If We Have To Fight Someone, May As Well Fight ‘Evil’
This will probably put me at odds with my more pacifist, isolationist, “let’s just use our WORDS” progressive friends. But I forced myself to watch the entire video of the ISIS butcher sawing off the head of an American journalist. And they are not going to stop just because we asked them nicely.
If President Obama means to “extract this cancer” as he stated in his press conference the other day, he needs to follow the recommended Constitutional protocol. He needs to call Congress back from its vacation. He needs to convince the American people that this is not about non-existent “weapons of mass destruction.” This is not about forcing Afghanistan to adopt 21st Century Democracy when what the people there really want is 14th Century Theocracy.
This is about going to war. Real war. War against the self-described Islamic State. Making it clear that this is not a war against Islam. These butchers are murdering Muslims like they were being paid on a piecework rate.
The president needs to do what he can to get at least the verbal support of our European allies. No easy feat for a bunch of milksop cowards who pay ransoms to Al Qaeda to get French, or German, or Spanish hostages returned. But he needs to be clear that there really is, like it or not, one force for good in the world, and that is the United States of America. We have the weapons. We have the manpower.
The President does need to do this step by step. He needs to secure the cooperation of our allies, and shame them into helping if they won’t do so willingly. With that done, he will need to address the American People about the need to put boots on the ground in Iraq and Syria. This is not a continuation of Bush’s war. This is a CONSEQUENCE of Bush’s war. This is what happens when you remove a brutal regime and have nothing to replace it with. We need to realize that the stated goal of the Islamic State is to turn the entire globe into a caliphate under their narrow, violent interpretation of Islam. Taking them down one at a time won’t do the job, any more than you can rid your house of one insect at a time.
This will require the concentrated effort of Americans and our allies. This will require a resolution, a declaration of war by the United States Congress against the Islamic State. This will require bringing the full power of America’s military machine to bear.
If we do nothing, no one else will. Iraq can’t do the job by itself. Syria will not do anything. Our allies, whose hash we have pulled out of the fire time and time again, are more concerned with Russian oil and natural gas than they are with international justice.
This is a time for strong leadership, and a Congress that is united behind that leadership. ISIS is the face of evil on the planet today. They are a clear and present danger to each and every one of us — if not this moment, then soon.
The President needs to act. But to act, he will need the support of Congress and the American people.
He has my support. Does he have yours?
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By: Bill Schmalfeldt
I no longer use Twitter or Facebook because they are evil. I do continue to blog at http://Schmalfeldt.org, where you can get information about other stuff I do, like comedy/parody CDs and MP3 downloads and audiobooks and such. Get yours now. When I'm dead, there will be a drastic price increase.
Jeanne173 August 22nd, 2014 at 11:53
“He has my support, does he have yours?”Hell yes!!!
Jeanne173 August 22nd, 2014 at 11:53
“He has my support, does he have yours?”Hell yes!!!
trees August 22nd, 2014 at 11:58
Bill, I think you may in for a moment of enlightenment soon. You are soon going to realize that this president is incapable of making a hard decision based upon his own convictions, he’s simply not able to stand up and declare, or commit, or take an unpopular action based upon information that he knows is necessarily true.
You see, you want a leader. You want someone who’ll stand up and say, “This is what we must do”
This president lacks leadership abilities.
But Obama will fervently wish for someone else who does, to step up.
This way, he can support them, this way he can let someone else expose themselves, this way he can sit back and make political calculations from a safe position.
Leading from behind…..
What a concept.
jasperjava August 22nd, 2014 at 12:10
Racist Republicans will oppose whatever the President decides to do.
If he decides to use military action, racist Republicans will screech that he’s a bloodthirsty African savage who’s worse than Hitler.
If he decides on some other action, racist Republicans will accuse him of being weak and a traitor who’s in league with Muslim fundamentalists.
You prattle about leadership. Everything that the President has proposed has been blocked by racist Republicans who are NOT interested in governing. They are only interested in performing a legislative lynching.
granpa.usthai August 22nd, 2014 at 14:46
I’m starting to believe they want a for real old style county with states ‘rule of white racist law’ for real lynching. (actually since the Nevada failed coup I think they’re now hoping the Hawaiian in the White House will just leave. With the or being all out civil war, breakdown in the streets, blood and guts kind of Nazi Horsesh*t, being the ‘degenerates’ fault for forcing the little fascist oath breakers to goosestep down the main streets of the USA.Even though levelheaded AMERICANS have tried to explain to them time and again – US streets are not some bad ass cops personal little Reichland bootcamp, US Citizens are not your little booties. We are F*ing Americans you dumb sh*ts, you’re hell bent bound and determined to bring it on in the streets of the USA if we don’t start goosestepping with you? We’ll just have to improvise and do the best we can (part of our heritage), you win, whatever’s left is yours. You lose, you become China’s rice field work force and or rice field fertilizer, doesn’t matter to me because instead of going bonkers with all this hyped up personal hatred emotional Nazi Horsesh*t, it’s strictly business.
trees August 22nd, 2014 at 14:59
You should probably lay off the caffeine, just sayin’
Bunya August 22nd, 2014 at 15:51
And you should probably volunteer to go to Iraq, annihilate the Islamic state and save your fellow Christians. Just sayin’
Bill Schmalfeldt August 22nd, 2014 at 12:57
And this, children, is what we call a “straw man.”
granpa.usthai August 22nd, 2014 at 14:26
in recent cases I’ll have to go with bent straw man.
trees August 22nd, 2014 at 14:52
Obama as a strawman, hmmm…. You know, I think you might be right….
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nauLgZISozs
Jack Tafoya August 22nd, 2014 at 14:59
Trees it’s clear you are just another Obama hater. No solutions of your own.
trees August 22nd, 2014 at 17:47
Sorry Jack, hatred is not required when doing a critical evaluation. I don’t hate the man, but I hate his inability to act. He’s not a leader, no, he’s more along the lines of, “our golfer in chief”, our “vacationer elect”
Solutions of my own?
I wouldn’t have abandoned Iraq. I wouldn’t take the position that they, the Iraqis don’t matter, I wouldn’t take the position that we don’t have an interest in what happens over there, and I wouldn’t say things like, “We would be better off with Sadam still in power”.
jasperjava August 22nd, 2014 at 19:11
Dubya was on vacation much more frequently, and for longer durations, than any president in history. In fact, given that he was almost certainly the least intelligent president since Millard Fillmore, you could say his mind was on permanent vacation.
I find it astonishing that Republicans have the gall to criticize President Obama for things that THEIR guy did several times worse. They are incredibly hypocritical.
Bunya August 22nd, 2014 at 19:51
“I wouldn’t have abandoned Iraq.”
I wouldn’t have invaded the wrong country. Just sayin’.
“…the Iraqis don’t matter.”
But their oil sure did, huh trees?
“… we don’t have an interest in what happens over there”
Not any more. We killed their people and made Dickie rich. Our work there is done
“We would be better off with Sadam still in power”.
Saddam was the glue that was holding that country together. Now ISIS is running roughshod over there. So yes, we WOULD be better off with Saddam still in power.
Bunya August 22nd, 2014 at 13:46
“This president lacks leadership abilities.”
Oh really? And who do you suggest? Maybe Dubya and the Dickster? The two clowns who are responsible for this clusterfuck?
Abby Normal August 22nd, 2014 at 14:21
Well said!
granpa.usthai August 22nd, 2014 at 14:13
pick up your gun and go to it, hotshot, I’m sure as hell not planning on trying to talk you out of it.
trees August 22nd, 2014 at 11:58
Bill, I think you may be in for a moment of enlightenment soon. You are soon going to realize that this president is incapable of making a hard decision based upon his own convictions, he’s simply not able to stand up and declare, or commit, or take an unpopular action based upon information that he knows is necessarily true.
