As you know, I love "intellectual" arguments. I particularly like them if there is not a real war to fight somewhere.
Nevertheless, I find this "briefing" now circulating in the armed forces to be worrisome. In the "bad old days" we had a lot of "younger sons," and members of the heredity military caste (like me) in the officer corps of our armed forces. They were a lot less concerned with "solemnity" and more concerned with "seriousness."
Now a "sea change" has occurred and officers are more solemn about eschatology and such like that than the the leaders of our beloved "ruffians" of yesteryear were likely to be. Such things as this briefing seem to be more likely to be thought of as a challenge these days than intelligence on the eccentricities of the enemy.
We have too many now in our armed forces who are looking for this challenge. They will find deep satisfaction in it.
So far as I can see, this document is in the public domain. If this is not so, I will withdraw it.
Pat Lang
I see it as alarmist crap intended to indoctrinate and preclude rational thought.
Posted by: drouse | 21 March 2006 at 12:21 AM