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Recommended Read: Victor Davis Hanson

Reader comment on item: It's Not Road Rage, It's Terrorism
in response to reader comment: the bearded round men theme

Submitted by Michel C. Zala (Switzerland), May 21, 2012 at 10:50

In my writings you will often see references and content similar to what VDH outlines in "Why The West Has Won". Find below a copy/paste from Wikipedia.

I can strongly recommend the book, as it derives fundamental superiority of the Western World from deeply penetrated citizenship and discours.

Carnage and Culture (Why The West Has Won)

Hanson is perhaps best known for his 2001 book Carnage and Culture, published in some nations (e.g. Australia) as Why the West Has Won, in which he argued that the military dominance of Western Civilization, beginning with the ancient Greeks, is the result of certain fundamental aspects of Western culture, such as consensual government and individualism. Hanson rejects racial explanations for this military preeminence, and disagrees as well with environmental or geographical explanations such as put forth by Jared Diamond in Guns, Germs and Steel.[18]

According to Hanson, Western values such as political freedom, capitalism, individualism, democracy, scientific inquiry, rationalism, and open debate form an especially lethal combination when applied to warfare. Non-Western societies can win the occasional victory when warring against a society with these Western values, writes Hanson, but the "Western way of war" will prevail in the long run. Hanson emphasizes that Western warfare is not necessarily more (or less) moral than war as practiced by other cultures; his argument is simply that the "Western way of war" is unequalled in its devastation and decisiveness.

Carnage and Culture examines nine battles throughout history, each of which is used to illustrate a particular aspect of Western culture that Hanson believes contributes to the dominance of Western warfare. The battles or campaigns recounted (with themes in parenthesis) are the Battle of Salamis (480 BC; free citizens), the Battle of Gaugamela (331 BC; the decisive battle of annihilation), the Battle of Cannae (216 BC; civic militarism), the Battle of Tours/Poitiers (732; infantry), the Battle of Tenochtitlan (1521; technology and reason), the Battle of Lepanto (1571; capitalism), the Battle of Rorke's Drift (1879; discipline), the Battle of Midway (1942; individualism), and the Tet Offensive (1968; dissent).

Though Carnage and Culture appeared before the September 11, 2001 attacks, its message that the "Western way of war" will ultimately prevail made the book a best-seller in the wake of those events. Immediately after 9/11, Carnage and Culture was re-issued with a new afterword by Hanson in which he explicitly stated that the United States government would win its "War on Terror" for the reasons stated in the book.

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The book is about so much more than just military warfare - it is about a comparison of cultures, whereas so many other aspects and dimensions we oftentimes mention when comparing the muslim world to the west, are explained as well. Warfare is in fact one key outlet for technology development and the superiority of societies. But so is philosophy, science, theology, sociology, political science and the development of law ad order. We oftentimes mention, that the muslim world has stagnated, if not regressed at times. The lack of nobel prize winners from that culture, innovation, invention, development on so many levels. The book explains that by making warfare, represented by several key battles throughout history, the red line and derinving wide-ranging conclusions from it.

For me, it was an eye opener.

However, there is one huge caveat. Great civilizations, such as the Romans, with all their accomplishments and technology can falter and implode in the face of barbary, if they lose their will and discipline. If they degenerate and infight. If they reward bad behaviour, due to their unwillingness to face any threat head-on. If they begin to appease the enemy or even deny its existence.

E.G. During so many debates in Germany I heard people talk about the RAF (Rote Armee Fraktion, an anarchist terror group operating during 1970 to 1990) arguing the point that terror was certainly not just a muslim phenomenon. "We have had our extremists too", is the argument they and so many Gutmenschen in Europe make, utterly neglecting the tiny detail, that the entire body count of the RAF during 20 years was 34 people. Just about as much as one single medium size suicide attack nowadays. They talk about Islam being a historical part of European culture, utterly neglecting the fact that any muslim invasion to European core lands was halted at Poiters 1300 years ago and muslim immigration is basically a 20th century phenomenon.

