Wars, then and now
The Hate-America Industry
When bin Laden praised William Blum’s Rogue State, it soared to the top of Amazon’s sales charts. So too now has Noam Chomsky’s Hegemony or Survival—as soon as the semi-literate Hugo Chavez held it up at the United Nations. The Left sees it as McCarthy-like to even suggest that our own are the ideological godheads of the enemy. But it is true.
I am going through the rough draft of a new Al-Qaeda reader this morning, translated and edited by Raymond Ibrahim, soon to be released by Doubleday. What do Dr. Zawahri and bin Laden complain about from their caves in Pakistan? Why, of course, the American failure to sign Kyoto, our desecration of the environment, George Bush reading a goat story on the morning of 9/11, Halliburton, and—that critically-important concern of radical Islam— the lack of campaign finance reform in the United States. Much of their rants are simply jottings and notes taken from watching Fahrenheit 9/11 and killing time in hideouts by listening to talking heads on CNN.
This is all fine and good in a free society, but there are two concerns—other than the abject hypocrisy of these comfortable prenatal Americans kicking at their own embryo. A tenured Chomsky—who thrives in pleasant, secure surrounds, makes a living through secure air travel, and is paid by a university rich in Pentagon contracts—can rant only on the surety that what he sees in the abstract as evil and so must end won’t quite fall apart in the concrete. William Blum said he was pleased by bin Laden’s endorsement, but wouldn’t want the terrorist to call him. But why wouldn’t he, since both agree on the central evil of our times—and the need to address it?
And that’s the point: there is a hot-house plant feel to this shrillness, in which authors sell books, and filmmakers rake in profits, but their invective supposedly doesn’t really weaken the system enough to imperil them and their children. But for a terrorist to read from these American intellectuals that the United States is the greatest source of terror in the world is not to begin a “conversation,” but to embolden them even further to try ending American altogether.
Second, the hysteria of the hate Bush’s America industry has moved the entire critique of the United States far to the left—and now over the edge. Hugo Chavez’s performance trumped Khrushchev’s shoe-thumping, and was right up there with Hitler at Nuremberg. The Council on Foreign Relations welcomed in Ahmadinejad, who once again denied the Holocaust to their faces: would they have invited Pinochet to lecture them about the “lies” that any Chileans were killed, or a P.W. Botha to assure them apartheid was a vast exaggeration? We live in an age not merely of award-winning films and mainstream novels depicting the assassination of President Bush, but of Venezuelan, Cuban, Iranian, and North Korean thugs relying on just this domestic industry of self-hate for their very message.
The End of Wars
Today I finish the last class of a five-week course I taught this late summer at Hillsdale College on World War II. What is striking is the abrupt end of the war, whose last months nevertheless saw the worst American casualties in Europe of the entire struggle. 10,677 of our soldiers died in April 1945 alone, just a few days before the collapse of the Nazi regime— about the same number lost a year earlier during the month of June in the 1944 landings at Normandy and the slogging in the Hedgerows. Okinawa saw our worst casualties on the ground in the Pacific—and was declared secure only 6 weeks before the Japanese surrender. 1945 was far bloodier than 1939, a reminder that in the midst of a war daily losses are not necessarily a barometer of how close or far away is the end of the carnage. Ask the Red Army for whom the final siege of Berlin—361, 367 Russian and Polish soldiers lost—may have been their worst single battle of their entire war, itself characterized by killing on a scale unimaginable in the West.
I don’t know how close or far away we are in Iraq from securing a chance for Iraqi democracy to stabilize, but I do know–despite the recent spate of doom and gloom journalistic accounts–that, as in all wars, it is almost impossible to tell from the 24-hour pulse of the battlefield.
Again, thank you, Dr. Hanson, for the sober and rational evaluation of the current scene.
It is Amazing.
We have lost only about 2,600 American soldiers so far in the Iraq War- a number that pales in comparison to the death suffered by American Forces from just a single battle (D-Day, Bulge, Okinawa, etc) in World War II.
