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Author Topic: The Martial Wisdom of Midland, Texas
'lance
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 1064

posted 02 June 2004 11:29 AM      Profile for 'lance     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
Bushido: The Way of the Armchair Warrior

quote:
Knowledge is not important. The armchair warrior strives to attain a state beyond knowledge, a state of deep, non-knowing connection to the universe: in particular, to that portion of the universe which is rich, powerful, or related to him by blood.

The unenlightened speak of “failures of intelligence.” But the armchair warrior knows that “intelligence”—the effort of the mind to observe facts, apply reason, and reach conclusions about what is true and what ought to be done—is a delusion, making the mind turn in circles like an ass hitched to a mill. The armchair warrior feels in his hara, or gut, what ought to be done. He is like a warhorse that races into battle, pulling behind him the chariot of logic and evidence. When the people see the magnificent heedlessness of his charge, they cannot help but be carried along.

The warrior spirit resides in the hara. It is this spirit, and not any deed, that is the mark of the true warrior. Thus, a man who has avoided military service may be a greater and braver warrior than a man who has served his country in battle, sustained grave wounds, performed “heroic” deeds, and been honored with clanking, showy medals pinned to his garment.

Because human beings are prone to illusion, the sounds and sights of battle—the groans of the wounded, the maimed bodies of one’s comrades—may remain in the mind for many years, like a cloud that confuses judgment. Hence, a man who has fought on the battlefield and has later risen to high office may be fearful of leading his people to war. Such weakness does not afflict the armchair warrior, who at all times is firm in his resolve.

The armchair warrior does not fear death, especially not the death of other people.

The unenlightened mind is easily swayed by pictures. Since it fails to grasp that life and death are illusions, the sight of the flag-draped remains of those slain by the enemy may make it susceptible to weakness and feelings of pity. Therefore, the armchair warrior does not let the people see such images, except in settings that can be properly controlled, such as his own campaign advertisements.



From: that enchanted place on the top of the Forest | Registered: Jul 2001  |  IP: Logged
skdadl
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 478

posted 02 June 2004 11:41 AM      Profile for skdadl     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
The Tao of Bush.

(Gee, 'lance: I just finished telling Macabee that you can't read much of the New Yorker online. You tryin' to make a liar of moi? )

('lance, you simply must find Mandos's thread, under Banter, about Comical Animals, and see there his collection of pics of Bush patting men on the head. It is hysterical.)


From: gone | Registered: May 2001  |  IP: Logged
Tao Jones
rabble-rouser
Babbler # 5986

posted 07 June 2004 12:48 AM      Profile for Tao Jones     Send New Private Message      Edit/Delete Post  Reply With Quote 
Bush giving head...
web page

Thanx for that
Truly enlightening


From: Mississauga, Ont | Registered: Jun 2004  |  IP: Logged

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