 | Personal thoughts and views from the old guy himself |
Empires, Empire Building and Decline
Over the span of human history there have been many empires. But what is an Empire really? To put it simply empires are a nations ability to dominate the world stage by way of political and or military might while advancing our own understanding of our world. By domination of the world stage an empire must dominate others. By either directly or indirectly influencing the others political direction. But this will be more as I note the decline associated with empires and empire building too. For the purpose of this article I am speaking predominantly of European and North American influences. That is not to say there were not early Asian empires as well.
The earliest empires were trade empires like the Mesopotamia's and Egyptians. These early Empires brought us mathematics, engineering and crude navigation skills.
Then came the first military social empires like the Greeks and the Romans. They contributed to learning as well by exploring and advancing what was known. There were the savage empires like the Mongols the Vikings and the Huns who used terror and force to take the stage. They too added to our understanding by explorations such as the early trips by the Vikings to Greenland and Labrador. It could be said that technically they were the first to discover north American. Since they missed it by about as much as Columbus on his first trip. Though he received the credit for finding the new world. (South America)
But it was the discovery of South America that launched Spain onto the world stage as well as their explorers like Cortez, Ponce De leon, Coronado and De Soto. Soon after the colonization of the new world began. Not to be out done England and France joined the rush to colonize these new holding.
The next two century's saw the struggles of each to establish dominance of the newly colonized world. By the dawn of the 18th century Spain held Mexico the American southwest, California and central America. France held Quebec and a great piece of the central United States. Which was later bought by President Thomas Jefferson as the Louisiana Purchase. {A sale made possible by a new empire being built in Europe by Napoleon}. While Britain retained most of what is today known as Canada, and the eastern coast of the United States. This while Britain sat as the empire of its time discovering new African nations, south sea islands, and Australia and New Guinea and the islands surrounding. All of these to be added to its world holding as the century progressed.
Even with the lose of the American colony's Britain maintained its dominance of the world stage into the 20th century. But the years of rule under Queen Victoria had set the stage for change. During her reign she had experienced how impractical defending a large and widely dispersed kingdom could be. So when Edward VII took to the throne many former holding were made Dominions and allowed to self govern themselves. Still subject to the crown but free to govern according to their own will. Through this act Britain had begun the handing over of several country's to later be self governed protectorates and or eventually independent country's.
But while Britain was going through the pains associated with the decline of an empire a new political military empire was rising, the United States. The United States burst forth onto the world stage during its war with Spain in 1898. Spain another empire in decline was still an empire. Because as it takes only stepping onto the world stage to start the journey to empire. The decline can take century's.
But with the defeat of the Spanish the ideas of American imperialism set forth in 1847 in Mexico were firmly established. And as Teddy Roosevelt took office in 1901, American was launched to the position of the new empire. With his Great White Fleet, Roosevelt displayed the might of the US Navy on a tour of the world. While he made no bones about his view of diplomacy. “Speak softly and carry a big stick” Roosevelt worked endlessly to see world powers come together in mediation of their problems rather than go to war. He worked as an intermediary between Japan and Russia to end the Russo-Japanese war. He also helped to bring peaceful conclusion to Morocco's ownership claims by France and Germany. American became the new empire as a political negotiator backed up by the power of a world class fleet.
As the powers of World slowly began World War I, the United States stood back ready to broker a peace settlement. But as the years of conflict continued the chances of a negotiated peace disappeared. The new empire waited, even profited as the war went into its third year. Finally after the attack on the steamship Lusitania the US entered the war with all of its modern force. The resulting surge also becoming mired in the trenches for a time before breaking out and quickly forcing a surrender.
World War II saw the US again wait in the hope of being able to broker a peaceful end. But again drawn into the fight the new empire took its place in world events. However as the second world war came to a close the US stood now as one of two superpower empires. And because of this, a new kind of warfare came into play the Cold War. A war that would be fought in the tax coffers, one that would be the end of both to a degree. And in time the costs did catch up to both.
Is the US an empire in decline today? There are those who might beg to differ but I would say yes. No disrespect intended, but it was as sure as he sun coming over the horizon. Anyone should recognize from the history of empires that one thing is certain. No empire lasts forever.