You see, you want a leader. You want someone who’ll stand up and say, “This is what we must do”
This president lacks leadership abilities.
But Obama will fervently wish for someone else who does have leadership abilities, to step up.
This way, he can support them, this way he can let someone else expose themselves, this way he can sit back and make political calculations from a safe position.
Leading from behind…..
What a concept.
jasperjava August 22nd, 2014 at 12:10
Racist Republicans will oppose whatever the President decides to do.
If he decides to use military action, racist Republicans will screech that he’s a bloodthirsty African savage who’s worse than Hitler.
If he decides on some other action, racist Republicans will accuse him of being weak and a traitor who’s in league with Muslim fundamentalists.
You prattle about leadership. Everything that the President has proposed has been blocked by racist Republicans who are NOT interested in governing. They are only interested in performing a legislative lynching.
granpa.usthai August 22nd, 2014 at 14:46
I’m starting to believe they want a for real old style county with states ‘rule of white racist law’ for real lynching. (actually since the Nevada failed coup I think they’re now hoping the Hawaiian in the White House will just leave. With the or being all out civil war, breakdown in the streets, blood and guts kind of Nazi Horsesh*t, being the ‘degenerates’ fault for forcing the little fascist oath breakers to goosestep down the main streets of the USA.Even though levelheaded AMERICANS have tried to explain to them time and again – US streets are not some bad ass cops personal little Reichland bootcamp, US Citizens are not your little booties. We are F*ing Americans you dumb sh*ts, you’re hell bent bound and determined to bring it on in the streets of the USA if we don’t start goosestepping with you? We’ll just have to improvise and do the best we can (part of our heritage), you win, whatever’s left is yours. You lose, you become China’s rice field work force and or rice field fertilizer, doesn’t matter to me because instead of going bonkers with all this hyped up personal hatred emotional Nazi Horsesh*t, it’s strictly business.
trees August 22nd, 2014 at 14:59
You should probably lay off the caffeine, just sayin’
Bunya August 22nd, 2014 at 15:51
And you should probably volunteer to go to Iraq, annihilate the Islamic state and save your fellow Christians. Just sayin’
Bill Schmalfeldt August 22nd, 2014 at 12:57
And this, children, is what we call a “straw man.”
granpa.usthai August 22nd, 2014 at 14:26
in recent cases I’ll have to go with bent straw man.
trees August 22nd, 2014 at 14:52
Obama as a strawman, hmmm…. You know, I think you might be right….
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nauLgZISozs
Clear_view August 22nd, 2014 at 14:59
Trees it’s clear you are just another Obama hater. No solutions of your own.
trees August 22nd, 2014 at 17:47
Sorry Jack, hatred is not required when doing a critical evaluation. I don’t hate the man, but I hate his inability to act. He’s not a leader, no, he’s more along the lines of, “our golfer in chief”, our “vacationer elect”
Solutions of my own?
I wouldn’t have abandoned Iraq. I wouldn’t take the position that they, the Iraqis don’t matter, I wouldn’t take the position that we don’t have an interest in what happens over there, and I wouldn’t say things like, “We would be better off with Sadam still in power”.
jasperjava August 22nd, 2014 at 19:11
Dubya was on vacation much more frequently, and for longer durations, than any president in history. In fact, given that he was almost certainly the least intelligent president since Millard Fillmore, you could say his mind was on permanent vacation.
I find it astonishing that Republicans have the gall to criticize President Obama for things that THEIR guy did several times worse. They are incredibly hypocritical.
Bunya August 22nd, 2014 at 19:51
“I wouldn’t have abandoned Iraq.”
I wouldn’t have invaded the wrong country. Just sayin’.
“…the Iraqis don’t matter.”
But their oil sure did, huh trees?
“… we don’t have an interest in what happens over there”
Not any more. We killed their people and made Dickie rich. Our work there is done
“We would be better off with Sadam still in power”.
Saddam was the glue that was holding that country together. Now ISIS is running roughshod over there. So yes, we WOULD be better off with Saddam still in power.
Bunya August 22nd, 2014 at 13:46
“This president lacks leadership abilities.”
Oh really? And who do you suggest? Maybe Dubya and the Dickster? The two clowns who are responsible for this clusterfuck?
Abby Normal August 22nd, 2014 at 14:21
Well said!
granpa.usthai August 22nd, 2014 at 14:13
pick up your gun and go to it, hotshot, I’m sure as hell not planning on trying to talk you out of it.
R.J. Carter August 22nd, 2014 at 12:24
If Anonymous wants so badly to dox someone, how about they dox and locate this guy?
R.J. Carter August 22nd, 2014 at 12:24
If Anonymous wants so badly to dox someone, how about they dox and locate this guy?
uzza August 22nd, 2014 at 13:03
This is probably the single stupidest thing we will see on the internet this week. You sound just like Jon Koppenhaver; “strong” leadership = beating the shlt out of someone, anything else is weak and cowardly no matter what.
You saw something that upsets you and you’re all “This Bad!” “ISIS Bad!” “Must destroy Bad!” “Kill ISIS!” Your amygdala thinks that once you destroy everything rainbows and ponies will be all that’s left. If you could calm down and engage your neocortex you’d see reality, and possibly have some rational suggestions.
Suggestions for further study:
How does your proposal differ from what we already did and failed at when these guys were calling themselves Al Quaida?
Give details of what your plan replaces them with after we’ve ‘destroyed’ the current regime, and why will people there prefer your ideas to their own?
Why is an Islamic theocracy on the other side of the world a greater threat to me than a Christian theocracy here?
What makes you right and them wrong when others substitute “China”, “Islam”, “Libertarianism” or “Paganism” in your quote above?
Bill Schmalfeldt August 22nd, 2014 at 13:12
Thank you, Prime Minister Chamberlain. That Hitler wasn’t really so bad of a chappie after all, was he?
uzza August 22nd, 2014 at 13:48
Everything in the world is either Good, or it’s Evil, and you were appointed by Allah to determine which is which, right? We just kill all the Evil people, and everything will be perfect, right?
How old are you again?
granpa.usthai August 22nd, 2014 at 14:22
If everything in the world is either- or, it’s usually best to take the plunge so to speak and go with or. The either is a gimmick favored by neo-fascist Reich runts as it’s meant to make you feel guilty for going with or. I like to choose or because it’s only two letters -kinda like saying FU, but mostly I like the shock and awe effect when they can’t believe you said OR!
Bill Schmalfeldt August 22nd, 2014 at 14:32
59. You? And either suggest a solution of your own better than the one I suggest or just continue trolling.
Abby Normal August 22nd, 2014 at 15:33
Would you be this enthusiastic for war if America had a draft and you were 20 years old?
Bill Schmalfeldt August 22nd, 2014 at 16:12
I joined the Navy during the Vietnam War and I was 18 at the time. Next?
R.J. Carter August 22nd, 2014 at 16:12
Thank you.
trees August 22nd, 2014 at 17:50
Thank you for your service Bill Schmalfeldt.
R.J. Carter August 22nd, 2014 at 15:25
Remind me again what the only thing necessary is for evil to triumph?
granpa.usthai August 22nd, 2014 at 14:15
compared to some of the idiot cops with homesickness so bad for war they want to bring it to the streets of America?
R.J. Carter August 22nd, 2014 at 15:27
Obliquely Godwin.