Based on the reaction shown by the Left to our relatively bloodless Iraq endeavor, I just cannot comprehend how today’s generation, the beneficiaries of our Greatest Generation, could have successfully carried out the World War II despite the costs involved.
It must be that- as Stephen Ambrose said in his book Citizen Soldiers- Americans in World War II were a “We” Generation, as opposed to the following generations-which are more “I” than “We.”
Dear Dr. Hanson,
On your previous post regarding Europe’s troubles: the perspective of a couple of reader’s comment were empirically derived from actually living, talking, and visiting with Europeans, or Muslims in the Middle East. I think the Comment Post would make an excellent forum to invite further personal stories that show the the mental state (or spirit) of everyday Europeans and Muslims. Readers should offer their interpretation of their experience, but they should also be objective in letting their subjects speak. Age-bracket, Education status, and Society Status should be indicated when appropriate. They do not have to be contemporary stories, as someone may recall a visit from 1973 that foresaw today’s events. I myself was recently in Europe visiting a German family, and their thoughts and values were far different than what the mainstream press portraits. These personal experiences, I believe, are invaluable in providing insight into what is really going on inside the head of a Frenchman, a German, a Persian, an Arab, etc.
Sincerely, Patrick
Hitler at Nuremberg? I’m failing in my history here – I thought he died in his bunker in April ’45.
It is alway enlightening to read you Dr. Hanson. The historical perspective and rational approach that characterizes your writing and the interviews you have done on C-span are a delight in these difficult times.
Please keep informing us. We need you now in these best of times/worst of times.
The end might come rapidly after Izzat Ibrahim al-Duri is caught and the rest of the Sunni staff are broken up.
Hitler went to Nuremberg every year. It was the Nazi spiritual center. Some say that was part of the reason the famous trials were held there.
a standard pic from the time
http://tinyurl.com/lddeq
Paul M,
Mr. Hanson refers to the Nuremberg rallies (1936?).
MG
It is no secret to anyone who has been paying attention that the left has sided with the America’s enemies consistantly for most of the last hundred years, with the notable exception that during WW2 they actually got on our side for a while, but only after we allied with Russia, and they still weren’t completely on our side. Many, such as the execrable Ted Hall, a proclaimed communist who worked on the Manhattan Project, walked right into the Soviet embassy and offered our enemies the plans for the nuclear bomb. Leftists are avowed enemies of Western civilization and are doing everything they can to help our enemies destroy it. Cicero had something to say about such people, I believe.
Thank you Victor Davis Hanson, voice of reason and sanity. I always learn when I read your writings or hear you on Hugh Hewitt’s radio program. What a wonderful mind you have, and the clarity and soundness of your perspective is greatly enjoyed and appreciated. Keep up the good work, you are a blessing!
Now that Chavez has suggested Bush is the “DEVIL”; this means he will be hanging around for an eternity!
Does this mean Bush gets to torment Chavez mercilessly?
And what was all that talk about the smell of sulphur; I thought it was supposed to be brimstone.
Anyone expert enough on the finer points of Hell?
Quite the entertaining speech, too bad Chavez wasn’t doing a casting call for Dr. Faust. Hey Mephistopheles where you BIN HIDIN all these years?
Just a bit off topic but Mr. Hanson mentioned the Russian’s losses fighting for Berlin. I recently saw the most horrific documentary I’ve ever seen regarding that battle. It was a filler aired on a small network TV station here in China and was filmed by the Russians during the seige of Berlin. Granted the Russians paid dearly but they delivered retribution on a scale that was unearthly.
Once they got the advantage they hammered relentlessly without letup. The shelling never let up even after a bulding was pulverized and laying flat.
The cameramen did not waver or hold back no matter the circumstances. They filmed starving Civilians eating what clearly was not for human consumption and it showed on their faces. Small children down of all fours like animals lapping up some liquid in a street gutter. Death and destruction on a scale that left me dazed.
The Russians taking prisoners left very little to the imagination as to their fate.
I know war is Hell and probably will remain that way, but having seen that unedited film from the Russian side of things was an eye opener I’ll not soon forget.