Declines can take century's and how quickly or violently the decline, depends on the grace and leadership of that country. Some go quick like the French revolution, or Napoleons empire. While others take many centuries like the Spanish, and English empires. But all eventually gave way to a new empire.
So who will be the new empire? Who will be next to take on the role of leadership, dominance and power. There are several who would like too. But only one that has the military might, financial stability, and willingness in my eyes. One that though I may not agree with their current form of government there is one that stands out. China, home of some of the most ancient empires.
Whoever it is they will assume the role as all of the past empires have. By boldly stepping onto the world stage and taking control. But to be successful they will take a lesson from those who proceeded them and create close working relationships with past empires to transition the world forward.
The Black Devil's
This past week the United States Congress recognized the contributions of a small group of men. Whose numbers grow smaller each year. These are the men of the First special service group. A world war two battalion consisting of both US and Canadian forces. A special unit that was just one of many new special units in that time. The special service group like UDT, Raider marines and OSS succeeded where typical units could not. Or where traditional units might face high casualty's. They brought a special kind of warfare to the table. The earliest versions of Shadow Warfare. And today these units live on with new names. Names like Green Berets, CSOR, Navy SEALs, Marine Recon, and CIA.
Yes the first special service group is the great grandad of the Green Berets. Trained to live off the land, or the enemy as it were. Trained to use stealth, inclement weather and obstacles to there advantage. To use the resources at hand to complete mission objectives.
I am very pleased to see these men honored. Since there efforts must have saved countless allied lives by softening the enemy before regular troops were sent in. I must admit I had never heard of them until I watched an old movie about twenty years ago called “The Devils Brigade”. That lead me to look up some of the information since Hollywood is well known for stretching the truth. But the Devil's Brigade or the Black Devil's truly lived up to the Hollywood hype . The Germans were the ones who started the names Black Devil's and the Devil's Brigade. This for the unit that was appearing and disappearing leaving death and destruction in their wake. Combining air assault, skiing, rock climbing, small arms, demolition and hand to hand skills Col. Fredrick's men were like deadly ghosts. There aggressive style of patrolling forced the German high command into redistributing there own troop strength to counter, thus weakening other defenses.
Fredrick himself added to the arsenal of fear by having playing cards printed with the units insignia on them and the words, “DAS DICKE ENDE KOMMT NOCH!”. Or, “The Worst is yet to come!”. Fredrick's fighters fought in the Aleutian islands, Italy and France. The brigades 1,800 men accounted for 12,000 German loses, while taking another 7,000 captive. Proving the value of the new special force.
Today both the US Green Berets, and the Canadian Special Operations Regiment can trace there beginnings back to the Black Devil's. While both country's honor their sacrifice with a memorial highway. Alberta”s highway 4 and Montana's interstate 15 combine once again to form the “First Special Service Force Memorial Highway”. This near Fort Harrison where the original Devil's trained.
But while the numbers of the original forces man power fades away. Their legend and legacy will continue on as long as special forces take the field. Whenever they are needed, wherever they are called to serve. The decedents of the Black Devil's will prevail.
World Peace?
I was thinking the other day about the state of our world. It occurred to me that world governments as a whole spend far to much on defense. If only everyone could agree to leave each other alone. Thus dealing only with their own borders what a saving this could mean. Military budgets could be cut by 90% allowing that each would maintain a small force or even a civilian militia. That savings then could be used to offset budgets and provide for the general benefit of each country's citizenry.
According to the US Dept. of Defense Budget request overview 2011 http://comptroller.defense.gov/defbudget/fy2012/FY2012_Budget_Request_Overview_Book.pdf The US defense budget for 2011 was $708,000,000,000.00. That is right 708 BILLION! Imagine 90% returned to offset other expenditures?
Now I know it is an absurd idea that all of mankind could ever actually agree to any such idea. Or for that matter even maintain a peace worldwide. But what if it could be done? Budgets would suddenly balance, while tax levels should drop significantly. Living standards should rise, while giving a boost to education and technology.
