ellroon, it's been a long time since I read War is a Force that Gives Us Meaning (Chris Hedges), but I believe its general thrust remains valid... as described in the wiki, "In the book, Hedges draws on classical literature and his experiences as a war correspondent to argue that war seduces entire societies, creating fictions that the public believes and relies on to continue to support conflicts. He also describes how those who experience war may find it exhilarating and addictive." We can no more get rid of a likely popular war by electing one or another president than we can change human nature by fiat or by election.
A president gets a lot of support for drumming up reasons for a war and then starting one. I remember being 'shouted down' in one of my multi-player games when someone began frothing at the mouth about how wonderful it was we were attacking Iraq. They didn't want facts. They didn't want reason. They wanted to show the world how macho we were. Illustrated best by Friedman's words...
I'm still looking for my pony, only now I'm having to use a backhoe and a pickaxe....
5 comments:
... and if Obama becomes president, we will be at war with Iran within two years. What was that you were saying?
Oh please oh please may you be wrong, Steve....
It was more because of the 17 or so neocon 'advisors' Romney has and their naked desire to destabilize Iran....
but...
let's hope you are wrong.
ellroon, it's been a long time since I read War is a Force that Gives Us Meaning (Chris Hedges), but I believe its general thrust remains valid... as described in the wiki, "In the book, Hedges draws on classical literature and his experiences as a war correspondent to argue that war seduces entire societies, creating fictions that the public believes and relies on to continue to support conflicts. He also describes how those who experience war may find it exhilarating and addictive." We can no more get rid of a likely popular war by electing one or another president than we can change human nature by fiat or by election.
A president gets a lot of support for drumming up reasons for a war and then starting one. I remember being 'shouted down' in one of my multi-player games when someone began frothing at the mouth about how wonderful it was we were attacking Iraq. They didn't want facts. They didn't want reason. They wanted to show the world how macho we were. Illustrated best by Friedman's words...
I'm still looking for my pony, only now I'm having to use a backhoe and a pickaxe....
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