Young men with power are foolish and wanton in the pursuit of their crude schemes, but the self-absorption of old men may make them even more dangerous.
I don't want to be in war but I am also not read in on the intel to determine that. It is better to have a controlled drop of a leaning tree then to let it destory more than what is necessary. Same thing in making first hit.
So true. Hand wringing critics are suspicious! I had to register for the draft out of high school under Carter due to the Islamic cartel's overthrow of America's best eastern alliance. All the knee jerk by the otherwise "reasoned" substackers etc. is making me question them on other things too. I remember Iran's dirty deeds and wanted them dealt with long ago. Idiot stooges in office obey their globalist masters. Thankfully Trump is totally owned.
Hi John, can you please inform us what the exact Intel was concerning Iran? I'd really appreciate knowing and you seem to know exactly what was going on behind the scenes. I cannot believe you'd be willing to paint yourself in a specific corner unless you knew exactly what was out there and what Iran had planned (or not) against the USA and Israel. Please elaborate.
No specific intel, just the firm knowledge that wars rarely if ever go according to plan and are usually far more destructive and costly than the planners acknowledge and would ever admit.
I would prefer to base my decisions on a study of history rather than rely on fictional novels or movies. To indulge in the latter is to bind yourself to the consensus cultural view you are immersed in, which may not be aligned with reality of your conflict. Ignoring this obvious mismatch, we focus on kill ratios and end up in wars of attrition with Asian countries that have far different cultural norms. Simple things that are easily observed, like how competing cultures value human life, are highly significant in such cases.
Height of European civilization? The combatants were similar in the sense that they still clung to monarchal rule to various degrees, there was little upward mobility into the ruling aristocracy, and they had all adopted Napolean's use of massive troop formations filled from members of the lower classes. Russia and France relied on disenfranchised populations for their infantry. Russia with her serfs, and France with Muslim troops from her North African colonies. The top military leaders seemed to be unaware of the slaughter that characterized so many of our Civil War battles. This archaic social order was confronted with earth shattering discoveries like Einstein's relativity, internal combustion engines, chemical innovations like poison gas, machine guns with ranges of several thousand yards, and radio. They could not comprehend the significance of these developments. I enjoy reading many of the fictional accounts of the war, but I am loathe to adopt the prejudices of the authors.
Relying on “fictional” storytelling is an age old ( and IMHO very wise) way to tell TRUTH.
I for one find it very admirable and intellectually solid that John Leake uses both history and literature to guide opinion formation.
I am a very old lady and have learned the importance of minding one’s own business, but in your case, I break my rule: I suggest a dip to in the classics, or at least taking down your very shallow comment.
I agree that the truth does not often reveal itself during wars and for decades afterwards. And fiction is a great way to raise questions about things that are obviously misunderstood. Science fiction has often been valuable in revealing trends that foretell the future. These are often things that should be self-evident, but as we've seen with the CIA/USAID documents, much of the emerging reality is hidden using massive and subtle propaganda, like the operations that were employed during the COVID fiasco. In fact, the truth is often so disturbing that it is difficult to find an audience. The Gulag Archipelago or Blood Lands or Wild Swans, for example.
Hand wringing critics are suspicious! I had to register for the draft out of high school under Carter due to the Islamic cartel's overthrow of America's best eastern alliance. All the knee jerk by the otherwise "reasoned" substackers etc. is making me question them on other things too. I remember Iran's dirty deeds and wanted them dealt with long ago. Idiot stooges in office obey their globalist masters. Thankfully Trump isn't totally owned.
What a searing exposition of the danger which people face from the aged-and-obstinate ones living among us!
Bravo. This is a vital lesson for a vital time.
Worse still, though, would be the kind of threat seen from several of these guys getting together in order to form a "Good-Ole-Boy-Network." And, while moralizing fingers can be pointed toward the US government regarding this, it applies equally -- if not, more so -- to a band of tribalist mullahs. At every measure that it is true of us, it is true of them. That's an inescapable ambiguity.
Perspective is the main thing, when in the Fog of War.
Iran killed 20,000 of its own people who were protesting the Iranian government. They have also been shouting " DEATH TO AMERICA" for over 25 years. The leaders in Iran also have called America the great Satan. If they will kill 20,000 of their own people, what do you think they will do to the USA and to Israel who they hate? Russia took notice of this, and became their ally a few years ago, as did China. I think Russia was planning on using the insanity governing the leaders in Iran to attack the US. About 80% of all terrorist are trained in Iran.
