With the anniversary of the launch of our national adventure in Iraq, Garry Moes over at Graybrook has posted a brilliant recap of the situation and made a good argument for why it's far more than an adventure.
"We, the people of a rational civilization, must understand historical and ontological realities if we are to succeed in the defense of our world and way of life. The problem is that in recent generations, owing to our crumbling educational system and moral/philosophical foundations, we are quickly losing our ability to reason, especially to morally reason, and to see clearly what has to be done. We may respond to our latent instincts for a time, but these are not enough to see us through to the necessary end in the long haul."
He also makes a great case on why so much is riding on Iraq. Not just for our oft-cited image abroad, but in terms of what Iraq itself means to our enemies.
Also some good points regarding Islam's inherent drive to conquest and historical predisposition to factional warring within the faith itself.
Important reading, particularly in light of Victor Davis Hanson's recent comments on his Website and elsewhere that the coming year will likely make or break us over there, with the fate of the world in some aspects riding squarely on the shoulders of Gen. Petraeus.
Speaking of VDH, don't miss this nice review of a new book on the Crusades:
"Important here is Tyerman’s stance towards religiosity. He reminds throughout the narrative that it was not merely glory or money or excitement that drove Westerners of all classes and nationalities to risk their lives in a deadly journey to an inhospitable east, but rather a real belief in a living God and their own desire to please him through preserving and honoring the birth and death places of his son."
Makes a nice companion piece to Moes' essay in several ways. Read both.
"We, the people of a rational civilization, must understand historical and ontological realities if we are to succeed in the defense of our world and way of life. The problem is that in recent generations, owing to our crumbling educational system and moral/philosophical foundations, we are quickly losing our ability to reason, especially to morally reason, and to see clearly what has to be done. We may respond to our latent instincts for a time, but these are not enough to see us through to the necessary end in the long haul."
He also makes a great case on why so much is riding on Iraq. Not just for our oft-cited image abroad, but in terms of what Iraq itself means to our enemies.
Also some good points regarding Islam's inherent drive to conquest and historical predisposition to factional warring within the faith itself.
Important reading, particularly in light of Victor Davis Hanson's recent comments on his Website and elsewhere that the coming year will likely make or break us over there, with the fate of the world in some aspects riding squarely on the shoulders of Gen. Petraeus.
Speaking of VDH, don't miss this nice review of a new book on the Crusades:
"Important here is Tyerman’s stance towards religiosity. He reminds throughout the narrative that it was not merely glory or money or excitement that drove Westerners of all classes and nationalities to risk their lives in a deadly journey to an inhospitable east, but rather a real belief in a living God and their own desire to please him through preserving and honoring the birth and death places of his son."
Makes a nice companion piece to Moes' essay in several ways. Read both.
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