Paradoxically, I'm going to recommend that those with a sufficently strong stomach visit the site whose advertising pennies I won't take. The site promotes a remarkable online book by an ultra-conservative Israeli. The title is Samson Blinded: A Machiavellian Perspective on the Middle East Conflict.
Now, you'd think that the Holocaust would have taught the author of this work that Machiavelli's recommended course of unapologetic ruthlessness and deceit must inevitably result in atrocity. You'd think that the oft-seen 1945 aerial footage of Berlin in ruins would have taught the world that actions have consequences. Alas, racism often triumphs over the lessons of history.
If you still maintain the quaint belief that all Jews remain immune to the fascist pathogen which has touched nearly every other group on this planet, just scan these sub-heads from the volume in question:
Machiavelli: goodness and crueltyNo author is listed for this work. He (presuming we are dealing with a "he") uses the catchy pen name ID 338295. He does provide some biographical information:
Israel should restrict democracy
No inherent right to a state, no inviolable state
No historical right
The feasibility of conquering the Arab states
Israel does not need peace
Why does Israel need the territories?
Annexation will not necessarily impede peace
A culturally attractive Israel could annex the territories more easily
Israel as regional empire
Conquer only militarily weak, economically viable states
Annexing foreign land
Winning tolerance of foreigners to annexation
Annexation tactics, expansion from a security belt
Hiring foreign infantry
Harsh measures, not limited victory
Abandon the pretense of humane war
Use large forces for conquest
Force Arab disarmament and turn Arab states into protectorates
Cruelty to prisoners
Terrorism is a war like any other
Terrorists justifiably target civilians
Jews have historically engaged in terrorism
Terrorists should be respected as warriors
Destroy oil infrastructure in retaliation
Abandon formalities; rely on suspicion and preemption
Collective liability
Act by stealth
Sabotage oil exports
Only cruelty can instill fear in poor people
No concern with secular ethics
I have written dozens of articles on economics, politics, and asymmetrical warfare; essays on ethics and political philosophy; and a book on religion. I served in various public offices, have managed election campaigns, and lead a political party.His real name should be obvious by now: Adolf Hitler.
2 comments:
Sounds like the author of this book is describing something like American foreign policy, but without the customary deodorant and marketing slogans.
That anyone would openly promote such goals -- or even desire them -- suggests a deep social pathology. Or, to reference one of your other recent posts, why are white men and evangelicals so apparently stupid, stupidly angry and vengeful?
Of course, it's easy to dismiss one's antagonists as mentally ill, but I wonder if any other word will do? These people seem to be given over to the dark side, a reptilian reactiveness to a world which apparently frightens them.
Can a whole country go mad? So it would seem, if history is any guide.
Well said, anonymous.
Keep up the good work, Joseph.
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