Bill Schmalfeldt August 22nd, 2014 at 16:12
Very obliquely. Same concept. How long do we wait while evil prospers?
trees August 22nd, 2014 at 17:59
As long as we can get our fair trade espresso drinks and oak leaf lettuce spinach salads we could care less about what happens halfway around the world. They only hate us because we deserve it, so, if we stop meddling in things that are none of our business, then we’ll be just fine….this stuff has a way of sorting itself out….
Could someone please pass me the balsamic vinegar?
R.J. Carter August 22nd, 2014 at 13:12
“How does your proposal differ from what we already did and failed at when these guys were calling themselves Al Quaida?”
We decimated al Qaeda, last I heard, and killed their leader.
“Give details of what your plan replaces them with after we’ve ‘destroyed’ the current regime, and why will people there prefer your ideas to their own?”
Someone who saw what happened to the last regime who started crap, and will fear it enough to avoid similar consequences.
“Why is an Islamic theocracy on the other side of the world a greater threat to me than a Christian theocracy here?”
We don’t have a Christian theocracy here. We have Christians in positions of authority in government, but that is not the same thing.
“What makes you right and them wrong when others substitute “China”, “Islam”, “Libertarianism” or “Paganism” in your quote above?”
They’re welcome to step up and join us.
uzza August 22nd, 2014 at 13:44
We killed Alquaida’s leaders, and their followers and sympathizers formed ISIS, along with a lot of other similar organizations. That’s how much they feared your similar consequences, and when somebody wipes out ISIS, they’ll form another one. But you can’t see that, all you can see is “bad guy” “must kick ass”. It satiates your ego even if It makes the problem worse.
Bill Schmalfeldt August 22nd, 2014 at 16:32
I saw a video recently where some 1,700 Iraqi soldiers were trooped by some 30 ISIS terrorists with guns. They were loaded into the backs of trucks and hauled off to ditches where, one truckload at a time, they were hustled off to the ditches, told to lay down in the ditch, and were murdered.
Would you have tried to fight back and die that way, Uzza? Or would you have been led like a sheep to a ditch so they could kill you without offering a whimper of complaint?
ISIS is not interested in peace. They do not fear death, they welcome it. Our Obama-hating conservatives and Emo-progressives who want to sit in a drum circle and get ISIS to express its inner feelings, they will be the doom of this nation.
I was asked what I would do. I would continue to pay taxes. I would volunteer to the best of my ability as my illness worsens. I will not cower or expect evil to stop being evil just because evil isn’t nice.
If your position is that there is never a reason to fight, how did you survive middle school without starving when bullies took your lunch money?
uzza August 23rd, 2014 at 11:33
If your position is that there is never a reason to fight…
See there’s your problem, Bill, it isn’t, but you can’t see any
middle ground between all out war and passive victimhood. Reality is, the vast majority of everything takes place well between those two extremes. ISIS are extremists who want to draw us into a fight, the same strategy OBL had. Cheney is another extremist so he fell for it, and we got our ass kicked. It was stupid then and it’s stupid now.
Evil doesn’t just cluster at the poles, it’s everywhere, and it’s you that’s naive to think it’s possible to make some goodguy bad guy split. You’re rightfully horrified at what ISIS is doing. Well, your Marine Corp buddies notoriously killed children and beheaded people in Nam, so by your logic we should eradicate the USMC as well. No, Bill, that is what happens in war, and war is what you want.
You say Iraq was unneccesary, but you like to skip over Vietnam and go way back to WWII and Hitler, where it’s easy to say we were on the side of right. You’re proud of your service, and maybe with good reason, but face it all “we” did there was delay the country’s independence for a decade while making a lot of corporations very very rich and a lot of innocent people very very dead. The VC weren’t better than ISIS, and they existed because we were there. Children are still dying today from what we did, and there is evil in that.
You ask for a better solution than blundering in and repeating Cheney’s mistakes? Here’s one: ignore this civil war just like we’ve ignored all the scores of civil wars I’ve watched play out during my lifetime, just like the one in Vietnam. They sort out their issues on their own, one faction eventually emerges dominant and has to focus on running the country at which point it becomes obvious that just hating is not sufficient, the extremists slink away into the background, and the country becomes a valuable trading partner.
The fanatics will not be eradicated, as they cannot be, they will will always be there just as they are also here, and we need to focus on the evil in our own midst and let them do the same.
So there’s your answer, so do you have the nads to stop evading the four questions I gave you, or are you just another “War Machine”?
granpa.usthai August 22nd, 2014 at 15:03
sounds like some really good kick ass chit to me!
Have a nice flight over, and take an extra quick step forward when you get on the plane! (wouldn’t want the door to hit you in the ass and possibly cause a cabin leak).
uzza August 22nd, 2014 at 13:03
This is probably the single stupidest thing we will see on the internet this week. You sound just like Jon Koppenhaver; “strong” leadership = beating the shlt out of someone, anything else is weak and cowardly no matter what.
You saw something that upsets you and you’re all “This Bad!” “ISIS Bad!” “Must destroy Bad!” “Kill ISIS!” Your amygdala thinks that once you destroy everything rainbows and ponies will be all that’s left. If you could calm down and engage your neocortex you’d see reality, and possibly have some rational suggestions.
Suggestions for further study:
1. How does your proposal differ from what we already did and failed at when these guys were calling themselves Al Quaida?
2. Give details of what your plan replaces them with after we’ve ‘destroyed’ the current regime, and why will people there prefer your ideas to their own?
3. Why is an Islamic theocracy on the other side of the world a greater threat to me than a Christian theocracy here?
4. What makes you right and them wrong when others substitute “China”, “Islam”, “Libertarianism” or “Paganism” in your quote above?
Bill Schmalfeldt August 22nd, 2014 at 13:12
Thank you, Prime Minister Chamberlain. That Hitler wasn’t really so bad of a chappie after all, was he?
uzza August 22nd, 2014 at 13:48
Everything in the world is either Good, or it’s Evil, and you were appointed by Allah to determine which is which, right? We just kill all the Evil people, and everything will be perfect, right?
How old are you again?
granpa.usthai August 22nd, 2014 at 14:22
If everything in the world is either- or, it’s usually best to take the plunge so to speak and go with or. The either is a gimmick favored by neo-fascist Reich runts as it’s meant to make you feel guilty for going with or. I like to choose or because it’s only two letters -kinda like saying FU, but mostly I like the shock and awe effect when they can’t believe you said OR!
Bill Schmalfeldt August 22nd, 2014 at 14:32
59. You? And either suggest a solution of your own better than the one I suggest or just continue trolling.
Abby Normal August 22nd, 2014 at 15:33
Would you be this enthusiastic for war if America had a draft and you were 20 years old?
Bill Schmalfeldt August 22nd, 2014 at 16:12
I joined the Navy during the Vietnam War and I was 18 at the time. Next?
R.J. Carter August 22nd, 2014 at 16:12
Thank you.
trees August 22nd, 2014 at 17:50
Thank you for your service Bill Schmalfeldt.
R.J. Carter August 22nd, 2014 at 15:25
Remind me again what the only thing necessary is for evil to triumph?
granpa.usthai August 22nd, 2014 at 14:15
compared to some of the idiot cops with homesickness so bad for war they want to bring it to the streets of America?
R.J. Carter August 22nd, 2014 at 15:27
Obliquely Godwin.
Bill Schmalfeldt August 22nd, 2014 at 16:12
Very obliquely. Same concept. How long do we wait while evil prospers?
trees August 22nd, 2014 at 17:59
As long as we can get our fair trade espresso drinks and oak leaf lettuce spinach salads we could care less about what happens halfway around the world. They only hate us because we deserve it, so, if we stop meddling in things that are none of our business, then we’ll be just fine….this stuff has a way of sorting itself out….
Could someone please pass me the balsamic vinegar?
