A Look Back At Holy Week

A new commentary every Wednesday - April 19, 2017

A Look Back At Holy Week: A Time of Worldwide Saber Rattling

Paradox: A statement that seems to be contradictory or absurd.

Just before the cavalry charged in those many battles now forgotten in the mists of time, the officers would shake their swords inside metal sheaths, and then while milling about, draw their weapons and clash their swords against those held by other mounted troops in their company. This was usually the signal for the long-bowmen behind to fill the air with showers of arrows or light the fuses on ancient cannons.

In 2017, it's that pudgy little man with the weird haircut who neglects to change from his black pajamas before walking on-camera; or his communist Korean phalanxes goose-stepping by in double-quick time. They inherited this from the Germans, as well as something from the Russians: The higher the rank, the larger the hat on those stubby little midgets. They remind me of the munchkins in "The Wizard of Oz," only a lot less friendly.

How many more times do we want to see the 6BU-43/M airburst Mother of All Bombs being dragged out of the rear end of a Hercules C-130 by a parachute, or watching 100 or more Taliban being vaporized by a shock wave? Since the airburst over the Taliban tunnels, Russia claims to have airburst bombs four times more powerful than our MOAB. Finally, the finger-pointing going on while trying to assign blame for the bombing in Syria of a convoy of civilians in buses who had been told they were being taken to a safe place.

Peace, they cry, when there is no peace. Only more wars and rumors of wars. As for the future, are we doomed to expect only more bloodshed, more blame-placing?

If we still have not destroyed all life on this planet by all sides stepping back from mutual annihilation before next Wednesday, I should have worked my way through a series of revelations made by a career British spy, Christopher Steele, formerly of British M.I.6, who reportedly ran the Russian Desk for the usually dependable British secret service. It may turn out to be a mess of fake news, but nevertheless, vastly entertaining. That is, if we are still around to enjoy it.

-Phil Richardson, Observer of the human condition and storyteller. "He goes doddering on into his old age, making a public nuisance of himself." - Joseph L. Mencken

k7os@comcast.net

Miguel: Narcotraficante

The life of a narcotics trafficker for one of Mexico's brutal drug cartels. Available in paperback or for any computer, including Kindle eReader—Only from http://www.amazon.com (Enter "miguel: narcotraficante" in the Amazon.com search window). Sample it free.

Shop Amazon Fire TV - Say it. Watch it.

Our unending thanks to Jim Bromley, who programs our Archive of Prior Commentaries

Learn About the Savings with Prime from Amazon.com