Contrary to popular war hawk fantasies (often by those with limited military service), human nature is adverse to killing other humans. Brigadier General S.L.A. Marshall was a US Army historian that noted only 15-20% of American riflemen fired at the enemy during WW II combat. See also: On Killing: The Psychological Cost of Learning to Kill in War and Society. Written by Lt. Col. Dave Grossman who taught psychology at West Point, Military Science at Arkansas State. Nominated for the Pulitzer Prize in non-fiction.
there a several studies out concluding that men who enjoy violence, subjugating others, and a hierarchical power structure (ie, maga) come, disproportionately, from abusive childhoods. studies also about the 'empathy gap' between R and D point to the same conclusion.
also, I assume you know that don jr. is profiting from these prediction markets; he runs one. he serves as an adviser and investor for Polymarket (via 1789 Capital) and is a strategic adviser for Kalshi. These roles involve advising on the platforms where users bet on real-world events.
Riane Eisler, (author of the important 1978 bestseller "The Chalice and the Blade"), predicted DJT's first primary and general election wins based on similar theories that she has been developing since barely escaping Vienna in 1939.
Basically, if you grow up with a strong man bully who demeans women, chances are good that you will vote for a strong man bully who demeans women.. without much or any consideration of the consiquences.
I don't know if most folks realize that Native Americans serve in the U.S. military at higher rates per capita than any other demographic, often cited as five times the national average. Making up roughly 1.4% of the population, they constitute about 1.7% of the military. This tradition of service spans over 200 years.
I asked some of my native friends why that is so. They told me that they have always fought to defend their home--even after having most of their land taken away from them. They say they died back then for the land, and they feel that they need to be willing to die for the same land/country now--no change from the past.
Stephany I have observed the same although I did not know the figures. One of my closest friends, a prominent culture-keeper and language-teacher for the Lushootseed-speaking tribes, reminds me however that the overlay remains that some US tribes are headed by Trumpites although the majority in those tribes find this disturbing and self-interested.
Thank you very much for your thoughtful reply to my comment.
Yes, it is tragically true that some US tribes are headed by Trumpites. Thankfully, as you wrote, the majority of the tribes are not. For certain, the tribal leaders who support Trump are those with self-interests. MAGA/Trump supporters all stripes have that in common in one way or another.
The Lakota/Dakota are among of the most publicly outspoken about opposing Trump/MAGA--especially so when ICE began detaining and putting tribal people in detention centers. The anti-Trump tribal nations' leadership and members also warned ICE/Trump about trying to come on their land because they are sovereign nations.
Indeed. As they should and will. But they have known deceit, retribution and violence for too long, so most are very cautious and rightly observant. 🕯️
I agree that human nature is, when working according to plan, averse to killing other humans.
The endless examples in this "administration" of our natural, decent nature going off the rails is so appalling that it will, goddess willing, be their speedy un-doing.
Good work, Mark. Thank you. Well, except for the photo of Hegseth--he's a great pun with your title, but yikes!
Some history trivia: Playing on his initials Ulysses S. Grant was nicknamed "Unconditional Surrender Grant" following his demand for "no terms except an unconditional and immediate surrender" at the Battle of Fort Donelson in February 1862.
The Bulwark had a great interview yesterday with a former CIA counterterrorism guy (26 years--in the Middle East) and what he had to say had some thru lines from the beginnings of the Vietnam War--special advisors are there, special ops are there. Then like Iraq, the Kurds are being asked to be fodder (again).
Your post also brought to mind "Feel Like I'm Fixin' To Die Rag" by Country Joe & Fish--a satirical song from 1967 in protest of the Vietnam War. Here's 4 lines of from the lyrics:
Come on Wall Street, don't be slow
Why man, this is war a go, go
Plenty good money to be made
Supplying the army with the tools of the trade....
This is not only your usual poet laureate stuff, but also you are crystallizing an essential aspect of what is going on in a world spiraling into deadliness. We all need to see these big pictures. It's national conversing that should be going on. Wising ourselves up to the totality of what we are living in. Getting a grip on that and making a leap to being cooperative is the dream.
Contrary to popular war hawk fantasies (often by those with limited military service), human nature is adverse to killing other humans. Brigadier General S.L.A. Marshall was a US Army historian that noted only 15-20% of American riflemen fired at the enemy during WW II combat. See also: On Killing: The Psychological Cost of Learning to Kill in War and Society. Written by Lt. Col. Dave Grossman who taught psychology at West Point, Military Science at Arkansas State. Nominated for the Pulitzer Prize in non-fiction.