R.J. Carter August 22nd, 2014 at 13:12
“How does your proposal differ from what we already did and failed at when these guys were calling themselves Al Quaida?”
We decimated al Qaeda, last I heard, and killed their leader.
“Give details of what your plan replaces them with after we’ve ‘destroyed’ the current regime, and why will people there prefer your ideas to their own?”
Someone who saw what happened to the last regime who started crap, and will fear it enough to avoid similar consequences.
“Why is an Islamic theocracy on the other side of the world a greater threat to me than a Christian theocracy here?”
We don’t have a Christian theocracy here. We have Christians in positions of authority in government, but that is not the same thing.
“What makes you right and them wrong when others substitute “China”, “Islam”, “Libertarianism” or “Paganism” in your quote above?”
They’re welcome to step up and join us.
uzza August 22nd, 2014 at 13:44
We killed Alquaida’s leaders, and their followers and sympathizers formed ISIS, along with a lot of other similar organizations. That’s how much they feared your similar consequences, and when somebody wipes out ISIS, they’ll form another one. But you can’t see that, all you can see is “bad guy” “must kick ass”. It satiates your ego even if It makes the problem worse.
Re #4, try to think. People who say “There really is … one force for good in the world, and that is Islam” are not likely to join you.
Bill Schmalfeldt August 22nd, 2014 at 16:32
I saw a video recently where some 1,700 Iraqi soldiers were trooped by some 30 ISIS terrorists with guns. They were loaded into the backs of trucks and hauled off to ditches where, one truckload at a time, they were hustled off to the ditches, told to lay down in the ditch, and were murdered.
Would you have tried to fight back and die that way, Uzza? Or would you have been led like a sheep to a ditch so they could kill you without offering a whimper of complaint?
ISIS is not interested in peace. They do not fear death, they welcome it. Our Obama-hating conservatives and Emo-progressives who want to sit in a drum circle and get ISIS to express its inner feelings, they will be the doom of this nation.
I was asked what I would do. I would continue to pay taxes. I would volunteer to the best of my ability as my illness worsens. I will not cower or expect evil to stop being evil just because evil isn’t nice.
If your position is that there is never a reason to fight, how did you survive middle school without starving when bullies took your lunch money?
uzza August 23rd, 2014 at 11:33
If your position is that there is never a reason to fight…
See there’s your problem, Bill, it isn’t, but you can’t see any
middle ground between all out war and passive victimhood. Reality is, the vast majority of everything takes place well between those two extremes. ISIS are extremists who want to draw us into a fight, the same strategy OBL had. Cheney is another extremist so he fell for it, and we got our ass kicked. It was stupid then and it’s stupid now.
Evil doesn’t just cluster at the poles, it’s everywhere, and it’s you that’s naive to think it’s possible to make some goodguy bad guy split. You’re rightfully horrified at what ISIS is doing. Well, your Marine Corp buddies notoriously killed children and beheaded people in Nam, so by your logic we should eradicate the USMC as well. No, Bill, that is what happens in war, and war is what you want.
You say Iraq was unneccesary, but you like to skip over Vietnam and go way back to WWII and Hitler, where it’s easy to say we were on the side of right. You’re proud of your service, and maybe with good reason, but face it all “we” did there was delay the country’s independence for a decade while making a lot of corporations very very rich and a lot of innocent people very very dead. The VC weren’t better than ISIS, and they existed because we were there. Children are still dying today from what we did, and there is evil in that.
You ask for a better solution than blundering in and repeating Cheney’s mistakes? Here’s one: ignore this civil war just like we’ve ignored all the scores of civil wars I’ve watched play out during my lifetime, just like the one in Vietnam. They sort out their issues on their own, one faction eventually emerges dominant and has to focus on running the country at which point it becomes obvious that just hating is not sufficient, the extremists slink away into the background, and the country becomes a valuable trading partner.
The fanatics will not be eradicated, as they cannot be, they will will always be there just as they are also here, and we need to focus on the evil in our own midst and let them do the same.
So there’s your answer, so do you have the nads to stop evading the four questions I gave you, or are you just another “War Machine”?
granpa.usthai August 22nd, 2014 at 15:03
sounds like some really good kick ass chit to me!
Have a nice flight over, and take an extra quick step forward when you get on the plane! (wouldn’t want the door to hit you in the ass and possibly cause a cabin leak).
Abby Normal August 22nd, 2014 at 13:48
“He has my support. Does he have yours?”
Bill Schmalfeldt August 22nd, 2014 at 14:31
Well, having already done 9-1/2 years in the Navy and being a disabled Vietnam-era veteran, I don’t think the military will have much use for me. If you are suggesting that I supported the Iraq war, please disabuse yourself of that notion. What I do support is the removal of a cancer. ISIS is a cancer. Now, unless this is just more of your kneejerk gainsay, howzabout you tell us about the nice letter you would write to ISIS to ask them to stop the wholesale murder they are committing? By your argument, I would have to assume that you were not in favor of our involvement in WWII. Please correct me if I’m wrong. But one does not wait until the cancer has spread throughout the body before treating it.
Now. Your solution is… ?
Abby Normal August 22nd, 2014 at 14:35
You are a disabled Vietnam-era veteran. Did you receive your disability in combat? Is your disability a result of our service in the Navy?
Bill Schmalfeldt August 22nd, 2014 at 14:38
I’m not sure what difference it makes, but no. I was injured falling down a ladder onboard the USS Midway in the Sea of Japan. I had my right kneecap removed. The point is, I served. So your comparing me to chicken hawks like Cheney is not only unfair, it is despicable. Now, about your support for American action in WWII?
jasperjava August 22nd, 2014 at 14:42
I trust this President to know the limits of American military power, and to use it wisely. I am confident that President Obama lacks the specific toxic mix of Evil and Stupid that characterized the Cheney/B*sh “administration”.
I also trust this President to have more up his sleeves than the mindless application of military force. If only he wasn’t saddled with a political opposition that cared more with stirring up hatred against him, rather than the national interest.
Bill Schmalfeldt August 22nd, 2014 at 14:43
Here Here! Well said.
Abby Normal August 22nd, 2014 at 15:09
Actually, the term is “Hear! Hear!” which comes from “Hear him! Hear him!.” It originated in the Parliament of my home country, the U.K.
Abby Normal August 22nd, 2014 at 13:48
“He has my support. Does he have yours?”
And just what does your Cheney-esque “support” consist of, Mr. Schmalfeldt, aside from your willingness to watch other people’s sons and daughters fight and die in yet another middle east war?
And what will you be doing to “support” the thousands of young Americans coming home in body bags? Or the thousands of young Americans who will spend the rest of their lives with prosthetic limbs, brain damage and PTSD?
Bill Schmalfeldt August 22nd, 2014 at 14:31
Well, having already done 9-1/2 years in the Navy and being a disabled Vietnam-era veteran, I don’t think the military will have much use for me. If you are suggesting that I supported the Iraq war, please disabuse yourself of that notion. What I do support is the removal of a cancer. ISIS is a cancer. Now, unless this is just more of your kneejerk gainsay, howzabout you tell us about the nice letter you would write to ISIS to ask them to stop the wholesale murder they are committing? By your argument, I would have to assume that you were not in favor of our involvement in WWII. Please correct me if I’m wrong. But one does not wait until the cancer has spread throughout the body before treating it.
Now. Your solution is… ?
Abby Normal August 22nd, 2014 at 14:35
You are a disabled Vietnam-era veteran. Did you receive your disability in combat? Is your disability a result of your service in the Navy?
Bill Schmalfeldt August 22nd, 2014 at 14:38
I’m not sure what difference it makes, but no. I was injured falling down a ladder onboard the USS Midway in the Sea of Japan. I had my right kneecap removed. The point is, I served. So your comparing me to chicken hawks like Cheney is not only unfair, it is despicable. Now, about your support for American action in WWII?
