[Rhodes22-list] The Irony of War (Political)

[Chris Geankoplis]

Thanks Herb,
        How's the "Duk"?  Doesn't sound like you need to play with it with
Gustav.
Chris
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Herb Parsons" <hparsons at parsonsys.com>
To: "The Rhodes 22 Email List" <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
Sent: Monday, September 01, 2008 3:08 PM
Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] The Irony of War (Political)


> Just to be completely transparent, I meant to write that I got this in
> an email, and I believe it was originally from Business Weekly. I'm not
> good enough to write something like that.
>
> I got fooled by it too!
>
> Chris Geankoplis wrote:
> > Good one!
> > ----- Original Message ----- 
> > From: "Herb Parsons" <hparsons at parsonsys.com>
> > To: "The Rhodes 22 Email List" <rhodes22-list at rhodes22.org>
> > Sent: Monday, September 01, 2008 10:28 AM
> > Subject: [Rhodes22-list] The Irony of War (Political)
> >
> >
> >
> >> No one likes war. War is a horrific affair, bloody and expensive.
> >> Sending our men and women into battle to perhaps die or be maimed is an
> >> unconscionable thought.
> >>
> >>
> >> Yet some wars need to be waged, and someone needs to lead. The
citizenry
> >> and Congress are often ambivalent or largely opposed to any given war.
> >> It's up to our leader to convince them. That's why we call the leader
> >> 'Commander in Chief.'
> >>
> >>
> >> George W.'s war was no different. There was lots of resistance to it.
> >> Many in Congress were vehemently against the idea. The Commander in
> >> Chief had to lobby for legislative approval.
> >>
> >>
> >> Along with supporters, George W. used the force of his convictions, the
> >> power of his title and every ounce of moral suasion he could muster to
> >> rally support. He had to assure Congress and the public that the war
was
> >> morally justified, winnable and affordable. Congress eventually came
> >> around and voted overwhelmingly to wage war.
> >>
> >> George W. then lobbied foreign governments for support.  But in the
end,
> >> only one European nation helped us. The rest of the world sat on its
> >> hands and watched.
> >>
> >>
> >> After a few quick victories, things started to go bad. There were many
> >> dark days when all the news was discouraging. Casualties began to
mount.
> >> It became obvious that our forces were too small. Congress began to
drag
> >> its feet about funding the effort.
> >>
> >> Many who had voted to support the war just a few years earlier were
> >> beginning to speak against it and accuse the Commander in Chief of
> >> misleading them. Many critics began to call him incompetent, an idiot
> >> and even a liar. Journalists joined the negative chorus with a
vengeance.
> >>
> >>
> >> As the war entered its fourth year, the public began to grow weary of
> >> the conflict and the casualties. George W.'s popularity plummeted. Yet
> >> through it all, he stood firm, supporting the troops and endorsing the
> >> struggle.
> >>
> >>
> >> Without his unwavering support, the war would have surely ended, then
> >> and there, in overwhelming and total defeat.
> >> At this darkest of times, he began to make some changes. More troops
> >> were added and trained. Some advisers were shuffled, and new generals
> >> installed.
> >>
> >>
> >> Then, unexpectedly and gradually, things began to improve. Now it was
> >> the enemy that appeared to be growing weary of the lengthy conflict and
> >> losing support. Victories began to come, and hope returned.
> >>
> >>
> >> Many critics in Congress and the press said the improvements were just
> >> George W.'s good luck. The progress, they said, would be temporary. He
> >> knew, however, that in warfare good fortune counts.
> >>
> >>
> >> Then, in the unlikeliest of circumstances and perhaps the most historic
> >> example of military luck, the enemy blundered and was resoundingly
> >> defeated. After six long years of war, the Commander in Chief basked in
> >> a most hard-fought victory.
> >>
> >>
> >> So on that historic day, Oct. 19, 1781, in a place called Yorktown , a
> >> satisfied George Washington sat upon his beautiful white horse and
> >> accepted the surrender of Lord Cornwallis, effectively ending
> >> the Revolutionary War.
> >>
> >>
> >> What?   Were you thinking of someone else?
> >>
> >> __________________________________________________
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> >>
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> >
> >> __________________________________________________
> >>
> >>
> >
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> >
> >
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