Bush's Thermopylae

Bush had the opportunity to mirror another great Greek--Alexander--and employ overwhelming force as Alexander did against the Persians and Babylonian (forefathers of terrorists in Iraq/Iran) so that they were never again a threat. He chose the path of the 300 (a token force against superior odds) but not the purpose that the Spartans had (to gain time for an Athenian victory at Salamis.

I agree that Bush is not using overwhelming force. If he would just change the Rules of Engagement that would be all that is required. Instead, his holding strategy is one that is giving time to the Iraqi Government(Athenians).

Alexander was a brilliant general who crushed the Persian Empire. He was also a reckless drunkard who slaughtered men, woman and children, letting his soldiers loot cities for booty, raping the woman and selling them into slavery before burning those cities to the ground. Whatever there might be to admire about Alexander the Great, there is just as much to despise. I would prefer to see a George Bush with a bit of Teddy Roosevelt in him.

Well, count me still a fan of old Alex because his slaughtering of the ancestors of today's Islamofacists meant there were fewer of them--albeit there's still far too many! If every sole practicing the extreme forms of Islam were wiped from the face of the earth it would be okay with me and whether Alex began to clean up what the ancient Israelites were supposed to do (God's dictate to Joshua to perform the "Herem"--terminate any chance of an Arab religion) or whether some future Western leader (since Bush won't) does it, it will sooner or later have to be done!

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