May 16, 2007
Tact
Now we’ve got a “War Czar,” a rank idea in more ways than one that crams enough imperialism and violence into two words to last for a lifetime of international suspicion and skittishness. Even a handful of our retired generals had enough moxie to turn down the job until one for some unknown reason has come along now and assumed the mantle.
So far as I know, even the Russians — who put the “z” in czar and the czars in limbo — had enough PR sense years ago to quit calling anybody by that name. Vladimir Putin’s maybe the only current candidate, but he seems content just to be president and doesn’t even have to rattle a commander-in-chief sabre, unless, of course, somebody comes along needing reminding.
But not so with us over here on our side of the world. Our leaders, even with all their self-styled piety and geopolitical maladroitness, consistently show an amazing lack of savvy about history of any kind, especially religious, and about theodicy of all kinds. Recall that “crusade” Iraq was in for and what charming memories the word stirred up for the Muslims? And then there is the “Axis of Evil,” that bewitching bit of diplomacy which still reveals the inexcusable lack of theological erudition that thought it up.
Now, with the Brits changing the guard, and the French on a new fence, we’ll not have left anybody to invite over to help cut brush at Crawford.
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