Of course the down side would be population and depletion of resources. But these are problems that already loom on the horizon. The idea of a peaceful world society dates back century's. In the last century Woodrow Wilson envisioned such an idea with his League of Nations. In some ways the United Nations is the current version of that idea. But let's face it they have become more of a world police dept than anything else. While being costly and somewhat ineffective. As well as the Big Brother persona they have a tendency to reflect.
Let's look a moment at some UN actions. Lebanon in the 1950's, peace keepers from the US, and several European and Mediterranean country's restored order. But upon their departure the violence started again requiring another intervention in the 1980s. Resulting yet again in religious violence the moment the UN troops pulled out.
Korea and the resulting war another job left half done. The UN saw the need to send troops but could not secure a clear victory for fear of the communist alliances of the north. Like a pot of oil left on the back burner eventually it will spark into flames again. If you doubt this just review the aggressive actions of the past few years by the north. Further the death of Kim changed nothing. “New boss same as the old boss”.
The only true success that comes to mind is that of Kosovo. Although I will admit it is still early. But for once it does appear that an action has resulted in a long lasting peace there.
So why is a world organization like the UN so unsuccessful at resolving these kind of clashes? There are many reasons in my mind. Set dates of action and withdrawal, rules of engagement and over usage of key UN member nations. Namely the US, Great Britain and Canada.
So is it possible that we could ever live in a world free of violence and warfare? Sadly being the realist I am, I would have to say no. At least not until they can isolated the warfare gene. It is human nature sadly to want to feel superior to your neighbor. To have more toys, more technology, better defenses and stronger economics. Simply leveling the playing field and making everything equal in theory should fix that right? Wrong, the human factor would never accept that.
Man simple by his nature is going to seek conflict. There are some who would find fault with this story and thus prove my point. Not all people seek to conflict, but one must admit it is a flaw of humanity.
Until the dictators, drug lords, religious fanatics, pirates, organized crime syndicates and others bent on stealing what others have are disposed of. It is what it is!
Blizzard of 78 
If you are forty or older and lived in the upper Midwest, Ohio River Valley, Great lakes region or southern Ontario you remember the Blizzard of 1978. A historic storm that rushed through like a freight train. It dumped snow and freezing rain while being propelled by 70 to 80 mph winds. The storm began the evening on January 25 1978 and lasted three days.
National weather service meteorologist CR Snider said, “The most extensive and very nearly the most severe blizzard in Michigan history raged January 26, 1978 and into part of Friday January 27. About 20 people died as a direct or indirect result of the storm, most due to heart attacks or traffic accidents. At least one person died of exposure in a stranded automobile. Many were hospitalized for exposure, mostly from homes that lost power and heat. About 100,000 cars were abandoned on Michigan highways, most of them in the southeast part of the state”.
So what made the Blizzard of 1978 so historic? Because it was the perfect storm. Fast moving moist air from the gulf of Mexico raced across the US to converge with a Arctic jet stream over the mid west. Upper atmosphere winds in excess of 130 knots combined the moisture and cold to create freezing rain and heavy snowfalls. The storm drew more moisture from Lake Michigan as it passed over. Dumping 36 inches of snow on South Bend Indiana and 40 inches on southern Wisconsin. The areas west of the lake got hammered as the heavy snowfalls bombarded the areas of southwestern Michigan and northern Indiana.
While the storm chugged on like a steam engine across Michigan and into the Ohio Valley it was dumping snow as far north as the southern shore of Lake Superior. Record snowfalls were recorded everywhere while the snow squalls that followed blew the snow into walls of blinding white outs.
In Traverse City MI. Radio DJ Marty Spaulding closed up the station WTCM at 11pm the night of the storm. The next morning he was called to open because none of the regular staffers could make it in. Living only 11 city blocks from the station he walked through hip deep snow to get to the station. Where upon his arrival he had to dig down a foot to find the key hole in the front door.
The storm crossed into southern Ontario with the same force it had been carrying across the US. London, Ontario was paralyzed with the sudden 41Cm (16 In) of snowfall it had received. Toronto and areas east were also dealt a blow as the storm slowly weakened.
