War is sweet to those that know it not.

I always thought that this old saying was of Roman origin but apparently it is from ancient Greece - from the Greek poet Pindar (518BC – 438BC), to be exact. I have no knowledge of the Greek language but have a fragmentary knowledge of Latin and Pindar’s original Greek is the origin of the Latin proverb "Dulce bellum inexpertis" which is translated (more or less) as, “War is sweet to those that know it not”.

The continuation of what Pindar wrote is; “but the experienced man trembles exceedingly at heart on its approach.”

I believe that this proverb is as true today as it was 2500 years ago.

In the name of God, why start a war? Why?

It is my firm belief that human ego and pride are the reasons. These two give rise to the widespread misconception of “us” and “them”. Us being always better, more intelligent and culturally advanced than them and that “our” God is better than “their” God. Therefore it matters not how we treat such inferior beings – God is on “our” side!

It takes two to tango – as the old saying goes. It stands to reason that differences of opinion will arise (humans being the fickle creatures they are) therefore it will always be necessary for there to be (to use a Churchillian phrase) more “jaw, jaw” and less “war, war”. And “jaw, jaw” is always less costly in human life and material than “war, war” – always.

The current standoff between the USA and North Korea will not end without some serious negotiations and plenty of “jaw, jaw”. A conflict is unthinkable and should not be considered. Conflicts always, repeat always, leave a host of unintended consequences to contend with afterwards. Imagine what would happen to the about 25 million North Koreans if the regime was defeated in a conflict – who would govern the country? Who would police them and restore law and order (very different from what they had known before)? What would happen to the millions of refugees who would try to flee the conflict? Who would feed and care for them? Who would finance and help rebuild the country? Would South Korea have the means or the inclination to reintegrate a heavily indoctrinated populace into a new order of events (for North Koreans) and thereby increasing the South's population by about 50%? Would China? Would the USA?

Remember it took about eight years (or so I believe) to reintegrate East Germany into the now unified Germany.

While I am certainly no expert on North Korea I have a strong suspicion that the current leader may adopt the end idealized by Hitler and invoke the “Gotterdammerung” approach, “If my Kim family cannot rule the country anymore then no one will” – kind of thing. Remember North Korea is a nuclear country and they have the will and the means to lay waste to the entire country.

 This sort of thing is not to be contemplated – ever.