Wolfgang von Skeptik

A MISCELLANY OF MISUNDERESTIMATION

ANOTHER SHORT POST WITH lots of links and not very much writing, an expression of just how busy I am with freelance work.

First is a story from a British sensationalist tabloid describing how the new Euroaxis – France, Germany, Spain – hopes to undermine NATO and eventually oust both Britain and America from influence on the Continent. While I don’t normally think much of The Sun, its report is echoed by other sources and is thus worth posting as evidence of yet another of the obstructions being flung down in the path of President Bush and his ally Prime Minister Blair.

Next is a portrait that foretells another kind of axis: the axis of anti-American hatred – no doubt already advised by Islamic terrorists who have seeped into the country thanks to leaky immigration controls. This illustrated report describes what I believe we will be facing ever more frequently here at home as the rabidly infuriated Left attempts to coalesce into a new Weatherman Underground, never mind the fact its wanna-be revolutionaries no longer know which way the wind blows.

Third is a vital report about Islam in action – theocratic tyranny once again tightening its strangle-hold over the long-suffering people of Iran. (My apologies if registration turns out to be necessary.)

Last is an analysis that suggests the Iraqi insurrection is an expression of the tactics employed by Saladin – as is much else that has happened there since the invasion. The report is learned, detailed and fascinating. While I agree that Saddam Hussein planned out this entire war well in advance, I disagree that his tactics came from Saladin – or at least from Saladin alone. Instead they (and the strategy underlying them) appear to have been derived from the bitter lessons Darius the Persian learned in Scythia – lessons that are detailed in Book Four of The Histories by Herodotus, beginning with the section titled “Why Scythia Is Hard to Conquer.” Islam cherishes the study of history (though its view of post-Mohammed history is viciously warped), and folk memories in the Middle East are so long as to defy belief: British sources say that in the nether regions of Afghanistan, the invasion by Alexander the Great is still remembered as if it happened only a century or two ago.

Posted by Loren at November 9, 2004 03:48 AM