Discussion:
OT - Robert Leckie and democracy
(too old to reply)
a425couple
2021-11-01 22:09:24 UTC
Permalink
Yes, it is Off Topic, but I think it is related
to our frequent discussion on the great divide.

I like Robert Leckie.
He was a Marine who then wrote 40 books.
As he wrote in 1998,

Why, then, were five Presidents unable to contain
Communism in Indo-China?
Probably because of their naïve but mistaken belief that
democracy can flourish in any soil. In truth, democracy
-free speech society with truly representative government -
is a rare bloom, which has seldom blossomed outside Europe
or the English-speaking countries of the world. To have
attempted to graft it onto South Vietnam's population of
peasants, ignoring their psychology, their traditions, their
rigidly structured society, their indifference to the Western gods
of Ballot Box and Freedom and their attachment to a charismatic
leader, be he emperor, king or commissar, was the original and
major mistake of the war.
Surreyman
2021-11-02 08:01:49 UTC
Permalink
Post by a425couple
Yes, it is Off Topic, but I think it is related
to our frequent discussion on the great divide.
I like Robert Leckie.
He was a Marine who then wrote 40 books.
As he wrote in 1998,
Why, then, were five Presidents unable to contain
Communism in Indo-China?
Probably because of their naïve but mistaken belief that
democracy can flourish in any soil. In truth, democracy
-free speech society with truly representative government -
is a rare bloom, which has seldom blossomed outside Europe
or the English-speaking countries of the world. To have
attempted to graft it onto South Vietnam's population of
peasants, ignoring their psychology, their traditions, their
rigidly structured society, their indifference to the Western gods
of Ballot Box and Freedom and their attachment to a charismatic
leader, be he emperor, king or commissar, was the original and
major mistake of the war.
As was the unbelievable "Arab Spring".
Destined for disaster and so obvious to anyone who knew NA/ME.
a425couple
2021-11-02 22:50:59 UTC
Permalink
Post by Surreyman
Post by a425couple
Yes, it is Off Topic, but I think it is related
to our frequent discussion on the great divide.
I like Robert Leckie.
He was a Marine who then wrote 40 books.
As he wrote in 1998,
Why, then, were five Presidents unable to contain
Communism in Indo-China?
Probably because of their naïve but mistaken belief that
democracy can flourish in any soil. In truth, democracy
-free speech society with truly representative government -
is a rare bloom, which has seldom blossomed outside Europe
or the English-speaking countries of the world. To have
attempted to graft it onto South Vietnam's population of
peasants, ignoring their psychology, their traditions, their
rigidly structured society, their indifference to the Western gods
of Ballot Box and Freedom and their attachment to a charismatic
leader, be he emperor, king or commissar, was the original and
major mistake of the war.
As was the unbelievable "Arab Spring".
Destined for disaster and so obvious to anyone
Yes, indeed.
We keep thinking times have changed,
or new devices like cell phone & computers,
have changed what dictators or dominators can do.

Just walk in like a HMFIC badass, and do what is
best for your own country, I guess.

Maybe a re-read would be worthwhile:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democracy#Middle_Ages
Post by Surreyman
who knew NA/ME.
What do you mean NA/ME ?
Surreyman
2021-11-03 08:13:25 UTC
Permalink
Post by a425couple
Post by Surreyman
Post by a425couple
Yes, it is Off Topic, but I think it is related
to our frequent discussion on the great divide.
I like Robert Leckie.
He was a Marine who then wrote 40 books.
As he wrote in 1998,
Why, then, were five Presidents unable to contain
Communism in Indo-China?
Probably because of their naïve but mistaken belief that
democracy can flourish in any soil. In truth, democracy
-free speech society with truly representative government -
is a rare bloom, which has seldom blossomed outside Europe
or the English-speaking countries of the world. To have
attempted to graft it onto South Vietnam's population of
peasants, ignoring their psychology, their traditions, their
rigidly structured society, their indifference to the Western gods
of Ballot Box and Freedom and their attachment to a charismatic
leader, be he emperor, king or commissar, was the original and
major mistake of the war.
As was the unbelievable "Arab Spring".
Destined for disaster and so obvious to anyone
Yes, indeed.
We keep thinking times have changed,
or new devices like cell phone & computers,
have changed what dictators or dominators can do.
Just walk in like a HMFIC badass, and do what is
best for your own country, I guess.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Democracy#Middle_Ages
Post by Surreyman
who knew NA/ME.
What do you mean NA/ME ?
North Africa/Middle East

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