The area affected ranged from southern Wisconsin east to the Canadian Maritime's, as well as from Lake Superior south to Kentucky. Hardest hit were Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio.
National Guard units were called out to aide the authority's in rescuing stranded motorist's. The Ohio Turnpike was closed for the first time ever. Wind chills dropped to -40 to -50 F.
Major General Clem of the Ohio National guard described the effect on transportation as, “comparable to a nuclear attack”.
Hundreds of thousands were without power or heat, and hundreds of people in the effected areas died.
Where I grew up in Barry county in the state Michigan the roads were closed for days. It was nearly a week before the county got to our road. At the top of an exposed hill the snow had drifted into a small mountain. I walked up to watch as county road crews dug through it with a front end loader. It took them an entire afternoon to dig their way through the gap. When they finished the road was protected on both sides by a wall of white that was twenty feet high if it was a foot.
So as I said at the beginning if you are 40 or older and lived anywhere in the effected zone. I know you too will remember the Blizzard of 1978. You may have been small and remember playing in the snow. Or a teen at the time like myself and remember a extra week off from school. Or someone older who was out there trying to aide others. If you do remember it you can honestly say you weathered one of the biggest storms ever.
This is who I am
You know in this modern world I think people have lost touch with their roots. In trying to a part of something bigger they left their own identity's behind them. We all started out somewhere whether it be a big city or a small town. I'm small town and I guess I always will be.
I've lived and worked in the big city, yet I was never at home there. Our personal identity's are shaped at an early age. We learned about what it was to be us by watching our parents, uncles, aunts, and grandparents. Who of us by age fifty hasn't realized, holy crap I've become my dad. Scary as this may sound I can attest I realize it more each day. I chuckle at the thought of what he would have said if he were still here.
Yet more and more people seem to be losing that personal identity to be a part of a movement, to fit in, or just to be accepted. I'm sorry but if I have to leave a part of my own identity at the door, I don't need to be a part of that cause. The idea's of political correctness started out ok, but lets face it then they became a terrorist idea. You either were politically correct or you were an outcast. I laugh at this since the ideas of correctness are to make everyone feel good. That is everyone except those who dare ask is this really necessary?
I grew up in a place where there were few minority's, lots of farms, and people in general were hard working, God fearing people. Us boy's found work on family farms or neighbors farms, and there was always work to be had. We spent our weekends cruising up and down a five block long main street with our friends. And a trip to the big city on a date to see a movie, was a pretty big deal back then.
In a small town such as ours the high school was nearly devoid of guys on November 15th since we all were deer hunting. I myself kept a calender in my room and marked off my hunting days to keep track. You could only miss 15 days of school in a semester and still get credit, so the magic number was 14. After that sick or otherwise I had to be at school.
But this was all before the PETA stuff and in small towns hunting and trapping was still something we learned from our fathers and grandfathers. It put extra food in the freezer but more than that it was part of a legacy being passed on from one generation to another. The traditional northern deer camps where boy's got a glimpse into the world of men was a rite of passage. Of course that was a long time before play station and X boxes. One of the main reasons a lot of younger guys today no longer take part in the annual hunting camps. For them it is easier to make believe they are hunting. But I commend those young guys who still make time to head out with their fathers and grandfathers to carry on the traditions.
Because who are we as a people without traditions?
Taking a Stand
We all would like to believe we have what others would describe as good character. Those virtues that we each hold to mean something of importance to us. But how many people really are willing to face persecution for what they believe? How many would dare to take the unpopular stand, based on their true belief? Persecution through their peers, family,church, or government.
Historically there have been a good number of examples, Thomas Moore and Thomas Becket come to mind as examples who stood on the basis of religion. Both dared to stand on these virtues in defiance of a King. Both knew that losing would mean their deaths. Yet both stood their ground, unyielding to the end. Does this mean taking a stand is self destructive?
What about the leaders of the civil rights movement of the 60s? Again they stood against the tide of power, knowing that win or lose, they had placed their heads on the chopping block. They stood demanding a change from within. They were beaten, jailed, or murdered. Yet the stand they took did eventually lead to change.