Senator Warner, a Democrat stated publicly that we should've attacked Iran in January when the people were revolting. But Trump, wanted to give the leaders a fair chance to commit to peace. The leaders refused. Trump warned them what would happen if they refused. He is only doing what he said he would do.
Over the years I have read about millions of people leaving Iran and moving to other countries – – mainly the US – – because they wanted freedom of speech and freedom of religion---and our free market system---they liked what we have here. Our constitution protects everyone equally (even though the Marxist socialist are trying desperately to make people believe they are not protected under the constitution). ANTIFA would be a good example of this attitude. (might makes right).
My prayer is that the American citizens will recognize that someone had to do something-----Israel cannot fight Iran alone---they needed our help to be successful, and we will need other countries to join us to condemn Iran for their hatred, violence and wanting to force their religion on others.
We have a constitution for a reason. Likewise separation of powers.
If tyranny is the centralization of power, there's a reason the commander in chief doesn't make the decision to go to war. That line was crossed a long time ago.
Likewise lies. The Maine, the Lusitania, Pearl Harbor, the Gulf of Tonkin, WMD (arguably we had the sales receipts, tho they were shipped to Syria) and so it goes.
What Rubio said was probably true. Their armaments were probably pushing them to a point of immunity, where they would be too much to handle. I’ve wondered if this is part of a long game to deal with China later. I don’t think there’s any intention to repay the debts to them. We have to hope China doesn’t get involved.
Great read John, and one of the great books of Western Culture. How Ironic that Glyphsate Bored of Peace Trump's horrific folly leads to the Great sperm whale! What Spec Counsel Smith could not do he has done to himself, utter and complete political debasement. ONE BIG LIAR.
Ralph knew well that being a non conformist was to embrace the singular state of sanity. Look around now, at the insanity of it all. Is there anything under God's blue sky that makes sense anymore? This is the first thing a man realizes in old age.
-Henry well knew by looking at the past that crazy things had happened and he had best go along to get along. That was in contradiction to what Ralph believed.
-I now address four words that at one time would have been my last words. But alas, I am divorced, thou I know my married life was not a padlock. The marriage failure was my fault. For admitting this put me on the receiving end of a huge hug by the marriage counsellor who had listened to me and finally pronounced judgment. It had a lot to do with me galavanting all over Hell's half acre fighting the corrupt CYSTem and nothing has changed. In fact it has become worse. But I gloried in kicking the ample ass of the damned CYSTem and raising hell. And I am still doing it. And will to my end.
The three thoughts in point form seem to be what the main thoughts are of elderly men and the subject of death is the low key topic that generally as I have found creates the comment most surmise but do not repeat, "There are lots of things worse than dying" and one of those would be living under aholes like the ovomit, biDUMB, turdo senior and junior and the biggest idiot ever, named Starmer. Do not know its first name and do not care.
I spent not enough time with and was fond of my grand fathers. One hurt his leg in his nineties and lying in a hospital bed killed him (inactivity)the other became ill and deceased which did not surprise me as he had chewed tobacco all his life. I address all young men now and wonder if they can find a real woman anymore. About the only way that could happen would be if there were enough farmers daughters available. The women here are the most down to earth I have seen anywhere but that is because they are conservative.
The most common thing I see happening in the lives of elderly men is their crying over the death of their old dogs.
Can everyone who knows exactly what the Intel was behind the scenes step forward and share it with us please? Someone sitting off to the sides must know something.
I don't want to be in war but I am also not read in on the intel to determine that. It is better to have a controlled drop of a leaning tree then to let it destory more than what is necessary. Same thing in making first hit.
So true. Hand wringing critics are suspicious! I had to register for the draft out of high school under Carter due to the Islamic cartel's overthrow of America's best eastern alliance. All the knee jerk by the otherwise "reasoned" substackers etc. is making me question them on other things too. I remember Iran's dirty deeds and wanted them dealt with long ago. Idiot stooges in office obey their globalist masters. Thankfully Trump is totally owned.
Nicely said. There is also:
“Beware the old soldier. He’s old for a reason.”
Great analogy to today John!