Nice post professor.. however one thing that does worry me is the fact that this war seems “directionless”. The enemy is nebulously defined at the best.. The overall objectives are things that never seemed to be clearly discussed. Often more rational voices drowned by the genaral “Bush hating” sentiment around.
World War 2 had a defined enemies, clear objectives and hence direction. This war, though can be morally justified is still direction less.
Regarding “Hitler at Nuremberg” I assumed Prof. Hanson was speaking of speeches like this one given by Hitler at Nuremburg in 1936:
http://www.hitler.org/speeches/09-06-38.html
Mr. Hanson, I’d first like to echo some of the sentiments of those who have have already responded and thank you for such level headed, concise writing that always sees the big picture and perpetually shows a moral clarity that is sorely lacking in too much of our public discourse. In response to this piece – would it be at all possible for the Islamists to win this war without the Left? Particularly, the American Left? I submit that if we as a country did not care about NSA wiretapping of terrorist suspects, the opinions of (mostly anti-American?) Europeans, “mistreatment” of jihadist killers or appeasing the hypocritical complaints of radical Islam etc…, there would be no chance whatsoever for bin Laden & Co, with their 7th century mind set, to defeat the West. I just hope that it doesn’t take the modern equivalent of a Nazi invasion of France before we shift from Neville Chamberlains to Winston Churchills.
Hans,
Since you asked for someone familiar with the finer points of Hell, I will pipe in and tell you that in english, brimstone is another name for sulfur, it evokes the smell of burning sulphur
brimstone
noun
1. old use
Sulphur.
Etymology: Anglo-Saxon brynstan, literally ‘burning stone’.
Of course it’s McCarthyism. But we understand. It’s your best argument for untrammeled war-mongering. Anybody who thinks you’re nuts “hates America.” Like you are America. Right.
Dr. Hanson and the regime “conservatives” live in their own shrill, “hot-house” version of reality: They all live on government welfare.
The US owns almost all the world’s resources. The US digitally creates “money” and sprinkles this around the US. The US then forces the rest of the world to work their asses to the bone to earn US “money” so that resources can be purchased. In effect, everyone in America is on the government payroll. Everyone else around the world is working to support the Americans.
Nice.
” Of course it’s McCarthyism. But we understand. It’s your best argument for untrammeled war-mongering. Anybody who thinks you’re nuts “hates America.” Like you are America. Right.”
Oh my, look what just wandered in from the smug world of the moonbats.
You are more than a bit mistaken, Max, about a couple of points in your less than coherent response:
1. “McCarthyism” occurs when the GOVERNMENT attempts to censor speech or to punish the speakers, not when private citizens criticize other private citizens. Please try and understand the difference and stop using the term as cheap ploy to assign a pejorative label to your opponents so you can avoid the need to actually respond the CONTENT of their arguments.
2. “untrammeled war-mongering” Here again we have another cheap slur devoid of any real content.
3. “Anybody who thinks your nuts “hates America”. Not anyone, but certainly a Martin Blum or a Noam Chomsky. Really, how would one rationally respond to a scenario wherein the views of a Martin Blum or a Noam Chomsky are parroted back by self-professed America haters? The works of Blum and Chomsky provide the enemies of the United States with intellectual succor and moral support and that is the antithesis of patriotism.
It never ceases to amaze me how upset those on the Left get when you call them on their venomous rhetoric.
The biggest source of new recruits to the jihadi cause is the American left — Their irresponsible, hate America rhetoric emboldens and encourages these terrorist and their new recruits.
The only problem is thankfully Bush isn’t listening and the dead terrorists count continues to rise.
It has always been the case that when you criticize your country during a war, you run the risk of being on the wrong side of the country.
The US owns almost all the worlds resources, except for maybe the stuff in Venezuela, Brazil, Saudi Arabia, Russia… Oh, and I hear that we get some stuff from Africa and maybe Austraila too. Oops, I forgot China, sorry.
And as far as digital money is concerned, I for one, am glad that it stays solid long enough for me to give it to the cashier at the store. That digital stuff is ephemeral. When you turn off the machine it disappears into the ether. Hey, maybe that’s what they mean by creating wealth, turn on the equipment and sprinkle. Kewl.
