tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12796551.post115024073336485811..comments2024-03-26T05:18:53.709-04:00Comments on Pen and Sword: Shooting Blanks in the Next World OrderJeff Huberhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14146644937683409726noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12796551.post-1150635171619920442006-06-18T08:52:00.000-04:002006-06-18T08:52:00.000-04:00BadTux:I think I've said this elsewhere, but part ...BadTux:<BR/><BR/>I think I've said this elsewhere, but part of the problem with this admin is that it's hell bent to be like the Reagan admin. <BR/><BR/>Problem is, there's no peer competitor to spend into the dirt. <BR/><BR/>And yeah, they're Orwellian all right.Jeff Huberhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14146644937683409726noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12796551.post-1150611492919524042006-06-18T02:18:00.000-04:002006-06-18T02:18:00.000-04:00The problem with war as a long-term policy is that...The problem with war as a long-term policy is that it pretty much destroys the economy that made a war machine possible in the first place. The example of the Russian czars with "The Great" appended to their names is instructive there -- their wars ended up with Russia being geographically the largest nation on the planet, but also with it being the most backwards of major powers, until the day came when some small island nation that only a few decades before had been fighting their wars with bows and arrows defeated the might of the Russian Empire at Port Arthur and Pusan. Or let us consider the Ottoman Empire, which in the course of 200 years went from having the world's most advanced army threatening Western Europe to being the "Dead Man of Europe", bankrupt, technologically backward, and eventually to be broken up.<BR/><BR/>Endless war destroys nations. That is the lesson of history. It is a lesson, unfortunately, that our esteemed Dear Leader and His henchmen apparently have not learned, due to their use of the novel _1984_ as their manual for governance, with its requirement of permenant war in order to maintain the power of the Party...<BR/><BR/>- Badtux the Orwellian PenguinBadTuxhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01345749557330760251noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12796551.post-1150400440818793022006-06-15T15:40:00.000-04:002006-06-15T15:40:00.000-04:00Albrecht:I have a thing about people doing the str...Albrecht:<BR/><BR/>I have a thing about people doing the straw man thing around here. <BR/><BR/>Did I use the world "short lived" anywhere in this article?Jeff Huberhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14146644937683409726noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12796551.post-1150399964687679832006-06-15T15:32:00.000-04:002006-06-15T15:32:00.000-04:00You quote the Roman Empire as an example of a shor...You quote the Roman Empire as an example of a short lived empire (due to militaristic misadventures). However the Roman Empire was able to stick around for an awfully long time. If you - arbitrarily - assume it started with the defeat of Hannibal and ended with the collapse of Western Rome in the 5th century you talk about approx. 6 centuries, far longer than any other empire in Western history (only China had more staying power). And Eastern Rome only finally collapsed when assaulted by the Turks in the 15th century. By human standards it is an astounding success in empire building and maintenance.<BR/><BR/>May be this is petty; obviously it takes nothing away from your main argument.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12796551.post-1150380487014477302006-06-15T10:08:00.000-04:002006-06-15T10:08:00.000-04:00Jeff, especially because of your military backgrou...Jeff, especially because of your military background do I appreciate your posts. You are also a 'bigger picture' type which most people tend to forget. It's not all about 'Bush and Co' , it is about a trend that is reflected from the American people..after all, they voted for him. (well, those relative 'few' who voted period) I am perculating thoughts on articles I have been reading re. fundamentalism by Robert Jensen and Davidson Loehr. I think it's great you're trying to educate people about armed conflict philosophies. I do remember Clausowitz but it's been 10yrs since I read that book I mentioned and when I find it, I'll mention it. You might know it. <BR/>Anyhow, the connection you're going to make on domestic and foreign should be an interesting one, if not informative for those who haven't made that connection..let me guess; follow the money trail, again??<BR/>IngridIngridhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15543677729320023767noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12796551.post-1150378885347975872006-06-15T09:41:00.000-04:002006-06-15T09:41:00.000-04:00Ingid, I do try to think things out. Whether I th...Ingid, <BR/><BR/>I do try to think things out. Whether I think them out well is often a subject of debate. <BR/><BR/>One of my aims is to popularize philosophies of armed conflict. I'm especially keen to make Clausewitz and others more acessable to the general public. <BR/><BR/>So many of the "experts" spinsters who encourage and support war as a vital tool of power. Over many years, I've come to the conclusion that it's a lousy way for a sole superpower to conduct foreign policy. <BR/><BR/>I'm also convinced that you can't really separate foreign policy from domestic policy. <BR/><BR/>But I'll write more on that in the future.Jeff Huberhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14146644937683409726noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12796551.post-1150344196425480612006-06-15T00:03:00.000-04:002006-06-15T00:03:00.000-04:00Jeff...I still consider myself a fairly new blogge...Jeff...I still consider myself a fairly new blogger (feb this year) but my brain has been tweaked in a great way reading people's well thought out opinions (I ignore the rant types). Yours make me want to pick up my strategy book for one of my poli sci courses re. war strategists..a thick pill but a really great reference book. I need to dig up my books again because some shared references make for better discussions...<BR/>Ingrid(btw..thx for your link at the other postIngridhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15543677729320023767noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12796551.post-1150313491301541652006-06-14T15:31:00.000-04:002006-06-14T15:31:00.000-04:00This is a fascinating subject, William, and one I'...This is a fascinating subject, William, and one I'm afraid will have to wait until I can make a more in-depth analysis of it. <BR/><BR/>Let me just say that I personally think the last truly apocalyptic emperor was Hitler, and I don't really think he started out that way. <BR/><BR/>Best, <BR/><BR/>JeffJeff Huberhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14146644937683409726noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12796551.post-1150302435116178742006-06-14T12:27:00.000-04:002006-06-14T12:27:00.000-04:00Although dubya sometimes gives me visions of Slim ...Although dubya sometimes gives me visions of Slim Pickens/Major T. J. "King" Kong taking that last ride down, I agree that he's probably in it for the power and the money. Unfortunately, their appeal to the apocalyptic portions of their followership reinforces that followerships control.<BR/><BR/>I was more looking ahead.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12796551.post-1150292160102036012006-06-14T09:36:00.000-04:002006-06-14T09:36:00.000-04:00William, I'm not inclined to think such a thing ac...William, <BR/><BR/>I'm not inclined to think such a thing actually exists. I could be wrong, but don't think so. <BR/><BR/>Yes, political leaders today appeal to the apocalyptic portions of their followership, but they themselves, I'm convinced, are quite rational--in a realpolitik sort of way.Jeff Huberhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14146644937683409726noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12796551.post-1150287281176564562006-06-14T08:14:00.000-04:002006-06-14T08:14:00.000-04:00"War is political in nature, and that no desired p..."War is political in nature, and that no desired political aim of either side could be achieved through global thermo-nuclear war". <BR/><BR/>Unless those political entities are governed by an apocalyptic theocracy.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com