I have been looking forward to this interview for a while. Mustang is a retired Marine who is currently teaching history to todays youth. A few of are readers are history buffs. Many of you will learn a great deal from topics we seldom cover.
1 How should we look at the Mongols today? Were Ghengis Khan more ruthless than the people they conquered. What was the secret to the sucsess of the Mongols was their sucsess a more tactical or due to mobility.
2 Did the Industrial Revolution excacerbate the problem of supply lines and communications.
3 Farmer John and I differ on who won the battle of Oriskany. Did the Colonials or the British win that battle?
4 Speaking about Oriskany, that campaign is one that illustrates the importance of thinking outside the box. The campaign featured sealing ever cooking utensil, blanket and any item not nailed to the floor as well as creative use of the mentally ill by Benadict Arnold. Is one of the reasons Communist armies tended to underperform is the lack of initiative at the lower levels. Is the lack of independent thinking at the platoon level a serious flaw in Communist military doctrine.
5 In the previous interview with an Iranian disident the interviewee detailed the accounts of children being used to clear minefields in the Iran/Iraq war. Is the use
of child soldiers in combat the ultimate form of child abuse?
6 It seems that many of our conflicts are now fought with photo ops in the media. We have seen staged attrocities like the fake Jenin massacre and some clear chicanery at Qana. There was plenty of this chicanery in the Vietnam era. Is the history of fighting wars with photo ops even older.
7 What is the correct view of Benedict Arnold. Unlike John Kerry, Arnold was a brave and genuinely skilled military leader. He played a key role in the Saratoga campaign.
8 People seem to forget the French and Indian war. Did Colonial tactics learned in French and Indian War play a key role in the American Revolution?
9 Do we diminish the role of disease in military history? In WW1 it is said that more men died of disease than bullets. This seems like an exageration given the batlles had casualty rates that today would be conisidered astronomical. Disease certainly played a key role in the French debacle in Haiti.
10 Is Santa Anna the most inept figure in military history?
Economics
11 What coutries do you see as keys to the future of the American economy?
12 There is an interesting hypothesis in the book the Malady of Islam. The hypothesis is that the West has bypassed the Muslim world in trade. The lack of foreign manufacturing jobs leads to high unemployment and in turn breeds religious fanaticism. There is some truth, but the issues of violence, corruption must be solved prior to this investment. Are there elements of truth in this theory?
13 Are there pseudo religious elements in the Marxist and Environmental movements?
Maxists keep failing disasterously and in the case of the Green movement it seems that they are chasing a paradise that never was?
14 What are your views on social engineering via the tax code? Should the government
tax items like gasoline consumption, cigarettes and cell phone usage? Are gasoline taxes a slap in the face of rural Americans.
Books and Letters
15 Are authors like Stephen Ambrose, Martin Gilbert and Cornelius Ryan guilty of mass marketing history. What are your views on the writing of history as entertainment.
16 What is your favorite work of historical fiction? I am partial to the works of Leon Uris. The battle sequences in Drums Along the Mohawk are entertaining as well as accurate.
17 I am against the introduction of pop psychology into history. We have had the following theories about Lincoln manic depression, gay Lincoln and oddly Linoln sufffering from syphilis. In my view all of this is a distraction from learning about the actions and legacy of President Lincoln. What are your views on the subject?
Political History
18 Where does Teddy Roosevelt rank on your list of American Presidents? Bill Clinton was alleged to see himself as heir to TR's legacy. Has the aura of romance turned TR into an American icon?
19 Is George Washington somewhat under rated as a President?
20 Was the French Revolution the first far left revolution? Was Napoleon an egomaniac
or on a par with the rest of the rulers of his era?
21 What were the most significant historic events that occured in your lifetime, pick five?
Random
22 There was an unwriten formula for imigration sucsess in America.
1 Find a job 2 Obey the law 3 Respect others 4 Show some loyalty to your host country. Have these historic notions that served our country for two centuries become passe?
23 Should non-citizens who serve in combat roles in the US military get expedited citizenship benefits?
24 Should the US tax payer fund the Arts?
25 What are your views on drilling in ANWAR
I want to add that allegedly a new Israeli method has been found that can produce Oil Shale at $18.00 a barrel. If this is true the US government should get behind this project and expedite it. This could drive the price of oil down, produce American jobs and defund the Saudis and Hugo Chavez. Ironically, Arab obstinancy to trade created the ground work for this technology that will hurt their bottom line.
