Donald Rumsfeld is giving a press conference. A
reporter named Gary says to a reporter named Mark,
"Mark, have you noticed that Rumsfeld has lost a lot
of his swagger in recent weeks?"
Mark: "Can't say that I have."
Rumsfeld: "Good morning, ladies and gentlemen."
Gary [to Mark]: "Really? He doesn't seem a bit
chastened to you?"
Mark: "No, but let's test that hypothesis..."
Rumsfeld: "Yes, Mark."
Mark: "Mr. Secretary, there seems to be growing
agreement that this war has become ruinous --
militarily, fiscally, politically, and morally... and
that, as in Vietnam, it's no longer a question of IF
we withdraw in disgrace, but WHEN. Sir, how many more
young Americans will have to die to save face for the
chicken hawks who dreamt up this war?"
Rumsfeld: "I don't know. I'll try to get that figure
for you."
Gary [to Mark]: "See?"
Mark: "I'll be darned."
Anna, me, Alison, and our divemaster
at the Blue Hole, Dahab, Sinai
THOUGHTS ON WAR
"Our fighting blood was up, and we all wanted to kill 'niggers'... This shooting human beings beats rabbit hunting all to pieces."
~ Letter from an American soldier during the Philippine War, ~1899
"Our men have been relentless, have killed to exterminate men, women, children, prisoners, and captives, active insurgents and suspected people from lads of ten up, the idea prevailing that the Filipino as such was little better than a dog."
~ Manila correspondent of the Philadelphia Ledger regarding the Philippine War, ~1900
"The War in the Philippines has been conducted by the American army with scrupulous regard for the rules of civilized warfare... with self-restraint and with humanity never surpassed."
~ American Secretary of War Elihu Root regarding the Philippine War, ~1901
Yes, quaint and curious war is!
You shoot a fellow down
You'd treat if met where any bar is,
Or help to half-a-crown.
~ Thomas Hardy, The Man He Killed
The Fable of
