I use to watch the shows as a boy where there was a young guy in his late teens watches his village destroyed by raiders. Then homeless and alone he runs across a great warrior who takes the youth into his home and feeds him for some light choirs. The boy learns of the warriors skill and demands to be taught by the master. The master lonely gives in and teaches the youth. When it is discovered the youth wants to go and fight the bandits that killed his village the master would get sullen and sad. He would tell the boy war is a never ending cycle as the violence begets violence no matter what justification you cloth it in. The only true way to stop the cycle is to not participate in it. (imagine that a war where only the two with cause to fight do so instead of listing the aid of the nations youth.)

This at the time made no sense to me. The war needed a hero to see that it never happened again to right the wrong and to fight the evil in the world to keep people safe. Simply standing by when you have the power to fight was cowardly and unjust. A good person had a moral obligation to fight for the rights of the weak. Time changes all things. 

Now older and wiser I have seen what the master was saying with my own eyes. There really is a difference between looking at a map and walking the path. The warrior is right. The strong will prey on the weak and will always do so. If someone stronger challenges them and wins then a space will open for someone else to take its place. It will never end. The real strength is to ensure your survival and that the ones that challenge you directly fall. Otherwise the cycle never ends. If you are strong there will be no reason for other to fight for you. A coward has many deaths a brave man only one. When you removed off everyone to stop the game then you have become the very thing you fought to destroy. King of the hill. Fight for yourself and you will never regret it.

Next week (Aug 22) will be the beginning of a week long exercise with the US and South Korean army. Time will tell if North Korea really intends to take these drills as an actual threat to its national security. Of course by doing so would plunge the world into a WW3. The US has bombers ready and missiles that can be used offensively even if labeled defense only. Since every one is allied to a super power in some way it will be interesting to see just who shows up and who calls out sick. Already a few nations are currying favor with larger nations and rumor spreads of those trying to divide the pie to ensure they have a slice. Will apple pie fall into red hands? How many will die in a war for population control and resources? When will it end? How munch radiation can this fragile environment take? Will mad Max save us or will it be the vault dweller? The only thing for certain is this. War.. war never changes.

"In every war the first casualty is the truth." -unknown

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