The European Union has long excited American progressives, who want the United States to model itself after the European body. As each year passes, it has become difficult to understand this admiration. These days the E.U. acts more and more like a bloated bureaucracy staffed with elites armed with intrusive regulatory power and insulated from citizen accountability. IMO, that's why American progressives admire it and want to emulate it.
...The problem with the E.U. is that it was, at its founding, grounded in false assumptions about human nature and the role of the nation in creating a people's identity. These assumptions have for 200 years been accepted as facts, when actually they are questionable ideas challenged by history.
The E.U. is just the latest example of the powerful Enlightenment idea that human nature and civilization, through the expansion of scientific knowledge, are progressing away from the cruelty, oppression, and collective violence created by irrational superstition, religion, and ethnic or nationalist loyalties. Once liberated from this destructive ignorance, people can create political and social orders that will promote peace, social justice, political freedom, and prosperity.
...The unprecedented carnage of World War I, in which the peoples of highly civilized Europe killed each other with nationalist and ethnic fervor, did not lessen enthusiasm for such idealistic internationalism.
...Nor did the even greater horrors of World War II disabuse the West of its idealism, most obviously manifested in the creation of the United Nations, which has done little to save the some 41 million victims of invasion, genocide, civil war, political murder, and ethnic cleansing since World War II.
This record of failure would not have surprised political theorists from Thucydides to the American framers. In that tradition, human nature is permanently flawed by what James Madison called "passions and interests" that necessarily conflict with those of other people or nations, and often lead to violence between them.
...Nor did these realists believe that better education or prosperity could permanently rein in these flaws of human nature, for dangerous world of "imperious necessities," as Thucydides called the tragic contingencies of human existence, would always create stresses that prove "a rough master that brings most men's characters to a level with their fortunes." The gruesome carnage Europeans inflicted on each other in the twentieth century proved Thucydides correct.
[DAWN] Irrespective of what Allama Tahirul Qadri ...Pak politician, and would-be dictator, founder and head of Tehreek-e-Minhajul Quran and Pakistain Awami Tehrik. He usually resides in Canada, but returns to Pakistain periodically to foam at the mouth and lead demonstrations. Depending on which way the wind's blowing, Qadri claims to be the author of Pak's blasphemy law. Other times he says it wasn't him... is destined to achieve through his politics of agitation, he is injecting a sort of activism among disillusioned Barelvi religious organizations with a political orientation.
Most religio-political organizations subscribing to the Barelvi school of thought do not have organised structures and networks. Pirs, or custodians of shrines, and influential religious scholars constitute the local power centres and seek strength from the followers of their respective shrines.
Continued on Page 49
Posted by: Fred ||
08/24/2014 00:00 ||
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[DAWN] If they can, they will. If there's an incentive — power — and there's opportunity — a rickety system — someone will attack.
Defence — plugging the holes — is usually ex-post, after the event, because ex-ante, before the event, it's the attacker who has the greater incentive to find the vulnerabilities.
Simply, democracy will be attacked as long as democracy is weak, and the weaknesses will be found by the attackers more often than they will be by the defenders.
Continued on Page 49
Posted by: Fred ||
08/24/2014 00:00 ||
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[DAWN] It veers from high politics to low farce seemingly from hour to hour. Depending on the time of the day or the latest micro-move by either side, the impasse between the federal government and the Pakistain Tehrik-e-Insaf ...a political party in Pakistan. PTI was founded by former Pakistani cricket captain and philanthropist Imran Khan. The party's slogan is Justice, Humanity and Self Esteem, each of which is open to widely divergent interpretations.... seems to deepen, move towards resolution or maintaining status quo.
While simultaneously signalling that it could in fact still go the settlement route, the PTI formally initiated the process of its MNAs quitting parliament. Meanwhile,
Continued on Page 49
Posted by: Fred ||
08/24/2014 00:00 ||
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[Daily Beast] Let's remember who got us into this mess in Iraq, despite plenty of warnings--from Republicans, even--that this is where it would all lead us. Blame Bush? In this case, absolutely. The Bush default always overrides Champ's failures.
A picture is coming into focus now, is it not? As I write the United States has launched more than 80 air strikes against the Islamic State. As the strikes have already expanded--and in my view properly so--beyond the original goals of saving the Yazidis and protecting American people and property in Erbil, there's no clear telling of where and when they will end. Regime message: 'Focus' on Bush, not the Champ.