Hi John, can you please inform us what the exact Intel was concerning Iran? I'd really appreciate knowing and you seem to know exactly what was going on behind the scenes. I cannot believe you'd be willing to paint yourself in a specific corner unless you knew exactly what was out there and what Iran had planned (or not) against the USA and Israel. Please elaborate.
Thanks ahead of time!
No specific intel, just the firm knowledge that wars rarely if ever go according to plan and are usually far more destructive and costly than the planners acknowledge and would ever admit.
Look at his reply. He seems to know the future too! I’ll also bet he has self-fulfilling prophecies from fears on Friday 13th days frequently.
I would prefer to base my decisions on a study of history rather than rely on fictional novels or movies. To indulge in the latter is to bind yourself to the consensus cultural view you are immersed in, which may not be aligned with reality of your conflict. Ignoring this obvious mismatch, we focus on kill ratios and end up in wars of attrition with Asian countries that have far different cultural norms. Simple things that are easily observed, like how competing cultures value human life, are highly significant in such cases.
Okay, what is your assessment of WWI, fought at the height of European civilization?
Height of European civilization? The combatants were similar in the sense that they still clung to monarchal rule to various degrees, there was little upward mobility into the ruling aristocracy, and they had all adopted Napolean's use of massive troop formations filled from members of the lower classes. Russia and France relied on disenfranchised populations for their infantry. Russia with her serfs, and France with Muslim troops from her North African colonies. The top military leaders seemed to be unaware of the slaughter that characterized so many of our Civil War battles. This archaic social order was confronted with earth shattering discoveries like Einstein's relativity, internal combustion engines, chemical innovations like poison gas, machine guns with ranges of several thousand yards, and radio. They could not comprehend the significance of these developments. I enjoy reading many of the fictional accounts of the war, but I am loathe to adopt the prejudices of the authors.
Dear Mister Stewart,
Relying on “fictional” storytelling is an age old ( and IMHO very wise) way to tell TRUTH.
I for one find it very admirable and intellectually solid that John Leake uses both history and literature to guide opinion formation.
I am a very old lady and have learned the importance of minding one’s own business, but in your case, I break my rule: I suggest a dip to in the classics, or at least taking down your very shallow comment.
Me thinks John’s analogy applies to females as well.
I agree that the truth does not often reveal itself during wars and for decades afterwards. And fiction is a great way to raise questions about things that are obviously misunderstood. Science fiction has often been valuable in revealing trends that foretell the future. These are often things that should be self-evident, but as we've seen with the CIA/USAID documents, much of the emerging reality is hidden using massive and subtle propaganda, like the operations that were employed during the COVID fiasco. In fact, the truth is often so disturbing that it is difficult to find an audience. The Gulag Archipelago or Blood Lands or Wild Swans, for example.
A great analogy for THE "OLD MEN" RUNNING IRAN....
There is an old saying that goes..."An angry old person is the crowning work of the devil"
Hand wringing critics are suspicious! I had to register for the draft out of high school under Carter due to the Islamic cartel's overthrow of America's best eastern alliance. All the knee jerk by the otherwise "reasoned" substackers etc. is making me question them on other things too. I remember Iran's dirty deeds and wanted them dealt with long ago. Idiot stooges in office obey their globalist masters. Thankfully Trump isn't totally owned.
What a searing exposition of the danger which people face from the aged-and-obstinate ones living among us!
Bravo. This is a vital lesson for a vital time.
Worse still, though, would be the kind of threat seen from several of these guys getting together in order to form a "Good-Ole-Boy-Network." And, while moralizing fingers can be pointed toward the US government regarding this, it applies equally -- if not, more so -- to a band of tribalist mullahs. At every measure that it is true of us, it is true of them. That's an inescapable ambiguity.
Perspective is the main thing, when in the Fog of War.
Iran killed 20,000 of its own people who were protesting the Iranian government. They have also been shouting " DEATH TO AMERICA" for over 25 years. The leaders in Iran also have called America the great Satan. If they will kill 20,000 of their own people, what do you think they will do to the USA and to Israel who they hate? Russia took notice of this, and became their ally a few years ago, as did China. I think Russia was planning on using the insanity governing the leaders in Iran to attack the US. About 80% of all terrorist are trained in Iran.
https://www.dailywire.com/news/sky-news-anchor-erupts-after-khameneis-death-torches-jane-fondas-concern-for-u-s-troops?utm_content=17106748&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter&utm_source=iterable This link shows how an Australian news woman thinks about Iran being attacked.