In the USA I have seen the Kumbayahs compare muslim terrorism with actions taken by anti-abortion activists, just to make the point that terror is not a muslim dominated topic. Even Obama himself avoids any muslim reference, eliminating the term terrorists or jihadists from the public vocabulary. One Timothy McVeigh equals 1000 muslim terror attacks, at least as the media coverage is concerned.

This kind of ignorance, denial and Gutmenschentum, infighting and repression of brutal and clear facts does indeed remind me strongly of the weakness of empires prior to their (self-) destruction. The barbarians are at the gate, my friends, yet we embrace them with kindness, tolerance and efforts to assimilate them. I call that underestimating the enemy's will and determination. I call it complacency in the face of adversity.

Yes, I still believe that Western Culture is fundamentally superior in all regards. But it is under attack by autocratic and authoritarian forces, one secular (Ru and CHI's oligarchies, the other sectarian (islam) in nature. It is unfortunately human nature to be corrupted by power and seek dominance over others, which is why only democracy, government of the many can be the answer to true societal development.

But we are not yet, probably many generations away from final victory of our system over brute evil force, which is why, if we do not want to go the way of the many failed civilizations, we must remain vigilant, willful and strong. As much, as the many Gutmenschen wish to see Utopia now, this is not the time for unilateral disarmament, as even the superior system must defend itself in order to survive.

It is ugly, nasty and sad, but it is reality.

Submitting....

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Reader comments (100) on this item

