So I just last week finished John Keegan's The Face of Battle. It was a fascinating read, examining what combat was like in three key eras, that of medieval warfare, as shown in the Battle of Agincourt, as well as gunpowder warfare, demonstrated with the Battle of Waterloo, and modern mechanized warfare, examined through the Battle of the Somme from World War One.
One of the things that I found interesting is the fact that warfare, even spanning a time frame of 500 years, has not changed much. Modern technology has obviously added complexities and variations, but the simple fact remains that humans behave basically the same way, with the same motivations, desires, and actions in combat as we had even in medieval times.
Another idea Keegan suggests is actually an optimistic, even hopeful outlook on future combat, and by implication, future war. Given the technological advancement of war fighting, Keegan suggests that simply the pace of future combat, it's nature and duration, may neutralize armies before they even meet on the battlefield. This book was first published in 1976, so we now have over thirty years worth of case studies to examine this suggestion. I find it interesting that there are historical trends which lend support to this idea. Gone are the days of massive infantry formations charging in a large frontal assault, or vast armadas of tanks and other mechanized war vehicles crushing all opposition in their path. Advances in technology are widely responsible for our return to smaller groups of well-trained soldiers accomplishing limited objectives with limited casualties.
A very interesting book, with wonderful insights for anyone who is interested in studying military history. As a matter of fact, this book would probably be good for anyone even remotely interested in foreign relations.
For my next book, I have chosen Karen Armstrong's A History of God.
I am super psyched about it too.
"Yet my study of the history of religion has revealed that human beings are spiritual animals. Homo sapiens is also Homo religiosus. Men and women started to worship gods as soon as they became recognizably human; they created religions at the same time as they created works of art. This was not simply because they wanted to propitiate powerful forces; these early faiths expressed the wonder and the mystery that seem always to have been an essential component of the human experience of this beautiful yet terrifying world. Like art, religion has been an attempt to find meaning and value in life, despite the suffering that flesh is heir to. Like any other human activity, religion can be abused, but it seems to have been something that we have always done. It was not tacked on to a primordially secular nature by manipulative kings and priests but was natural to humanity. Indeed, our current secularism is an entirely new experiment, unprecedented in human history."
And that's just from the introduction! What do the rest of the 399 pages have in store?
wingnut
10 April 2008
"Peace" through indignity.
I was up early (for me) with Eli this morning, and happened to catch the morning news shows that wake America up and point her in the right direction.
In their fine tradition of making something out of nothing, most outlets were talking about the San Francisco Olympic Torch riots....or lack thereof. It seems that the Torch Committee, totally within their power, chose at the last minute to alter the route the torch took through the beautiful city on the bay, disappointing many ordinary people out to witness history, and convincing all in the Haight-Ashbury District that they are once again sticking it to The Man. One protester, obviously disappointed in the cancellation of her Fifteen Minutes, said "This just proves that they're scared of us. Even though we're here peacefully, they're scared."
I'm not quite sure who the "they" in question is, but I am sure it wasn't the Chinese Government. According to one journalist in China quoted in a USA Today story that I can't seem to find anywhere at the moment, news footage of protests were censored, and official word is that these protests are from small separatist groups, not widespread.
And I think the history of this torch relay has proven that the protesters are not there peacefully. Paris cut short it's run because of rioting, and in London the same thing happened, with fire extinguishers being used.
Even on the truncated route through San Fran, I watched file footage of a protester waving a Tibetan flag in the face of a police officer, while that officer was riding on his motorcycle. That's not peaceful. If your protest actions could potentially lead directly to injury of another person, and you call that peaceful, you deserve your can of pepper spray.
I watched as another idiot with too much free time tried to push an officer off his motorbike. That's assault. You'd better get ready for your nightstick.
Later, I saw pictures from San Fran, including one man (I think?) being dragged off by four police, his hair wet with what I assumed to be pepper spray. Here's a bit of advice for those of you who would like to protest, but need some guidance: If you're being dragged off by four police officers dripping with pepper spray and mace, you have done something less peaceful than sitting somewhere. MLK never needed to be dragged kicking and screaming away from his sit-ins by multiple law enforcement officers.
