NationStates Jolt Archive

To those who believe history does not repeat itself... Think again..

Beware of the leader who bangs the drums of war in order to whip the citizenry into patriotic fervor, for patriotism is indeed a double-edged sword. It both emboldens the blood, just as it narrows the mind. And when the drums of war have reached a fever pitch and the blood boils with hate and the mind has closed, the leader will have no need in seizing the rights of the citizenry, [who] infused with fear and blinded by patriotism, will offer up all of their rights unto the leader and gladly so. How will I know? For this I have done. And I am Julius Caesar.

- Julius Caesar, Rome 100-44 B.C.

To those who believe history does not repeat itself... Think again..


There's a difference in waging a war to spread democracy and liberation and waging a war to subdue barbarian hordes and rivals ;)

There's a difference in waging a war to spread democracy and liberation and waging a war to subdue barbarian hordes and rivals ;)

I think I'll ignore such a comment, otherwise be drawn into a level of debate that I'd like to think I'm above. ;)

There's a difference in waging a war to spread democracy and liberation and waging a war to subdue barbarian hordes and rivals ;)

Your point being that the Romans spread democracy and liberation?

There's a difference in waging a war to spread democracy and liberation and waging a war to subdue barbarian hordes and rivals ;)
Thanks for that, irony can be such entertainment! :D

All I can say is, "Bring on the circus and the free bread."

Oh, wait, we have ESPN and Welfare.

Quote:
Beware of the leader who bangs the drums of war in order to whip the citizenry into patriotic fervor, for patriotism is indeed a double-edged sword. It both emboldens the blood, just as it narrows the mind. And when the drums of war have reached a fever pitch and the blood boils with hate and the mind has closed, the leader will have no need in seizing the rights of the citizenry, [who] infused with fear and blinded by patriotism, will offer up all of their rights unto the leader and gladly so. How will I know? For this I have done. And I am Julius Caesar.

- Julius Caesar, Rome 100-44 B.C.

Bin laden anyone...

All I can say is, "Bring on the circus and the free bread."

Oh, wait, we have ESPN and Welfare.

ESPN is the closest you could find to a circus? What about Congress or all the frivilous lawsuits or even the flap over Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas? I mean, c'mon...be more creative....

Bin laden anyone...

Bin Laden and Bush are just the same side of two different coins.

Engendering patriotic fervour has always been a tool of leaders who wish to manipulkate the people.

Having an external enemy helps?

For the islamic Fundamentalists, it has always been the Great Satan. The USA manufactured the notion of the Cold war because it created political stability for those in charge.

The neo-cons and islamic fundamentalists aren't as far apart in the spectrum as people like to think

Martin Luther King Jnr was notorious for stealing Quotes and subtling changing them fr his own means.

waging a war to spread democracy and liberation

Well .... unless you're a woman ....

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8714527/

*coff*

Ah, we all know that Caesar liked to re-write history to make him seem more than he was, it's fairly widely accepted. He probably just looked into the future, seen what is happening now, and jotted that down for the sole purpose of making him seem prophetic and all. What's much more impressive is the Roman settlement in China. Not to mention at Neo Regolia that the Barbarians were only called "barbarians" due to the hellenic language. To them, all the barbarian tongues sounded a lot like "bar bar b-bar bar bar" to them, so they called them barbarians. it doesn't mean uncivilised, just non-greek. in the exact same way that all Romans are barbarians.


Ok. On topic.... so quote of the day. Does this mean you'll update with another quote every day? And I do find this one curiously apt. I can't believe that there are still daily reports about the London bombings on my TV....

Bin Laden and Bush are just the same side of two different coins.
I like that. :p

I think I'll ignore such a comment, otherwise be drawn into a level of debate that I'd like to think I'm above. ;)


I approve Steph!

I however..am not above such an argument.

Allow me..

There's a difference in waging a war to spread democracy and liberation and waging a war to subdue barbarian hordes and rivals

No..there isnt really.

