Peace

Long War: One bill that would take America out of the Libya war was narrowly defeated in the House yesterday. Another bill that will do the same thing is being introduced now. A combination of moronic left-wing Democrats and brain-dead Tea Party Republicans are hammering out bill after bill designed to take the US out of Libya. Scrambling to stem this tide, House leader Boehner is sponsoring legislation criticizing the war effort, but not actually triggering concrete action. The hope is that this will be enough to quiet the restive peace mongers.

America is still flying NATO sorties in Libya. It is providing most of the ammunition NATO is expending, satellite intelligence, aerial refueling, and a host of other vital military support. Britain and France are barely able to keep fighting with the US engaged in its current limited role. Without the US, NATO would have to withdraw from Libya. And Gaddafi could then use mustard gas on the rebels and win.

America's weak-kneed efforts in the Libya war have caused oil prices to sky rocket and poured gasoline on the fires burning throughout the Mideast. This has brought the world economy to the brink of a double-dip recession. Pulling the plug in Libya would be catastrophic.

To gain perspective let's hit the way-back button and look at ancient Rome. Millions of words have been written concerning the fall of the Roman Empire, but the fall can be explained with just three words: Rome stopped fighting.

After defeating all major world powers except Persia, Rome embarked on a campaign to defeat the smaller powers and barbarians tribes on its periphery. This was a long grinding process, unpopular, identical to the Long War of today. The Emperor Hadrian grew weary of Rome's long war and he declared peace, throwing up walls around the Empire's borders. To quiet the barbarian tribes, peace was bought through technology transfers. The barbarians were taught how to make weapons out of steel. This kept them quiet for a long time.

Because of their Puritan ancestors, Americans think the declining centuries of Rome were marked by an increase in sexual orgies. The opposite is true. Christianity took hold and the government cracked down on orgies. The declining period was actually marked by the advent of celebrity chefs, who supplanted gladiators as the most famous and revered figures in the eternal city. Does that sound like America of today?

Peace. The last Romans were very keen on peace. They called their last two centuries the Roman Peace. And it would have been a good idea too, if only the barbarians shared the sentiment.