THE BRUTAL CONUNDRUM THAT IS STUPIDITY
One of the most perplexing constancies of the modern world is that the stupid never realise they are and the intelligent worry too much about appearing condescending to tell them.… Read the rest
THE MURDEROUS MYTH OF MILITARY MIGHT
I’ve reported on wars spurred by ideology, racism, religion, territorial claims and resources. Their common denominator was leaders who lacked the wisdom and courage to choose compromise over delusions of the triumph of arms. Cue the current Middle East imbroglio.… Read the rest
WHAT THE ZEROES IN BILLIONAIRE ADD UP TO
One billionaire was added to the world every day for the past year. The interruption to fertiliser supplies due to the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz could subtract up to 10 billion meals across the world every week. How’s that for a juxtaposition?… Read the rest
NELSON’S CONVENIENT EYE WON’T WORK
In 1801, British Admiral Lord Nelson boldly put a telescope to his blind eye to ignore an order. It spawned the phrase ”turning a blind eye”, and resulted in an epic victory. Today, what’s also known as “a Nelson eye“ is a craven act, regenerating epic disasters.… Read the rest
DIVINE RIGHT IS A PROBLEM NOT A PANACEA
History is replete with incontrovertible evidence that nothing is more inimical to peace than self-professed true believers. So if déjà vu isn’t your favourite sensation, it’s time for even atheists to say God spare us from them. Please.… Read the rest
COSTS AND LESSONS: IRAN VS ARTEMIS
The look at the dark side of the moon from Artemis II will not briefly unite humanity the way “one small step for a man” did. But it will offer a measure of the forces that have riven us from that brief awareness of what humans can accomplish.… Read the rest
MENDACITY’S MALEVOLENT MESS
Sir Winston Churchill avowed that “A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to get its pants on;” The lies, misrepresentations and fantasies Donald Trump spouts and texts, go all around the world only slightly quicker than contradictory ones follow.… Read the rest
VICTORY IN IRAN IS A FUTILE FANTASY
Almost exactly five years ago, the first post on this site included the quote:.“ And so, to the end of history, murder shall breed murder, always in the name of right and honour and peace, until the gods are tired of blood and create a race that can understand.”… Read the rest
LIES MAY CLEAR THE FOG OF WAR IN IRAN
The idiom “fog of war” to describe the uncertainty and confusion generated by the chaos of battle was spawned by 19th century cannon and cavalry clashes. Vengefulness and historical ignorance are turning the fog of the high tech Iran war opaque.… Read the rest
A KING, A GENIUS AND THE IRAN WAR
In 1970, a Moody Blues song asked why we never get an answer “…/to a thousand millions questions/about hate and death and war.” In the case of the war in Iran, it’s because no one seems willing or able to articulate one.… Read the rest