Dearest Will, and I mean that. You have a very pure soul and that is why you have such immense problems living in this world.
I am a professional historian, so I am professionally committed to remembering everything.
I'm writing the following only to help you see the broader context of American amnesia about Afghanistan. This isn't the first government or society that has decided to memory hole painful events. As far as China is concerned, the Cultural Revolution and the Tiananmen massacre are non- events— perfect vacuums in their historical memory.
The Roman Empire actually had a formalized process of editing past leaders out of their history--damnatio memoriae. Roman emperors always cemented their reigns by the mass production of sculptures and inscriptions. When a subsequent emperor and Senate hated that emperor, they destroyed the sculptures and hacked his name out of the inscriptions--damnatio memoriae.
It would be a gigantic step forward for us as a country if we could erect a monument on our national mall to the wars that we have lost, or ended in stalemate— Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iraq II. There should be plenty of room at the bottom of this list to add more names. Accepting the downside is a big part of maturity, while still aspiring to excel.
While I understand the fear of mentioning Afghanistan, a simple three-sentence statement like you propose would have gone a long way. I love your blog, and I'm totally with you on our bullshit foreign policies, and the expendability of our troops. And our cavalier attitude to our indigenous allies; this is not anything new (see Vietnam). When I read Eagle Down (which you lived) I was appalled, and maybe a little fearful for my SF son. Still, there's no way I can abide by Trump, McCain was my man.
Thank you for ALWAYS speaking the truth and for making me smarter Will Selber. I will continue to share your Newsletter widely so others can be awakened to these horrors. Much much love, gratitude and respect. To you and to ALL our Vets. ❤️🇺🇸💙
Dearest Will, and I mean that. You have a very pure soul and that is why you have such immense problems living in this world.
I am a professional historian, so I am professionally committed to remembering everything.
I'm writing the following only to help you see the broader context of American amnesia about Afghanistan. This isn't the first government or society that has decided to memory hole painful events. As far as China is concerned, the Cultural Revolution and the Tiananmen massacre are non- events— perfect vacuums in their historical memory.
The Roman Empire actually had a formalized process of editing past leaders out of their history--damnatio memoriae. Roman emperors always cemented their reigns by the mass production of sculptures and inscriptions. When a subsequent emperor and Senate hated that emperor, they destroyed the sculptures and hacked his name out of the inscriptions--damnatio memoriae.
It would be a gigantic step forward for us as a country if we could erect a monument on our national mall to the wars that we have lost, or ended in stalemate— Korea, Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iraq II. There should be plenty of room at the bottom of this list to add more names. Accepting the downside is a big part of maturity, while still aspiring to excel.
Great idea Kathleen. We need a monument for Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans. That would be a big step in the right direction.
While I understand the fear of mentioning Afghanistan, a simple three-sentence statement like you propose would have gone a long way. I love your blog, and I'm totally with you on our bullshit foreign policies, and the expendability of our troops. And our cavalier attitude to our indigenous allies; this is not anything new (see Vietnam). When I read Eagle Down (which you lived) I was appalled, and maybe a little fearful for my SF son. Still, there's no way I can abide by Trump, McCain was my man.
Thank you for ALWAYS speaking the truth and for making me smarter Will Selber. I will continue to share your Newsletter widely so others can be awakened to these horrors. Much much love, gratitude and respect. To you and to ALL our Vets. ❤️🇺🇸💙