Title Commenter Date Thread
2Terrorism and crimes by civilized countries [66 words]MishaDec 10, 2012 11:19201308
Accurate reporting on reality [67 words]stryver1Jul 6, 2012 20:16197045
1Until we learn the difference, nothing will work [90 words]steveNJun 9, 2012 22:46196190
Trauma in childhood was the cause for Jihad attack?? [50 words]saraleeMay 15, 2012 18:33195619
Alquds and the dreams of muslims [752 words]zilMay 15, 2012 14:57195615
3wrong audience [178 words]the Grand Infidel of KaffiristanMay 16, 2012 23:15195615
2Comparison [94 words]saraMay 12, 2012 17:54195570
Road rage? [109 words]stranchanApr 23, 2012 22:16195243
3Rashid Baz [67 words]stevenApr 14, 2012 07:57195085
7The koran teaches that terrorism against Jews is a great thing ! [95 words]
w/response from Daniel Pipes
Phil GreendApr 9, 2012 01:53195036
please where does it say in the Quran, please quote [10 words]sephardiApr 9, 2012 19:16195036
4Hadith about killing jews hiding behind a tree [62 words]PrashantApr 10, 2012 00:47195036
1USC.edu and Jihad Watch provide insight. [12 words]KerryApr 14, 2012 21:52195036
2Terrorism [61 words]RexApr 15, 2012 00:04195036
3hatred towards Jews & other nonbelievers. [84 words]aktApr 15, 2012 23:37195036
1Anti-Jews references in holy Koran [56 words]akt(india)Apr 21, 2012 13:49195036
1Passages against Jews and Christians [76 words]stanley bMay 15, 2012 18:30195036
none [33 words]AshishAug 16, 2012 04:14195036
1stanislaus [76 words]Insanity vs JihadismApr 8, 2012 03:47195031
1True [16 words]aspaciaApr 7, 2012 10:18195017
muslims, not islamists [56 words]
w/response from Daniel Pipes
Lev AzkharApr 7, 2012 10:09195016
Muslims vs Islamists [47 words]PrashantApr 10, 2012 00:51195016
1Bill O'Reilly [60 words]Mark D.Apr 11, 2012 23:20195016
Not Using "Islamists" [106 words]Mark DApr 13, 2012 23:28195016
1Islamists vs Muslims [99 words]PrashantApr 14, 2012 23:29195016
3Why dont so called good Muslim revolt against terrorism ? [119 words]akt( India)Apr 21, 2012 13:11195016
11Bad Things Happen, When Good People Do Nothing [947 words]Michel C. ZalaApr 24, 2012 12:42195016
Seeing the light [26 words]UgriApr 26, 2012 05:49195016
3...one year on [309 words]the Grand Infidel of KaffiristanApr 27, 2012 00:10195016
1ITS, go ahead and rubb it in [1783 words]Michel C. ZalaApr 29, 2012 14:24195016
3Gedanken aus dem Südpazifik [1869 words]the Grand Infidel of KaffiristanMay 1, 2012 07:17195016
Wisdom [873 words]Michel C. ZalaMay 2, 2012 06:46195016
9Dealing with Islam, deconstructiing the notion of appeasement [69 words]Michel C. ZalaMay 2, 2012 07:29195016
1good points [85 words]the Grand Infidel of KaffiristanMay 2, 2012 20:02195016
2Echte Demokratie in Libyen? Ich habe keine Ahnung [591 words]the Grand Infidel of KaffiristanMay 3, 2012 06:47195016
2post script [7 words]the Grand Infidel of KaffiristanMay 3, 2012 21:24195016
2Why stop there? [467 words]Michel C. ZalaMay 4, 2012 14:03195016
2Hoffnung ausgeloscht? [837 words]the Grand Infidel of KaffiristanMay 5, 2012 00:23195016
1Unbelievable - a muslim voice for reformation of Islam? [123 words]Michel C. ZalaMay 5, 2012 14:30195016
3QED - It is actually happening right now. [522 words]Michel C. ZalaMay 6, 2012 12:27195016
2a voice crying in the wilderness [246 words]the Grand Infidel of KaffiristanMay 7, 2012 03:11195016
1biased press [145 words]the Grand Infidel of KaffiristanMay 7, 2012 03:26195016
12Creeping Scharia Watch [444 words]Michel C. ZalaMay 9, 2012 09:53195016
2one law for all - has been the rule so far [509 words]the Grand Infidel of KaffiristanMay 9, 2012 22:12195016
11A few remarks to the "practical and pragmatic" Gerrmans [951 words]Michel C. ZalaMay 12, 2012 10:12195016
1good news [775 words]the Grand Infidel of KaffiristanMay 13, 2012 00:56195016
Good news indeed [88 words]saraMay 13, 2012 19:05195016
1Good On You [169 words]Michel C. ZalaMay 14, 2012 09:00195016
1deportations called for [318 words]the Grand Infidel of KaffiristanMay 14, 2012 22:51195016
8Yet another brutally honest and flaming condemnation of the Hypocrisy [796 words]Michel C. ZalaMay 15, 2012 11:47195016
1Another tiny difference [948 words]Michel C. ZalaMay 16, 2012 03:11195016