Abby Normal August 22nd, 2014 at 14:45
Yes, I am comparing you to chicken hawks like Dick Cheney and Lindsey Graham.
You said Mr. Obama will have your support if he commits America to another war in the middle east. I ask you again. What will your support consist of?
Writing more drivel on blogs and discussion boards?
Bill Schmalfeldt August 22nd, 2014 at 16:11
Speaking of drivel…
How much more of my skin and blood do you require, Abby, before I am allowed to have an opinion? My time on the ground in Lebanon as a Navy Hospital Corpsman with a Marine unit wasn’t enough? My service in the 7th Fleet? Not enough service for you? What have you done for anyone other than yourself, Abby? Or does your worldview end at the tip of your nose?
You have the sack to compare me to people who have led this nation into an unnecessary war that created the situation that now MUST be dealt with at some point or another. If the future of the world depends on people who want to plug their ears and sing “la la la la I can’t hear you la la la”, we are doomed.
This is not “drivel” Abby. This is a discussion among free people. I’d like to keep that option, and yes — it is worth the price. It was worth it when we fought the British, it was worth it when we fought the Nazis, it will be worth it when we drive ISIS back to the 14th Century where they belong.
Did you watch the video of that journalist having his head sawed off by a knife? How much more of that sort of thing will you find to be acceptable in order to avoid having to serve your nation, to rise up to stand for a cause greater than yourself?
I am a proud liberal, an old-style FDR progressive who supports this President. I believe in not bothering people who are not bothering me or those close to me. I do not believe the United States can solve all the worlds’ problems. But I do believe that, in concert with our allies (should they be so inclined to lift a finger to save themselves and stop paying ransom to these murderers) we CAN be a force for good, and generations will think of these days in the second decade of the 21st Century when America and her friends stood up in the face of pseudo-religious hatred, against this declaration of war already made against us by these people who prefer death to life. There is darkness, there is light. There are shades in between the two.
Sometimes, you gotta fight, Abby.
We just won’t count on the likes of you to help in any way. But those of us who wore the uniform and wear it now will bleed and die for your right to be craven.
Now, unless you have a solution?
Abby Normal August 22nd, 2014 at 17:23
“How much more of my skin and blood do you require, Abby, before I am allowed to have an opinion?”
I don’t know you, Mr. Schmalfeld, and am not attacking you personally.
When you write opinion pieces on a blog that has an international audience you must expect to be on the receiving end of some divergent opinions. It is simply not realistic to expect everyone to agree with you all the time. Other views will be expressed – some in direct opposition to your own. It’s what we call Democracy, isn’t it!
I applaud you for your service to your country and I am saddened that you are experiencing problems with your health. Taking exception to some of your views does not mean I dislike you personally. I wish you nothing but the best.
trees August 22nd, 2014 at 22:59
Bill, your posting on this is excellent. You are displaying the kind of leadership that I wish our president did. You get it.
Bill Schmalfeldt August 22nd, 2014 at 16:14
You haven’t yet said what your solution is, Abby. I’ve read your other comments on other threads and I tend to agree with you most of the time. For some reason, you seem to have singled me out for derision. Fine. I can deal with that. But if you are going to crap on my suggestion, have something better to suggest. Otherwise you are a troll. I mean, for God’s sake. Does supporting the eradication of evil require putting on a uniform. I did that already. I am almost 60, I have a debilitating neurological disorder that keeps me from walking. But I still think evil is evil and like any other cancer it is best dealt with earlier than later. Now, if you wish to demean my service by continuing to lump me in with Chicken Hawks, that is your business. I can never take you seriously if you hold to that position, but that is your business. I just want to know what you will tell your children, if you have children, if ISIS obtains their goal and the kids learn we had a chance to stop them but people like you were against it. They’re beheading children, Abby. Now, we can turn away and pretend that we won’t have to deal with it at some point, or we can deal with it before they get too strong and entrenched to defeat. Which is it, Abby? Do you prefer to live under a forced caliphate? Or do you prefer the freedoms I and so many others wore the uniform of this country to protect?
Now, if you don’t have an answer to these questions or an alternate solution, please don’t task me any further. I have no patience for mindless trolling. Lead, follow, or get out of the way.
jasperjava August 22nd, 2014 at 14:42
I trust this President to know the limits of American military power, and to use it wisely. I am confident that President Obama lacks the specific toxic mix of Evil and Stupid that characterized the Cheney/B*sh “administration”.
I also trust this President to have more up his sleeves than the mindless application of military force. If only he wasn’t saddled with a political opposition that cared more with stirring up hatred against him, rather than the national interest.
Bill Schmalfeldt August 22nd, 2014 at 14:43
Here Here! Well said.
Abby Normal August 22nd, 2014 at 15:09
Actually, the term is “Hear! Hear!” which comes from “Hear him! Hear him!.” It originated in the Parliament of my home country. The British Parliament has a history of being a rather raucous place.
Abby Normal August 22nd, 2014 at 14:57
Did you read all of Mr. Schmalfeldt’s post?
“This is about going to war. Real war.”
I don’t know about Mr. Schmalfeldt but, to me, “real war” means boots on the ground. Lots of them. It means more young Americans in body bags. More young Americans with brain damage, PTSD, prosthetic limbs.
Thankfully, Barack Obama is the American President, not Dick Cheney, John McCain, Lindsey Graham or . . . Bill Schmalfeldt.
Bill Schmalfeldt August 22nd, 2014 at 16:10
How do you propose to deal with Mr. Hitler, Minister Chamberlain?
Abby Normal August 22nd, 2014 at 16:14
Adolf Hitler committed suicide in his underground bunker on 30 April 1945.
R.J. Carter August 22nd, 2014 at 16:15
So all we really had to do was wait until that date, and millions of American lives would have been spared.
Abby Normal August 22nd, 2014 at 16:27
I’m not going to refight World War II with you and Mr. Schmalfeldt. The current discussion is about the Middle East.
Perhaps you and Mr. Schmalfeldt can tell us when an outside force brought peace to the Middle East. The Sunni and Shia have been battling one another since the Prophet Mohammad died in the year 632 and the two sides could not agree on his successor. They’ve been fighting ever since.
The British and Americans have been meddling in their affairs for hundreds of years. Where has it gotten us?
Bill Schmalfeldt August 22nd, 2014 at 16:35
You are incredibly naive. Let them fight. But when they draw us into their murders, when they endanger my countrymen and our allies, I choose to do something. I have no idea of your age or real world experience, Abby, but you seem quite unaware of the existence of evil. We are going to have to deal with ISIS at some point. What is YOUR SOLUTION?
Abby Normal August 22nd, 2014 at 16:43
You have already made up your mind. You’re banging the drums for “War. Real War.”
I prefer to sit back and see what Mr. Obama, Mr. Cameron (I live in the U.K.) and their advisers come up with. They’re studying their options. Have you considered the fact that they’re privy to more information than you?
And please refrain from typing some of your words in upper case. It’s considered shouting on the internet. It’s quite rude.
Bill Schmalfeldt August 22nd, 2014 at 17:00
So, if Obama and Cameron decide that war is the way to eradicate this evil, they have your full and unqualified support?
Abby Normal August 22nd, 2014 at 17:09
We’ll cross that bridge if and when we come to it. Mr. Obama and Mr. Cameron have some very capable military advisers, in addition to the good people at the CIA and MI6.
Will they assemble a meaningful coalition? Perhaps the US, UK, Germany, France and some Middle East partners?