Posted by: Besoeker ||
08/24/2014 00:58 ||
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Posted by: Frank G ||
08/24/2014 12:17 ||
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#1
Civil War historian the late Shelby Foote wrote that the South was destined to lose the war from the beginning, "they never had a snowball's chance in hell." There was no lack of elan, capable leadership, dedication, or bravery in the South. Nor was there a lack of knowledgeable woodsmen or men trained in fieldcraft, or an excess of haute, mounted aristocrats.
As in most wars and conflicts, victory eludes the poorly armed and supplied force. Supply and logistics are everything.
#3
I'm not quite so sure, Besoeker. I'm hardly a Civil War expert, but it seemed as though it was fairly close--not so much that the South close to winning but that the North was close to giving up. As VDH noted, if Lincoln had lost the election the result might have been a de-facto separation: an effective victory for the South.
And, of course, if the South hadn't actually started shooting, it isn't obvious that the North would have started, and once again the result might have been a de-facto separation.
Posted by: James ||
08/24/2014 15:15 Comments ||
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#4
The North giving up is very accurate James. Many in the North were sure it would all be over in a matter of a few months. Ever the adept politician and statesman, Lincoln pulled a rabbit out of his hat with the Emancipation Proclamation of 1863. Davis was no match for Lincoln, either in political acumen or leadership. Had the husband of Mary Anna Custis been fully in charge, outcomes might have gone differently.
#5
No one could write a compelling historical narrative as Shelby Foote could. As an almost retired professional Historian I should dismiss him for his lack of citations/bibliography. I can't. This writer spent decades writing his 3 vol. opus. And each word rings true...
1.)Accusing critics of Israel of specifically of hypocrisy makes for a poor argument. The US and NATO have indeed been very soft on islamofascism since 2001, even on those islamofascists who had conducted massive attacks on the West.
No one, not even Israel is morally obliged to emulate irrational, amoral and self-destructive behavior. This should be a sufficient defense of Israel's reaction to Hamas' aggression.
2.) Why this sudden near hysterical outrage specifically over ISIS?
Atrocities similar to ISIS' crimes and atrocities much worse have transpired in broad daylight in Western cities.
In each instance any expression of disapproval beyond grief (sometimes verging on maudlin sentimentality) over the victims of these respective 'tragic events' was frowned upon if not explicitly verboten.
What is the difference here? What is the essential difference between ISIS and Hezbollah, Hamas, IRG, Taliban, Boko Haram, MB etc ?
#3
Atrocities similar to ISIS' crimes and atrocities much worse have transpired in broad daylight in Western cities.
Examples, please. Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.
#6
The problem isn't Hamas or ISIS, it's the stupidity of allowing others to put chains and ropes around your ability to resolve such overt threats with a finality that is well within either country's capacity (see - Sri Lanka)
#8
it's the stupidity of allowing others to put chains and ropes around your ability to resolve such overt threats with a finality that is well within either country's capacity
Amen to that. We have not released the "dogs of war" in a long time.
What, purple hair and an earring? The American youth ? The American Public?
MOST Americans are godless whining wusses who sweat too
much and and want more Gatorade.
They can't get their peckers up for training let alone a firefight and they are too stupid to walk home even if it is only one block from the bar.
Good luck with getting Americans to fight unless they have a seat under them and lots of gas to get there. They won't hike in and when they get there they will complain about what they had to carry.
Posted by: Big Thromoth3646 ||
08/24/2014 9:49 Comments ||
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#10
MOST Americans are godless whining wusses who sweat too much and and want more Gatorade.
Gee, I'm so glad you clarified that, Hemingway. And in capital letters, no less.
I'll bet the 7-11 customers you're screaming at as they enter and exit the store don't appreciate the distinction, though.
#13
What is the difference here? What is the essential difference between ISIS and Hezbollah, Hamas, IRG, Taliban, Boko Haram, MB etc ?
The other have pretty clear goal, to destroy Israel and remove the West from Arab countries. Boko Haram is nothing more that a waring tribe that lays claim to Islam.
