« Now, however, the furthest limits of [you name it] are thrown open. But there are no tribes beyond us, nothing indeed but waves and rocks, and the yet more terrible [E pluribus Unum], from whose oppression escape is vainly sought by obedience and submission. Robbers of the world, having by their universal plunder exhausted the land, they rifle the deep. If the enemy be rich, they are rapacious; if he be poor, they lust for dominion; neither the east nor the west has been able to satisfy them. Alone among men they covet with equal eagerness poverty and riches. To robbery, slaughter, plunder, they give the lying name of empire; they make a solitude and call it peace. «
…. sed nunc terminus Britanniae patet ; nulla iam ultra gens, nihil nisi fluctus ac saxa, et infestiores Romani, quorum superbiam frustra per obsequium ac modestiam effugias. (6) Raptores orbis, postquam cuncta uastantibus defuere terrae, mare scrutantur: si locuples hostis est, auari, si pauper, ambitiosi, quos non Oriens, non Occidens satiauerit: soli omnium opes atque inopiam pari adfectu concupiscunt. (7) Auferre trucidare rapere falsis nominibus imperium, atque ubi solitudinem faciunt, pacem appellant.
Tacitus Agricola XXX, 5-7 Adapted from Perseus
My thoughts ? About Son Excellence Monsieur l'Ambassadeur ? Reminds me of Herman Kahn's "Thinking about the unthinkable", though Kahn provided, half a century ago, interesting views on a nuclear war. Maybe we should read it again. I doubt Ambassador Pete Hoekstra will remain in our memories for long
I wonder whether Jerusalem's recognition as the capital by the US mirrors, or better reciprocates, the recognition of Crimea (and the dubious NovaRossia as well ) as a part of Russia. Maybe it would make sense to this "curious" idea.
The Republican Party mainly represents the rich. [....] Alabama routinely votes Republican. Alabama is one of the poorest states in the country. [....] The Republican Party slavishly serves the top 1.26 million households.
May I slightly edit your text and say
The Republican Party represents the rich and the poor. Think Alabama, one of the poorest states. [....], but the Republican Party slavishly serves the rich. Compare for instance the average Fox News viewer and Rupert Murdoch.
"When you cut taxes, you are cutting government services." Then users, typically poor people, get convinced to privatize these services. And the owner installs a pay-per-skiing system on the snow mountain. Might it be turned in a Christmas story ?
I wonder whether the FCC net neutrality killing is really relevant, as long as some countries (or rather their national or regional legislation) keeps the FCC rule's span within domestic boundaries.
Of course, I am not sure what the words 'national', 'regional', 'domestic' now mean in this field ...
"Even the most recent violence against the Rohingya is situated within decades of persecution that has seen their rights diminish and has left the community of more than one million largely stateless. The government and the Myanmar public have long labeled them as “Bengali interlopers” at worst and as “foreign guests” at best."
source : Foreign Affairs : The Myanmar Military's Legacy of Impunity How the Rohingya Crisis Fits a Historical Pattern
Seems that the persecution is now in view of the radar.
When I was 17, more than half a century ago, my teacher in philosophy used to say : when one reaches forty, one has the face he deserves ("à partir de quarante ans, on a la gueule qu'on mérite") ....Just a question : how could Mr. Flynn reach the status of a three-star general, with such a face ?
Dear Professor,
MbS's project seems to to me to have something in common with Kemal Ataturk's. I am afraid I am illiterate in both : normal regarding Saudi Arabia's "creative destruction", not even in its infancy, less so regarding Turkey's revolution, which is almost a century old (women's right to vote !)
Does this parallel between SA and Turkey make any sense ?
Dear professor,
could you give us some further information on this slightly erotic painting and on the "seemingly" relationship between Iranian and Japanese approaches to portrait ?
Smokescreen in order to mask Mr. Mueller's investigation ?
