09 July 2009

The Fog Of War

"We and you ought not pull on the ends of a rope in which you have tied the knots of war. Because the more the two of us pull, the tighter the knot will be tied. And then it will be necessary to cut that knot, and what that would mean is not for me to explain to you.

I have participated in two wars, and know that war ends when it rolls through cities and villages, everywhere sowing death and destruction. For such is the logic of war.

If people do not display wisdom, they will clash like blind moles and then mutual annihilation will commence."

-Nikita Khruschev in a telegram to President John F. Kennedy October 26, 1962
as quoted by Robert McNamara in The Fog of War

Since Robert Strange McNamara just kicked off I should be recommending you watch Errol Morris’ excellent interview-mentary The Fog of War which is all about the Mac and his feelings of profound guilt concerning Vietnam and the Cold War, and WWII. Consider it recommended.

Thanks to reader regis, HERE is the movie online.