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Friday, December 5, 2014

Fanatical fighters



We hear so much about how fanatical the fighters of Islamic State are. Well guess what, fanaticism only gets you so far. It's not like the world hasn't seen it all before.

In WWII the war in the Pacific featured such wonders as the kamikaze fighter. A suicide belt hardly compares to a freaking flying bomb. Then there was the fight to the death banzai attack. The island battles were hard fought and no quarter was given.

In the end, disciple, organization, and a much better industrial base carried the day. Fanaticism might carry the day in fair fight, but who in their right mind fights fair?

Ideology can motivate people. In a close fight, it can make all the difference. However, a fanatic with a rifle doesn't do too well against a professional with a tank.

God might be on your side, but I'm still betting on the bigger army, better equipment, deeper pockets and professional training.

-Sixbears

12 comments:

  1. Of course, back then we had good leaders, or at least adult ones.

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    1. It could happen again. I've hope. (maybe foolish hope, but hope none the less)

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  2. The wars that America has won is because of the industrial capacity of our nation (and yes, our brave fighting men and women). Back then, we led the world in production of goods. Not so much, now.

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    1. I wonder how long it would take, or even if we could become an industrial nation again?

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  3. It took several centuries of industrial base to get where we were in the 60s. Then we had a huge surplus of raw material, now this no longer true.
    If we started from scratch today, it might take tens of years if ever to recover that which has been lost and scrapped.

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    1. I'm afraid you are right. It would take a massive effort and capital that we no longer have.

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  4. I agree with your thoughts. However, if I'd lived back in WW2 I would damn sure rather have fought the Germans than the Japanese. The Germans usually played by the rules on the Western Front, but the Japanese never even knew there was a rule book. My father in law and my Uncle were Marine infantry sergeants in the Pacific, and fought on Saipan and Okinawa. The Japanese were fearsome.

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    1. Your relatives went through hell. Island to island fighting was brutal, with no quarter given. I used to work with a few WWII vets. One would only talk about it after a few drinks, and his stories were horrific.

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  5. the only fanatical warriors seen in amerika of late are those shopping on black fridays

    meanwhile will keep the light on in hell for all of you

    have fun humans!

    Wildflower

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  6. The bigger army, the most money and the latest equipment didn't help the US in Vietnam did it.
    And there are no winners in war...

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    1. WWII was the last clean US win . . . and probably the last war that needed to be fought. Maybe there's a connection?

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