War and Remembrance ... Mark Steyn

Steyn Online ^ | 11 November 2003 | Mark Steyn

[Rummyfan]

Steyn Alert!

[Rummyfan]

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[Rummyfan]

The Montreal branch of Ikea had just banned the Legion's poppies from its counters

What's the deal with Ikea?

[Rummyfan]

I think the Euro-peons are living in some sort of post-modern dystopia. Who was it that said 'only the dead have seen the end of war'?

[stevem]

After September 11, I wondered rhetorically (in The Spectator) what are we prepared to die for, and got a convoluted e-mail back from a French professor explaining that the fact that Europeans weren't prepared to die for anything was the best evidence of their superiority: they were building a post-historical utopia - a Europe it would not be necessary to die for. Or as Robert Kagan's recent thesis puts it: these days Americans are from Mars, Europeans are from Venus.

This may be the most interesting philosophical question of them all. What is worth dying for, or more accurately, what is worth your life? I always thought the luckiest people on earth were or are those that have found an occupation that is literally "worth your life." I haven't found it myself other than parenting. Those things at which I have earned a living, at least beyond my military career (in retrospect a short one), have surely never been worth my life.

Maybe modern Europe isn't anything calling for a life sacrifice. Maybe modern Europe isn't worth anything at all. "Where your treasure is, there also is your heart," said a person more prescient than I.

Ideals may rise to the level of being worth my life. Gold likely never could so rise, but then, I've never had much gold so may not know. But what ideals? Manhood? Honor? Truth? I sure haven't heard much from France or Germany of late that would inspire much of anything but a yawn.

I guess it's always the same thing forever. In a world of epic struggles some people must do more than just talk. If their goals are honorable, they may inspire a life sacrifice. Those that make the sacrifice, those living and dead are worthy of respect.

[Stultis]

Who was it that said 'only the dead have seen the end of war'?

I wanna say that's from Homer, but that's just off the top of my head. Googling...

Ah, it's attributed to Plato in the opening of Blackhawk Down, and was also so attributed in a speech by Gen. MacArthur, but apparently there's no evidence that Plato ever said it. See the link for its (possibly original) use by George Santayana.

[mylife]

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Over here!

[jqpublic]

Another incredible editorial from Mr Steyn.

How DOES he continue to hit homeruns?

May G-d bless and keep the brave souls who gave their lives for our freedom - and may G-d continue to bless and protect the brave men and women who fight for our freedom today.

J.Q.

[Stultis]

to the hyper-rationalists at The Guardian et al the ideal state is like an Ikea coffee table: blandly functional and easy to assemble with the right Scandinavian components

The master phrase turner at work!

[mylife]

The UK is one of the few credible military powers left in the developed world, yet it can't sustain a proportionate share of the burden of even a small war. And, in all his indestructible condescension, it never occurs to Sir Max to wonder how it must sound to American ears to be told you're doing it all wrong by folks who can barely do it at all.

Steyn hits another one out of the park! over the "green monster"(EU)

[mylife]

What's the deal with Ikea?

Ikea looks like a scandanavian furniture designer, that minimalist crap that is all the rage among the intellectual europeans.

It just looks like the maker had no imagination or skill yet the euros think it is brilliant.

[mylife]

Or as Robert Kagan's recent thesis puts it: these days Americans are from Mars, Europeans are from Venus.

Typical of the europeans....they give us the planet with all the scary monsters on it!! LOL! "Mars the bringer of war" Then they take Venus a symbol of beauty and love! LOL! Typical of their arrogance

[mylife]

Ikea couch

[okie01]

A really good essay. In four paragraphs, no less.

Save it. Show it to your children. Let them show it to your grandchildren.

[lainde]

ping!

[JohnHuang2]

Thanks for the ping, friend. Steyn Rules!

[JohnHuang2]

Mark Steyn MEGA PING!

[MEG33]

Thanks.

[Alamo-Girl]

Thanks for the heads up!

[JohnHuang2]

Welcome :-)