Another picture showed a group of protesters jumping up and down on a bus, that happened to be a decoy. Again, not peaceful. If you want to stop a bus and make a point, just sit. No need to jump in it and start yelling and screaming and throwing stuff.
In short, Miss Disappointed Protester, yes, they were scared. But you're scaring the wrong people. A runner chosen to carry the torch dropped out after witnessing the protests in Europe. Let me tell you what an honor it would be to carry the torch, and how scared I would have to be personally to drop out. My wife's cousin got to carry the torch when it was in New York City last time around, and he is extremely proud of that. It was a very special moment for him and his family, and I can't imagine how upset we all would have been had he been assaulted in his run. Or ride, rather. Cousin Johnny is in a wheelchair because of Muscular Dystrophy.
In this blogger's humble opinion, this whole situation is being handled all wrong. The original decision to hold the Games in Beijing was controversial, and I admit that I was against it. China is no gleaming beacon of Truth, Peace, and Justice, and it seemed that they were being awarded an honor they did not deserve.
With a long list of human rights abuses, oppression of their citizens at home and support of oppression abroad, China does indeed have some major work to do in order to become a truly open and free society. Indeed, the decision to hold the Games in China was rooted in part in an attempt to extend a "hand up" of sorts. We're inviting you to this party, and it's time to behave like you belong at the party. Unfortunately, it seems even the prestige of the Games was not a big enough carrot.
We can no more stop the Games from being held in Beijing than we can stop ocean waves. But we need to view this as an opportunity. Not simply an opportunity for protest, to say what we feel. Not an opportunity for boycotting, because that will ultimately only destroy the dreams of those athletes lucky and skilled enough to enter the ancient arena and compete in this oldest of athletic competitions.
No, this will be an opportunity unparalleled in history to showcase the real China. There will be censorship, of that I am certain. There will be Chinese oversight and control of broadcasts. But in this Internet age, the capacity for information to flow freely is unprecedented. The Truth(you all know why I capitalized it) will be made known.
I feel with all the media scrutiny that will descend on China in the next few months and then during the Games, we will get a more complete glimpse of what happens inside the borders of this reclusive communist nation. And I also feel, with that glimpse, China will be the target of increasing worldwide popular pressure for change.
In all, the Beijing Olympics have immense potential for a positive outcome. Will they live up to that potential?
Only if those who protest stop making asses of themselves and the causes they believe in.
wingnut
In their fine tradition of making something out of nothing, most outlets were talking about the San Francisco Olympic Torch riots....or lack thereof. It seems that the Torch Committee, totally within their power, chose at the last minute to alter the route the torch took through the beautiful city on the bay, disappointing many ordinary people out to witness history, and convincing all in the Haight-Ashbury District that they are once again sticking it to The Man. One protester, obviously disappointed in the cancellation of her Fifteen Minutes, said "This just proves that they're scared of us. Even though we're here peacefully, they're scared."
I'm not quite sure who the "they" in question is, but I am sure it wasn't the Chinese Government. According to one journalist in China quoted in a USA Today story that I can't seem to find anywhere at the moment, news footage of protests were censored, and official word is that these protests are from small separatist groups, not widespread.
And I think the history of this torch relay has proven that the protesters are not there peacefully. Paris cut short it's run because of rioting, and in London the same thing happened, with fire extinguishers being used.
Even on the truncated route through San Fran, I watched file footage of a protester waving a Tibetan flag in the face of a police officer, while that officer was riding on his motorcycle. That's not peaceful. If your protest actions could potentially lead directly to injury of another person, and you call that peaceful, you deserve your can of pepper spray.
I watched as another idiot with too much free time tried to push an officer off his motorbike. That's assault. You'd better get ready for your nightstick.
