JACK'S BLOG
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TelevisionWhen I completed life guard training, the instructor lathered himself in baby oil and thrashed about in the pool while we attempted to “save” him. Each of us was thwarted in our efforts until we got wise and simply tread water out of his reach until he tired. We were then able to approach him from behind and grasp him over the shoulder and across the chest, then swim with him to the edge of the pool. I imagine that being interviewed by Piers Morgan is much like that test. Did you catch that? The guest wants everyone to have their own tank. Ridiculous. That's a straw-man argument... The man won't allow anyone to answer with a contrary view. He shouts over his guests with straw-man arguments. What's that? When you speak for someone else, placing absurd comments in their mouth, and then rebutting them as ridiculous. That's a straw-man argument. It's a popular tool of propagandists.
So, why do people agree to be interviewed on his show? He simply preaches to his choir while the guest sits by chastised by Piers' superior intellect and moral position. Even if the interviewee wins the debate, his audience still agrees with Piers. That's why they watch him. Which brings me to the more important question: Why do I waste my time talking about him? I'm only expanding his audience. Fortunately, the number of people who watch his show is ridiculously small. Most episodes draw fewer than 100,000 viewers which hardly registers on anyone's poll. I suppose that we are drawn to Piers for the same reason that we watch a parade of American Nazis. We are assured that all is right with the world when we are reminded just how few are drawn to radical causes. So, keep it up Piers. Your failure makes me smile.
2 Comments
AmericaIf the following sounds disrespectful I have achieved my purpose. The person currently serving as President of the United States has no claim on my respect. I am merely glad that I completed my military service long before he became the Commander-in-Chief. I listened carefully to the President's speech regarding Syria and remain unconvinced that he knows what is going on or what to do about it.
Strategic bombing such as he proposes in retaliation for Syria's purported use of chemical weapons, has never worked, not once in all of history. Only Reagan's tactical strike targeting Muammar Gaddafi personally achieved its intended goal. Only if the Administration can produce compelling evidence of Assad's complicity in an actual violation of International Law would I support such a limited attack. Moreover, the proposal to take control of Syria's remaining chemical weapons is totally impractical, thus further demonstrating the President's lack of experience and competency. Such weapons are dispersed over more than 50 military installations in Syria, most in the middle of active combat zones. How could any personnel arrive their safely with the equipment needed to secure or destroy those weapons? No, the President is merely grasping the tail end of a poor idea advanced by others to extricate himself from the diplomatic mess that he's gotten himself into. The greatest damage of this event is that the President has surrendered world leadership to a sociopath in Moscow. What little prestige he had remaining is now lost forever. He should play golf and leave governing to the adults. Oh Dark ThirtyThe following came to me by way of an email from a family relation and I couldn't find any reasonable way of passing it on except by reprinting it in my weblog. It is attributed to John Cleese and the narrative sounds like his. I hope that the copyright owner will be forgiving. I included the attribution that came with it, but cannot verify it. The English are feeling the pinch in relation to recent events in Syria and have therefore raised their security level from “Miffed” to “Peeved.”
Soon though, security levels may be raised yet again to “Irritated” or even “A Bit Cross.” The English have not been “A Bit Cross” since the Blitz in 1940 when tea supplies nearly ran out. Terrorists have been re-categorized from “Tiresome” to “A Bloody Nuisance.” The last time the British issued a “Bloody Nuisance” warning level was in 1588, when threatened by the Spanish Armada. The Scots have raised their threat level from “Pissed Off” to “Let’s get the Bastards.” They don’t have any other levels. This is the reason they have been used on the front line of the British army for the last 300 years. The French government announced yesterday that it has raised its terror alert level from “Run” to “Hide.” The only two higher levels in France are “Collaborate” and “Surrender.” The rise was precipitated by a recent fire that destroyed France ‘s white flag factory, effectively paralyzing the country’s military capability. Italy has increased the alert level from “Shout Loudly and Excitedly” to “Elaborate Military Posturing.” Two more levels remain: “Ineffective Combat Operations” and “Change Sides.” The Germans have increased their alert state from “Disdainful Arrogance” to “Dress in Uniform and Sing Marching Songs.” They also have two higher levels: “Invade a Neighbour” and “Lose.” Belgians, on the other hand, are all on holiday as usual; the only threat they are worried about is NATO pulling out of Brussels . The Spanish are all excited to see their new submarines ready to deploy. These beautifully designed subs have glass bottoms so the new Spanish navy can get a really good look at the old Spanish navy. Australia, meanwhile, has raised its security level from “No worries” to “She’ll be right.” Two more escalation levels remain: “Crikey! I think we’ll need to cancel the barbie this weekend!” and “The barbie is cancelled.” So far no situation has ever warranted use of the last final escalation level. A final thought – ” Greece is collapsing, the Iranians are getting aggressive, and Rome is in disarray. Welcome back to 430 BC”. HT © 2009-2013 · 21WIRE MEDIA · ALL RIGHTS RESERVED WORLDWIDE OpinionChairman Mao wrote the book on guerrilla warfare. He advised insurgents to lose themselves among the population like fish swim in the sea, indistinguishable from any others. It proved to be an excellent strategy. However, today's conflicts require a different strategy for small nations to resist larger ones. Regardless of which state is in the right, small states now adhere to a new mentor, one who successfully flummoxed stronger opponents in the ring – Muhammad Ali. All stand in awe of Rope-a-Dope. The United States will deliver its punches, massive punches. When it's tired, its stamina drained, the Syrians will crawl out of their holes and resume killing each other just as happened in Iraq, Afghanistan, and so many other places.
Strategic bombing has never gained victory in any conflict. No amount of bombs brought Germany to its knees. In fact, Germany's industrial output rose during the heaviest of allied night and day bombing. Nuclear bombs, arguably the ultimate strategic weapons, failed to defeat Japan. Leaders of the Japanese Imperial armed forces were tempted to continue prosecuting the war even after atomic devices were detonated over two of their major cities. Likewise, strategic bombing of North Vietnam, Yugoslavia, Afghanistan, and other small nations accomplished nothing. Dumb bombs. Carpet bombing. Smart bombs. Cruise missiles. Hellfire missiles launched from drones. All may temporarily demoralize an enemy and limit their ability to fight, but only an infantryman armed with a rifle can occupy and dominate enemy territory. As the debate to win the support of Congress and the American public for bombing Syria advances, keep in mind these three tests: Is it militarily necessary? What is the military value of the proposed targets? Although nonmilitary facilities and personnel will be affected, will their losses be acceptable? Yes, the answers to every one of these questions is subjective. Although a consensus may be achieved, any decision will not be unanimous. However, we must all be prepared to accept the consequences. Moreover, don't set your expectations too high. Like I said, strategic bombing has never accomplished anything by itself. All the enemy has to do is take a break (just as Ali rested against the ropes) while the United States flails away with its might fists until it tires itself out. |
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