The Art of War - In Application to Politics

Military strategy is being employed in politics today and most likely has been for a LONG LONG time - as the passage that follows this paragraph, written by Sun Tzu, has existed for over 2500 years and has trained countless military strategists. It should also be noted that Machiavelli translated all of the principles taught by Sun Tzu for war into strategies to be employed by politicians (Some of which is in The Prince, but all of which is in Machiavelli's "Art of War")

Strategy they are using as an offense
From The Art of War Written by: Sun Tzu

"Warfare is the Way of deception. Thus although capable, display incapability to them. When committed to employing your forces, feign inactivity. When [your objective] is nearby, make it appear as if distant; when far away, create the illusion of being nearby."
"Display profits to entice them. Create disorder and take them."
"If they are substantial, prepare for them, if they are strong, avoid them."
"if they are angry, perturb them; be deferential to foster their arrogance."
"If they are rested, force them to exert themselves."
"If they are united, cause them to be separated."
"Attack where they are unprepared."
"Go forth where they will not expect it."
"These are the ways military strategists are victorious, they cannot be spoken in advance."

I would like to add (though I'm not worthy to) one more comparison being used in our "Democratic" society today by politicians and lawmakers.

Strategy they are using as a defense
*When united, appear as if divided; when divided, appear as if united"

The democrats vs. the republicans _(Yes, I know there were parties before these two, but I'm just using these as example as federalists and anti-federalists are no longer relevant to those who don't know about them) _used to be a divided isle, where true ideological differences of how a government should operate separated the two; but to appear united they both supported the liberties and freedom's permitted to us through the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. The democrats vs. the republicans today are a united affair that support the same overall agenda; at the core intent of the two parties - there are no ideological differences any more, only perceived. The liberties and freedoms set forth from the Constitution and Bill of Rights have been nullified by both sides of the isle. The division is between the government and the people.

To weaken the people's ability to revolt or overthrow the government because of the nullification of rights; they appear to still be divided ideologically so that people will continue to participate in the parties that "represent" them in the hope that who they elect will change things - or restore their lost rights, but by participation in this dualist system, the people will divide themselves further and create animosity among themselves, allowing the diversion of attention away from government (the united party agenda) to take place. To further dilute unification of the peoples, greater segregations are recognized by the parties; liberal vs. conservative, left vs. right, etc - thus creating further divides so that even republicans can disagree with republicans and democrats can disagree with democrats. This fits in to the overall united agenda of the parties because a peoples who are divided and fighting amongst themselves are a peoples who are no threat to the continuity of their stake in power and existence.

We as citizens of The United States believe that the common-ground between citizen and government is plane of moral law governed by The Constitution (and the Bill of Rights). But it is obvious, with the circus presented to us every four years (not that our vote actually means anything) - that the citizens are the only ones bound by moral law - and the choice of the "lesser of two evils" will ultimately still pan out in more suppression of individual freedoms and rights - that we are supposedly born with inexorably.

They want to see us divided and fighting - it is their goal. We need to see past this petty party boundary. The Art of War has been proven successful on the battlefield and in politics for centuries. There is no strategy against it except the knowledge of it - and even then it will only be a match in the understanding of its teachings. We have to assume that our adversaries not only know it, but strive to understand it like a religion. As a peoples, we may not need to unify in a literal sense if we could all share in two things: moral law & knowledge of the principles and teachings set forth in The Art of War. If every individual could find common-place in moral law and recognition of deceptive and subversive art forms - we would be able to do anything.

Alter-Ego Relativist - MDB

Peace and Revolution - V

07 - 27 - 2011 - The Taste of Betrayal

Just like the fresh pack of unopened Newports, the deal I had made was sealed.  There was no going back on the deal because its illegal to return a pack of cigarettes in Delaware once you've left the store; but its not like I would have anyway - I did what I had come to do.  Gently, I packed the cigarettes five or six times on the bottom right palm of my left hand as I've always done and unwrapped the crisp saran-wrapped sheath.  As the plastic tore in its uniformly designed way, always counter-clockwise, I felt something inside me rending with regret.  I slid the lid open and ripped off the silver bedazzled aluminum foil flap - the last thing between me and the calming rush of nicotine I had so foolishly purchased.

I don't know what I expected before I left the house with my money, or even as I purchased the pack; but I assume I expected that no matter how the vice was fed, at the point of consumption - all the ill feelings would go away.  They didn't.

Just putting the filter to my lips felt wrong, like I imagine destroying a breathtaking piece of art would feel.  The cigarette was now lit and I inhaled my first drag.  It was bitter, comparable to the skin of an unripened banana; not at all enjoyable or calming.  It was the taste of betrayal.  Almost immediately I exhaled and had the urge to shed a tear for what I had done to myself; what my addiction has done to me.  Through that moment of pity I realized that the addiction can no longer be enabled and at any cost, it must end.  I know what I am going to pray for tonight, and it took this act of wrong to realize that I need help.  It's bigger than me, bigger than I ever realized it could be. 