Wag-the-dog strategy against opinion polls reminding the Malvinas-Falkland fiasco ? Neither is pleasant ; moreover, both are compatible... Three heads between the chaos and us (U.S) ..... Let us have a nice weekend
Yes, these generals have been "generally" a disaster. Buy at least, they know a thing or two about war and death. And when I gather that Mac Master and Mattis have agreed not to leave Washington DC at the same time, I feel (moderately) quieter than if resident Trump remained alone with the nuclear codes.
Many thanks for this historical "fact-checking" about Filipinos, Pershing, etc, and for the link between the Spanish war of 1898 and Barcelona today.
Resident (I love this typo) Trump's bad taste and lack of knowledge are beyond words.
Your remark about Scaramucchi as a Commedia dell'Arte character is quite accurate. Il lends me to think that Mr Trump is a Shakespearian character in his own right, neither a Hamlet nor a Lear, but a Mr John Falstaff, who should be modernized in John False Tough, with alternative writings as John False Stuff or John False Staff.
For once, we see a hero of this lamentable story rise to the level of classical tragedy. Comey's farewell letter resonates like the end of Act 4 of Corneille's final tragedy : Suréna (1674). I cannot correctly translate his sumptuous language. Maybe some people can read it in French. Here is a (revised) Google translation for convenience only.
SURENA (a great victorious general)
Pardon is to great hearts a shame to receive;
Threat has nothing to trouble them.
While out of the ramparts my suite is scattered,
That the guard is placed within by Sillace, (a spadassin J-O)
That the people expect me to be arrested,
If anyone got the order, he can execute it.
Whether they want my sword, or my head,
Say a word, lord, and both are ready:
No drop of my blood doesn't belong to my king;
And if one dares to kill me, he will lose more than I do.
I have lived for my glory as much as I had to live,
And leave a great example to those who may follow me; [...]
PACORUS (an Eric Trump of sorts)
Suréna, my fellows do not like these ways:
It is false virtues that are so proud of virtues.
After so many great deeds and reported exploits,
The king can not doubt what you are worth;
He does not want your demise : save yourself the trouble
To attract his anger and deserve my hatred;
Give your equals the example of obedience, [...]
But remember that a king, when he says, "I will!"
Farewell: that word is enough, and you must hear me.
SURENA.
I do more, I foresee what I must expect:
I wait for her without fear; And whatever the course,
I will take care of my glory; Order of my days.
La fin de l'acte IV de Suréna de Corneille
SURENA.
[...] La grâce est aux grands cœurs honteuse à recevoir ;
La menace n’a rien qui les puisse émouvoir.
Tandis que hors des murs ma suite est dispersée,
Que la garde au dedans par Sillace est placée,
Que le peuple s’attend à me voir arrêter,
Si quelqu’un en a l’ordre, il peut l’exécuter.
Qu’on veuille mon épée, ou qu’on veuille ma tête,
Dites un mot, seigneur, et l’une et l’autre est prête :
Je n’ai goutte de sang qui ne soit à mon roi ;
Et si l’on m’ose perdre, il perdra plus que moi. J’ai vécu pour ma gloire autant qu’il fallait vivre,
Et laisse un grand exemple à qui pourra me suivre ; [...]
PACORUS.
Suréna, mes pareils n’aiment point ces manières :
Ce sont fausses vertus que des vertus si fières.
Après tant de hauts faits et d’exploits signalés,
Le roi ne peut douter de ce que vous valez ;
Il ne veut point vous perdre : épargnez-vous la peine
D’attirer sa colère et mériter ma haine ;
Donnez à vos égaux l’exemple d’obéir, [...]
Mais songez bien qu’un roi, quand il dit : « je le veux… »
Adieu : ce mot suffit, et vous devez m’entendre.
SURENA.
Je fais plus, je prévois ce que j’en dois attendre :
Je l’attends sans frayeur ; et quel qu’en soit le cours,
J’aurai soin de ma gloire ; ordonnez de mes jours.
