[Jack]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('JPL', 'T')his again, was predicted. Once you have given the 'Green' mandate to politicians that it's OK to use totalitarian force, how long do you think they will stick with that manifesto?

[JPL]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Jack', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('JPL', 'T')his again, was predicted. Once you have given the 'Green' mandate to politicians that it's OK to use totalitarian force, how long do you think they will stick with that manifesto?

[Jack]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('JPL', 'I')t's like watching a Marx Brothers film. Seriously...

[BigTex]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('JPL', 'W')ell maybe, just maybe, you could also persuade a certain nation to just do us all out here a favour & not try (once again) to justify the next war on [fill in obscure disneyland morality here]. I don't think the rest of the world can stand it any more.

It's like watching a Marx Brothers film. Seriously...

JP

Edit: toned down to avoid insulting a pal (you know me - grin)

[JPL]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Jack', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('JPL', 'I')t's like watching a Marx Brothers film. Seriously...

[BigTex]

Part of the problem with the modern military industrial complex is that the contractors need to test their equipment under live fire conditions from time to time and the career soldiers have to get some combat time in order to move up in rank.

These two factors draw modern armies into conflict like a magnet.

Once the shooting starts, war is just another big government program.

[Jack]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('JPL', 'T')he primary role of a modern soldier is to deter war. Stupid-sounding, but true.

[BigTex]

Jack, a lot of your posts are described as coming from a "surgical steel perspective", and that sort of thing. To me, though, it seems to be more a reflection of what I would call "well pruned emotions."

The overall tone reminds me of a line I read in a book about the Samurai:

"A great warrior is subtle to the point of formlessness."

Reading about Stonewall Jackson's leadership reminds me, too, of that notion of creating in the mind of the opponent the sense that you are everywhere and nowhere at the same time.

There was a time when I was far more mentally disciplined than I am now. Fewer responsibilities, fewer kids, more rest, etc. But I would do mental exercises based upon a lot of the Eastern philosophy I studied and one of the most interesting ones was to practice splitting the attention in a given situation into two parts--the first perspective was simply the world as I saw it through my eyes, and the second perspective was that of a third party looking on (sort of like a surveillance camera monitor inside my head viewing the situation). To do this required a high level of relaxation and focus, but when it really started to click it was amazing. It was like I was seeing both the subjective and the objective perspective on a situation simultaneously.

A relaxed and focused mind can do some amazing things.

[JPL]

Hi Jack,

Very good reply - thanks.

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Jack', '[')b]The war in Iraq was over quickly. The occupation, nation building, winning hearts and minds - those take time. Lots of time. By the way, the extended (and poorly defined) missions open up many opportunities for profit. Just ask Halliburton.

[Jack]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('JPL', '
')Ahh well you & I may have a different definition of war. From where I'm standing the war in Iraq is still ongoing (and not so well).

[PrairieMule]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('btu2012', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('BlisteredWhippet', 'I') hope for the best, but expect the worst, optimistically aiming for somewhere in the middle: a competent militant, fascist vegan state.

[PrairieMule]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('PrairieMule', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('btu2012', '')$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('BlisteredWhippet', 'I') hope for the best, but expect the worst, optimistically aiming for somewhere in the middle: a competent militant, fascist vegan state.

[JPL]

Hi Jack,

Interesting. I think you've thought this through very well but there's a hole:

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Jack', 'D')efeating the ideology requires special operations troops who are well trained in developing cooperation with indigenous forces. That takes time. It requires patience. It takes large numbers of elite soldiers, very well trained elite soldiers, who are diplomats as well as fighters.

[JPL]

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('Jack', ' ')Because far worse than fighting an ideology is fighting desperation. That's coming....