It’s too early to tell. I’ll let you when some sort of plan has coalesced.
trees August 22nd, 2014 at 17:31
“Adolf Hitler committed suicide in his underground bunker on 30 April 1945.”
And this was achieved how, exactly?
Abby Normal August 22nd, 2014 at 17:55
I believe he and Eva retired to their private quarters in the bunker. Eva and Adolf each swallowed a potassium cyanide capsule. Adolf then shot Eva, shot his dog then shot himself.
Why did he do this? Is that what you’re asking? Well, it goes something like this . . .
Mr. Hitler was a sick man with a very bad attitude and decided to conquer the world. He invaded Poland. England, which had a mutual defense agreement with Poland, responded by declaring war on Germany. Hitler blitzkreiged his way through most of Western and Eastern Europe. For awhile, the British were fighting almost alone. You remember the Battle of Britain, right? Mr Churchill asked for America’s help but Mr. Roosevelt dilly dallied awhile because the American public was not all that thrilled about getting involved in another European war. Understandable. Mr. Roosevelt did supply Britain with much-needed aid, however. Finally, as we all know, Japan bombed Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941. The US declared war on Japan. Germany then declared war on the US. The US ramped up their mighty manufacturing capabilities and started turning out fighter aircraft, bombers, tanks, trucks, jeeps, weapons and naval ships of every description.
Finally, that fateful day arrived when Mr. Hitler knew it was all over and took the coward’s way out by offing himself.
Sorry for the Cliff’s Notes version of World War II but it’s almost 11:00 pm here and I’m quite knackered.
To conclude, and I think this is what you’re looking for, a very large coalition of countries knocked off Nazi Germany and their axis allies. Hitler had to be stopped and he was.
Yes, ISIS is incredibly evil. Do I agree with Mr. Schmaldfeldt’s contention that the US should engage in “REAL WAR” with them now, even if it means doing so alone? I’m not sure that woud have the desired effect. As I told Mr. Schmalfeldt, I will see what Mr. Obama, Mr. Cameron and their advisers come up with. Perhaps they will cobble together a powerful coalition including the US, UK, Germany, France, Canada, Australia, and some Middle Eastern countries that would like to see ISIS iced.
That’s about the only thing you, Mr. Schmalfeldt and I can do at the moment, isn’t it. Unless the three of us go over there and sort it out ourselves. Frankly, I’m not quite up to it.
At any rate, this has been fun. Kind of like knocking back a few pints down at the pub without leaving home.
Have a good one. Cheers!
granpa.usthai August 22nd, 2014 at 14:57
deere Bill and anyone else,
looks to me like the door’s wide open,
ugo.
granpa.usthai August 22nd, 2014 at 14:57
deere Bill and anyone else,
looks to me like the door’s wide open,
ugo.
uzza August 22nd, 2014 at 15:56
It’s an old saying from Gung Fu. When you are in control you have the option to fight or not fight. When your opponent gets you to eliminate you options, he controls you. When he dictates your actions, you’re losing.
Bill Schmalfeldt August 22nd, 2014 at 16:09
Right now, ISIS murderers are beating their decapitation knives into tiny little ploughshares because of your words.
R.J. Carter August 22nd, 2014 at 16:14
Someone sent them MP3s of John Lennon?
Abby Normal August 22nd, 2014 at 16:51
And what are you doing right now, aside from beating the drums of war? Uploading more amusing videos to Youtube? I’ve Googled your name. The results are quite interesting.
R.J. Carter August 22nd, 2014 at 16:56
/gets popcorn as the liberals eat their own/
Don’t forget to berate him over Kimberlin, because Kimberlin.
Bill Schmalfeldt August 22nd, 2014 at 16:59
Please don’t start that here.
R.J. Carter August 22nd, 2014 at 17:00
I figured if he was going to go all cyber-stalkery… :-)
Abby Normal August 22nd, 2014 at 17:03
No, I’m not into cyber-stalkery. Now, celery-stalkery is another matter. I love a good, crisp stalk of celery. They’re good for you too.
R.J. Carter August 22nd, 2014 at 17:05
And they make for a damned fine boutonniere.
Abby Normal August 22nd, 2014 at 17:00
Popcorn. Excellent idea. I haven’t had popcorn in a long time. It’s almost 10:00 pm here and the local shops are closed. Tomorrow night I’ll watch Youtube videos whilst enjoying some popcorn and a cool Guinness.
Bill Schmalfeldt August 22nd, 2014 at 16:58
Actually, I am writing about the craven nature of people whose worldview ends at the tips of their noses, whose concept of sacrifice is letting daddy use the computer for awhile without bitching about it. I am glad you found my videos to be amusing. And I’m glad America and our friends have enough brave people to protect us from the evil in this world without having to rely on people like you.
fancypants August 22nd, 2014 at 20:06
bill is deciding between parody and news with a dash of sympathy. Try and keep up abby I know it gets confusing at times.
trees August 23rd, 2014 at 05:43
The Bush haters are invested in their position. They won’t change their view because to do so is to admit they were wrong about Iraq. You’ve attempted to give them an out by prefacing your view as being that this is Bush’s fault/consequence for going into Iraq to begin with. The thinking is that Bush broke it, so Bush bought it.
It’s really more like Bush blew the engine and Obama, instead of repairing it, then pushed it off the cliff….
OldLefty August 23rd, 2014 at 06:44
The Bush haters are invested in their position. They won’t change their …
________
That’s EXACTLY what they say about the Obama haters, and said about the Clinton haters.
It’s REALLY more like blaming the fire department for the damage caused by the arsonist.
Bush was warned that while he claimed we would see the Arab Germany after WW11, we would instead see the Arab Balkans after Tito.
Neurotic projection is perceiving others as operating in ways one unconsciously finds objectionable in yourself.
trees August 23rd, 2014 at 05:02
“When you are in control you have the option to fight or not fight.”
………………………….
The option of “not fighting” is lying on your back and baring your throat.
………………………………
“When your opponent gets you to eliminate you options, he controls you.”
……………………………………….
If you think you think that you have the ability to control things to such an extent that you can prevent someone from attacking you by willing it not to be so, then you are utterly delusional. Here’s a news flash, predators look for weakness. When they sniff out your weakness they close in and could care less about how you “feel”….
““If you have to fight, you’ve already lost.”
When confronted by a predator you have two choices, fight, or flight.
Thinking that you have some kind of mystical third option, the ability to passively resist a killer through mind control and willpower, is laughably ridiculous.
Have you ever tried to reason with a wolf?
Do you know how a wolf takes down its prey?
It pursues it, tires it down, and goes in for the kill. In the event the animal, in our case a man, in the event the animal stops and confronts it, the wolf circles, moving ever closer, it circles and keeps coming from the flank, and then closes in when the tired animal turns to flee, or pounces on it when it’s closed the distance enough to make it’s move.
Now, you can back a wolf down, but this is accomplished by displaying an ability to crush the wolf.
Think, Grizzly Bear
OldLefty August 23rd, 2014 at 07:39
The option of “not fighting” is lying on your back and
baring your throat.
_________
That is what Cheney did when he diverted the fight against
terrorism to taking over Iraq.
They have accommodated the opponent at every turn, from closing the
bin Sultan Airbase to “attacking an oil rich Arab nation” as bin Laden to his
followers to paying insurgents not to fight.
“Wolf”??
We created the wolf and have been since we have overthrown Mossadegh,
supported Pakistan over India, The Muslim Brotherhood over Nasser.
Remember that Osama bin Laden cited Reagan as an example of
American weakness after Reagan taught then that they could bring down a super
power after we armed every wacko in the region who could shoot himself in the
foot with stinger missiles in the proxy war with the USSR.