ISIS is defining themselves differently. Their stated goal is to build the Caliphate. Their intent is to attack and destroy the West. Their plans are to bring the fight to the US and Europe. They are well funded and have the potential of developing their plans into action. They have recruited from all over Europe, Australia, Canada, and the US. They have developed relationships with with Drug cartels in South America and globally. So YES! They are different. They have a plan, they have money, they learn every day and get stronger every day. They are a very real threat to the Western way of life.
Your comments remind me of the, Its that pesky Nazi party. They are silly and will amount to nothing mentality.
Posted by: 49 Pan ||
08/24/2014 12:02 Comments ||
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#14
All islamofascistic outfits I mentioned want to rebuild the Caliphate. ISIS claims to BE the Caliphate which is why any Muslim political entity that recognizes ISIS must automatically also submit to ISIS which most of them don't want to do.
But is that really stuff that matters to Western targets of islamofascistic aggression?
Is the Iranian bomb really less dangerous than ISIS because Iran does not claim to be the new Caliphate?
Iran does not recognize Western sovereignty either and claims a divine right to rule globally.
Examples of attacks:
9-11 targeted 10000s, 'only' close to 3000 dead
7-7, Atocha, Lee Rigby, Van Gogh, Glasgow attacks, Bali and Ghriba Synagogue bombings (Westerner tourists were targeted)
#16
Obama is to America as Chamberlain was to England.
I disagree - Chamberlain, and those with him were fools. Obama, and ValJar and those with them knows exactly what they are doing and are doing it deliberately and with malice.
Posted by: 49 Pan ||
08/24/2014 20:42 Comments ||
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#18
If ISIS gets inside the US borders and causes sufficient damage, President Barack Hussein gets his wish. A country under Military occupation and Marshal Law.
[SultanKnish] Let's say that Chester A. Maxwell decides that he hates America. He takes a flight from Massachusetts to Paris, renounces his citizenship and spends the rest of his life stomping up and down the beaches of France and screaming imprecations at Americans.
Our friend Chester is not a self-hating American because he is no longer an American. He may have an American accent, like the same foods, books and movies that give him a common reference point with many of his old countymen and otherwise be mistaken for one of the gang. But he isn't.
Even if he chooses to continue describing himself as an American, it's a meaningless self-description. 'American' is a group identity. Not an individual identity. You cannot be an American who does not want to be part of America or to associate with other Americans.
Nor is Chester self-hating. Just because he hates America and Americans doesn't mean that he hates himself. He probably likes himself a good deal. People with poor self-images rarely reject group identities. Those who reject a group identity this vehemently tend to be extremely egotistical.
Now suppose Chester Maxwell's real name is Howard F. Goldstein and he spends all his time screaming about Israel from Ann Arbor. When he speaks, his accent has more than a little Brooklyn in it, his bookshelves are lined with books by Jewish authors and he has a fondness for knishes.
Accuse him of anti-Semitism and he exclaims that he's a Jew. But Howard is as Jewish as Chester is American.
#3
Nor is Chester self-hating. Just because he hates America and Americans doesn't mean that he hates himself. He probably likes himself a good deal. People with poor self-images rarely reject group identities. Those who reject a group identity this vehemently tend to be extremely egotistical.
Now suppose Chester Maxwell's real name is Howard F. Goldstein...Or Barack Hussein Obama?
A multi-volume chronology and reference guide set detailing three years of the Mexican Drug War between 2010 and 2012.
Rantburg.com and borderlandbeat.com correspondent and author Chris Covert presents his first non-fiction work detailing
the drug and gang related violence in Mexico.
Chris gives us Mexican press dispatches of drug and gang war violence
over three years, presented in a multi volume set intended to chronicle the death, violence and mayhem which has
dominated Mexico for six years.
Rantburg was assembled from recycled algorithms in the United States of America. No
trees were destroyed in the production of this weblog. We did hurt some, though. Sorry.
These assumptions have for 200 years been accepted as facts, when actually they are questionable ideas challenged by history.
killed each other with nationalist and ethnic fervor, did not lessen enthusiasm for such idealistic internationalism.
[DAWN] Irrespective of what Allama 
[DAWN] It veers from high politics to low farce seemingly from hour to hour. Depending on the time of the day or the latest micro-move by either side, the impasse between the federal government and the Pakistain 