"Macho, macho man (macho man, yeah)
I gotta be a macho man (I gotta be a macho man)
Macho, macho man (yeah)
I gotta be a macho (oowh)"
there a several studies out concluding that men who enjoy violence, subjugating others, and a hierarchical power structure (ie, maga) come, disproportionately, from abusive childhoods. studies also about the 'empathy gap' between R and D point to the same conclusion.
also, I assume you know that don jr. is profiting from these prediction markets; he runs one. he serves as an adviser and investor for Polymarket (via 1789 Capital) and is a strategic adviser for Kalshi. These roles involve advising on the platforms where users bet on real-world events.
The corruption has become so all-encompassing that people forget what simple decency even looks like.
Anything to make a buck. SIckening. 🤢
Riane Eisler, (author of the important 1978 bestseller "The Chalice and the Blade"), predicted DJT's first primary and general election wins based on similar theories that she has been developing since barely escaping Vienna in 1939.
Basically, if you grow up with a strong man bully who demeans women, chances are good that you will vote for a strong man bully who demeans women.. without much or any consideration of the consiquences.
I don't know if most folks realize that Native Americans serve in the U.S. military at higher rates per capita than any other demographic, often cited as five times the national average. Making up roughly 1.4% of the population, they constitute about 1.7% of the military. This tradition of service spans over 200 years.
I asked some of my native friends why that is so. They told me that they have always fought to defend their home--even after having most of their land taken away from them. They say they died back then for the land, and they feel that they need to be willing to die for the same land/country now--no change from the past.
Stephany I have observed the same although I did not know the figures. One of my closest friends, a prominent culture-keeper and language-teacher for the Lushootseed-speaking tribes, reminds me however that the overlay remains that some US tribes are headed by Trumpites although the majority in those tribes find this disturbing and self-interested.
Thank you very much for your thoughtful reply to my comment.
Yes, it is tragically true that some US tribes are headed by Trumpites. Thankfully, as you wrote, the majority of the tribes are not. For certain, the tribal leaders who support Trump are those with self-interests. MAGA/Trump supporters all stripes have that in common in one way or another.
The Lakota/Dakota are among of the most publicly outspoken about opposing Trump/MAGA--especially so when ICE began detaining and putting tribal people in detention centers. The anti-Trump tribal nations' leadership and members also warned ICE/Trump about trying to come on their land because they are sovereign nations.
Indeed. As they should and will. But they have known deceit, retribution and violence for too long, so most are very cautious and rightly observant. 🕯️
I agree that human nature is, when working according to plan, averse to killing other humans.
The endless examples in this "administration" of our natural, decent nature going off the rails is so appalling that it will, goddess willing, be their speedy un-doing.
I read a report stating that the following kinds of men sign up for military service most frequently:
Those from military families
Those who are patriotic
Those who can't find other jobs or job training opportunities.
Those who like to kill people.
The military, allegedly, tries to avoid signing on those in the final category. Oops.
Excellent essay thank you. We're being led by imbeciles with a violence kink. Hegseth is unhinged. Here's an outstanding analysis I haven't read anywhere else: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1CFcfRGH4W/?mibextid=wwXIfr
Sabrina thank you for sharing this. Disturbing in the extreme - even in this extremely disturbing year.
Good work, Mark. Thank you. Well, except for the photo of Hegseth--he's a great pun with your title, but yikes!
Some history trivia: Playing on his initials Ulysses S. Grant was nicknamed "Unconditional Surrender Grant" following his demand for "no terms except an unconditional and immediate surrender" at the Battle of Fort Donelson in February 1862.
The Bulwark had a great interview yesterday with a former CIA counterterrorism guy (26 years--in the Middle East) and what he had to say had some thru lines from the beginnings of the Vietnam War--special advisors are there, special ops are there. Then like Iraq, the Kurds are being asked to be fodder (again).
Your post also brought to mind "Feel Like I'm Fixin' To Die Rag" by Country Joe & Fish--a satirical song from 1967 in protest of the Vietnam War. Here's 4 lines of from the lyrics:
Come on Wall Street, don't be slow
Why man, this is war a go, go
Plenty good money to be made
Supplying the army with the tools of the trade....
Also, Fortunate Son is sadly apropos.
Such a great writer Mark. Thank you for the time and effort to pay attention, analyze and communicate with us. Thank you.
This is not only your usual poet laureate stuff, but also you are crystallizing an essential aspect of what is going on in a world spiraling into deadliness. We all need to see these big pictures. It's national conversing that should be going on. Wising ourselves up to the totality of what we are living in. Getting a grip on that and making a leap to being cooperative is the dream.
A chilling observation. I've got goosebumps.
An absolutely perfect coda, Mark. It deeply resonates, still, serving as an anthem for me in 1971.
thank you mark
for the stunning clarity
of your analysis