τὸ γὰρ αὐτὸ νοεῖν ἐστίν τε καὶ εἶναι — for (γὰρ) what-is-thought and what-is (τὸ νοεῖν τε καὶ εἶναι) is (are) the same thing (ἐστίν αὐτὸ) — (Parmenides, III)
Esse est percipi aut percipere — to be is either to be perceived or to perceive — (Berkeley § 429 Philosophical Commentaries)
“Perception is more important than reality. If someone perceives something to be true, it is more important than if it is true. (Ivanka Trump)
Thought in progress.....
There is nothing logical in this addiction to coal, it's mostly sentimental, I might say "germinal".
I remember French PM Pierre Mauroy's mythological thinking ; in 1981 wanted to re-open the coal mines in Northern France, thanks to his historical background.
First suggestion : send a copy of Jared Diamond's "Collapse" (the chapter on Easter Island might suffice) to "these people", in order to help them understand that, notwithstanding their own air conditioning devices, they will be burned, too. Just a little later.
Second suggestion : make "these people" nervous, by telling that China runs 2/3 of the world's bullet train network (source : le Monde 4/22) (neither oil- or coal-powered) and that they shall be overcome. There is a risk there : they may bomb the railways .....
Is the picture of Mr. Trump in front of such a flag a real one or a ministered one ? At the very least, an explanation of the source is needed for foreign readers
interesting slides about misrepresentations in 40 countries one example Polish people believe that Muslims are 7% of the population, while the actual figure is 0,1 %
from link to perils.ipsos.com via opendemocracy
for another view link to atimes.com by
I quote M.K. BHADRAKUMARs last paragraph
"At the end of the day, therefore, to a foreign observer, all this looks most curious. America’s political class is fighting among themselves with tooth and claw over an issue that is commonplace in the contemporary world, and in that process, their country, the ‘lone superpower’, becomes the laughing stock of the world community.é
"Maybe the Neanderthals of the Neofascist movement not so much." Professor Cole, please do not insult Neanderthals ; Recent research shows that they happen to have mixed with Cro-Magnon (horresco referens) to beget Homo sapiens...
Here is a huge wind farm project (62 turbines which are ca. 200 meters high) in Northern Brittany (France). Further information in English at link to eolienoffshoresaintbrieuc.com
"For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope: for a living dog is better than a dead lion". Eccl 9,4 (KJV).
What about Trump as succeeding with evangelicals ?
Dear Mr. Cole, I believe that you should be content with being disturbed by the CIA in that way.
Stuff happens : remember Jean Seberg or David Kelly, the British scientist who both committed suicide.
Long live to informed comment !
Who will say that the Mainstream Media are to be held responsible in no small part for this disaster ? Why did they allocate so much time and attention to this even-not-useful idiot ? Father Jones (unrelated to Mother Jones, I hope) lead a cohort of about twenty-five people a year ago. I am afraid his affiliates' number is growing.
If you cannot silence him (freedom of speech), silence yourselves, and let him "die" from coverage attrition.
What about Sarah Palin being right ? North Koreans might be accointed to the neo-cons, to the military industrial complex, usw, as they happen to take pleasure in spoiling any chance to have peace in the "Pacific" (forgive the pun) area ? Then, Mrs. Palin would have disclosed a national security secret.
Juste un petit mot pour vous dire combien votre blog nous est utile à tous, bien au-delà des frontières des USA. Bravo pour cet effort permanent d'information raisonnée.
© 2025 All Rights Reserved
Mr. Kushner's behaviour seems questionable, to put it mildly. In front of a jury maybe ? Or can Mr. Kushner invoke the "privilege of the Clown" ?
