“I cannot get accustomed to war; my brain refuses to understand and explain a thing that is senseless in its basis. Millions of people gather at one place and, giving their actions order and regularity, kill each other, and it hurts everybody equally, and all are unhappy — what is it if not madness?”.Leonid Andreyev, THE RED LAUGH
Well, ya know, in the US, except in the old Confederacy and among its sympathizers, when we say that something is “history,” we mean that it’s over, we’re done with it and it’s no longer relevant. In much of the rest of the world however, and most especially in Eastern Europe and the Balkans, when someone says “It’s history!” they say it with the veins bulging in their neck.
War began in the bible when Cain slew Abel. Amazing how many chickenhawks calling for us to constantly engage in war, like Ukraine, Afghanistan, Iraq, etc, don’t forget Syria which is on the “back burner” now, are supposedly “religious”, and “conservative”, but are in fact neither except in the most hypocritical bastardization of the terms.
As my son and I are both disabled combat veterans, and yep, liberals (social) and conservative (fiscal) when it comes to what America is supposed to stand for , and what we supposedly fought to defend, let’s see more "conswervatives"" put up, or shut up. War is only the very last conceivable action to take, not the first, and should only be entered into when another NATION (hmm, like Israel) directly attacks our lands, or military personnel.(U.S.S. Liberty)
Yes, Michael, I totally agree. Everyone thought that the assassination crisis would be settled like all the previous ones, until Kaiser Wilhem II gave the Austrians the “Blank Check”, and all the major powers were drawn into that unprecedented conflict.
A great book, just released about two months ago, covers the events that lead up to August 1914. The authors first chapter discusses just what you point out in your comment! Despite the Naval Arms race between Britain & Germany, very few people feared that war was in the offing.
If anyone is interested, the book is titled “The War that ended Peace”, well-researched and written by Canadian author Margaret MacMillan.
The irony now is that if things get out of hand in the Ukraine we might have the start of a new world war on the anniversary of the start of the first one back in 1914. Furthermore, once again Russia will be a major factor in its onset. Back in 1914 the start of Russian mobilization to defend Serbia from the Austrians precipitated German action since the German’s war plan was based on the time it took the Russians to mobilize.
It was the bankers, led by J.P. Morgan, who had loaned millions to Britain & France who pressured Wilson into declaring war. With Russia bowing out, it seemed the new German offensive would win, and they would not get their money back.
emptc12 about 10 years ago
“I cannot get accustomed to war; my brain refuses to understand and explain a thing that is senseless in its basis. Millions of people gather at one place and, giving their actions order and regularity, kill each other, and it hurts everybody equally, and all are unhappy — what is it if not madness?”.Leonid Andreyev, THE RED LAUGH
oldwolf1951 about 10 years ago
A little early for this strip since Archduke Franz Ferdinand was not assassinated until June of 1914. But I get the parallels.
lonecat about 10 years ago
Isn’t nationalism wonderful?
kennethcwarren64 about 10 years ago
Great comic!Sad Truth.
Alexander the Good Enough about 10 years ago
Well, ya know, in the US, except in the old Confederacy and among its sympathizers, when we say that something is “history,” we mean that it’s over, we’re done with it and it’s no longer relevant. In much of the rest of the world however, and most especially in Eastern Europe and the Balkans, when someone says “It’s history!” they say it with the veins bulging in their neck.
Dtroutma about 10 years ago
War began in the bible when Cain slew Abel. Amazing how many chickenhawks calling for us to constantly engage in war, like Ukraine, Afghanistan, Iraq, etc, don’t forget Syria which is on the “back burner” now, are supposedly “religious”, and “conservative”, but are in fact neither except in the most hypocritical bastardization of the terms.
Dtroutma about 10 years ago
As my son and I are both disabled combat veterans, and yep, liberals (social) and conservative (fiscal) when it comes to what America is supposed to stand for , and what we supposedly fought to defend, let’s see more "conswervatives"" put up, or shut up. War is only the very last conceivable action to take, not the first, and should only be entered into when another NATION (hmm, like Israel) directly attacks our lands, or military personnel.(U.S.S. Liberty)
moosemin about 10 years ago
Yes, Michael, I totally agree. Everyone thought that the assassination crisis would be settled like all the previous ones, until Kaiser Wilhem II gave the Austrians the “Blank Check”, and all the major powers were drawn into that unprecedented conflict.
A great book, just released about two months ago, covers the events that lead up to August 1914. The authors first chapter discusses just what you point out in your comment! Despite the Naval Arms race between Britain & Germany, very few people feared that war was in the offing.
If anyone is interested, the book is titled “The War that ended Peace”, well-researched and written by Canadian author Margaret MacMillan.SHAKENDOWN about 10 years ago
War: It’s what’s for dinner.
zeimetr about 10 years ago
The irony now is that if things get out of hand in the Ukraine we might have the start of a new world war on the anniversary of the start of the first one back in 1914. Furthermore, once again Russia will be a major factor in its onset. Back in 1914 the start of Russian mobilization to defend Serbia from the Austrians precipitated German action since the German’s war plan was based on the time it took the Russians to mobilize.
watmiwori about 10 years ago
Plus ça change, plus c’est la même chose.
Moley about 10 years ago
General Eisenhower warned us and General Butler warned us after WW 1 in his book War is a Racket.
moosemin about 10 years ago
It was the bankers, led by J.P. Morgan, who had loaned millions to Britain & France who pressured Wilson into declaring war. With Russia bowing out, it seemed the new German offensive would win, and they would not get their money back.
Steve Dutch almost 10 years ago
“In Europe it’s always yesterday.” Words to remember next time someone says we should model our society on Europe.