Posted on 07/12/2024 4:52:13 AM PDT by MtnClimber
Victor Davis Hanson’s latest book is a macabre warning to an aging America as it closes in on its 250th birthday. The warning comes in the form of a graphic depiction of the hideousness of war and the terrifying state of those who suffer ignominious defeat.
However different the four societies described in the book were, be they Thebans, Carthaginians, Byzantines, or Aztecs, each was blinded by the illusion of invincibility. Hanson shows that such an illusion is so persistent that even as the conquered were being slaughtered, they continued to think: “It cannot happen here.”
Thebes, the 4th century B.C. Greek city-state, sat confidently among the constellation of other Greek city-states. Thebans felt such confidence because of “their impressive military, the justness of their cause, the sympathy of their allies and their city’s hallowed reputation as an icon of eternal Hellenic culture,” as distinguished Professor of Classics Hanson writes.
Indeed, both Alexander the Great and his father, Philip, admired the great Theban general, Epaminondas. But Thebes was too cocky to return that respect. Though how could they have missed the threat posed by Alexander and his lethal Macedonian phalanx which he had used to conquer 1,500 other Greek city states?!
Since Thebes had sided with the Persian invaders in the fifth century B.C. Persian War, Alexander’s scheme to take Thebes gave her “allies” an opportunity for revenge as well as profit from her defeat. As Hanson notes, this case is “thematic in our study of doomed states,” showing how “allies” pile on to destroy their former friends.
Hanson notes that no deus ex machina descended to save Thebes just as it didn’t with the other doomed polities described in the book. Regardless, their respective fates were sealed because of their weak military, their naivete, their long decline, and...
(Excerpt) Read more at americanthinker.com ...
This line made me chuckle. “as opposed to the progressives, who dream “that money, education, and better intentions could arrest the gory arch of history,”
It is a dream and I am glad he said that. Progressives deliver the exact opposite of their supposed dream.
They make people poorer, more ignorant, and their intentions create the downfall and make the gore inevitable.
They run the western world at this time and doom is a work in “progress” as we speak.
I remember that “can-never-happen-here” mindset from the WWII generation growing up. Never felt comfortable hearing it. That one and, “I want better for my kids than I had it!”. Which brought us the “60s generation.
Good article.
We feel so invincible that we have a “forward defense” along the border of Russia. Why not a “forward defense” across China’s border too?
In the meantime, tens of millions of illegal aliens have come into the US. Our police have been demoralized and even defunded. Our military has been hollowed out. Our mainstream media (press and Hollywood) have belonged to one party for decades. The Democratic party has successfully blamed America for all the sins of the Democrats (slavery, segregation, systemic racism, etc.). Love of country is now part of a terrorist profile.
The US in its hubris may well be headed for a fall.
It’s already happened. They are just continuing the illusion of a democratic republic as long as possible.
I have to disagree with Hanson on ‘everything ending’. He’s referring to humans. What about all of the other animals and plants? Suppose we’re annihilated. Not a big deal to a fish. Aren’t they God’s children too?
We’re damaging the planet more than the fish. Furthermore, the fish must love the rising sea level if that’s actually happening. And the plants must love the additional CO2 if that’s happening.
We are not invincible. However, if we have a complete restoration of our Constitutional Republic, including elimination of the 17th Amendment and have Senators picked by State Legislatures as intended (not popular vote) this would be a huge start putting the grand old men closer to the voting citizenry for their office.
Citizens elect their state legislator whom in turn then elects a Federal Senator.... that all changed in 1913 the same year the “Federal” Reserve Bank came into being and also a thorough rewrite of Federal Income Tax. Pre- WWI and during the pre WWI Depression of Woodrow Wilson— not a good time, and it was demonrats who did ALL of this. (Sen.Aldrich, JPMorgan his-self and a slew of big banksters, Rockefellers etc.).
[The US in its hubris may well be headed for a fall.]
Yes. There’s a tremendous amount of hubris combined with incredibly-stupid decisions and actions.
“Yes. There’s a tremendous amount of hubris combined with incredibly-stupid decisions and actions.”
I see so many who believe the US is still “the arsenal of democracy” as it was termed in the 1940’s. Yet we cannot replace the artillery shells Ukraine is using against Russia. We have no real shipbuilding industry nor, as is currently becoming apparent, any significant aircraft manufacturing.
Our super-fantastic, world’s best, F-35 fighter can’t fly in thunderstorms. And recently killed a high-ranking Marine officer who tried to make it do so. Our latest and greatest aircraft carriers are maintenance repair nightmares. Desert sheep-herding Houthis, not even a government entity, proved the mighty US Navy cannot keep the sea lanes open.
Invincibility? Our forces are not even demonstrating competence. Yet our neocons at State and Defense act as though everyone should fear us. Hubris seems far too mild a term to describe our Washington elites.
My favorite analogy is the two guys in the pool hall who get into a knife fight. First guy makes a huge swing with his knife at the second guy. Second guy says, “Ha! You missed me!” First guy says, “Yeah? Just try to turn your head.”
Our great leaders in Washington have not really tried to turn their head yet.
And Hanson and commenters above are correct. No one is coming to save us.
(No one is coming to save us.)
That’s for sure.
🛐🙏✝️
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Sounds like we're on that path.
“The Roman Empire fell because the Romans couldn’t conceive of it falling.”
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Cultural decline played a role as well.
"I am gross and perverted
I'm obsessed 'n deranged
I have existed for years
But very little had changed
I am the tool of the Government
And industry too
For I am destined to rule
And regulate you
I may be vile and pernicious
But you can't look away
I make you think I'm delicious
With the stuff that I say
I am the best you can get
Have you guessed me yet?
I am the slime oozin' out
From your TV set
You will obey me while I lead you
And eat the garbage that I feed you
Until the day that we don't need you
Don't go for help...no one will heed you
Your mind is totally controlled
It has been stuffed into my mold
And you will do as you are told
Until the rights to you are sold
That's right, folks.. Don't touch that dial
Well, I am the slime from your video
Oozin' along on your livingroom floor
I am the slime from your video
Can't stop the slime, people, lookit me go"
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If that weren't enough the Slime is now non-stop portable via cell phone social media.
Helps explain why Democrats continue existing.
A lot on this thread to comment on — we all know Who’s victory prevails however.
Athens would be a good example of a society that thought it was invincible and suffered for that, but Hanson has already written about the war between Athens and Sparta.
ping
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