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25 comments:
so, where is this wild horse?
Nanc,
Mustang's site is Social Sense.
Mustang was my first cyberfriend. And he's still my BEST cyberfriend.
Beak,
Excellent questions, tailored to Mustang's extensive knowledge of world history.
Mustang,
It is not in the best interests of any military campaign to have journalists (and photographers) embedded in combat units. I am of the old school that believes that war is such a horrible thing, our loved ones should be spared from watching a photographer’s take on a particular engagement during the 6 o’clock news. This is especially true when it is possible to see who’s been killed or injured. People who want to see this kind of thing in the press are idiots.
Idiots or sadists and promoted by those with an agenda.
I quit watching the evening news during the Vietnam War. Night after night--the carnage on our TV sets in our living rooms. Furthermore, I believe that those images, particularly when children are watching, have the effect of desensitizing them with regard to human suffering.
A word about the images from the War in Iraq and the recent war between Israel and Hezbollah...The American public is subjected to all sorts of images showing the suffering of the enemy. But we cringe at watching the deeds of the enemy; in fact, those images are not broadcast for fear of offending our sensibilities. Were all of the American public to see the footage of the beheading of Berg or Johnson, we'd have a more realistic view of the enemy.
Mustang wants to point out George Washington is underated by historians.
At some oint Farmer John and myself will debate who won the battle of Oriskany. As Mustang mentioned Oriskany, Bennington also belong to the greater Saratoga campaign.
Benedict Arnold really was a valiant hero before he turned traitor. In those days traitors were dealt with properly.
Ducky
Marxist art is the lowest common denominator it involves state contol of expression. I would rather have the market place determine what is art than a bunch of drug infested politically correct Marxist thug mediocre paper pushers/
Meanwhile all we have is moronic talk radio standing in for serious discussion.
Duhkkky leave AirAmerica and Al Franken out of this.
Ducky
I would rather leave the tastes in art to the consumer than the Marxist self deluded elites.
Ducky
Marxists talk about the people and the masses but it is thinly veiled elitism. The people are smarter than the Marxist hacks think and this is why you need subterfuge and accademic gulags to conceal your mediocrity.
Good points though! And all the "classes" need each other, unbalance for or against causes severe problems and societal collapse. the secret is to let the "classes" be fluid enough to move between as a person finds their best place in the society.
Unfortunately we are dealing with a flawed creature who adores stasis and resists necessary change.
tmw
Great interview. Telling how ducky zeroed in on Marx and "piss Jesus".
Disagree with your assessment of Santa Anna...he might not have been the most incompetent figure in military history but he was by far a better politician that he was a general. Who would you rather have leading men into battle...Santa Anna or David Crockett?
All things being equal, I'll take Crockett.
On another issue...even though most congressmen come from wealthy families, I do believe they SHOULD be paid for their service. Not all politicians are wealthy and without pay, the temptation to make money from abusing their position would be overwhelming. Also...it would discourage "average citizens" from even attempting to run for office.
AC
I did like this interview as we seldom delve deep into history. Someday I will get an economist and that will be a treat.
I do want to point out the BE interview with the Iranian dissident confirmed the children as minsweepers stories are genuine.
The Duck was silent on Mustangs point of Soviet abuse of civilians in WW 2. 20 million die, but much of it was caused by Stalin's own disregard for his own people.
"I don’t like taxes, and I don’t like anyone who does."
I'm with you there. Now who wouldn't agree ... besides water foul?
FJ:
What I implied in my response was, I think, correct. I said: “ . . . a Native American confederacy was never again employed [by either side] in the American Revolution.” I did not intend to suggest that Native Americans were not subsequently employed during the Revolutionary War, but rather the confederacy of Native Americans (making reference to the Six and Seven Nations of Iroquois, respectively) withdrew their support. At this time, the Iroquois Nations were engaged in a civil war of their own, which provided the impetus for the Oneidas to ally themselves with patriots. I apologize for my poorly worded proposition.
FJ said, "Rules of Engagement" tend to destroy all real or innovative initiative in the war and has chained the initiative one can usually expect from our troops to a post that prevents "victory.”
