Recent political precedent — and just modern American politics in general — all but rule out any Presidential military decision other then a surge in violence and troop levels. Meaning that historical precedent has never been a modern political guide because history is easy to ignore. It is just an intellectual consideration and has no real constituency beyond historians and no historian has been President in quite some time. A similar approach has bleed over into all political decision making.

So we are left with the tension between what is practical and what works politically. And since Presidents and Congresspersons are politicians by definition, you can easily guess what guides these decisions.

Adding to the tunnel vision of these limited options, note carefully the way President Trump described his decision making process regarding Afghanistan. He consulted with his generals and his national security team which is primarily made up of ex-generals, as is his Chief of Staff. Is it a wonder that the solution comes out military when all you discuss is military solutions? By the same logic, if all you consult is Plumbers, then every problem in your house must be a leaky pipe. But, of course, we know this is not true.

Sadly, modern collective political action is drive by our worst instincts as human beings. Collectively most of our political leadership believes that tough talk and violence (military and police action) are the correct response to all problems. It sounds good, it gets heads nodding in agreement and it is easy to formulate and execute.

A careful study of history and a nuanced alternative response to problems is not a viable political option anymore. The margins of electoral victory are too thin and the “base” doesn’t want “thought” it wants immediate “action”.

And so we are doomed to repeat history. Why? Because enough voters believe you can repeat the same mistakes over and over and achieve a different outcome. The best we can hope is that more of us learn to think more critically and demand the same of our political leadership. Our survival literally depends on it. Keep up the good work and your thoughts are part of the solution.

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