Remember, in the late 1980s, Pakistani President
Benazir Bhutto, feeling the mujaheddin network has grown too strong, tells
President George H. W. Bush, “You are creating a jihadi Frankenstein.”?
As far back as the 1950s, Saadat Hasan Manto wrote “Letters to Uncle Sam”,
warning us against supporting radical Islam as a hedge against “socialism”.
uzza August 23rd, 2014 at 11:35
“Thinking that you have some kind of mystical third option, the ability to
passively resist a killer through mind control and willpower, is
laughably ridiculous.” LOL. Yes, yes it is.
Theoption of “not fighting” is lying on your back and baring your throat. LOL. No, no it is not. Effective strategists have always understood this, think Sun Tzu or Ho Chi Minh. You clearly don’t.
It’s interesting that you compare yourself to an animal, rather than a
human capable of intelligent thought.
Here’s another aphorism for you:
“A Bozo throws punches when he’s attacked; a Pro throws punches when it will be effective.”
trees August 23rd, 2014 at 12:15
“It’s interesting that you compare yourself to an animal, rather than ahuman capable of intelligent thought.”
Animals, predators, are cunning. If you think they lack intelligence you’ve seriously underestimated them. The wolves pursuing us are relentless, they will not stop. We can decide what kind of animal we want to be in this conflict. That’s really the only difference between us and the animal kingdom. We have the ability to shape our outcome, we have the ability to overcome our raw physical limitations with our tool making capabilities. The gun is a device that illustrates, demonstrates, this ability. A wolf has it’s jaws, it’s teeth, it’s tireless perseverance of it’s prey….
We have weapons.
The mistake in this conflict is to think that we can domesticate these wolves through appeasement.
trees August 23rd, 2014 at 12:18
“A Bozo throws punches when he’s attacked; a Pro throws punches when it will be effective.”
A pro throws punches when he’s being attacked, otherwise he’s punching a non-existent attacker.
uzza August 22nd, 2014 at 15:56
It’s an old saying from Gung Fu. When you are in control you have the option to fight or not fight. When your opponent gets you to eliminate you options, he controls you. When he dictates your actions, you’re losing.
Bill Schmalfeldt August 22nd, 2014 at 16:09
Right now, ISIS murderers are beating their decapitation knives into tiny little ploughshares because of your words.
R.J. Carter August 22nd, 2014 at 16:14
Someone sent them MP3s of John Lennon?
Abby Normal August 22nd, 2014 at 16:51
And what are you doing right now, aside from beating the drums of war? Uploading more videos to Youtube? I’ve Googled your name. The results are quite interesting.
R.J. Carter August 22nd, 2014 at 16:56
/gets popcorn as the liberals eat their own/
Don’t forget to berate him over Kimberlin, because Kimberlin.
Bill Schmalfeldt August 22nd, 2014 at 16:59
Please don’t start that here.
R.J. Carter August 22nd, 2014 at 17:00
I figured if he was going to go all cyber-stalkery… :-)
Abby Normal August 22nd, 2014 at 17:03
No, I’m not into cyber-stalkery. Now, celery-stalkery is another matter. I love a good, crisp stalk of celery. They’re good for you too.
R.J. Carter August 22nd, 2014 at 17:05
And they make for a damned fine boutonniere.
Abby Normal August 22nd, 2014 at 17:00
Popcorn. Excellent idea. I haven’t had popcorn in a long time. It’s almost 10:00 pm here and the local shops are closed. Tomorrow night I’ll watch Youtube videos whilst enjoying some popcorn and a cool Guinness.
Bill Schmalfeldt August 22nd, 2014 at 16:58
Actually, I am writing about the craven nature of people whose worldview ends at the tips of their noses, whose concept of sacrifice is letting daddy use the computer for awhile without bitching about it. I am glad you found my videos to be amusing. And I’m glad America and our friends have enough brave people to protect us from the evil in this world without having to rely on people like you.
fancypants August 22nd, 2014 at 20:06
bill is deciding between parody and news with a dash of sympathy. Try and keep up abby I know it gets confusing at times.
trees August 23rd, 2014 at 05:43
The Bush haters are invested in their position. They won’t change their view because to do so is to admit they were wrong about Iraq. You’ve attempted to give them an out by prefacing your view as being that this is Bush’s fault/consequence for going into Iraq to begin with. The thinking is that Bush broke it, so Bush bought it.
It’s really more like Bush blew the engine and Obama, instead of repairing it, then pushed it off the cliff….
OldLefty August 23rd, 2014 at 06:44
The Bush haters are invested in their position. They won’t change their …
________
That’s EXACTLY what they say about the Obama haters, and said about the Clinton haters.
It’s REALLY more like blaming the fire department for the damage caused by the arsonist.
Bush was warned that while he claimed we would see the Arab Germany after WW11, we would instead see the Arab Balkans after Tito.
Neurotic projection is perceiving others as operating in ways one unconsciously finds objectionable in yourself.
trees August 23rd, 2014 at 05:02
“When you are in control you have the option to fight or not fight.”
………………………….
The option of “not fighting” is lying on your back and baring your throat.
………………………………
“When your opponent gets you to eliminate you options, he controls you.”
……………………………………….
If you think that you have the ability to control things to such an extent that you can prevent someone from attacking you by willing it not to be so, then you are utterly delusional. Here’s a news flash, predators look for weakness. When they sniff out your weakness they close in and could care less about how you “feel”…. They size you up, they examine you carefully and calculate the risk to themselves as a consequence of attacking you.
…………………………………………………………..
““If you have to fight, you’ve already lost.”
…………………………………………………………..
When confronted by a predator you have two choices, fight, or flight.
Thinking that you have some kind of mystical third option, the ability to passively resist a killer through mind control and willpower, is laughably ridiculous.
Have you ever tried to reason with a wolf?
Do you know how a wolf takes down its prey?
It pursues it, tires it down, and goes in for the kill. In the event the animal, in our case a man, in the event the animal stops and confronts it, the wolf circles, moving ever closer, it circles and keeps coming from the flank, and then closes in when the tired animal turns to flee, or pounces on it when it’s closed the distance enough to make it’s move.
Now, you can back a wolf down, but this is accomplished by displaying an ability to crush the wolf.
Think, Grizzly Bear
Or, in the case of a man, loud, deadly gun
OldLefty August 23rd, 2014 at 07:39
The option of “not fighting” is lying on your back and
baring your throat.
_________
That is what Cheney did when he diverted the fight against
terrorism to taking over Iraq.
They have accommodated the opponent at every turn, from closing the
bin Sultan Airbase to “attacking an oil rich Arab nation” as bin Laden to his
followers to paying insurgents not to fight.
“Wolf”??
We created the wolf and have been since we have overthrown Mossadegh,
supported Pakistan over India, The Muslim Brotherhood over Nasser.
Remember that Osama bin Laden cited Reagan as an example of
American weakness after Reagan taught then that they could bring down a super
power after we armed every wacko in the region who could shoot himself in the
foot with stinger missiles in the proxy war with the USSR.
Remember, in the late 1980s, Pakistani President
Benazir Bhutto, feeling the mujaheddin network has grown too strong, tells
President George H. W. Bush, “You are creating a jihadi Frankenstein.”?
As far back as the 1950s, Saadat Hasan Manto wrote “Letters to Uncle Sam”,
warning us against supporting radical Islam as a hedge against “socialism”.
uzza August 23rd, 2014 at 11:35
“Thinking that you have some kind of mystical third option, the ability to
passively resist a killer through mind control and willpower, is
laughably ridiculous.” LOL. Yes, yes it is.
Theoption of “not fighting” is lying on your back and baring your throat. LOL. No, no it is not. Effective strategists have always understood this, think Sun Tzu or Ho Chi Minh. You clearly don’t.
