Lights Out indeed.
Posted on 08/26/2006 7:28:47 PM PDT by Natty Bumppo@frontier.net
When the Roman Empire fell – and scholars still debate how hard, and why – much was lost, including arts, literacy, public works, and the rule of law; but the most significant was the loss of commerce. The archeological record shows a drastic drop in quantity and quality of goods and materials in the 5th century, indicating the loss of artisans and skills. Without the umbrella of security, commerce faltered, forcing regions to become more self-reliant. Specialized skills fell aside as sustainment skills became critical. Artisans and artists were replaced by the jack-of-all-trades. It would remain thus until the relative safety in the Renaissance made commerce and specialization practical once more. All of this because trade was no longer secure enough to turn a profit.
It may sound overly alarmist to say, but we’re not so far from that situation today. There are certainly many significant differences between Roman governance and our present-day global village, but in some ways these are more superficial than we might wish to think.
The United States is not an empire but has a global influence more imperial than any in prior history. Modern communications are far more ubiquitous and persistent than 1,500 years ago, and the means of production are more broadly distributed. But all of these advantages might also be weaknesses if attacked correctly.
The devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina clearly demonstrated that the trappings of civilization are too easily stripped away, and that such losses too easily lead to the collapse of civilized behavior amongst survivors. It is not hard to see that a greater catastrophe in America could result in similarly feral outcomes.
When security is uncertain, commerce suffers. The porous borders of Southern California result in depressed property values and investment in the border counties. The lack of stability in Haiti, Lebanon, or Burma curtails investment in those regions. The increased cost of providing security in our ports and airports is passed on to shippers and manufacturers, reducing productivity and import/exports. Even the duty-free shops in the airports that sell liquid luxuries like Scotch and perfume are losing.
All of these are minor influences compared to a sudden or catastrophic loss of security or order within the United States. A dirty bomb, a not-so dirty bomb, a major biological event, or even the loss of free movement within the country could all result in a rapid collapse of civility and civilized behavior. Many analysts believe that our enemies in Iran, Korea, or hiding amongst us in anonymous cells may already have the means to strike such a blow, or will have them soon.
Imagine the consequences of massive power outages in the East Coast industrial corridor or the loss of a major metropolitan region. The death tolls will strain civil support; fewer goods and materials will lead to hoarding and theft; opportunistic lawlessness, such as looting will rise; and there will be a devastating loss of trust: the trust of Americans in their government, and the trust of the rest of the world in America as a stable and generally beneficial influence.
In the aftermath of such an event, trade within the U. S. would shrivel and trade in and out of the U. S. would falter. It would be an isolationists dream – the rapid redeployment of our attentions inward, the rest of the world be damned. Any number of would-be hegemons will step forward to fill the global vacuum.
This is what the Islamic fascists are hoping to see. Loss of trade is not an issue for a nation that has the one resource that everyone needs, and enough of it to be self-sufficient. Loss of the arts, free movement, and free expression are not of concern to those who believe such things are sinful and dangerous. The Goths and Vandals cared not for the architecture and aqueducts of Rome – the Islamofascists are not concerned about democracy or security.
It is said the Roman Empire collapsed when ordinary Romans no longer believed it should be defended. The average Roman citizen never saw it coming, any more than the average American might now, but was consumed with local concerns and transient issues, much as now.
We have faced geographically diverse fascism before, and we almost waited until it was too late. It has only been a few decades since World War II. It was a much longer climb back to the light from the Dark Ages, the same period of history these Islamicists revere. We need to keep the bigger picture in view, while there is still enough light to see it, and act before it is once again almost too late to do something.
David J. Aland is a retired Naval Officer with a graduate degree in National Security Affairs from the U. S. Naval War College.
Pretty much nailed it.
In other words: Our Freedom.....Our Society.....Our Way of Life.
No biggie to the Anti-Military, Anti-Constitution, Anti-America RATs that infest our country.
Great read! Thanks for posting it.
"This will be the moment I was born for..."
What a great comment. "It's an ill wind..."
When I was young and credit was not an easy thing to come by, I made old things last and thrived. As credit got loose young guys with new toys passed me by. Maybe I'll share your moment.
Lights Out indeed.
Old guys shouldn't wear shorts.
ummmmm obviously this guy has never looked for a home in San Diego. :)
"When security is uncertain, commerce suffers. The porous borders of Southern California result in depressed property values and investment in the border counties."
If we are to survive the terrorist threat, Iran must be obliterated by whatever means necessary and it must be very soon! The ghost of Neville Chamberlain rides before us!
Thomas Cahill has a book, 'How the Irish Saved Civilization,the Untold Story of Ireland's Heroic Role from the Fall of Rome to the Rise of Medieval Europe'.
This article states some of the exact points Mr. Cahill made is his discription of Rome's failures.
Twelve hundred years or so later such a "jack of all trades" would be acclaimed as a Rennaisance man.
Many professions, medecine especially, have been ruined by the specialists who know next to nothing outside of their very narrow area of expertise. We need more jacks of all trades and the sooner the better.
Excellent post.
There is no doubt the terrorists are the modern day barbarians. I think maybe we should consider liberating their oil before somebody gets hurt.
btt
Bump
Medieval Muslims effectively cut of the land routes to the far east that had been used for centuries and closed the Mediterranean to trade with their pirates. That stimulated the search for new trade routes.
Apparently thinking and writing number among your trades, Jack.
Here's lookin' at ya'.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.