Senator Warner, a Democrat stated publicly that we should've attacked Iran in January when the people were revolting. But Trump, wanted to give the leaders a fair chance to commit to peace. The leaders refused. Trump warned them what would happen if they refused. He is only doing what he said he would do.
Over the years I have read about millions of people leaving Iran and moving to other countries – – mainly the US – – because they wanted freedom of speech and freedom of religion---and our free market system---they liked what we have here. Our constitution protects everyone equally (even though the Marxist socialist are trying desperately to make people believe they are not protected under the constitution). ANTIFA would be a good example of this attitude. (might makes right).
My prayer is that the American citizens will recognize that someone had to do something-----Israel cannot fight Iran alone---they needed our help to be successful, and we will need other countries to join us to condemn Iran for their hatred, violence and wanting to force their religion on others.
We have a constitution for a reason. Likewise separation of powers.
If tyranny is the centralization of power, there's a reason the commander in chief doesn't make the decision to go to war. That line was crossed a long time ago.
Likewise lies. The Maine, the Lusitania, Pearl Harbor, the Gulf of Tonkin, WMD (arguably we had the sales receipts, tho they were shipped to Syria) and so it goes.
But maybe this time it will be different.
What Rubio said was probably true. Their armaments were probably pushing them to a point of immunity, where they would be too much to handle. I’ve wondered if this is part of a long game to deal with China later. I don’t think there’s any intention to repay the debts to them. We have to hope China doesn’t get involved.
Great read John, and one of the great books of Western Culture. How Ironic that Glyphsate Bored of Peace Trump's horrific folly leads to the Great sperm whale! What Spec Counsel Smith could not do he has done to himself, utter and complete political debasement. ONE BIG LIAR.
Old men. And now it has come to pass according to Ralph Waldo Emerson but its ruminations are of God coming by man.
-WHOSO WOULD BE A MAN WOULD BE A NONCOMFORMIST. (not on purpose but in the realization the previous generation is insane.) Ralph Waldo Emerson
-THE MASS OF MEN LIVE LIVES OF QUIET DESPERATION. Henry David Thoreau
-Wedlock is a padlock. JOHN RAY
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Ralph knew well that being a non conformist was to embrace the singular state of sanity. Look around now, at the insanity of it all. Is there anything under God's blue sky that makes sense anymore? This is the first thing a man realizes in old age.
-Henry well knew by looking at the past that crazy things had happened and he had best go along to get along. That was in contradiction to what Ralph believed.
-I now address four words that at one time would have been my last words. But alas, I am divorced, thou I know my married life was not a padlock. The marriage failure was my fault. For admitting this put me on the receiving end of a huge hug by the marriage counsellor who had listened to me and finally pronounced judgment. It had a lot to do with me galavanting all over Hell's half acre fighting the corrupt CYSTem and nothing has changed. In fact it has become worse. But I gloried in kicking the ample ass of the damned CYSTem and raising hell. And I am still doing it. And will to my end.
The three thoughts in point form seem to be what the main thoughts are of elderly men and the subject of death is the low key topic that generally as I have found creates the comment most surmise but do not repeat, "There are lots of things worse than dying" and one of those would be living under aholes like the ovomit, biDUMB, turdo senior and junior and the biggest idiot ever, named Starmer. Do not know its first name and do not care.
I spent not enough time with and was fond of my grand fathers. One hurt his leg in his nineties and lying in a hospital bed killed him (inactivity)the other became ill and deceased which did not surprise me as he had chewed tobacco all his life. I address all young men now and wonder if they can find a real woman anymore. About the only way that could happen would be if there were enough farmers daughters available. The women here are the most down to earth I have seen anywhere but that is because they are conservative.
The most common thing I see happening in the lives of elderly men is their crying over the death of their old dogs.
Can everyone who knows exactly what the Intel was behind the scenes step forward and share it with us please? Someone sitting off to the sides must know something.
Thanks!
Leake quoted, "...beware of thyself, old man.’”
Talk about turning on the paranoia! Forget the shadows, the enemy is closer at hand.
I enjoy your literary analogies, John. My education was in art and science, and when I read your posts I feel the lack of my exposure to literature.