Thanks Michel for the link [76 words]saraMay 16, 2012 18:04195016
1talk-back [359 words]the Grand Infidel of KaffiristanMay 16, 2012 22:55195016
3How the Germans discuss the Salafist problem [135 words]Michel C. ZalaMay 18, 2012 10:11195016
2the bearded round men theme [370 words]the Grand Infidel of KaffiristanMay 20, 2012 00:04195016
10Recommended Read: Victor Davis Hanson [1016 words]Michel C. ZalaMay 21, 2012 10:50195016
Insane according to whom? [114 words]stevenApr 6, 2012 23:39195010
2The Prospect of Terrorism in Europe [1036 words]Musa Khan JalalzaiApr 5, 2012 06:00194985
4one solution [123 words]the Grand Infidel of KaffiristanApr 5, 2012 21:54194985
1Muza has a horrible case of obstucfation. [35 words]aspaciaApr 7, 2012 10:25194985
Changing Nature of Civil War in Pakistan [990 words]Musa Khan JalalzaiApr 30, 2012 08:30194985
8We have the means, motive and opportunities.... [2123 words]Michel C. ZalaApr 30, 2012 14:19194985
6It's Not Road Rage. It's Terrorism [122 words]S.C.PandaApr 5, 2012 04:21194983
4if we're nice to them, they'll be nice to us and then maybe go away. [69 words]the Grand Infidel of KaffiristanApr 5, 2012 22:06194983
1Your Jewish population number is optimistic [175 words]saraApr 7, 2012 17:37194983
3giving peace half a chance [136 words]the Grand Infidel of KaffiristanApr 7, 2012 23:32194983
True, and terror attacks in India are downplayed [118 words]stanley bMay 15, 2012 18:27194983
True, and terror attacks are downplayed [40 words]S.C.PandaMay 17, 2012 04:14194983
1Merah's apprehension sooner would have saved lives [130 words]mythApr 4, 2012 19:02194976
3I know why [45 words]stanleyApr 4, 2012 19:06194976
Jihad motivations [150 words]steviasApr 4, 2012 18:45194974
Stevias, it is manipulation not insanity. [19 words]KerryApr 7, 2012 10:28194974
2Exactly- that is the issue here [67 words]steviasApr 14, 2012 19:30194974
2Jihad Motivation comes from Quran. [149 words]skaiApr 28, 2012 17:13194974
1Some Road [68 words]Jay1Apr 4, 2012 18:38194973
1Yes, they must all be crazy... [68 words]saraApr 4, 2012 18:49194973
2Comparison between reactions is clear, as well as Jihadi insanity [205 words]steve radnicApr 4, 2012 18:09194971
1Insanity is a cop out [67 words]stanley bApr 4, 2012 17:49194970
4Jihadists pleading insanity is insanity [93 words]saraApr 4, 2012 17:47194969
1Are Jihads clever.? [82 words]skaiApr 28, 2012 17:33194969
2Not the way we are handing it will we ever rid of Islamic terror [183 words]NuritGApr 4, 2012 16:40194968
just the facts [65 words]lippyApr 5, 2012 08:01194968
1Not the way we are handing it will we ever rid of Islamic terror - just the facts [345 words]NuritGApr 5, 2012 20:24194968
how to earn the label terrorist [72 words]mythApr 4, 2012 14:47194966
3Islamic terrorists [98 words]stasApr 4, 2012 12:11194963
My thought as a Jew [44 words]Alan MargolisApr 4, 2012 11:28194961
2What is your point? [172 words]stanley bApr 5, 2012 19:24194961
3Islam as mental illness [117 words]BamagujeApr 4, 2012 08:20194959
1It's Not Road Rage, It's Terrorism [35 words]Balarabe AbbaApr 4, 2012 06:04194956
Addition to the last paragraph [117 words]Stephen BorkowskiApr 3, 2012 23:06194950
Not sorry but bragging about their terror deeds. [131 words]batya daganApr 3, 2012 22:39194948
1Well then, aren't they crazy? [66 words]saraApr 14, 2012 19:27194948
1It's Not Road Rage, It's Terrorism [96 words]Steven LApr 3, 2012 16:32194944
2In Reality - It is Rage - It is Just Not Limited to the Road [444 words]M. ToveyApr 3, 2012 15:51194942
1Investiagtors And Courts Need To Take The Blinders Off [75 words]RedvixenApr 3, 2012 14:00194937
Yes, that is what the author is proposing [32 words]saraApr 4, 2012 18:10194937
An article close to my heart.....on several levels [89 words]Adina Kutnicki, IsraelApr 3, 2012 12:55194933
The Opening of Jihad by a non-Muslim Arab Immigrant from Palestine. [359 words]Wallace Edward BrandApr 3, 2012 23:36194933
1The (initial) Opening Of Jihad On US Soil..... [157 words]Adina Kutnicki, IsraelApr 5, 2012 01:14194933
Terrorists are not insane [115 words]stevenMar 21, 2012 03:38194616

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