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President of Chad Killed on the Battlefield

theguardian.com

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Re: President of Chad Killed on the Battlefield

#41

Post by nickkell »

Robotbeat wrote: post #14
versale wrote: post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"He was one of Africa’s longest-serving leaders and a close ally of western powers..." So, it depends on how you view "western powers", I guess.

Yeah, well a guy who gained power through military force is being challenged by rebel fighters... live by the sword, die by the sword. What matters is what replaces him, not whether western forces like him. I don’t understand folks who are like “the west is bad, therefore anyone the west supports is bad and their passing is good.”

The great dictator, and an even better golfer

Re: President of Chad Killed on the Battlefield

#42

Post by cycrutchfield »

bargle0 wrote: post #37
hourislate wrote: post #21

It should be mandatory for all Presidents to be on the battle field. It should also be mandatory for all members of congress and the senate to rotate in and out of the battle field.

Then the only people willing to lead would be soldiers. That probably isn't the outcome you want.

I hear Myanmar has some excellent leaders with a military background.

Re: President of Chad Killed on the Battlefield

#45

Post by capableweb »

dragontamer wrote: post #29
hourislate wrote: post #21

It should be mandatory for all Presidents to be on the battle field. It should also be mandatory for all members of congress and the senate to rotate in and out of the battle field.

Then the Battle of Agincourt happens and you lose something like 1/2 of all of your leaders. Then your status as a world power is lost forever. Besides, I don't think anyone wants a government based on military service today. Military is important, but not as important as say, infrastructure, hospitals, schools, technology, engineering, or a myriad of other government services today. I'd rather have more government o…

> Besides, I don't think anyone wants a government based on military service today. Military is important, but not as important as say, infrastructure, hospitals, schools, technology, engineering, or a myriad of other government services today.

I think the fact that one of the world powers today is all about military and projected power disproves this. Almost 50% of the population of that country made it clear that the military is of uttermost importance for them.

Then there are other countries where this is true too.

I wish what you're saying is true, but I don't think it is in most places today, although in many it is like that.

Re: President of Chad Killed on the Battlefield

#46

Post by dragontamer »

voldacar wrote: post #44

Imagine if international disputes were settled by one-on-one combat between world leaders. Our ruling class of flabby fiftysomething bureaucrats would disappear fast

You mean like when Alexander Hamilton was killed in a duel by a rival politician? And Hamilton's son was killed in a duel as well?

All you get are the blood of pacifists. As pacifists are forced into duels and their opponents shoot them. Do you want all the pacifist politicians dead or retired?

The duelist era of American politics led to Andrew Jackson. A man who forced the trail of tears on his opponents. Live by the duel, rule by the duel. You just get sadistic assholes as president

Re: President of Chad Killed on the Battlefield

#49

Post by omnicarinha »

koolba wrote: post #33
hourislate wrote: post #21

It should be mandatory for all Presidents to be on the battle field. It should also be mandatory for all members of congress and the senate to rotate in and out of the battle field.

I’d prefer requiring they have children that serve in the armed forces. Nothing makes you think twice about sending people to die in foreign lands as much as your own child being right there with them.

Well this already happens at some places, but due to some "internal works" (i.e nepotism) their children are always highly ranked and can sit at the comfort of their home country while a war is waged.

Re: President of Chad Killed on the Battlefield

#50

Post by capableweb »

nojokes wrote: post #19
enriquto wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

or libya a few years ago?

I would not call it a battlefield.

I'm not sure which of the civil wars in Libya are being referred to here, but I'd argue both of them had battlefields for sure.
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