I never thought I would spend that money, let alone on an addiction when I had acquired it throughout my childhood.  The cigarettes cost just $4.60, but the value of the money used to total the cost was priceless, at least to me.  See I have been collecting rare U.S coinage and paper money since as early as I can remember having money; somewhere around four years old.  From that age forward, my father sparked an interest in me that I pursued to learn about and build my collection around even to this day.  I can see the value of all stages and transitions of currency through time and valuation.  Never considering myself a numismatist, just a collector - I don't believe I took the necessary pride in what my collection is until today.  I betrayed the child in me that fought so eagerly to keep these small pieces of history alive.  By proxy of my actions, I feel in a way I have also betrayed my father, who is also a collector.  Though that may just be guilt pitting my stomach, there may be some validity to its presence.  To amount to $4.60, I used a 1953 red seal two dollar bill, two 1957 silver certificate one dollar bills (one series "A" and one series "B") and two 1969 quarters of proof quality.  Luckily I had a spare circulated dime of no value on my dresser, but that seriously does not at all put the act at ease.

If you are a collector, I know what you're thinking, "Nick, the value of those pieces are negligibly more valuable than their face value, don't sweat it!"  But it's not the collectors value that bothers me.  The first thing that bothers me is that if those bills get put into the stores nightly deposit, they will ultimately end up back at the federal reserve; at which point no collector will ever be able to treasure those pieces of history ever again.  They will be destroyed, as they are out of circulation and far past their life expectancy.  The S.O.P for things like this as they come through the reserve for processing is immediate destruction.  The second thing that bothers me, moreso than the first, is that the younger version of me toiled and hunted for these "rare finds" in every encounter with any money I could get my hands on.  If I could obtain it from someone I would, most times paying far over face value.  Never once did I purchase any of my coins or bills from a collector or shop - I obtained them all through normal circulation.  I just got lucky and that was part of the thrill of collecting.  The hidden gold, sitting right in peoples pockets, totally hidden to the untrained eye was what drove me to keep collecting.

Tonight, my heart is filled with shame and I can't even feel comfortable with myself even as I write this.  I have to free myself from the grip of addiction and earn back whatever is left me that is dignified.  This can never happen again.  Betraying the child inside of us is how dreams die - and I know this more than anyone.  A lesson learned though, as hard as it may be to accept.  God help me and all who struggle with these vices.

V

-Nick

07 - 26 - 2011 - Recognizing a "Fear" campaign

07 - 26 - 2011 - Recognizing a "Fear" campaign

This debt ceiling "crisis" is just so far out of hand. These entitlement programs do need to end, but in a realistic time-frame and manner; but to threaten the non-payment of entitlements BEFORE you would threaten to cut the budget of the 1.2 trillion dollar war machine when entitlements are a fraction of the war budget is absurd and just a huge slap in the face to the American people. Meanwhile, the POTUS re-enforces his support of the war machine's budget necessities with fear campaigns surrounding an ambiguous enemy named "terrorists." Now that he's hit a roadblock with congress not wanting to budge on the debt ceiling (mind you congress is just representing the morale of the American people, not their own special interests) he's fear-mongering dependent entitlees and apathetic Americans into believing that the USA is going to go into a depression and the government is going to shut down unless congress takes decisive action (might I add that the decisive action HAS to parallel his preference or their decisive action, no matter how logical or realistic, will be vetoed, but he's not telling everyone that).

The POTUS is instigating unconstitutional, and non congressionally approved wars abroad through declarations of war, and that costs money; so anyone can see why A) He wouldn't want to cut the war budget by even a dime and B) why he would target programs that would directly upset the morale of the American people. He needs more money for more wars (or at the very least continue the wars he's started), and the only way to get congress to approve the money he needs is to upset the American people to the point where they will badger their congressmen into agreeing with Obama and passing his budget proposition. It is yet another fear tactic aimed to dupe us into agreeing with something that we don't want (and he knows we don't want it - but that doesn't matter) that hopefully is apparent enough to Americans that it won't work...but there's not much to be said about hope without being proactive in learning how to identify these tactics when they're used. It seems pretty unfair that we have to endure this psychological war that Obama has launched on not just the American people, but the whole world for another year and a half. 2012 cannot come soon enough, we really need Ron Paul. Now, there is a chance that he could completely switch roles if he were to be elected, and the psychological war COULD endure; but his track record and greatness in character tells me that's considerably unlikely. Join the revolution! Really research the candidates people, there aren't going to be opportunities like this around every corner to really make a huge dent in turning things around for our country. He doesn't have just a wayward promise of a plan, he has goals that are clearly stated and on unprecedented topics - he wants to run our country like a business instead of "a frat house." Ron Paul 2012!

This post wasn't originally planned to even remotely be about Ron Paul, but it seems that he's on my mind in all aspects of how to fix our governments "issues" right now. The original intent of this post was to just shed some light on the fear campaign being launched on America for those who might not be keen to it. Always ask questions, and stay informed!

V

-Nick

GMail Skins!

I just wanted to say that this is the coolest addition to Gmail I've seen in a long time. I am confounded as to how something so awesome can continually get better and still be free. /cheers google, and thanks!

V

-Nick