And look, don’t tell the French that they’re working to support Americans, that would make them mad. What with that grueling 35 hour work week that they have to put up with in order to keep us fat and happy. Your clarity of vision is, awe inspiring.
Improbulus Maximus, in a word, “Word”.
The failure of our society to confront the nihilist, self hating “pod people” enemies of western civilization that simultaneously enjoy the comfortable, wealthy lifestyle that we specialize in and then decry our existence, our success, our capitalism and our freedom without being seriously confronted is leading to our ruin.
Nazi Hunter -
Can you give some examples of who and where those everyone elses are? What resources are you talking about? Oil? That most of the ME, S. America, and perhaps Canada own?
Can you tell me what other country gives as much aid to others than ours? When a disaster strikes, who does everyone come to?
Seems to me that the American taxpayer is working their asses off while the rest of the world, including their own welfarians, are sucking them dry.
Dear Paul,
Remember all those Nazi torch light parades? They were at Nürnberg! Hitler’s biggest base was in the area around that delightful city and that is why it was chosen for the site of the War Crimes Trial.
“The US owns almost all the world’s resources. The US digitally creates “money” and sprinkles this around the US. The US then forces the rest of the world to work their asses to the bone to earn US “money” so that resources can be purchased. In effect, everyone in America is on the government payroll. Everyone else around the world is working to support the Americans.”
Utterly false. Go back to Economics 101.
Dr. Hanson:
Some of your critics forget that in much of the world people can’t rant and rave against their own system. Only in America do people hate that which makes them comfortable and secure. Not knowing that Nuremburg was the spiritual home of the Nazis says much about these folks lack of EDUCATION. Richard Baker
Paul M, what Dr. Hanson is talking about are the Nuremberg Rallies, which occurred every year during the early days of Nazi Germany. One of the rallies was very well documented in probably one of the great propaganda films of all times, “Triumph of the Will.”
But do recall one of the maxims of the terrorists. “The enemy of my enemy is my friend.” Hence the Democratic party and terrorists both have a lot in common. They both look at President Bush as the enemy.
Dear Mr. Hanson,
Your insight and clarity are a blessing to me, our country and the world. Thank you for your wonderful work. God Bless You.
“Everyone else around the world is working to support the Americans.”
If you got time to type this, you got time to finish making 5 more pair of Reboks.
I’ll have to talk to the overseer about this.
In the meantime, back to work, and not a stitch out of place.
LARGER TYPE OPTION ON YOUR WEBSITE PLEASE.
REMEMBER; NOTEBOOKS AND OLDER EYES. GREAT STUFF YOU WRITE.
THANKS, AND REGARDS,
LARGER TYPE OPTION ON YOUR WEBSITE PLEASE.
REMEMBER; NOTEBOOKS AND OLDER EYES. GREAT STUFF YOU WRITE.
THANKS, AND REGARDS,
Dr. Hanson:
You come close to claiming that Noam Chomsky would in the end prefer that his efforts for reform of United States foreign policy never come to fruition, for in this very success there would be brought about changes that would eliminate his own thriving in “pleasant, secure surrounds” and his making “a living through secure air travel.” In doing so, you are speculating about Chomsky’s personal motivations for his activism, suggesting, to my mind, that he is disingenuous in his attempts at reforming the way the USA relates to other nations. It is just as easy for me to assert that Chomsky would be delighted to see his recommendations adopted by those who determine foreign policy, even if this were to result in a diminution of his own lifestyle and career. A wiser course, however, lies in neither you nor I guessing at what it is that spurs a writer to advance the arguments he does, but rather to focus on and evaluate the premises and conclusions he presents.
In attaching labels such as “shrillness” to works like Hegemony and Survival and in claiming that such works are the product of “the hysteria of the hate Bush’s America industry,” you opt for a rhetorical counterpunch to Chomsky. A better response would consist in presenting hard evidence that supports conclusions at variance with those contained in Hegemony and Survival. To condemn a book on the basis of its being raised into the air by someone for whom we do not care is to resort to the flimsiest form of argument. We need more substance and less style.