It’s interesting that you compare yourself to an animal, rather than a
human capable of intelligent thought.
Here’s another aphorism for you:
“A Bozo throws punches when he’s attacked; a Pro throws punches when it will be effective.”
trees August 23rd, 2014 at 12:15
“It’s interesting that you compare yourself to an animal, rather than ahuman capable of intelligent thought.”
Animals, predators, are cunning. If you think they lack intelligence you’ve seriously underestimated them. The wolves pursuing us are relentless, they will not stop. We can decide what kind of animal we want to be in this conflict. That’s really the only difference between us and the animal kingdom. We have the ability to shape our outcome, we have the ability to overcome our raw physical limitations with our tool making capabilities. The gun is a device that illustrates, demonstrates, this ability. A wolf has it’s jaws, it’s teeth, it’s tireless perseverance of it’s prey….
We have weapons.
The mistake in this conflict is to think that we can domesticate these wolves through appeasement.
trees August 23rd, 2014 at 12:18
“A Bozo throws punches when he’s attacked; a Pro throws punches when it will be effective.”
A pro throws punches when he’s being attacked, otherwise he’s punching a non-existent attacker.
Bill Schmalfeldt August 22nd, 2014 at 16:10
How do you propose to deal with Mr. Hitler, Minister Chamberlain?
Abby Normal August 22nd, 2014 at 16:14
Adolf Hitler committed suicide in his underground bunker on 30 April 1945.
R.J. Carter August 22nd, 2014 at 16:15
So all we really had to do was wait until that date, and millions of American lives would have been spared.
Abby Normal August 22nd, 2014 at 16:27
Perhaps you and Mr. Schmalfeldt can tell us when an outside force brought peace to the Middle East. The Sunni and Shia have been battling one another since the Prophet Mohammad died in the year 632 and the two sides could not agree on his successor. They’ve been fighting ever since.
Bill Schmalfeldt August 22nd, 2014 at 16:35
You are incredibly naive. Let them fight. But when they draw us into their murders, when they endanger my countrymen and our allies, I choose to do something. I have no idea of your age or real world experience, Abby, but you seem quite unaware of the existence of evil. We are going to have to deal with ISIS at some point. What is YOUR SOLUTION?
Abby Normal August 22nd, 2014 at 16:43
You have already made up your mind. You’re banging the drums for “War. Real War.”
I prefer to sit back and see what Mr. Obama, Mr. Cameron and their advisers come up with. They’re studying their options. I’m certainly not going to second-guess them before they have announced their plans.
And please refrain from typing some of your words in upper case. It’s considered shouting on the internet. It’s quite rude.
Bill Schmalfeldt August 22nd, 2014 at 17:00
So, if Obama and Cameron decide that war is the way to eradicate this evil, they have your full and unqualified support?
Abby Normal August 22nd, 2014 at 17:09
We’ll cross that bridge if and when we come to it. Mr. Obama and Mr. Cameron have some very capable military advisers, in addition to the good people at the CIA and MI6.
Will they assemble to meaningful coalition? Perhaps the US, UK, Germany, France and some Middle East partners?
It’s too early to tell. I’ll let you when some sort of plan has coalesced.
trees August 22nd, 2014 at 17:31
“Adolf Hitler committed suicide in his underground bunker on 30 April 1945.”
And this was achieved how, exactly?
Abby Normal August 22nd, 2014 at 17:55
I believe he and Eva retired to their private quarters in the bunker. Eva and Adolf each swallowed a potassium cyanide capsule. Adolf then shot Eva, shot his dog then shot himself.
Why did he do this? Is that what you’re asking? Well, it goes something like this . . .
Mr. Hitler was a sick man with a very bad attitude and decided to conquer the world. He invaded Poland. England, which had a mutual defense agreement with Poland, responded by declaring war on Germany. Hitler blitzkreiged his way through most of Western and Eastern Europe. For awhile, the British were fighting almost alone. You remember the Battle of Britain, right? Mr Churchill asked for America’s help but Mr. Roosevelt dilly dallied awhile because the American public was not all that thrilled about getting involved in another European war. Understandable. Mr. Roosevelt did supply Britain with much-needed aid, however. Finally, as we all know, Japan bombed Pearl Harbor on 7 December 1941. The US declared war on Japan. Germany then declared war on the US. The US ramped up their mighty manufacturing capabilities and started turning out fighter aircraft, bombers, tanks, trucks, jeeps, weapons and naval ships of every description.
Finally, that fateful day arrived when Mr. Hitler knew it was all over and took the coward’s way out by offing himself.
Sorry for the Cliff’s Notes version of World War II but it’s almost 11:00 pm here and I’m quite knackered.
To conclude, and I think this is what you’re looking for, a very large coalition of countries knocked off Nazi Germany and their axis allies. Hitler had to be stopped and he was.
Yes, ISIS is incredibly evil. Do I agree with Mr. Schmaldfeldt’s contention that the US should engage in “REAL WAR” with them now, even if it means doing so alone? I’m not sure that woud have the desired effect. As I told Mr. Schmalfeldt, I will see what Mr. Obama, Mr. Cameron and their advisers come up with.
That’s about the only thing you, Mr. Schmalfeldt and I can do at the moment, isn’t it.
Bill Schmalfeldt August 22nd, 2014 at 16:11
Speaking of drivel…
Abby Normal August 22nd, 2014 at 17:23
“How much more of my skin and blood do you require, Abby, before I am allowed to have an opinion?”
I don’t know you, Mr. Schmalfeld, and am not attacking you personally.
When you write opinion pieces on a blog that has an international audience you must expect to be on the receiving end of some divergent opinions. It is simply not realistic to expect everyone to agree with you all the time. Other views will be expressed – some in direct opposition to your own.
I applaud you for your service to your country and I am saddened that you are experiencing problems with your health. Taking exception to some of your views does not mean I dislike you personally. I wish you nothing but the best.
trees August 22nd, 2014 at 22:59
Bill, your posting on this is excellent. You are displaying the kind of leadership that I wish our president did. You get it.
David A Johnson August 22nd, 2014 at 23:54
There’s an extraordinary amount of immoral behavior going on in the world. When it is concentrated (ISIS, al-Qaeda, etc) and highly visible, the horror of that behavior is driven home and made more real to rational caring human beings. To fight barbarism and savagery, we must be fully prepared to exceed the barbaric acts that repel us–in order to instill an adequate amount of fear and resignation in the enemy that haunts us. If we’re not prepared to do that, to go beyond the horror we’re trying to eliminate and somehow return to our own moral center, then it’s best not to engage in fighting men who relish the thought of death in their delusional quest to travel to paradise. Sometimes the way to defeat an enemy who’s truly insane… remove all the oxygen that’s feeding that insanity.
David A Johnson August 22nd, 2014 at 23:54
There’s an extraordinary amount of immoral behavior going on in the world. When it is concentrated (ISIS, al-Qaeda, etc) and highly visible, the horror of that behavior is driven home and made more real to rational caring human beings. To fight barbarism and savagery, we must be fully prepared to exceed the barbaric acts that repel us–in order to instill an adequate amount of fear and resignation in the enemy that haunts us. If we’re not prepared to do that, to go beyond the horror we’re trying to eliminate and somehow return to our own moral center, then it’s best not to engage in fighting men who relish the thought of death in their delusional quest to travel to paradise. Sometimes the way to defeat an enemy who’s truly insane… remove all the oxygen that’s feeding that insanity.
ChrisVosburg August 23rd, 2014 at 02:31
You talk like a Nazi.
ChrisVosburg August 23rd, 2014 at 02:31
You talk like a Nazi.