Daily Archives: June 15, 2013

War Without Mercy: Race, Religion, Ideology and Total War

For those interested in how ideology can transform war from something terrible to absolutely barbaric I recommend John Dower’s “War Without Mercy: Race, Religion, Ideology and Total War”

The Inglorius Padre Steve's World

Dower, John W. War without Mercy: Race and Power in the Pacific War.” Pantheon Books, a Division of Random House, New York, NY 1986.

The study of war cannot simply be confined to the study of battles, weapons and leaders. While all of these are important one must as Clausewitz understood examine the human element of policy, ideology and the motivations of nations as they wage war. Clausewitz understood that war could not be reduced to formulas and templates but involved what he called the “remarkable trinity” which he described in on war as (1) primordial violence, hatred, and enmity; (2) the play of chance and probability; and (3) war’s element of subordination to rational policy. Clausewitz connects this with the people being connected to the primordial forces of war, the military with the non-rational elements of friction, chance and probability and the government.

The Clausewitzian understanding of war is…

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Meeting Jesus and the Team at 7-11: A Baseball Fantasy

Getting ready to do a wedding today, decided to repost something less serious. Plan on writing about situation in Syria soon and US involvement there. If you thought that Iraq and Afghanistan were “no-win” scenarios they will look great if Syrian situation devolves into what I think it will. Unlike Vegas, what happens in Syria doesn’t stay in Syria… Peace, Padre Steve+

The Inglorius Padre Steve's World

Since Baseball season is upon us, at least spring training is here I have decided to re-post a series of articles that I started last summer. They are kind of a spiritual fantasy involving faith and baseball with Jesus and his “team” intervening in my life. It’s kind of like my personal Field of Dreams story. The first few have been posted before but I am doing a bit of editing to each and plan to continue the story throughout the spring and summer.


One of my customs on my way to work is to stop by my local 7-11 for a cup of French Vanilla Coffee with 3 French Vanilla coffee creamers, course brown sugar and a packet of Splenda when I pick up my garden salad which I consume for lunch at work.  It is always a nice break for me on the way to work to smell…

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