Victor Davis Hanson: Our Primordial World
Two snippets from Victor Davis Hanson’s latest article Our Primordial World
Of course, we are not immune to insecurities, but there are a few mitigating factors that render us less prone to hemorrhaging pride and tribal angst. First, we are the world’s most powerful state — indeed, whether we like it or not, the most powerful entity in the history of civilization. With twelve carrier battle groups and another twelve marine transport carriers, we don’t have to talk ad nauseam about something as small and insignificant as the Charles de Gaul. When we refer to the Marine Corps we mean a military larger than any single land army in Europe.
Second, and regrettably, Americans are not by nature much interested in the rest of the globe, given our wealth, obsessive consumerism, and self-absorption. The world thought our weak response to past Iranian hostage-taking, the abrupt pull-out from Vietnam, and the insanely stupid withdrawal from Lebanon were catastrophic signs of American weakness as well as dangerous concessions that might encourage our enemies’ boldness. And they were absolutely right.
[...]
Apart from the model of our forefathers who crushed and then lifted up the Germans and Japanese, we could find no better guide in this war than William Tecumseh Sherman and Abraham Lincoln — in that order. The former would remind us that our enemies traffic in pride and thus first must be disabused of it through defeat and humiliation. The latter (who turned Sherman and Grant lose) would maintain that we are a forgiving sort, who prefer restored rather than beaten people as our friends.
From National Review
August 31st, 2004 at 5:12 am
hope other marine families find this website as i was surprised that it’s no longer listed under alasad airbase. all the previous communications are gone so guess we’re starting all over. my grandson in at alasad and says its not so awful right now except for the heat. anyone else with a loved one at alasad please respond.
August 31st, 2004 at 5:12 am
hope other marine families find this website as i was surprised that it’s no longer listed under alasad airbase. all the previous communications are gone so guess we’re starting all over. my grandson in at alasad and says its not so awful right now except for the heat. anyone else with a loved one at alasad please respond.
October 10th, 2004 at 5:20 pm
my boyfriend is a Marine and he is also stationed at Alasad, he too says its not so aweful there but I am hesitant to believe him because I know he doesn’t want us to worry. I hope that god will watch our men and bring them home safetly to us.
crystal
October 25th, 2004 at 8:19 pm
My son is a Marine in the Ala Sad base too. He says the living conditions sure are not home but said the food is ok. He doesn’t tell all either but he assures me that his is ok..and the big explosion that was just in the news did not harm him. I would be glad to connect to other families with loved ones fighting there. Any contacts help with the daily worry that this mom has.
January 3rd, 2005 at 5:59 pm
my son will be going to alasad in febuary i hope god watches over my son and all the men and women that are there. may they all have their gardian angels on their shoulders
January 10th, 2005 at 12:50 pm
I’m considering an administrative position with KBR at Al Asad Airbase. Am hoping to get information about the place. Weather conditions, living conditions, level of safety. Can no longer find the website for the airbase. I am praying for all of our servicemen and women over there. Thanks for any info.