Miracle Max & Nazi Hunter,
Nice job critiquing the content & demonstrating so conclusively where Dr. Hanson has miscalculated!
Brilliant! I’m totally sold on your arguments/reasoning. Clarity is so hard to come by. Thank you.
(Is it possible to be so open minded that your brains have fallen out?)
Miracle Max: Of course it’s McCarthyism. But we understand. It’s your best argument for untrammeled war-mongering. Anybody who thinks you’re nuts “hates America.” Like you are America. Right.
Your ignroance could be somewhat excused if your knowledge was a mile wide and an inch deep, but it’s about a foot wide and is no more than a thin film of propaganda. Please do yourself a favor and don’t speak of things about which you are ignorant.
Nazi Hunter: Dr. Hanson and the regime “conservatives” live in their own shrill, “hot-house” version of reality: They all live on government welfare.
Yes, the “regime” is heavily dependant on raisin farming historians, and every raisin you eat goes to support the Ziocon/alien conspiracy!
The US owns almost all the world’s resources.
True; we only pay people for their stuff to trick them.
The US digitally creates “money” and sprinkles this around the US.
And I thought that loose change behind the couch cushion and in the dryer fell out of my pockets!
The US then forces the rest of the world to work their asses to the bone to earn US “money” so that resources can be purchased.
Oho! You’ve found us out! Now every county on earth will want its own money, and our game will be up!
In effect, everyone in America is on the government payroll.
Which is why the Feds take about 35% of my income, because they’re giving me money.
Everyone else around the world is working to support the Americans. Nice.
I thought everyone was working for the JOOOOOOOOOOOooooozzzz?
Wow thanks for giving me the opportunity to slap my head in realization. Comparing conventional wars with governments able to capitulate to our current counter insurgency is a leap of logic that truly deserves recognition. Why on earth would you pick such examples? Here are a couple of more for you – Soviets in Afghanistan, US in Vietnam, I would even throw in the Tamil Tigers if you wanted a relevant comparison, Dr Hanson you are a “Classic” use the Roman’s experience in wilderness as an example. Now lets talk about all of the loud noises and increased death just victory being around the corner? AHHHHHHHH!!!!!
Dr. Hanson, another home run for you Sir. Not that there needs to be anything added to your fine work, but there is a conclusion not overtly mentioned in this column. In any battle, the strongest, most dangerous emeny is always the “one within”. And so it is with this struggle. I don’t fear the jihadists, the Islamo-Fascists, or any Muslim nation. No, my concern is with our own country-men who politically find themselves on the left–and on the side of our enemies. If we are to win this war we will have to confront and defeat the America-haters living in this nation…..
Jeffrey S. Neher
It’s fortunate that the U.S., despite all of the negatives that we critically review every day, is in possession of the world’s resources. I doubt if Bin Laden or Chavez or Putin would be so generous with their wealth should the situation favor their form of government. The U.S. is the perfect host for the humanties debate: despite our percieved transgressions, the world can still say their piece to us without fear of getting their tongues cut out or their children taken away in the night. I believe most Americans are very tolerant of dissenting opinion, but draw the line when folks equate our Western misdemeanors (and subsequent fawning apologies)with radical Islam’s intentional felonies.
Mr. Hanson,
Your clarity and perspective sustained me in the months following the 9/11 attacks, and the otherwise confusing times since. How obscure are these shrieking hordes whose opinions are shaped by the treachery and naivete of our dim news media and bolshevik academe.
I’ve become an avid consumer of your works on NRO and just finished the first part of your book, The Soul of Battle. I hope this and your similar publications are mandatory reading in our military academies and officer training programs. (Perhaps they could benefit a wee number of retired generals too.) Keep up the good work, well.
A few weeks into my Masters in International Security and Conflict Studies in Dublin Ireland. My “crowd” of friends is Irish, German, French, Chinese, Nigerian and American. I have yet to meet either a student or professor that has bashed the US. They maybe anti Iraq War -but not anti-American. I have seen much more anti-Americanism in the US. Folks here love the US and what’s more, respect us. Plain and simple.
