Quote:
Originally posted by Beestie
But I get the feeling that all the ass-kicking we've done lately led them to reconsider. Had we responded to our lack of popular support by cowering in the corner begging for mercy, I dare say there would be a different outcome.
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Then you would be promoting the neanderthal reasoning that undermined so many great empires. The great and long lasting empires were tolerant; that only went to war on the worst of conditions. As a result, great nations spend most time wealthy, in peace, with many adjacent friends. Only those who think like Japan, Germany, and Italy worry about revenge for every little thing.
Again we return even back to lessons from Sun Tzu who makes this obvious. But to make the point in a soundbyte that even neanderthals would understand - 'keep your powder dry'. Talk softly, carry the big stick and rarely use it.
Great nations do as the US did in WWII. They attacked our ships even off the Atlantic coast. As a result, they never knew what would hit them from a country with one of the world's smallest militaries. And because the US waited for the smoking gun, then the US single handedly changed the entire world. Something that would not be possible had we jumped into WWII with everyone else. Victory so great not just because the US could produce so much. Because a tolerant US therefore had absolute necessary support from literally every neutral country and every citizen.
Only a neanderthal believes revenge solves things. The extremist Sharon advocates revenge- and therefore has only increased deaths and terrorism. Great nations only go to war after a smoking gun is created. Even Sun Tzu demonstrates why that tolerance makes a nation so much more powerful and successful.
It is foolish to think war makes a nation unpopular. Going to war in Afghanistan and Kuwait made the US THE most popular nation in the world - no one came close. But again, smoking gun makes a major difference. US was roundly unpopular during VietNam for good reason - both internationally and domestically. No smoking gun. Again, neanderthals such as George Jr and the Vulcans will never understand the power in that reasoning. People such as the Vulcans make good cannon fodder. Every nation needs some cannon fodder. But neanderthals make inferior leaders. They have no clue of the power found in tolerance - power in that smoking gun.
Lets say those neanderthals got their way - got revenge against China over a silly spy plane. Where would we be? Scum to most every nation. Smart people managed to bottle up the neanderthals - and avoided a China war. That is the lesson of history. Those who wait for the smoking gun are clear and long term victors. Preemption historically is only preached by neanderthals who end up refighting every war.