Words of War-Victor Davis Hanson tells us what he's learned , what historians will take away

FrontPageMagazine.com ^ | May 29, 2008 | Bill Steigerwald

[SJackson]

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[Old Sarge]

Another good article that no one will read.

[PORD]

Very Intelligent, very excellent

[tentmaker]

This is an AMAZING must-read article!

[NeilGus]

I would like to know the total military deaths (including accidents) while Bush was in office and compare it with the number of deaths while Clinton was in office.

I know in the 1980’s we had about 2,500 deaths per year from accidents. Of course, the military was much larger.

[carton253]

I read it. I agree with his points about what a good history should produce. I would add one though, if you will indulge me.

I think that it must also recover the truth that has been lost. Sometimes A happens, but A made B look bad, so B's sphere of influence sets out to remake A. In the remaking of A, a new "truth" is created. (Let's call it C). It is C that is carried through the historiography. So, a historian must be willing to do the detailed work to show where A turned to C and the motives behind it.

I hope that makes sense.

[Rummyfan]

VDH bump!

[metesky]

T, over here. The Man speaks.

[astounded]

“Another good article that no one will read.”

Sarge, you got that right. The piece may run as a syndicated column, but too many folks out there have been convinced that GWB “lied” and so anything else is incomprehensible and irrelevant to such individuals.

Given the McClellan boondoggle now playing out, it is inconceivable that VDH’s words will carry any weight in the Iraq debate. However, as he said, history is best written from perspective, and I believe GWB’s decision to go into Iraq will be vindicated and held up as a courageous, bold step toward resolving the islamic problem.

[Wyatt's Torch]

VDH is dead-on as usual. He’s the best in the business right now.

[PGalt]

Outstanding interview. Thanks to FrontPageMagazine.com, Bill Steigerwald, and Victor Davis Hanson. Thanks very much for posting.

[KosmicKitty]

I hope I live another 45-50 years so I can see how history treats GWB & the Iraq war.

I’m sure it will be radically different from the squawking of today’s MSM.

[PerConPat]

...but too many folks out there have been convinced that GWB “lied” and so anything else is incomprehensible and irrelevant to such individuals.

In the absence of a truly calamitous attack, which graphically demonstrates American vulnerability in its physical and economic aspects, the majority of the US electorate will remain oblivious to the Islamofascist threat.

IMHO, the wisdom of a VDH etc. cannot appeal to the masses mired in the process of borrowing and spending themselves to death. It is much easier to swallow the seductive promises of peace and change, regardless of the reality, than to accept the necessity to do the hard and dangerous work that freedom often requires.

9/11 was not enough to convince the idiots who compose the majority of voters that we are facing a dedicated and resourceful enemy who is merely biding its time until WMD can be employed against us.

There is nothing new under the sun.

[Maine Mariner]

I read it. I am trying to get my 13 year old son interested in military history at least at the serious amateur level so in 50 years he can debate some of the issues VDH has raised.

What a great interview-I got a good list of books to read over the summer.

[PerConPat]

Outstanding...You and I both know that most thirteen-year-olds are most surely not going to be informed about the likes of Victor Davis Hanson in the course of their school work.

[Billthedrill]

VDH is certainly correct about perspective. It is heartening to consider the difference in treatment between modern historians and the contemporary press hysteria (a very good deal of which is still perfectly accessible) during the U.S. Civil War. One difficulty these days is precisely the same as then - far too many reporters have attempted to craft a narrative on the spot instead of simply stating observed facts. This gives them a vested interest that hinders successive facts that do not fit the narrative. For all the derision that modern journalism tends to direct at "objective" journalism, the latter does at least free the reporter from looking like a complete fool after the shooting stops (and the Pulitzers have been awarded).

I often quote Chou En Lai on perspective and will repeat that - when asked in the 1970's what he felt the effects of the French Revolution of the 1780's was, his reply was "It's too early to tell."

[astounded]

...”There is nothing new under the sun.”

Amen, Brother.

[Tolik]

    Victor Davis Hanson Ping ! 

       Let me know if you want in or out.

Links:    FR Index of his articles:  http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/keyword?k=victordavishanson
                His website: http://victorhanson.com/
                NRO archive: http://www.nationalreview.com/hanson/hanson-archive.asp
                Pajamasmedia:   http://victordavishanson.pajamasmedia.com/

[Yardstick]

*el Bumpo*