1. First, I’ve never met a “conservative” yet who wasn’t a devotee of National Socialism. They are ALL sucking the gov’t teat. Let’s see: defense contracts, crop subsidies, social security, medicare, the educrat complex, health care, the list is endless.
2. As you all SHOULD know, in 1933 the US declared bankruptcy. Just like Lenin, the Feds stole the gold. In 1944 the US forced the entire rest of the world to use the US Dollar for trade. If any of you had EVER, EVEN ONCE, conducted international business, you would know that if you are a CHINESE businessman who wants to make candy bars in Xiamen, you buy sugar from Brazil in US DOLLARS.
How do you obtain these US DOLLARS? By selling merchandise to the Americans.
So, the Chinese, Indians, Congolese, Indonesians, etc. have to WORK to earn the dollars they need to purchase resources they don’t have. But for the Americans……well, simply print digital money and sprinkle it around the US.
The American people DEMAND a high standard of living…well and good. But they don’t earn it. The rest of the world produces what the Americans need. The Americans produce digital dollars.
If you’re still confused, I’ll be happy to explain more.
Spoken as a true troll with a special conspiracy jones for arcane monetary theory. I think the only confusion here is well contained within your bizarre theories and signaled well with the CONSTANT use of CAPITALS. This habit is a dead giveaway online and YOU’D be well ADVISED to eschew it.
Just a hint. Party on, DUDE!
Nazi hunter, I want to thank you; it’s rare that a post makes me laugh like that, but I do pity you, because your brain tumor must hurt like hell.
I am still p-oed over the loss of the 300 Spartans earlier than should have happened. The early greeks had a “Benedict Arnold” called Ephialtes. He gave the emperor Xerxes the location of the pass that allowed the Spartans to die earlier than should have been.
Diese Amerikaner… The Ephialtes of our time are more than willing to champion their own causes to gain some silly short lived advantage, while not realizing that the muslim hordes are only wanting the give the following question:
Convert Or Die?
My ancestors have been fighting the muslims since their diabolical movement started.
One of our Bishops around 1100? said to a warrior that was having second thoughts of whether it is a “good” thing to defend your country. By good he meant holy in the eyes of God. You must defend your country and in some cases to kill in the name of your country(God) because it is imperative to strike down the invaders, since not doing so dooms your fellow countrymen.
The Iraq war is a tactical attack – why fight them in our supermarkets, when we can fight them in theirs. Offense is a good defense.
Besides it is about time the US got rid of the evil that was/is Saddam.
I suppose the Ephialtes equivalent want to give Iraq back to Saddam, and then explain to the children that Saddam kills that they were just following their intellectual pursuits.
Am _still_ p-oed over Ephialtes – and todays Amerikaner left is the same as Ephialtes in my eyes.
I was born in West Germany – 1965 – today an american citizen.
Amerikaner = the arrogant thinking of americans.
American left follows a steep american tradition of being arrogant and stupid when it comes to foreign affairs.
I would surmise that most Americans would not understand or know that at around 1900 the US was a world oil exporter.
In Germany we used to learn (and be proud of) the national industrial successes. The American Left has no country pride – they have only arrogance.
This conflict is religious in nature – to understand this conflict one has to read the bible, (NT and OT) as well as the Koran. Why is it that the Koran says it is ok to kill all unbelievers (unless they convert)
Orthodox Christianity has been keeping the flame for 2000 years, – we do not agree with Papal Supremacy – as it does not make sense that a single individual should be atop the church – pride the ultimate sin gets in the way.
Doxa si o Theos.
Once again, Nazi Hunter, your absolutely devastating “critique” of Dr. Hanson is mind-numbing.
Way to stick to the issues at hand.
Casey:
“It is just as easy for me to assert that Chomsky would be delighted to see his recommendations adopted by those who determine foreign policy, even if this were to result in a diminution of his own lifestyle and career.”
But, if that person demonstrates a history of lies and hypocrisy, yet holds enormous influence, an assessment of their character is in order.
You may find this article eye-opening, as the real Chomsky is quite contrary to your “assertion”.
http://www.hooverdigest.org/061/schweizer.html