One Simple Rule To Stop Unnecessary Wars

[ThePilgrim]

Was there a day in the long distant past, maybe? A day when the leader stood in the forefront and fought in the battle with his people?
Was there ever such a day? Please dear God, if there ever was such a day, let me see it again.

http://azizonomics.c...necessary-wars/

God bless,
Larry

Edited May 5, 2012 by pilgrim1938

[John81]

No doubt much more thought would go into decisions to declare war if the leader who made the decision had to actually engage in combat, or at least his children would have to if he was too old.

While he had his flaws, Theodore Roosevelt was willing to fight in the war he pushed for and he was willing for his children to fight in a future war.

Most often today, especially in the West, leaders know they will suffer no direct consequences if they go to war. They don't have to worry about the fighting being near them, or of bombers trying to destroy their headquarters or of their families being in any danger.

How easy to declare war and push for war when there are not likely to be any personal consquences for oneself.

[Covenanter]

President Obama says he will “lead from behind”


As Gilbert wrote in "The Gondoliers" :

In enterprise of martial kind,
When there was any fighting,
He led his regiment from behind —
He found it less exciting.
But when away his regiment ran,
His place was at the fore, O —
That celebrated,
Cultivated,
Underrated
Nobleman,
The Duke of Plaza-Toro!

[John81]

It's easy to sound brave and tough when virtually any threat of personal consequences are gone.

How brave and tough would the Western leaders who sent forces into Iraq, Afghanistan, over Libya and elsewhere have been if they had to lead from the front or even if there the real possibility that the war they took there would strike them at home too?

I recall how the French so feared possible terrorist reprisals that when President Reagan asked for permission to fly American bombers over France to strike Libya they refused. England, under Prime Minister Thatcher granted permission for American bombers to take off from England but because of French fears the bombers had to fly around the continent to get to Libya.

How much more fear would most modern Western leaders have if there was a chance if they attacked someone their enemy might bomb thier headquaters or homes or fire missles into their infrastructure?

[Oldtimer]

For some reason thoughts of the crusades have come to mind while reading these replies.

History repeating itself.

Wars and rumors of wars ......