One of the reasons that westerners can’t solve the problems in the Middle East is that we can’t distinguish between genuine threats and posturing. I admit that I myself have this deficit. It’s not possible for me to tell what’s real and what’s a performance. However, Middle Easterners understand what’s actually going on. There’s always…
Xenophobia or realism? I know what I think
February 1, 2016
All hell is breaking loose in Europe. Initially, the charge of xenophobia was hurled at those who said that Muslim migrants wouldn’t assimilate into the mainstream cultures. Then many of the migrants began proving that they were indeed not interested in assimilating. 01/02/2016 – STOCKHOLM, Sweden – Junior rapist escaped detention A 16 year old…
Context: Here’s how “civilized” westerners used to fight
January 30, 2016
While we wait to see what’ll happen in Syria, Iraq, and the rest of the Middle East, here’s some context for the fighting. In five years, about 250,000 have been killed in the Syrian civil war. In comparison, from February to December of 1916, over 300,000 combatants were killed in the Battle of Verdun. Nobody’s…
Arrogance blinds even the smartest people to reality
January 28, 2016
I’ve always been a patriotic American. Our nation’s ideals are truly unique. However, I’ve recently had to accept that much of the criticism we experience as a world power is completely warranted. The worst thing about us is our arrogance. We believe that we’re the best and always will be the best. This is wrong….
Trench warfare in Syria? Time for flamethrowers
January 25, 2016
Syria has gone back a hundred years, returning to trench warfare. For the sake of the people on our side, flamethrowers must be introduced. Here’s what Colonel Steve Warren—spokesman for Combined Task Force Operation Inherent Resolve—recently said. I’ll tell you, that’s a tough fight right now. From what I’ve seen, the imagery I’ve looked at,…
Turkey confirms that Arab League special forces are in Syria
January 23, 2016
I don’t blame people for being wrong about what’s happening in Syria. What does anger me is fearmongering and the notion that only westerners are capable of solving the problems in the region. American politicians say that the US has to lead the fight. Actually, our attempts to do so have made everything worse. The…
Hysteria is absolutely fantastic—for your opponents
January 22, 2016
Nobody can succumb to hysteria like Americans. As an investor, I see it daily. The Dow Jones Industrial Average loses 500 points for no reason, and then the very same people who panicked yesterday make it go up 500 points today. We’ve become a nation of geese. Although I’m apolitical, I oppose President Obama. In…