01-20-2011, 11:53 PM
Quote:Where the analogy breaks down is that the USA's interest in the Middle East is fundamental to the point of survival, whereas Sparta's interest in the 'battle of resources/economics' between Corinth and Athens was peripheral at best.......
It is interesting that the "currency" the Spartans were protecting was simply "face" and prestige. So much of their leadership of greece was smoke and mirrors based on the concept that they were the polis of last resort in matters such as this, that they could not fail to perform that function.
We on the other hand seem to have become oblivious to the value of displays, real or fake, of national virtue. Our reception of the Chinese leader the past few days should be sufficient evidence of this, but I'll leave it at that.
Paul M. Bardunias
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A Spartan, being asked a question, answered "No." And when the questioner said, "You lie," the Spartan said, "You see, then, that it is stupid of you to ask questions to which you already know the answer!"
MODERATOR: [url:2dqwu8yc]http://www.romanarmytalk.com/rat/viewtopic.php?t=4100[/url]
A Spartan, being asked a question, answered "No." And when the questioner said, "You lie," the Spartan said, "You see, then, that it is stupid of you to ask questions to which you already know the answer!"