« Now, however, the furthest limits of [you name it] are thrown open. But there are no tribes beyond us, nothing indeed but waves and rocks, and the yet more terrible [E pluribus Unum], from whose oppression escape is vainly sought by obedience and submission. Robbers of the world, having by their universal plunder exhausted the land, they rifle the deep. If the enemy be rich, they are rapacious; if he be poor, they lust for dominion; neither the east nor the west has been able to satisfy them. Alone among men they covet with equal eagerness poverty and riches. To robbery, slaughter, plunder, they give the lying name of empire; they make a solitude and call it peace. «
…. sed nunc terminus Britanniae patet ; nulla iam ultra gens, nihil nisi fluctus ac saxa, et infestiores Romani, quorum superbiam frustra per obsequium ac modestiam effugias. (6) Raptores orbis, postquam cuncta uastantibus defuere terrae, mare scrutantur: si locuples hostis est, auari, si pauper, ambitiosi, quos non Oriens, non Occidens satiauerit: soli omnium opes atque inopiam pari adfectu concupiscunt. (7) Auferre trucidare rapere falsis nominibus imperium, atque ubi solitudinem faciunt, pacem appellant.
Tacitus Agricola XXX, 5-7 Adapted from Perseus
nil novi sub sole...
My thoughts ? About Son Excellence Monsieur l'Ambassadeur ? Reminds me of Herman Kahn's "Thinking about the unthinkable", though Kahn provided, half a century ago, interesting views on a nuclear war. Maybe we should read it again. I doubt Ambassador Pete Hoekstra will remain in our memories for long
I wonder whether Jerusalem's recognition as the capital by the US mirrors, or better reciprocates, the recognition of Crimea (and the dubious NovaRossia as well ) as a part of Russia. Maybe it would make sense to this "curious" idea.
The Republican Party mainly represents the rich. [....] Alabama routinely votes Republican. Alabama is one of the poorest states in the country. [....] The Republican Party slavishly serves the top 1.26 million households.
May I slightly edit your text and say
The Republican Party represents the rich and the poor. Think Alabama, one of the poorest states. [....], but the Republican Party slavishly serves the rich. Compare for instance the average Fox News viewer and Rupert Murdoch.
"When you cut taxes, you are cutting government services." Then users, typically poor people, get convinced to privatize these services. And the owner installs a pay-per-skiing system on the snow mountain. Might it be turned in a Christmas story ?
I wonder whether the FCC net neutrality killing is really relevant, as long as some countries (or rather their national or regional legislation) keeps the FCC rule's span within domestic boundaries.
Of course, I am not sure what the words 'national', 'regional', 'domestic' now mean in this field ...
"Even the most recent violence against the Rohingya is situated within decades of persecution that has seen their rights diminish and has left the community of more than one million largely stateless. The government and the Myanmar public have long labeled them as “Bengali interlopers” at worst and as “foreign guests” at best."
source : Foreign Affairs : The Myanmar Military's Legacy of Impunity How the Rohingya Crisis Fits a Historical Pattern
Seems that the persecution is now in view of the radar.
When I was 17, more than half a century ago, my teacher in philosophy used to say : when one reaches forty, one has the face he deserves ("à partir de quarante ans, on a la gueule qu'on mérite") ....Just a question : how could Mr. Flynn reach the status of a three-star general, with such a face ?
Dear Professor,
MbS's project seems to to me to have something in common with Kemal Ataturk's. I am afraid I am illiterate in both : normal regarding Saudi Arabia's "creative destruction", not even in its infancy, less so regarding Turkey's revolution, which is almost a century old (women's right to vote !)
Does this parallel between SA and Turkey make any sense ?
Dear professor,
could you give us some further information on this slightly erotic painting and on the "seemingly" relationship between Iranian and Japanese approaches to portrait ?
A good question : link to theguardian.com
Of course the answer is mot satisfying. How could it ?
Smokescreen in order to mask Mr. Mueller's investigation ?
Wag-the-dog strategy against opinion polls reminding the Malvinas-Falkland fiasco ? Neither is pleasant ; moreover, both are compatible... Three heads between the chaos and us (U.S) ..... Let us have a nice weekend
Yes, these generals have been "generally" a disaster. Buy at least, they know a thing or two about war and death. And when I gather that Mac Master and Mattis have agreed not to leave Washington DC at the same time, I feel (moderately) quieter than if resident Trump remained alone with the nuclear codes.