Rome fought such wars to impose thier way of life, upon as much of the world as they could.
Remind you of anyone?
You can believe that our intentions are pure and noble, but I prefer to look at actions and deeds, after all..the road to Hell and all that...

Who have we really "liberated" in Iraq?

We took away one tryant, and imposed a different one...us.
The average Iraqi is barely safer from our conflict, than they were under Hussiens rule.
The only difference in Romes conquests and Iraq, is that we are leading people to believe that the residents are grateful for our occupation.

Rome profited from its conquests. We are profiting from Iraq.
Rome conquered its advarsaries becuase it believed that it was the right thing to do, and the world would be better for it.

Just like we are doing in Iraq.

There's a difference in waging a war to spread democracy and liberation and waging a war to subdue barbarian hordes and rivals ;)

The Roman Republic told itself that it waged war to bring democracy and civilization to the peoples it conquered. They believed that they liberated other cultures from their barbarism. How is it any different, other than how you choose to percieve it? The Roman Republic was almost as democratic as this country today. There is no group that wages war because they are that evil. All believe they are doing good for the people that they conquer.

Its all POV.
One sides Heretics is anothers Infidels.

A few people have quotes similair to that one

"Voice or no voice, the people can always be brought to the bidding of the leaders. That is easy. All you have to do is tell them they are being attacked, and denounce the pacifists for lack of patriotism and exposing the country to greater danger. It works the same in any country."

Herman Goering

There's a difference in waging a war to spread democracy and liberation and waging a war to subdue barbarian hordes and rivals ;)
True. Which one is which?

Yo Ziggy your presence is wanted!

I approve Steph!

I however..am not above such an argument.

Allow me..



No..there isnt really.

Rome fought such wars to impose thier way of life, upon as much of the world as they could.
Remind you of anyone?
You can believe that our intentions are pure and noble, but I prefer to look at actions and deeds, after all..the road to Hell and all that...

Who have we really "liberated" in Iraq?

We took away one tryant, and imposed a different one...us.
The average Iraqi is barely safer from our conflict, than they were under Hussiens rule.
The only difference in Romes conquests and Iraq, is that we are leading people to believe that the residents are grateful for our occupation.

Rome profited from its conquests. We are profiting from Iraq.
Rome conquered its advarsaries becuase it believed that it was the right thing to do, and the world would be better for it.

Just like we are doing in Iraq.

Well, that was basically my feeling on the matter, just decided not to get drawn into a strawman argument with a person whom takes great joy in trolling at times, mostly when it comes to religious threads.. and besides, when I posted this I was off to bed. But kudos to you Squatches, couldn't of said it better myself. :)

To those who believe history does not repeat itself... Think again..

Whats that quote by HL Mencken again? Something along the lines of "one day democracy will be perfected, and the people will have the joy of being represented by one of them, and we shall have a complete idiot for President"?

Whats that quote by HL Mencken again? Something along the lines of "one day democracy will be perfected, and the people will have the joy of being represented by one of them, and we shall have a complete idiot for President"?

*LOL* Sounds about right to me.. ;)

Ok. On topic.... so quote of the day. Does this mean you'll update with another quote every day? And I do find this one curiously apt. I can't believe that there are still daily reports about the London bombings on my TV....
Tomorrow's Quote: Drive defensively... buy a tank.

Tomorrow's Quote: Drive defensively... buy a tank.
Hmm... I thought Americans already did that.... :rolleyes:

Julius had quite a way with stealing words, and of course now we realize at predicting the future too. Wow! What a guy! That was said by a scholar first. Who? I have no flying fox clue. Hmm I forgot something I was gonna say.

Quote for tommorow.

Ahem,

"Meee sooo fooony, with my big round American eyes!"

"Put it on my credit card! Put it on my credit card!"

------- Chinese dodgeball team when visited by the Southpark clan --------

Thank you.