[Ray Allis - 921213.1530 (pst, that's how I can respond to a future message.
:-)]
[gabriel to powers 921213 16:52 CST]
If you want, let's debate off line, but perhaps just let it drop.
I'd like very much to see this sort of conversation continue. Of
course I understand that this may be impossible because such
'tangential' traffic may strain many people's budget for e-mail storage
and cost. But I'm interested in the differences in philosophies (as in
"How does the world work?") developed by people with differing life
experiences, and it seems to me this insight should help illuminate
your (our) attempts to build actual real-world models. After all, it's
_minds_ that we're trying to understand isn't it?
Happy Christmas, and much delight in all the good things of life,
including the grandkids.
Indeed.
[gabriel to powers 921213 16:52 CST]
Dear Bill
On reflection perhaps I came on a bit strong. If you want to know
why look at the history of ANZAC in WWI and NZEF in Crete in 1940. Also
a couple of school friends. One had spent from age 10-14 in Japanese
prison camp because parents were missionaries in Hong Kong. Another's
father had been shot for being a member of the resistance in France,
and the young man and his mother had had to take to the hills with
his father's friends. That young chap had killed his first enemy sentry
at the age of 12 in order to acquire a firearm. I suppose I didn't mind
being bombed that much, I had other friends who fared far worse.
I also think the move to denigrate Harris and the memorial to
Bomber Command, was in poor taste, even though I feel strongly that
Harris and Co. made a strategic mistake that prolonged the war.
See Col. Harry Summers' book on VietNam. I also feel between the
devil and the deep sea about Somalia, but there should have been
the kind of debate Summers talks about. Difficult though, with
people starving and the Administartion changing.
But on lethal force etc. there are interesting issues in animal
behaviour - see the Altmans on Baboon Society, and Rolf Peterson
and others on Wolves. Escalation is always a problem, witness what
is happening in the cities. Just exactly why I want to have better
decision making in Govt AND in Defense.
If you want, let's debate off line, but perhaps just let it drop. By
the way, in general I disagree with Strategic Bombing, and true history
of the Japanese efforts to sue for peace in 1944 is also interesting,
as is the Straits of Tsushima story. But both those belong to Bill C.
I'm sure he'll tell you if asked.
Happy Christmas, and much delight in all the good things of life,
including the grandkids.
John