop by, read, and comment.

JLH