Patton was reprimanded during WW II for his fervor: nowadays he wouldn't be allowed in uniform
Reader comment on item: Strange Logic in the Lebanon War

Submitted by Edo Van Ede (United States), Aug 21, 2006 at 19:45

Psy-ops is essential, and p.r. smarts and a consciously-directed media influence- upon the angle of the "story"- are crucial aspects of these new battlefields. We have to shout louder than the liars. Whether Hezbollah or Mahmoud and the mad mullahs of Iran.

But even if the p.r. battle is "lost", the war must still be fought, and won, no matter how "bad" we look in doing it. Our enemies don't care one camel's eyelash about our opinion of them. We need to be as stoic and self-assured about the bedrock value of our system of freedom as the Islamic Imperialists are about their own paralyzing theocratic despotism.

By surviving, you can then make the case for your strategy and tactics during the resulting peace.

If you do not survive, no amount of good intentions or public relations victories ...leading up to your doom... will mean anything

Best to come off in the world as "bullies" and the "hyperpower" -and live- rather than be "understanding" and "nice"- and dead.

As Gen. Patton said of his enemies: "God have mercy on them, because I sure as hell won't ."

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