Many thanks for this historical "fact-checking" about Filipinos, Pershing, etc, and for the link between the Spanish war of 1898 and Barcelona today.
Resident (I love this typo) Trump's bad taste and lack of knowledge are beyond words.
Your remark about Scaramucchi as a Commedia dell'Arte character is quite accurate. Il lends me to think that Mr Trump is a Shakespearian character in his own right, neither a Hamlet nor a Lear, but a Mr John Falstaff, who should be modernized in John False Tough, with alternative writings as John False Stuff or John False Staff.
For once, we see a hero of this lamentable story rise to the level of classical tragedy. Comey's farewell letter resonates like the end of Act 4 of Corneille's final tragedy : Suréna (1674). I cannot correctly translate his sumptuous language. Maybe some people can read it in French. Here is a (revised) Google translation for convenience only.
SURENA (a great victorious general)
Pardon is to great hearts a shame to receive;
Threat has nothing to trouble them.
While out of the ramparts my suite is scattered,
That the guard is placed within by Sillace, (a spadassin J-O)
That the people expect me to be arrested,
If anyone got the order, he can execute it.
Whether they want my sword, or my head,
Say a word, lord, and both are ready:
No drop of my blood doesn't belong to my king;
And if one dares to kill me, he will lose more than I do.
I have lived for my glory as much as I had to live,
And leave a great example to those who may follow me; [...]
PACORUS (an Eric Trump of sorts)
Suréna, my fellows do not like these ways:
It is false virtues that are so proud of virtues.
After so many great deeds and reported exploits,
The king can not doubt what you are worth;
He does not want your demise : save yourself the trouble
To attract his anger and deserve my hatred;
Give your equals the example of obedience, [...]
But remember that a king, when he says, "I will!"
Farewell: that word is enough, and you must hear me.
SURENA.
I do more, I foresee what I must expect:
I wait for her without fear; And whatever the course,
I will take care of my glory; Order of my days.
La fin de l'acte IV de Suréna de Corneille
SURENA.
[...] La grâce est aux grands cœurs honteuse à recevoir ;
La menace n’a rien qui les puisse émouvoir.
Tandis que hors des murs ma suite est dispersée,
Que la garde au dedans par Sillace est placée,
Que le peuple s’attend à me voir arrêter,
Si quelqu’un en a l’ordre, il peut l’exécuter.
Qu’on veuille mon épée, ou qu’on veuille ma tête,
Dites un mot, seigneur, et l’une et l’autre est prête :
Je n’ai goutte de sang qui ne soit à mon roi ;
Et si l’on m’ose perdre, il perdra plus que moi. J’ai vécu pour ma gloire autant qu’il fallait vivre,
Et laisse un grand exemple à qui pourra me suivre ; [...]
PACORUS.
Suréna, mes pareils n’aiment point ces manières :
Ce sont fausses vertus que des vertus si fières.
Après tant de hauts faits et d’exploits signalés,
Le roi ne peut douter de ce que vous valez ;
Il ne veut point vous perdre : épargnez-vous la peine
D’attirer sa colère et mériter ma haine ;
Donnez à vos égaux l’exemple d’obéir, [...]
Mais songez bien qu’un roi, quand il dit : « je le veux… »
Adieu : ce mot suffit, et vous devez m’entendre.
SURENA.
Je fais plus, je prévois ce que j’en dois attendre :
Je l’attends sans frayeur ; et quel qu’en soit le cours,
J’aurai soin de ma gloire ; ordonnez de mes jours.