Later, I saw pictures from San Fran, including one man (I think?) being dragged off by four police, his hair wet with what I assumed to be pepper spray. Here's a bit of advice for those of you who would like to protest, but need some guidance: If you're being dragged off by four police officers dripping with pepper spray and mace, you have done something less peaceful than sitting somewhere. MLK never needed to be dragged kicking and screaming away from his sit-ins by multiple law enforcement officers.
Another picture showed a group of protesters jumping up and down on a bus, that happened to be a decoy. Again, not peaceful. If you want to stop a bus and make a point, just sit. No need to jump in it and start yelling and screaming and throwing stuff.
In short, Miss Disappointed Protester, yes, they were scared. But you're scaring the wrong people. A runner chosen to carry the torch dropped out after witnessing the protests in Europe. Let me tell you what an honor it would be to carry the torch, and how scared I would have to be personally to drop out. My wife's cousin got to carry the torch when it was in New York City last time around, and he is extremely proud of that. It was a very special moment for him and his family, and I can't imagine how upset we all would have been had he been assaulted in his run. Or ride, rather. Cousin Johnny is in a wheelchair because of Muscular Dystrophy.
In this blogger's humble opinion, this whole situation is being handled all wrong. The original decision to hold the Games in Beijing was controversial, and I admit that I was against it. China is no gleaming beacon of Truth, Peace, and Justice, and it seemed that they were being awarded an honor they did not deserve.
With a long list of human rights abuses, oppression of their citizens at home and support of oppression abroad, China does indeed have some major work to do in order to become a truly open and free society. Indeed, the decision to hold the Games in China was rooted in part in an attempt to extend a "hand up" of sorts. We're inviting you to this party, and it's time to behave like you belong at the party. Unfortunately, it seems even the prestige of the Games was not a big enough carrot.
We can no more stop the Games from being held in Beijing than we can stop ocean waves. But we need to view this as an opportunity. Not simply an opportunity for protest, to say what we feel. Not an opportunity for boycotting, because that will ultimately only destroy the dreams of those athletes lucky and skilled enough to enter the ancient arena and compete in this oldest of athletic competitions.
No, this will be an opportunity unparalleled in history to showcase the real China. There will be censorship, of that I am certain. There will be Chinese oversight and control of broadcasts. But in this Internet age, the capacity for information to flow freely is unprecedented. The Truth(you all know why I capitalized it) will be made known.
I feel with all the media scrutiny that will descend on China in the next few months and then during the Games, we will get a more complete glimpse of what happens inside the borders of this reclusive communist nation. And I also feel, with that glimpse, China will be the target of increasing worldwide popular pressure for change.
In all, the Beijing Olympics have immense potential for a positive outcome. Will they live up to that potential?
Only if those who protest stop making asses of themselves and the causes they believe in.
wingnut
04 April 2008
HHmmmmmm......
Too busy?
Too distracting?
Cool?
Okay?
I'd really prefer it the other way?
This is the best custom layout ever?
I don't know. I tried it just to see, but I'm now not sure how I feel about it...Seems a bit distracting....
wingnut
Too distracting?
Cool?
Okay?
I'd really prefer it the other way?
This is the best custom layout ever?
I don't know. I tried it just to see, but I'm now not sure how I feel about it...Seems a bit distracting....
wingnut
03 April 2008
Something to munch on???
Let me briefly describe some of the tension I live in. I have a room downstairs that is packed with books. I would call it a library, but it's our spare bedroom. I would call it a spare bedroom, but it has our computer in it. I would call it a computer room, but...well, you get the picture.
Anyway, on the shelves in this room sit my collection of books. I consider myself a student of history, therefore, most books I own have some sort of historical theme. Among them are all my books on wars and conflicts. My collection is not near as big as I would like, but it is growing. I feel it is important to understand the context of each conflict and war in order to fully understand what it meant to fight in that war, and what the implications of action in that war were. We are inextricably linked to these conflicts, and they have indelibly shaped and molded our history. An example would be that we will never understand fully why the Great Depression happened, unless we understand how the Allied victory in World War I was followed by poor economic policies that drove the whole of Europe into depression, combined with the Wall Street practice of speculation. Further, we will never understand the rise of Adolf Hitler unless we understand the social and economic climate in Europe following the Great War.
