"The Praetorian Class is formed and grown to defend the Political Class and in time becomes the dragon that rules its master. It represents a highly disturbing trend because it foretells the decline, not the advance, of a society."
Now I'm going to spoil the seriousness of that quote by reverting to Meanie/Stealer-speak (If you're unfamiliar with the mEANIES and sTEALERS, just search "meanie stealers" in the box on the right side of the page)...
In mEANIE/sTEALER speak, that means that the sTEALERS get some mEANIES to protect them and beat up producers who didn't like to obey them or give them their stuff.
After a while, the mEANIES decide that they should steal too, and be mean, and that they're better than their sTEALER bosses. Just like they're better than everyone else, right? We already know that 'cuz if you talk mean to one, take his picture, or even stick your tongue out at one, you can get beat up. In Houston, at the airport, you can get kidnapped and go to jail if you make jokes in front of the mEANIES who touch you everywhere and take naked pictures of you and your grandma and grandpa. Did you know that kids? There is even an announcement that says so over and over and over again, so you don't forget. (The mEANIES there at Houston smile at you, but since they said not to joke, I just think about being really mean and then I look at them in their eyes the whole time without saying one word. They do not like that very much. Not very much at all.)
When the mEANIES take over, we're in big, big trouble, kids. 'Cuz even your daddy can't beat up all the mEANIES, when they decide to hurt him or take you away.
But, you know what?
If lots of daddies help each other, they can beat up the mEANIES when they try to be the bosses of everyone, and when they come to steal and shoot your dogs.
Some people call those groups of daddies militias. Other people call them tribes, and some people call them communities. They are the only things that can stop the mEANIES from being the bosses of everyone.
But first, daddies have to stop being lazy. Then they have to stop trying to make the mEANIES and sTEALERS give them things.
Then, when the mEANIES try to be the boss of everyone, the daddies can stop them.
Okay?
.....
Resist.
While I despise the "Law Enforcement" portion of the Praetorian class that spit on their oath of office, I applaud those few in "Law Enforcement" who DO honor that oath, as well as the Military part that defends this country. I know you like to portray the US as bullies who go around beating people up around the globe. Two points to consider, however:
ReplyDelete1. In an age where a weapon can strike this country in less than an hour from ANYWHERE in the world, and in the process turn this nation into a wasteland that makes backwoods Alaska look positively urban, we NEED a capable military. What, you think that ISN'T the case? Do a Google search on "Electromagnetic Pulse" and understand what it means. That one weapon could take down the ENTIRE US power system permanently. Just WHAT capabilities do you think we have without electrical power? Sure, you may be able to muddle along for a while until your refined fuels run out, but at that point you are back to before the start of the Industrial age. How many people do you think this country's blacksmiths and Amish farmers can support? For without power or fuel, we are back to horses. Or are you and your neighbors able to handle a horse in harness and make your own plow so you don't really care?
2. We do NOT have to be the World Policeman. However, if we are NOT, we don't get to say who WILL. And let me assure you there WILL be a World Policeman. If the Axis had won the 2nd World War, THEY would be it. If the USSR had won the Cold War, it would be them. China looks enthusiastic to pick up the mantle if we choose to drop it. And Ahmadinejad will be glad to assume it as well. But then I'm sure you have NO problem with them doing that job because, after all, they would do us no harm...
I would also note that the existence of a Praetorian class is NOT the problem. As long as their standard is "I will not lie, cheat, or steal, nor tolerate those who do", and their oath of office is just, they are to be revered.
ReplyDeleteHowever, when their standard becomes instead "I will not turn in a Brother, no matter how vile his crime", then they should be dealt with in a manner that makes Mussolini's end look pleasant in comparison. Unfortunately, when their standard reaches that condition, as we currently have with "Law Enforcement" in the United States (and MANY other places), it will fall to the Economic class to deal with them. For their Brothers in the Praetorian class have endorsed their evil, and the Political class isn't about to interfere with them as long as the Praetorians do their bidding. Of course, the Praetorians will tend to do the bidding of the Political class as long as the paychecks keep showing up. And when the Political class understands they can always print more money to pay the Praetorians...
1.) I'm not naieve, Mark. I know the necessity of a military.
