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John Adams Blog

The blog of The Antient and Honourable John Adams Society, Minnesota's Conservative Debating Society www.johnadamssociety.org

Wednesday, March 22, 2006

Anti-war Conservatives and the Left

Apparently, Paul Begala and James Carville have been running around the last few days citing an obscure professor named Martin Van Creveld arguing that Iraq is the most foolish war since Emperor Augustus lost three legions in Germany in 9 BC (sic).

I wrote about this ridiculous and totally wrong historical comparison back in January. Nevertheless I find it interesting that Federal Farmer was citing the same source to make the same argument. Are Paleocons and the left in league with each other? Or do they just find it convenient to cite bogus facts and assertions in defense of their opinions.

For anyone that cares, Varrus' legions were lost in 9 AD, not 9 BC. Who cares about facts....

Furthermore, I recommend that Begala, Carville, Federal Farmer, and Creveld all read "The Battle That Stopped Rome: Emperor Augustus, Arminius, and the Slaughter of the Legions in the Teutoburg Forest." written by Peter Wells (a local historian).

UPDATE: Scribbler points out below that I have taken the criticism of paleocons too far. Well noted. I have thus changed the title above.