Today is Armistice day. It is 93 years since the end of WW1. At 11 am today 11.11.11 the country stood in silence for 2 minutes remembering the dead of not just WW1 but WW11, Palestine, Korea, Aden, Malaya, Kenya, Iraq, The Falklands, Bosnia and Afghanistan. With the exception of Viet Nam, this country has been involved in almost every major conflict in the world. The success in Libya, where there were no British casualties should not blind us to the fact that wars are for killing people. Thousands of Libyans died in that conflict.
Yet even when we are not involved wars go on. The way that some countries treat their own people makes us angry. In Zimbabwe and the Sudan, government behavior is disgraceful and in Somalia there is no effective government. We have no mandate to be the world's policeman.
Afghanistan has shown us the futility of occupation of a hostile country. It is a failed state that could only be ruled by a well-armed oppressive regime that oppressed its people. Even then there would be an insurrection and very unsophisticated weapons are all that would be required to maintain it. Neither Nazi type totalitarian oppression, nor American cleverness can ensure peace.
What is to be done? I have no answer, but keeping our soldiers in harm's way isn't working.
8 comments:
The prerequisites of a successful society are a predominantly rational populace, respect for individual rights, and the rule of law.
Essentially, the heritage of the 18th Century Enlightenment.
The alternatives we see around the world today are socialism, theocracies, and thugs.
The US and its allies successfully imposed its Enlightenment political philosophy on Germany and Japan after WWII.
Why isn't this working in elsewhere today?
You can't impose a pro-life philosophy on death worshiping mystics, on people who want to die and take you with them.
There is only one way to deal with them.
And the Israelis may be about to do it.
and why do you have to deal with them please? If a Syrian doesn't like something about south Dakota or its people does he try to find a way to impose it?
In the days of Empire it used to be called "The white man's burden". Silly, wasn't it.
" The prerequisites of a successful society are a predominantly rational populace, respect for individual rights, and the rule of law." - Hey Burke did you not consider the Spartans?! They had all this - and were the most fearsome warriors of their time (though not inhumane)- why o why are so many Americans so smug?! Hitler sounds like your...whatever!
'and why do you have to deal with them please? If a Syrian doesn't like something about south Dakota or its people does he try to find a way to impose it?'
exactly...selfish USA wants the biggest piece o'the pie.
Everyone needs a good long look in the mirror and a long spell of introspection before pontificating. Empty words are just that.Empty. Cheers :) Danke Schone!
There is only one way to deal with them.
Kill 'em all, Burke?
is that the best you can come up with?
In the days of Empire it used to be called "The white man's burden". Silly, wasn't it.
Of course doc!
Whichever side you look at it from!
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