Savage ... Patton ... and Jihad
While I don't agree with everything that Savage espouses, I do find myself and my feelings in the vicinity of his opinions a good 90% of the time. He brings up MANY interesting points that I hadn't even thought of ... plus quite a few that had me saying, "Hey ... I was just thinking that!". He not only talks about topics and the realities of them but he also details them with a nice, searchable bibliography at the end of the book. I may actually do a proper review of the book at a later time but, for now, let's just say that I very highly recommend it.
One of my favorite parts of Savage's book was the section on General George S. Patton and some of his quotes which were at times prophetic ... in a way still appropriate for the current War on Terror. Remember how John Kerry wanted us to fight a "more sensitive war"? Well, it seems to me that's exactly what we're doing. Our troops are in harm's way more than they should and in situations that could be avoided for the simple fact that if we waged a PROPER and effective war there would be the possibility of collateral damage to mosques and maybe even greater civilian casualties. Could you imagine the media's reaction to a mosque being obliterated by our troops ... even if they were being bazooka'd and shot at from within by the so-called "insurgents"? We get demonized NOW ... even with these current "sensitive" tactics of ours. They wouldn't waste one minute in, once again, portraying US as the "bad guys" ... would they?
Anyway, look over the following Patton quotes and revel in their timeliness even today ... and the General's keen observations and opinions on fighting a proper war and dealing with the Lefties:
There is only one tactical principle which is not subject to change. It is, "To use the means at hand to inflict the maximum amount of wounds, death, and destruction on the enemy in the minimum amount of time."
War means fighting and fighting means killing.
The pacifist actually refuses to defend what defends him; his country. In the final analysis this is the most basic immoral position.
War is simple, direct, and ruthless. It takes a simple, direct, and ruthless man to wage it.
War is a killing business. You must spill the enemy's blood or they will spill yours.
It may be of interest to future generals to realize that one makes plans to fit the circumstances, and does not try to create circumstances to fit plans.
As long as man exists, there will be war. The only way to avoid trouble is to have the best Army, Navy, and Air Force.
Sometimes I wish that people would take this war more seriously.
It seems to me a certainty that the fatalistic teachings of Mohammed and the utter degradation of the Arab women are the outstanding causes for the arrested development of the Arab. He is exactly as he was around the year 700, while we have been developing.
The enemy has been booby trapping his dead, which has made our men very mad. The result is that there are more enemy dead than usual.
The pacifists are at it again. I met a 'visiting fireman' of great eminence who told me that this was to be the 'last war'. I told him that such statements since 2600 B.C. had signed the death warrants of millions of young men. He replied with the stock lie, 'Oh yes, but things are different now'. My God! Will they never learn?
The attitude of the American people as evinced by the press and the radio is such that I am inclined to think that I made a great mistake in serving them for nearly forty years, although I had a very good time doing it.
In our schools the youth should learn to show reverence for our flag and not treat it only as a handsome decoration. Each day he should study and hear recounted some of the splendid deeds of patriotism with which our country abounds. Surely this is vital, for if the alphabet and the multiplication table develop the mind, is not the soul worthy of instruction?
We should not dwell on sorrow that these slain in battle have died, but rather be thankful that they have lived.
Do not talk or think of your rights or your fatigues or of what the other fellow failed to do. War is the struggle of nations; you are in it, but as an individual, and hence your feelings as such do not exist.
There seems to be an unwitting conspiracy to make me lose my self confidence, but so far it has failed.
If we again believe that wars are over, we will surely have another and damned quick. Man is War and we had better remember that! Also, we had better look out for ourselves and make the rest of the world look out for themselves. If we attempt to feed the world, we will starve and perhaps destroy America.
... and my three favorites:
Politicians are the lowest form of life on the earth. Liberal Democrats are the lowest form of politician.
Roman civilization fell due to the loss of the will to conquer; satisfaction with the 'status quo'; and high taxes, which destroyed trade and private enterprise. These conditions eventually forced people out of the cities. The cycle is returning.
At the close of this war, I will remove my insignia and wrist watch. I will continue to wear my short coat so that everyone can kiss my ass.