So that, in a paragraph, is why I read war books.
Many of my other books are religious in nature, Christian living, Biblical study, Biblical history and archaeology, spirituality. I am constantly striving to be "covered with the dust from my Rabbi's feet." I want to follow and understand Christ as He was in His culture, so that I may therefore live out His best way in my culture. I am trying my best to take on His yoke, and then to live that out so that others may see it through me.
That is why I read religious books.
Am I the only one who sees the tension in this? The obviously non-violent teachings of my Rabbi, and the violent, bloodthirsty quest for power that is our history?
I could go on forever, I think, but for now, I would like to direct you to Tony Woodlief. He posted concerning bullies, and how to deal with them. He sees the tension as well. The last sentence, especially caught my eye. Any thoughts?
wingnut
Anyway, on the shelves in this room sit my collection of books. I consider myself a student of history, therefore, most books I own have some sort of historical theme. Among them are all my books on wars and conflicts. My collection is not near as big as I would like, but it is growing. I feel it is important to understand the context of each conflict and war in order to fully understand what it meant to fight in that war, and what the implications of action in that war were. We are inextricably linked to these conflicts, and they have indelibly shaped and molded our history. An example would be that we will never understand fully why the Great Depression happened, unless we understand how the Allied victory in World War I was followed by poor economic policies that drove the whole of Europe into depression, combined with the Wall Street practice of speculation. Further, we will never understand the rise of Adolf Hitler unless we understand the social and economic climate in Europe following the Great War.
So that, in a paragraph, is why I read war books.
Many of my other books are religious in nature, Christian living, Biblical study, Biblical history and archaeology, spirituality. I am constantly striving to be "covered with the dust from my Rabbi's feet." I want to follow and understand Christ as He was in His culture, so that I may therefore live out His best way in my culture. I am trying my best to take on His yoke, and then to live that out so that others may see it through me.
That is why I read religious books.
Am I the only one who sees the tension in this? The obviously non-violent teachings of my Rabbi, and the violent, bloodthirsty quest for power that is our history?
I could go on forever, I think, but for now, I would like to direct you to Tony Woodlief. He posted concerning bullies, and how to deal with them. He sees the tension as well. The last sentence, especially caught my eye. Any thoughts?
wingnut
01 April 2008
Thankful......
Well, this is Shannon, not Jason. I decided I wanted to post something, so here we go.
As my maternity leave is coming to an end I have been thinking a lot about my time at home and the people I have been spending it with.
Jason and I have worked opposite shifts since May of 2002, and it has been very hard and quite the strain on our relationship at times. This was the first time I have been able to be with him for longer then a week since before we were married!
I have really enjoyed that time with him, and also with our son, Elijah. I have seen a whole new side of him that made me fall in love with him all over again. I knew he would be great with kids, but he is better then I even could have hoped for. We totally share responsibility. He wakes up for middle of the night feedings just as often as I do (unless Eli sleeps through most of the night like he has been). He changes the diapers if needed. He tries to spend as much time with Elijah is the mornings before he goes to work as he can. He is a great dad and Elijah is just as lucky to have him, as he is to have Elijah.
I am very Thankful for this time I have been able to have with both of the boys in my life. It is going to be so hard to go back and miss all of this. I am kind of bummed that I have to, but, like Jason sharing all the responsibility with Elijah, I feel we should also share the responsibility of working. We have always been a team in everything we have done, so why should this be any different. We will find a way to make this new adjustment work. I know it is going to be very hard, but for the first time in a long time I am more positive about it. I don't feel we take any time together, or as a family, for granted and I know a lot of people can't say that.
I am Thankful for this time we have been able to have as a Family, and I am Thankful that God has placed these two boys in my life. Your life is supposed to be crazier when you start a family, but I feel more grounded now then I ever have because of the two of them!
-Mommy
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