In the history of civilization — and that’s how old terrorism is, it wasn’t invented on Sept. 11, 2001 — terrorists have never, on their own, succeeded in destroying or significantly altering a culture. They utterly lack the resources to do so.
Where they have succeeded, terrorists have done so only by so frightening a society into abandoning its fundamental values.
That guy who tried to fly a plane into the White House? The one who failed to detonate an explosive device in an airplane approaching Metro Detroit International? The shoe bomber? The guy who just failed to set off a bomb in Times Square? The homegrown terrorists at Virginia Tech and Fort Hood?
The combined death toll from their acts is less than 100. The U.S., supposedly the world’s sole superpower, has a population of 308 million.
The distinction between a global superpower and a nation afraid of its own shadow is becoming more difficult to discern with every attack on the U.S. homeland. Each has been met with an over-reaction — in the media and among government officials — that would embarrass the Londoners who stoically endured the Blitz.
David Olive, “The terrorists win”, Toronto Star, 2010-05-14
May 14, 2010
QotD: Western civilization – stick a fork in it
Defence minister denies that the Navy to be cut by half
Canada’s Minister of National Defence Peter MacKay claims that the following operational changes to Canada’s naval forces do not constitute a serious cut:
The directive was sent to maritime forces on the west and east coasts, as well as to senior officers in charge of naval reservists.
The letter says:
– The fleet of Kingston-class maritime coastal defence vessels will be reduced to six ships from 12.
– Three frigates, HMCS Montreal, St John’s and Vancouver, will now be conducting domestic and continental missions to a “limited degree.”
– Combat systems on HMCS Toronto and HMCS Ottawa, as well as on HMCS Athabaskan, will be “minimally supported to enable safe to navigate sensors and communications only.”
– A key weapon system on board the Protecteur-class supply ships designed to destroy incoming missiles “will not be supported.”
Jedi Master MacKay is attempting a mind trick: “these are not the defence cuts you’re looking for”.
Remembering Henri le Grande
France is still fond of King Henri IV, who was assassinated 400 years ago:
“If we were to measure his approval ratings now, what result would we get?” wondered Nouvel Observateur magazine in a special report this week. “100% happy? 200%? At any rate a figure to make the late greats turn pale — even more so the not-so-greats who are still alive.” Nicolas Sarkozy, the subtext implied, would do well to watch and learn.
During his reign from 1589 to 1610, Henri le Grand was credited with turning a country torn apart by the wars of religion into a newly confident land where Catholics and Protestants were forced to tolerate, if not like, each other.
He converted from Calvinism to the faith of the vast majority of his subjects, but did not neglect the country’s long-persecuted Hugenot minority. In 1598, 26 years after thousands of people who had gathered for his wedding day died in the St Bartholomew’s Day massacre, he declared the Edict of Nantes, which guaranteed Protestants freedom of worship.
[. . .]
Aside from his political achievements, it is the amorous escapades of the “Green Gallant” which continue to titillate modern-day fans. Married twice but unimpeded by vows of fidelity, Henri had numerous affairs and flings. This week Francois Caviglioli, a journalist, summed him up by referring to a contemporary Italian bon vivant: “Henri seemed to be the Rocco Siffredi of the 16th century. A porn star who was said to never wash.”
Judging by the tributes being paid to him now, Henri IV seems to be working his magic from beyond the grave. Such was the impact of his reign — and the shock of his untimely death — that he has become a martyr who is viewed almost as the personification of good leadership.
A few years ago, I tried to find a good biography of Henri, but there didn’t appear to be anything currently in print (in English). For such an iconic leader, he is not well known outside France . . .