What of the protesters that protested the war in Vietnam? They too were beaten, jailed and in the case of the Kent State University students, killed. They forced some public opinion to change, they even effected the 1968 presidential election by holding LBJ to his word. Though I personally held to the idea that “peace with honor” was another way of saying, cut and run. I still have to respect the fact they dared to challenge the government in open defiance.
The simple fact is that there are things in life worth standing up for. Injustice, unwarranted violence, equality just to name a few. The bullies of the world need to be shown to the door. It is the individual who can start a movement. The lone man blocking the tanks movement, the man who dares stand and ask why? Those who stand and say no, never, or over my dead body, while meaning every word. It is all about right and wrong. Meekly most will stand aside and whisper their contempt. While those who will step up, must bear the slings and arrows that will befall them alone.
So what is the price of taking a stand? Ridicule, verbal and physical attacks, character assassination, mockery. This by those who's narrow minds limit their ability to see or even seek the truth. Those blinded by their obedience to a master who uses them until they are no longer useful. Yet as they forfeit their honor in blind obedience, the man who took a stand who never lost sight of the justified goal gains honor. Honor because he endures all, to show all who watch the inequity he has confronted. The hail storm of hate only makes him stronger, while those against him are revealed and exposed. In the end he may still lose in the sense that there may be some kind of punishment.
But there is victory in his suffering, because he dared to challenge, because he brought forth the truth. Because he said no, I will not stand by, I will not cower, I will not run. Because he said I will take a stand, I will fight for what is right. And I will not be silenced!
Air Travel
I wonder what the Wright brothers would think of aviation today. Especially when you consider their first powered flight lasted only three seconds before crashing causing only minor damage. By the fourth attempt they flew 852 feet in 59 seconds. And powered aviation was underway.
In less than a hundred years we have gone from Kitty Hawk to Mach 3. This is not something most people think about when they go to the airport. These days we are more concerned with what to expect when we get to the airport. I usually get the strip search, I guess I must look like a terrorist or something. Or perhaps my name found its way onto the watch list. The list is a good subject for a future date. But suffice to say it is my belief that they put all our social security numbers in a computer and randomly ask for a couple thousand names. That justified the millions spent to come up with a list. Millions later spent at their Christmas party I'm guessing.
But terrorism aside how many of us really think of our safety when we board a plane? The safety instructions by the flight crew should leave many of us running for the exits. “If the plane suddenly looses pressure a mask will drop in front of you. Place the mask on your face and assist those around you”.
Now A if the mask drops that means there is a hole in the airplane. B if there is a hole in the airplane a mask is only one more thing to leave a mark on impact. And C who is going to start putting masks on everyone else once this happens. I'm thinking if that should happen a better plan is the attendants quickly hand out all the little bottles of booze. Not that it would lessen the pain at impact but it might make for a quieter ride on the way down.
I have also found myself grinning as they instruct passengers on what to do in the case of a water landing. Water and landing don't go together unless there are pontoons hanging from the wings. What they are describing is crashing, in a very polite and professional way. But crashing just the same.
Now I do like exit row seating and for good reason at 6 foot 4 their normal rows only work if they fold me up first. But the exit row comes with responsibility too. You get to assist people in the case of one of these water landings. Which I would have no problem with except for one thing. When it starts to go Titanic I'm done helping, it's time to swim. Here is a good idea, since they can hide inflatable slides how about a inflatable raft that is as big as the aircraft. One that upon hitting the water inflates to keep what is left afloat. It would make finding it a little easier. After all it is a water landing right.
And who was the model the airlines use when designing the seating. My first guess would be one of the dwarfs from Lord of the rings. In a normal row the seat in front of me is already making contact with my knees before they attempt to force it back. I actually had a guy complain on a flight from Houston one time because I wouldn't allow him to put his seat back. This after I showed him it was already making contact with my knees. So when he forcibly slammed it into me the second time, he was catapulted into an upright position. He didn't like that. They moved him to another seat thank God. The main point of his outrage was he paid good money to fly. Therefore giving him the right to crush my kneecaps. I can only guess he thought he was the only one who paid for that flight.
