The Prince and the Discourses (#1)
So. Last night, my mind is racing. Chewing on politics (the hazards of living in DC, i suppose). I pull out my old, trusty, hand-me-down copy of Machiavelli. Really--it belonged to my mother when she was getting her Poli Sci Ph.D. back in the late 70's. Maybe all of this is genetic.
Now, Machiavelli, praising King Ferdinand of Spain:
...he kept the minds of [his opponents] occupied...so that thinking only of that war they did not think of making innovations, and he thus acquired...power over them without them being aware of it...
It could apply to Iraq, Afghanistan, the 'War on Terror', 'War on Drugs', blah, blah, blah, blah.
Last night, i was acutely aware of how the Palin nomination has (in ways) completely derailed the momentum and attention which Obama et. al. had accrued. I wish i could trust that by ignoring the obvious political pandering and attention-grabbing and, well, generally acting like an adult, the republican strategy--much like an unruly child--would quiet down.
i don't trust that, though. *sigh*
#2, i am sure, is coming soon :)
Now, Machiavelli, praising King Ferdinand of Spain:
...he kept the minds of [his opponents] occupied...so that thinking only of that war they did not think of making innovations, and he thus acquired...power over them without them being aware of it...
It could apply to Iraq, Afghanistan, the 'War on Terror', 'War on Drugs', blah, blah, blah, blah.
Last night, i was acutely aware of how the Palin nomination has (in ways) completely derailed the momentum and attention which Obama et. al. had accrued. I wish i could trust that by ignoring the obvious political pandering and attention-grabbing and, well, generally acting like an adult, the republican strategy--much like an unruly child--would quiet down.
i don't trust that, though. *sigh*
#2, i am sure, is coming soon :)