τὸ γὰρ αὐτὸ νοεῖν ἐστίν τε καὶ εἶναι — for (γὰρ) what-is-thought and what-is (τὸ νοεῖν τε καὶ εἶναι) is (are) the same thing (ἐστίν αὐτὸ) — (Parmenides, III)
Esse est percipi aut percipere — to be is either to be perceived or to perceive — (Berkeley § 429 Philosophical Commentaries)
“Perception is more important than reality. If someone perceives something to be true, it is more important than if it is true. (Ivanka Trump)
Thought in progress.....
There is nothing logical in this addiction to coal, it's mostly sentimental, I might say "germinal".
I remember French PM Pierre Mauroy's mythological thinking ; in 1981 wanted to re-open the coal mines in Northern France, thanks to his historical background.
First suggestion : send a copy of Jared Diamond's "Collapse" (the chapter on Easter Island might suffice) to "these people", in order to help them understand that, notwithstanding their own air conditioning devices, they will be burned, too. Just a little later.
Second suggestion : make "these people" nervous, by telling that China runs 2/3 of the world's bullet train network (source : le Monde 4/22) (neither oil- or coal-powered) and that they shall be overcome. There is a risk there : they may bomb the railways .....
An excellent paper, in my view. As always, people who do need to read it will dismiss it.
Is the picture of Mr. Trump in front of such a flag a real one or a ministered one ? At the very least, an explanation of the source is needed for foreign readers
interesting slides about misrepresentations in 40 countries one example Polish people believe that Muslims are 7% of the population, while the actual figure is 0,1 %
from link to perils.ipsos.com via opendemocracy
for another view
link to atimes.com by
I quote M.K. BHADRAKUMARs last paragraph
"At the end of the day, therefore, to a foreign observer, all this looks most curious. America’s political class is fighting among themselves with tooth and claw over an issue that is commonplace in the contemporary world, and in that process, their country, the ‘lone superpower’, becomes the laughing stock of the world community.é
Bad. Lawyers might have saved his life. Death penalty is irrelevant (I am a foreigner, and a Frenchman at that....)
"Maybe the Neanderthals of the Neofascist movement not so much." Professor Cole, please do not insult Neanderthals ; Recent research shows that they happen to have mixed with Cro-Magnon (horresco referens) to beget Homo sapiens...
Among the FBI's "trophies", shouldn't we include the late Jean Seberg ?
Here is a huge wind farm project (62 turbines which are ca. 200 meters high) in Northern Brittany (France). Further information in English at link to eolienoffshoresaintbrieuc.com
Dr. Prof. Cole,
Would it be possible to get the original version ? I don't read any of these languages, but their graphism is so beautiful....
"For to him that is joined to all the living there is hope: for a living dog is better than a dead lion". Eccl 9,4 (KJV).
What about Trump as succeeding with evangelicals ?
Très bel hommage à un grand monsieur. Me revient le vers de Lucain (la Pharsale) Etiam perierunt ruinae...
Nestlé's strategy, if and when implemented, will create Jobs, (ca. 530 B.C.E.) not jobs.
Dear Mr. Cole, I believe that you should be content with being disturbed by the CIA in that way.
Stuff happens : remember Jean Seberg or David Kelly, the British scientist who both committed suicide.
Long live to informed comment !
Who will say that the Mainstream Media are to be held responsible in no small part for this disaster ? Why did they allocate so much time and attention to this even-not-useful idiot ? Father Jones (unrelated to Mother Jones, I hope) lead a cohort of about twenty-five people a year ago. I am afraid his affiliates' number is growing.
If you cannot silence him (freedom of speech), silence yourselves, and let him "die" from coverage attrition.
What about Sarah Palin being right ? North Koreans might be accointed to the neo-cons, to the military industrial complex, usw, as they happen to take pleasure in spoiling any chance to have peace in the "Pacific" (forgive the pun) area ? Then, Mrs. Palin would have disclosed a national security secret.
Juste un petit mot pour vous dire combien votre blog nous est utile à tous, bien au-delà des frontières des USA. Bravo pour cet effort permanent d'information raisonnée.