Surprise...Blackwater are hired Assassins
plays well with others
iTrader: (1)
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 9,923
From: Sac
Car Info: your mother crazy
Originally Posted by Machiavelli
Mercenaries and auxiliaries are useless and dangerous; and if one holds his state based on these arms, he will stand neither firm nor safe; for they are disunited, ambitious, and without discipline, unfaithful, valiant before friends, cowardly before enemies; they have neither the fear of God nor fidelity to men, and destruction is deferred only so long as the attack is; for in peace one is robbed by them, and in war by the enemy. The fact is, they have no other attraction or reason for keeping the field than a trifle of stipend, which is not sufficient to make them willing to die for you.
We have seen above how necessary it is for a prince to have his foundations well laid, otherwise it follows of necessity he will go to ruin. The chief foundations of all states, new as well as old or composite, are good laws and good arms; and as there cannot be good laws where the state is not well armed, it follows that where they are well armed they have good laws. I shall leave the laws out of the discussion and shall speak of the arms.
I say, therefore, that the arms with which a prince defends his state are either his own, or they are mercenaries, auxiliaries, or mixed. Mercenaries and auxiliaries are useless and dangerous; and if one holds his state based on these arms, he will stand neither firm nor safe; for they are disunited, ambitious, and without discipline, unfaithful, valiant before friends, cowardly before enemies; they have neither the fear of God nor fidelity to men, and destruction is deferred only so long as the attack is; for in peace one is robbed by them, and in war by the enemy. The fact is, they have no other attraction or reason for keeping the field than a trifle of stipend, which is not sufficient to make them willing to die for you.
I say, therefore, that the arms with which a prince defends his state are either his own, or they are mercenaries, auxiliaries, or mixed. Mercenaries and auxiliaries are useless and dangerous; and if one holds his state based on these arms, he will stand neither firm nor safe; for they are disunited, ambitious, and without discipline, unfaithful, valiant before friends, cowardly before enemies; they have neither the fear of God nor fidelity to men, and destruction is deferred only so long as the attack is; for in peace one is robbed by them, and in war by the enemy. The fact is, they have no other attraction or reason for keeping the field than a trifle of stipend, which is not sufficient to make them willing to die for you.
I guess we should put it in context.
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,808
From: San Jose, CA
Car Info: 2015 WRX
When I read your posts, I find myself confused and intrigued. One day you absolutely insult those that express their beliefs in various religions that not only help those in time of need, but also lay a moral framework for which they are to live their entire lives. The next You speak of morality?
You speak of rules of engagement and regulation of military forces and the means in which they must accomplish their job. Yet are against all governments blah blah blah.
I thank my lucky stars that your version of utopia is a pipedream; a half-thought hyperbole. You're all over the map. Obviously you're not happy with the current state of affairs. Many of us are not. To quote Arron Tippin " You've got to stand for something or you'll fall for anything"
You speak of rules of engagement and regulation of military forces and the means in which they must accomplish their job. Yet are against all governments blah blah blah.
I thank my lucky stars that your version of utopia is a pipedream; a half-thought hyperbole. You're all over the map. Obviously you're not happy with the current state of affairs. Many of us are not. To quote Arron Tippin " You've got to stand for something or you'll fall for anything"
I do like how you completely ignored the points made in my post. It shows that you have no real response to the substance of my argument.
Last edited by saqwarrior; Sep 8, 2009 at 12:06 PM. Reason: Not really worth expending the effort.
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,808
From: San Jose, CA
Car Info: 2015 WRX
But if a people are moral, they would not engage in immorality, such as war.
Also, you gotta look at each sides morality.
Islamists see nothing wrong using suicide bombers to kill people at a voting station.
"Blahblahblah, the US has killed civilians", you say.
I agree. But to me, the difference is US forces don't make it a habit in this current war to target civilians.
Also, you gotta look at each sides morality.
Islamists see nothing wrong using suicide bombers to kill people at a voting station.
"Blahblahblah, the US has killed civilians", you say.
I agree. But to me, the difference is US forces don't make it a habit in this current war to target civilians.
I did not like going into Iraq, however fully supporting going into Afghanistan (or Pakistan) to find Bin Laden and kill as many Al Qaeda as possible.
That's basically how I see it. One conflict was NOT justified, and one is very much so. I don't care the means, I want Bin Laden.
That's basically how I see it. One conflict was NOT justified, and one is very much so. I don't care the means, I want Bin Laden.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Max Xevious
Sacramento & Reno
23
Jan 9, 2005 10:53 PM