Lawrence was the first book I read of. yours John and it was what completely won me over to you and remains my favourite by a long shot. The principles in there werel what captivated my thinking forever. Don't invade a country unless it's absolutely necessary, because war is hell and building a nation is extremely difficult. And if you do, you must work with the locals and build a government that is representative of the locals. The complete opposite of everything the West has done for the last hundred years.
John, your vision and beliefs from the beginning of is nothing short of remarkable. The philosophy you held so steadfastly has proven not just right, but transformative, shaping everything that followed. Your closing line of page 85, chapter 3 The story of what happened to both and his ideas lies ahead of us; but so' perhaps does the resurrection of his thought.
The resurrection 16 year later..... Emotions must be immense
I just wanted to share with the group, I was chatting with one of my nephews today who served in the Marines during Afghanistan. And he was in the war zone. He said that he has seen kids turn into pink mist so he will never support money going to Ukraine war effort.And it took me a few seconds to comprehend and then it broke my heart that my nephew, my Godson who I love so much had to go through that.
Peace through strength and diplomacy, there is no other way.
It’s so hard, isn’t Kieran? I never really asked him that. I believe he would support self defense, as a last resort.
I will get back to you about the Lawrence question.
My other nephew, who is the older brother, came home from school after 9/11, put out the American flag and joined the Marines right after high school. He served in Iraq. His group (I know that’s not the right term) was the first into Baghdad) he stayed in Saddam’s palace, showered in his bathroom (solid gold toilet) and swam in his pool.
I am proud of them both. They came home, went right to college and are both successful. But I know it haunts them.
I shared this because I would have to admit I was of the neocon belief until going through this with my family. When Bush was on that aircraft carrier with the “Mission Accomplished “ banner, I knew that was a lie…
I thought he was in the battle of Fallujah, but he was injured 11/4 which was a couple days before the big battle. His Light Armored Recon Vehicle ran over an IED and he was blown out the back of the vehicle. He had a guardian angel for sure….
Just ordered a hardback copy via Bezos. The only place where it is available in the UK. It better be gold plated, John! There is a digital version of the 27 Articles available too, with John providing a foreword online.
Perhaps only after dinner, as the day draws to a close, with thirst quenched, hunger stilled, and nowhere left to hide, does the mirage of idealism fade and one finally accept what must be done to build a future that can endure.
John, if the elite is so dislocated from the people, could Lawrence’s articles not be adapted to refine populism into a renewal of civic virtue in our own countries, at home? Just as the Saudi monarchy guards the sanctity of Makkah and the Black Stone, perhaps the West must guard liberty and free speech with equal reverence.
Thanks Kieran, I enjoyed going back in time to the age when I’m formulated this, just after Ethical and Godfather, it is the third of three on the creative way forward from Neo-conservatism, to put something better in its place rather than merely tearing down. After this, I got on with thinking through a new way to do political risk (both conceptually and for my firm) but these three work together, though I didn’t see this at the time Nice to look back with more perspective even as the ideas have finally found their way
Coppola sent you a note…. How could I miss that tidbit!!
There is a review of The Godfather Doctrine on YouTube from someone who is more amateur than me… she loved it and hung in there with the analysis…. It was honest and endearing
Lawrence was the first book I read of. yours John and it was what completely won me over to you and remains my favourite by a long shot. The principles in there werel what captivated my thinking forever. Don't invade a country unless it's absolutely necessary, because war is hell and building a nation is extremely difficult. And if you do, you must work with the locals and build a government that is representative of the locals. The complete opposite of everything the West has done for the last hundred years.
John, your vision and beliefs from the beginning of is nothing short of remarkable. The philosophy you held so steadfastly has proven not just right, but transformative, shaping everything that followed. Your closing line of page 85, chapter 3 The story of what happened to both and his ideas lies ahead of us; but so' perhaps does the resurrection of his thought.
The resurrection 16 year later..... Emotions must be immense
Dianne, it is; so glad to revisit they journey that brought our community here. It is beyond gratifying
I own a copy of your Lawrence book and will start today. Gives me a chance to get the edition of the Odyssey we will be reading.
Have a great weekend everyone…
Enjoy them both, Terri. Have a great weekend, yourself!
I just wanted to share with the group, I was chatting with one of my nephews today who served in the Marines during Afghanistan. And he was in the war zone. He said that he has seen kids turn into pink mist so he will never support money going to Ukraine war effort.And it took me a few seconds to comprehend and then it broke my heart that my nephew, my Godson who I love so much had to go through that.
Peace through strength and diplomacy, there is no other way.
Realism in politics and life…..
Hi Terri,
That is absolutely harrowing, and I am glad he made it out and is able to share his experience.
Do you think he would support funding any kind of war effort now?
What about Gaza, surely we simply cannot ignore what is happening there, especially given the demographic realities?
I wonder whether Lawrence would approve of Israel’s strategy in this situation?
It’s so hard, isn’t Kieran? I never really asked him that. I believe he would support self defense, as a last resort.
I will get back to you about the Lawrence question.
My other nephew, who is the older brother, came home from school after 9/11, put out the American flag and joined the Marines right after high school. He served in Iraq. His group (I know that’s not the right term) was the first into Baghdad) he stayed in Saddam’s palace, showered in his bathroom (solid gold toilet) and swam in his pool.
I am proud of them both. They came home, went right to college and are both successful. But I know it haunts them.
Wow, what a story. Brave men🫡
I shared this because I would have to admit I was of the neocon belief until going through this with my family. When Bush was on that aircraft carrier with the “Mission Accomplished “ banner, I knew that was a lie…
On a lighter note…. Have a great weekend!!!
He was also almost killed in Fallujah a couple days before the big battle
My understanding is that what happend in Fallujah was hellish.
I thought he was in the battle of Fallujah, but he was injured 11/4 which was a couple days before the big battle. His Light Armored Recon Vehicle ran over an IED and he was blown out the back of the vehicle. He had a guardian angel for sure….
Bloody hell. Glad he was OK and I hope his mates too.
Thank you, Kieran!
Just ordered a hardback copy via Bezos. The only place where it is available in the UK. It better be gold plated, John! There is a digital version of the 27 Articles available too, with John providing a foreword online.
Yes, I’ll explain about the story behind my forward to Lawrence’s own writing; one of the great thrills of my life!
Kieran, you will treasure both.
Brilliant, John. Certainly an education for me.
Perhaps only after dinner, as the day draws to a close, with thirst quenched, hunger stilled, and nowhere left to hide, does the mirage of idealism fade and one finally accept what must be done to build a future that can endure.
John, if the elite is so dislocated from the people, could Lawrence’s articles not be adapted to refine populism into a renewal of civic virtue in our own countries, at home? Just as the Saudi monarchy guards the sanctity of Makkah and the Black Stone, perhaps the West must guard liberty and free speech with equal reverence.
Thanks Kieran, I enjoyed going back in time to the age when I’m formulated this, just after Ethical and Godfather, it is the third of three on the creative way forward from Neo-conservatism, to put something better in its place rather than merely tearing down. After this, I got on with thinking through a new way to do political risk (both conceptually and for my firm) but these three work together, though I didn’t see this at the time Nice to look back with more perspective even as the ideas have finally found their way
There’s always room for an Ethical Godfather. Have a great one!
Coppola sent you a note…. How could I miss that tidbit!!
There is a review of The Godfather Doctrine on YouTube from someone who is more amateur than me… she loved it and hung in there with the analysis…. It was honest and endearing