2005-03-15
PARADIGMS | THE ART OF WAR
Back in my college days I had an Economics professor ~ lefty type, who engaged the class in conversation and opinion ferreting out our philosphical and political perspectives | Then he asked us how many read the thoughts of those with whom they disagreed | Maybe a half-dozen people raised their hands; some among those who didn't joked and chortled and smugly said "Of course not!" |
At which point the professor, his back turned towards us for a moment, swiftly turned around and faced all of us | "And that's where you are wrong! You're stupid, in fact! And why do you think that is?" |
Even the hand-raisers were taken aback | What was he getting at? we all thought | We didn't have to wait long to find the answer |
"You are all stupid becuase you have no idea what you are fighting against, your enemy, your competition, the power elite, whomever. You have no idea whom you are fighting at all..."
He paused | We responded with silence | We were learning something here |
"...and if you don't know who you're fighting, you can never hope to win"
Now, I'll bet Rush's Dittoheads haven't a clue about Saddam Hussein's history with the USA [and with prior Bush or Reagan Administrations in particular] much less have any idea what Mister Number One Boogeyman of the decade, Osama bin Laden might have to say about anything | So here's a head start on the subject | Three head starts, actually | Have at it, soldiers | Know what you are talking about | I remember that professor ever time I hear George Dubya brag about how he doesn't like to read books | Comforting | Comforting indeed! | That said, here's some links to peruse ~
• The Words of Osama bin Laden
• Osama on the US
• Osama on the Jews and Crusaders
Back in my college days I had an Economics professor ~ lefty type, who engaged the class in conversation and opinion ferreting out our philosphical and political perspectives | Then he asked us how many read the thoughts of those with whom they disagreed | Maybe a half-dozen people raised their hands; some among those who didn't joked and chortled and smugly said "Of course not!" | At which point the professor, his back turned towards us for a moment, swiftly turned around and faced all of us | "And that's where you are wrong! You're stupid, in fact! And why do you think that is?" |
Even the hand-raisers were taken aback | What was he getting at? we all thought | We didn't have to wait long to find the answer |
"You are all stupid becuase you have no idea what you are fighting against, your enemy, your competition, the power elite, whomever. You have no idea whom you are fighting at all..."
He paused | We responded with silence | We were learning something here |
"...and if you don't know who you're fighting, you can never hope to win"
Now, I'll bet Rush's Dittoheads haven't a clue about Saddam Hussein's history with the USA [and with prior Bush or Reagan Administrations in particular] much less have any idea what Mister Number One Boogeyman of the decade, Osama bin Laden might have to say about anything | So here's a head start on the subject | Three head starts, actually | Have at it, soldiers | Know what you are talking about | I remember that professor ever time I hear George Dubya brag about how he doesn't like to read books | Comforting | Comforting indeed! | That said, here's some links to peruse ~
• The Words of Osama bin Laden
• Osama on the US
• Osama on the Jews and Crusaders
Another source for thought provoking material, American Prospect but credit for discovery goes to: Amygdala | UPDATE: Almost immediately the question is asked: "Yeah, well, if you are so intent on making sure people know the other side of the arguement, how come Short Notes doesn't have tons of links to places you disagree with?" | The answer to this is easy | I'm not here to PROMOTE what I disagree with, but to tell folks they ought to know what the other side thinks | When seeking to gain knowledge, the most demanding teacher must be oneself, driving forward to learn, seeking knowledge from everywhere on Life's Path and, sometimes, geeting that knowledge on one's own |
¶ 23:49
