Journal BlackHat's Journal: Funky little shack! Funky little shack! 1
Quote:
The War of a community--of whole Nations, and particularly of civilised Nations--always starts from a political condition, and is called forth by a political motive. It is, therefore, a political act. Now if it was a perfect, unrestrained, and absolute expression of force, as we had to deduct it from its mere conception, then the moment it is called forth by policy it would step into the place of policy, and as something quite independent of it would set it aside, and only follow its own laws, just as a mine at the moment of explosion cannot be guided into any other direction than that which has been given to it by preparatory arrangements.
This is how the thing has really been viewed hitherto, whenever a want of harmony between policy and the conduct of a War has led to theoretical distinctions of the kind. But it is not so, and the idea is radically false. War in the real world, as we have already seen, is not an extreme thing which expends itself at one single discharge; it is the operation of powers which do not develop themselves completely in the same manner and in the same measure, but which at one time expand sufficiently to overcome the resistance opposed by inertia or friction, while at another they are too weak to produce an effect; it is therefore, in a certain measure, a pulsation of violent force more or less vehement, consequently making its discharges and exhausting its powers more or less quickly--in other words, conducting more or less quickly to the aim, but always lasting long enough to admit of influence being exerted on it in its course, so as to give it this or that direction, in short, to be subject to the will of a guiding intelligence., if we reflect that War has its root in a political object, then naturally this original motive which called it into existence should also continue the first and highest consideration in its conduct. Still, the political object is no despotic lawgiver on that account; it must accommodate itself to the nature of the means, and though changes in these means may involve modification in the political objective, the latter always retains a prior right to consideration. Policy, therefore, is interwoven with the whole action of War, and must exercise a continuous influence upon it, as far as the nature of the forces liberated by it will permit.
WAR IS A MERE CONTINUATION OF POLICY BY OTHER MEANS.
We see, therefore, that War is not merely a political act, but also a real political instrument, a continuation of political commerce, a carrying out of the same by other means. All beyond this which is strictly peculiar to War relates merely to the peculiar nature of the means which it uses. That the tendencies and views of policy shall not be incompatible with these means, the Art of War in general and the Commander in each particular case may demand, and this claim is truly not a trifling one. But however powerfully this may react on political views in particular cases, still it must always be regarded as only a modification of them; for the political view is the object, War is the means, and the means must always include the object in our conception. --Clausewitz
An all too often quoted section by Carl, yes I know. But it does fit in quite well at this point in time.
News with unstated motives:
Spies never say never. ``We have concluded the intelligence community is not going to get its job done unless somebody really is in charge,'' Hamilton, a former Democratic congressman from Indiana, told the committee. ``That is just not the case now, and we have paid the price.'' In charge of what? Anal Rape Dept.? Forklift exchange programs with the UK? Rounding up all the tinted folk into cages again? Guarding the Sailboat-fuel tanks?
The High church of Mammon is hopeful that the sheep will remain in their pens.
Round up the Uzbeks. Uzbekistan officials say a number of people have been arrested following bomb attacks in the capital Tashkent. Interior Minister Zakirdzhon Almatov also told Itar-Tass news agency they had identified one of the three suicide bombers, but gave no further details.
While in the House of War. US Secretary of State Colin Powell has held talks with Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad al-Sabah on security in the region. They said Kuwait's role in combating terrorism and the situation in Iraq had been central to their talks. Central Kuwati Roll: A dry oily bun with inserted plastic straws through the top and out the lower side.
France probes Guantanamo inmates . Well, they can't let the Yanks have all the fun, now can they?
Texttoon:
Fumetti Stock photo of George W. Bush talking to a young female in uniform. Overlayed speech bubble has him singing; "If you see a faded sign -at- the side of the road that says/ 15 miles to the, Love Shack! Love Shack yea' yeah/ I'm headin' down the Baghdad highway, lookin' for the love getaway/ Heading for the love getaway, love getaway/ I got me a Dick, He's as big as a whale and/ we're headin' on down/ To the Love Shack/ I got me The Donald, he'll screw about 20/ So hurry up and fill that trans'-tube, honey!"
Bang! Bang! (Score:2)
Bang! Bang!
On the floor!
God. I actually recognized that song. I should crawl back under my rock now. But then I couldn't roam where I want to.
Cheers,
Ethelred