My other pet peeve is the stupid tray table, again when your already stuffed into a confining space that table also rests on my knees when it is down. And what really fits in that little space anyway. A drink and your snack pack they give you and that is about it.
That and you usually get seated next to someone who is spilling into your space because they have not yet heard about the obesity problem.
And what about all the electronics people need today. I say this with a bit of a giggle, since there is no item I could carry onto a plane, that I would need so bad as to endanger everyone on the plane. And it is presumed that it is possible that the electromagnetic fields from devices such as phones, WiFi and such could temporally mess with avionics in the cockpit.
I have also found myself wondering if booking agents plan every flight with at least two people who talk exceptionally loud. That and two or three crying babies, or a bratty three year old who must have his own way. You know the kid I'm talking about, he yells, he screams and sometimes will throw a tantrum resulting in his beating on his mothers arm while she sternly says, “your not being a good boy” Good boy, really when is he good? When he gets his own way. A lot of children today have not been held to any limitations and the result is something resembling a feral animal. Why he is usually seated near me I don't know. All I can do is smile as he carries on his tantrum and think there potentially goes the next Newton, Einstein or more likely tomorrows serial killer.
Here is an idea for the airlines how about economy flights using the cattle car floor plan currently in use. And some planes with a more open layout some real leg space that they could charge more per seat. Because some of us would be willing to pay more to avoid playing sardine for three hours. British airways did this with the Concords and they were in service for many years. As well people were willing to spend more to have a few inches all to themselves.
But what I really like in air travel is the small puddle jumpers. The Cessnas the little fixed landing gear planes. It is a little uncomfortable if you don't like the occasional drops, but it is a lot more fun. First you usually have a pilot you can chat with, and in some cases may allow you some stick time. The little planes feel like your in a car in the sky. And the best part of all, should you lose power these little planes have a few minutes of glide time. Allowing for a landing unlike their commercial big brothers who have the flight characteristics of a brick when they lose power. Needless to say I feel much safer in the small plane and with good reason. In a crash I don't have to wonder where the three hundred pound man behind me is going to end up.
Perception
I was thinking today about perception and the relative way it relates to life. The individual perception of something could vary from the perception of society as a whole. Let me use the word Justify or Justified to illustrate my point.
An individual can feel justified in their own mind for something they have done or said, while being completely unjustified when viewed by social peers. A criminal for example may feel completely justified in an act. Though a jury of his peers may not.
There are several examples of convicted murder's who claim some justification for their crime. Even while knowing the act was illegal they justify it through their own personal perception of right and wrong disregarding how others would judge it. Son of Sam, The Brooklyn mom who thought her children were possessed by demons. Both justified the act even while knowing it was wrong. I have to wonder what Charlie Manson's perception of his crime must be.
A Narcissist will simply justify there actions in order to get their own way. The one thing all of these examples have in common is mental illness.
Poor justification due to ignorance, or mis-information is correctable as long as that person is open minded enough to see the error. Unfortunately, ignorance truly is bliss. We have all encountered this with someone at one time or another in our lives. The person whom you can show an error and they will loudly proclaim it right, just so they don't have to admit the mistake.
Myself I would rather admit the error than be viewed as close minded or ignorant. But there are a few who are thick as a brick.
Is there a time when a personal perception conflicts with social, or legal perceptions? All the time, I've known of people who simple criticism was taken as a personal attack. Giving them justification in their mind to verbally attack or slander that person in retaliation. Sometimes for years. Growing up in a totally dysfunctional family these observations came easily. But that's another story altogether.
Inaccurate perception has lead to discrimination, bias opinion, and a lot of hatred over the years. For example the racial implications alone. At one time the Irish were perceived as drunkards, the native Americans as savages, the African slaves as child like, and today the Muslim as terrorist's.
Perceptions change though, sometimes because of an event or education, usually just though the passage of time. And the message here, if any, can be perceived many ways as well. The criminal minded or mental may perceive this as their next alibi. The Narcissist will perceive it as a personal attack. The ignorant will perceive it as an attempt to confuse them. That is if they got this far. And then there is you my friends, the educated. Your perceptions will vary with your personal beliefs and experiences. At least that is my perception.