Rules of engagement (ROE) are a necessary limiting factor because they establish when, where, how, and against who lethal force may be used in armed conflict. Limiting factors protect (as much as possible) innocents who are caught in the middle of opposing forces, and might include (as an example) prohibitions of violence against enemy forces who have signaled their willingness to surrender. Such rules may prohibit Air strikes in areas of high civilian population density. Shooting at people walking along a road without clear evidence that they are enemy forces is another example. This is not to say that opposing forces have corresponding or reciprocal ROE, nor does it suggest that opposing forces are even aware of one another’s ROE – only that all participants understand that violations of these rules can carry severe penalties. Is it true that some ROE are so restrictive as to impede military operations? Yes, it is. At the same time, we cannot have armed troops running amok in the battle area, either. By the way, did you know that most police departments in the US also use ROE? Such rules may have political implications for those high up in the chain of command, but I do not believe that we have lost a battle, or a war, because of the imposition of rules of engagement. In my opinion, they do not diminish the effectiveness of our NCOs and junior officers.
American Crusader said:
“ . . . even though most congressmen come from wealthy families, I do believe they SHOULD be paid for their service. Not all politicians are wealthy and without pay, the temptation to make money from abusing their position would be overwhelming. Also . . . it would discourage "average citizens" from even attempting to run for office.”
I have heard this argument before, and I’m not in total disagreement with the principle – but I have to note, given the saga of Duke Cunningham and a legion of other august legislators from all parties, how has their lofty salaries sated their greedy appetites? LBJ borrowed money to get to Washington at the beginning of his first term in the House of Representatives, and at the end of his career, he was one of this country's most wealthy “public servants.” Never mind the fact that the Johnson family made a fortune through their Land-Sea stocks, which also “just happened” to be the principal shipper of military supplies to South Vietnam . . . but I digress. Let me ask this question: Consider that members of Congress (the so-called servants of the people) make three or four times as much money as they people who elected them, and I have to wonder if this is fair or equitable. In fact, I wonder why the federal government pays the salaries of Congressmen – since they do not represent the federal government. What do you think about a system in which state legislatures fund congressional salaries, paid for by the people through state taxes? Would this give “the people” more power over their “servants” in Congress?
Beak:
10 Is Santa Anna the most inept figure in military history?
Ask any Texan and he will tell "Why H_ ll yeah he was"
Viva Speedy!!! Ayeeeeeeee Ariba Ariba
Mustang:
I like your idea of the congressmen being paid by the states who sent them there and not a federal pay check. Perhaps that would stop some of the graft by the lobbiests.
What would you think of paying our military a congressional salary, giving them the same retirement and health care that the congressmen enjoy today. After all they do represent the Federal Government. I am all for it.
comprehend Marxist economics
What's so hard to understand about empty shelves?
Ducky,
Why is it that you can tell us why elephant turds are "art" but can't make Marxism pretty?
Rumor has it that the urine used in "Piss Christ", was Ducky's urine sample that he was supposed to drop off at his parole officer.
He's proud of that urine test, he studied all night for it!
Good interview Mustang!
You can polish a turd till it shines, but in the end, when all is said and done, its still just a turd.
You've made an excellent point, FJ. When we went in to Iraq, we opposed a standing army. Now, we are having to contend with Muqtada al-Sadir's band of hooligans. They are a motley herd that do not observe ROE's. I wonder (1) why we didn't "code six" that idiot the first time he raised his butt-ugly head, (2) why the lead general doesn't use his own initiative to terminate al-Sadir with extreme prejudice.
I agree that politicians have tied the military's hands -- both our politicians and theirs. But because military commanders take their orders from civilians, I guess we'll just have to wait until the light-bulb flickers on above Bush's head.
Sadly, the enemy knows us all too well. They are taking advantage of our "apparent weakness," which is that we tend to be as humane as possible in armed conflict. Remember what we were saying the other day? Shoot the bastard who is standing next to the radioman. Al-Sadir has GOT to go.
Yes what does Fanon or Chimpanzee have to say Duncy.
Nice assasination of a Lebanese politician by the clods in Syria and Hezbollah. Words said by Poultry 0
One could fill up warehouses with the things that Ducky doesn't know or understand. But one must give credit when due . . . much like the tarbaby, everything he touches comes away with a sticky, pungent residue.
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