ReplyDelete2.) We can have soldiers and cops without having a praetorian class. This is true. Cops used to be our friends; soldiers used to be nothing like they are now.
As for this...
". We do NOT have to be the World Policeman. However, if we are NOT, we don't get to say who WILL. And let me assure you there WILL be a World Policeman. If the Axis had won the 2nd World War, THEY would be it. If the USSR had won the Cold War, it would be them. China looks enthusiastic to pick up the mantle if we choose to drop it. And Ahmadinejad will be glad to assume it as well. But then I'm sure you have NO problem with them doing that job because, after all, they would do us no harm...
WTF?
What's your problem?
Why are you twisting my words and intent, and trying to make me sound like an idiot? When did I ever portray Russia and China as non-threatening? When? Speak facts or be silent.
We can be the world's strongest without invading piddly, non-threatening third world countries.
Did my Iran post tweak a nerve?
Let me tell you this-
Russia sees Iran as critical to their NatSec. China is not far behind.
You want to remain a superpower? A hot or financial war with Russia and China is not the way.
Answer me this.
What is there to gain from invading Iran? Iraq? Afghanistan?
What?
"You can't go around building
ReplyDeletea better world for people.
Only people can build a better world for people.
Otherwise it's just a cage." - Terry Pratchett, "Witches Abroad"
Did you bother to look up "electromagnetic pulse"? If not, look here:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.intellectualtakeout.org/library/chart-graph/area-effected-electromagnetic-pulse-height-burst?library_node=25149
Then ask again "What is there to gain from invading Iran?"
What was there to gain from invading Germany? Or attacking Japan? Or do you not have problems with THAT war?
Yeah, I read it.
ReplyDeleteSo we go to war over hypotheticals?
Really?
Why aren't we in NK then? Hmm.
Is LEO justified then in kicking down doors over hypotheticals?
And my opinion on WW2? Japan hit us, for a variety of reasons. I have no problem with responding with force.
Europe? I do not agree with us having fought there. The end result of that war was millions of dead, and half of Europe given to communists, the USSR, for decades.
What did the US gain from invading Germany, firebombing her cities, and starving millions afterward under the Morganthau plan?
We gained a bunch of dead young men.
When your nation is attacked, a ruthless and violent counter is necessary.
So, I ask again, other than spooking and soiling ourselves over Heritage Foundation EMP boogeymen, what is there to gain by invading Iran?
Do you also advocate going to war with Russia and China, because, maybe, someday, they might EMP us?
Are hypotheticals worth WW3?
Or are they just worth it when the people we kill cannot seriously resist?
AP
The Norks have not demonstrated launch capability to place a weapon there. The Norks are also NOT salivating over the "return of the caliphate". It is a shame that your understanding of the "Religion of Peace" is as bad as Mr. Vanderboegh's understanding of "Law Enforcement". I wish you well, but will not bother you any further.
ReplyDeleteMark-
ReplyDeleteI understand your perspective. I do. I was there not long age.
I have a decent understanding of Islam and the Koran. More so than many anti-jihadists.
What we see today is Islam hijacked for political purposes, as a tool to mobilize the masses.
Killing innocents is forbidden in the Koran. Did you know that? This garbage we see in the middle east, where women are killed for trivialities, this is not Islam either.
Have you read the Koran through?
I tell you this- Christianity and Judaism have been just as warped and twisted throughout history as Islam is today.
It's funny that anit-jihadists are willing to condemn islam for violence. Most of them come from a Judeo-Christian background. The Bible is more soaked in the blood of the innocent victims of genocide and jihad that the Koran ever will be.
Many Islamic states are a threat, sure.
Mark, who is telling you that NK does not have missile capability? (BTW, did you read that report you linked?)
Who is telling you that Iran does?
Oh yeah.
Your government.
Those guys are really trustworthy.
Funny that people who claim to trust .gov the least trust it implicitly when it suits their purposes.
WMDs in Iraq? Obamacare good for you? The economy is improving? Hope and Change? We're not bankrupt?
Iran can hit us (or, more likely, Israel), so we should fight them, China, and Russia?
You trust your government that much?
I don't.
AP