So where does the tally of might, will, and sacrifice leave us? To be sure, might is most visible, and leans heavily in the west’s favor, even though eastern asymmetrical warfare has dealt deadly blows in the past. A mere 60 years ago western societies had the will to see through the bloodiest conflict in history, whether or not they could do it again today is uncertain. Most worrying of all is the modern day West’s threshold for sacrifice. Can a society willing to give up so little overcome another that is destined to be much more numerous, and willing to give up so much more?
This is what the young Canadian soldier is dealing with at home. From a great post at Ghost of a flea:
I was reminded recently of a phrase that haunted politically engaged undergraduates of the late 1980s, viz “the hierarchy of oppression”; perhaps the most pernicious doctrine of what has come to be called cultural Marxism. This last is a by-blow of the Frankfurt School, Marxists who have not read Marx and the failure of Marxism in every sphere excepting the one constituency whose moral and intellectual bankruptcy left them vulnerable: Academics. Gone are Marx’ response to Hegel and a polemical Utopianism for a world beyond the urban mega-squalor of Victorian England. In its place we have been offered a Marxism devoid of history, devoid of economics and devoid of a basic reflexivity of class position; no Marxism at all. The full cocktail of stupid goes beyond the scope of a post but this Marxism for Dummies needs no more time to explain than it does to embrace. Remember this simple formula: Race trumps gender and class, gender trumps class and a working class background is what you claim if no one will buy being a white guy of Irish descent makes you oppressed.*
So simple is this creed there is, in fact, only one rule that over-rides whatever calculus might be reached by that apocryphal lesbian of colour in a wheelchair in a game of oppression poker; she will still be uninvited to the game if anyone discovers she is Israeli. This is because no matter the issue, the United States, Great Britain and the Jews are always wrong. Simply agree with whatever fascist, medieval rape-cult, plastic-shredder enthusiast or France and you are ready for the smart set.
Case in point: The East coast editorial lynch mob that has it in for Ayaan Hirsi Ali. There was a time when an African refugee fleeing the real patriarchy would have been feted by “the left” – and, to be fair, ignored by “the right” – but no longer. She has had the temerity to suggest the culture which gave her refuge, that saved her from marital rape and life as chattel and that recognized her accomplishments in an election is better for women, better for people who would choose their own faith and better for that greatest boogie-man of progressives, Liberty.
and of course you have the fifth column on the public teat undermining all the time.
http://www.cbc.ca/world/story/2007/03/05/guantanamo-courts.html
CBCpravda “ALL Kadhr, all the time”
Rome had many brilliant generals, like Caesar who never lost a battle, Marias and Hadrian, who led from the front, knew their enemy and never wasted their soldiers lives. They also had generals who were politically appointed, knew little of warfare and consequently lost many legions though rarely their own lives as they led from the rear and ran away in defeat blaming everyone and everything for their loss except themselves.
Harper will be in for the long haul and would do us proud but there are so many Laytons, Dions and Ducettes in Canada, weak, indecisive, and ineffectual, that we would be in major trouble when crunch time came.
WILL: Very important ingredient.
If your’s is in short suppy, or know someone who is, just watch an online video of a beheading..I was so foolish yesterday.
I’m sorry I did. A human being was reduced to an animal for butcher, and I’ve seen lots on the farm.I found the video pretty disturbing. My reaction surprised me, I thought I could steel myself.
I know one thing, I don’t wish to see another.
Once was enough. These barbarians have to be stopped. Period. Their philosophy or creed whatever you wish to call it, is spreading, and needs extermination.
That is, if you want civilization to continue. It’s that simple. There is a lesson here, I suppose. I wonder if Taliban Jack has watched one yet?
“I wonder if Taliban Jack has watched one yet?”
If it’s been on CBC, the answer is YES. Come to think of it, doesn’t he also get his news from al Jezeera?
Good discourse by the soldier.
GI (Global Islamification) is far more dangerous than GW.
No wonder they want to blow themselves up.
Muslims are losers,
http://no-libs.com/?p=1462
We destroy ourselves. Tho’ it seems that there is beginning to be a small understanding that over-protecting our children is sucking the life out of them. I expect it is too late for most.
Our current culture seems to be dominated by fear and self-centeredness. Sacrifice is a concept that is deeply out of fashion.
And a small point: I believe our bloodiest conflict wasn’t 60 years ago; but nearer to 90 years ago.
Some similar thoughts:
“Don’t Send a Lion to Catch a Mouse”
http://www.damianpenny.com/archived/008993.html
Mark
Ottawa
The number of comments seems to indicate that most will not give up anything for anything.
“And a small point: I believe our bloodiest conflict wasn’t 60 years ago; but nearer to 90 years ago.”
If you are speaking of Canada’s losses, then you are certainly correct that WWI was a far bloodier conflict for our small nation.
However, I was speaking of “Western Societies” in general. And of course, when speaking of WWII, one must extend that thought far past the western world, and encompasse the entire globe.
Honestly, the thought of almost the entire world locked in conflict, with nearly every nation involved in some manner or another, and with millions of casualties on all sides is frankly impossible for me to comprehend. And yet it happend. Those but a few generations older than myself fought that war, and won it, making immeasurable sacrafices and showing nearly unlimited will.
Sadly, I fear, it could be done again, if the need arose.